In this article, we shall take a look at two shipping companies – NextSmartShip and ShipHero, so you can get an idea about which shipping and fulfillment service works for you. But first, let’s shed some light on what a fulfillment company does.
What is a fulfillment company?
A fulfillment company is a facility that is responsible for receiving, processing, and fulfilling customer orders on behalf of e-commerce businesses.
When a customer places an order on an e-commerce website, the fulfillment center is responsible for picking, packing, and shipping the product to the customer.
When an order is received, the fulfillment center staff picks the product from the inventory, packs it securely, and prepares it for shipping. The fulfillment center then arranges for shipping with a carrier, such as FedEx or UPS, and sends the package on its way to the customer.
Fulfillment centers are typically designed to handle large volumes of orders efficiently and quickly. They often use advanced technology, such as automation and barcoding systems, to streamline the order fulfillment process and minimize errors.
NextSmartShip
NextSmartShip is a fulfillment logistics company that specializes in helping eCommerce businesses of all sizes to manage their supply chain and logistics operations. The company is registered in China but has a global presence with warehouses located in strategic locations around the world, including USA, Europe, and Australia.
Benefits of using NextSmartShip
Robust Fulfillment Solutions
NextSmartShip offers a variety of fulfillment solutions, including ecommerce, Amazon, crowdfunding, and subscription box fulfilment. Each of these types of fulfillment services caters to a different client. These options are a great range for startups and small to medium businessess.
Competitive Pricing
Thanks to China’s low labor and raw material costs, NextSmartShip offers some of the most affordable prices for fulfillment solutions in the world. If your ecommerce store has products with suppliers based in China, you will enjoy clear and systematic line pricing options.
Free Warehouse Management System Software
Unlike some fulfilment companies that charge to use WMS software, NextSmartShip allows clients to track their inventory on software free of charge. This reduces costs and can open up avenues to focus on other aspects of the business.
Green Packaging
Today, many businesses want to align with ethical business practices. For this reason, NextSmartShip offers sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging. This is ideal for clients who are conscious about the environment.
Cons of using NextSmartShip
Language Barrier
A lot of communications in China are done in Chinese. This might be an issue for someone who has not done research into the right fulfillment company to select for their e-commerce business. However, with NextSmartShip, you can rest assured knowing that your account manager speaks English and can assist you with any queries you might have with suppliers.
ShipHero
ShipHero is a company that provides e-commerce fulfillment services and inventory management software to businesses. ShipHero is headquartered in New York City, United States, and has fulfillment centers located across the United States and Canada.
Benefits of using ShipHero
No zone shipping
In many DTC (Direct To Consumer) companies, packages going to one location are lumped up together by carrier agents. This can hike rates even when packages are smaller in size or on regular shipping timings.
ShipHero does not use zone shipping. Instead, it utilizes 3 different shipping levels, including standard, 2 day, and expedited shipping. Most customers anticipate their packages to arrive sooner rather than later, so this type of shipping is ideal for small businesses.
Advanced analytics options
ShipHero collects appropriate data and presents it to the client to aid them in future decisions. The company provides businesses with detailed analytics and reporting tools that can help them make data-driven decisions and optimize their order fulfillment processes.
Cons of using ShipHero
Limited shipping range
ShipHero has a smaller range of shipping and fulfilment services globally. This company does not guarantee door-to-door tracking for shipments beyond the USA and Canada. In addition to that, ShipHero does not cover import duties.
All packages are held up in overseas countries under DDU – or Delivery Duty Unpaid. This means that the customer is expected to pay an amount to customs in order to receive their package. Some customers may not be aware of this tax and may get an unexpected communication to pay additional costs for their product.
Limited Fulfilment Services
ShipHero does not source your inventory for you. You will have to find suppliers and send your inventory to their fulfillment centers or warehouse locations in USA and Canada. They have five warehouses in the USA and two in Canada.
Additionally, expedited shipping is only available for 48 states in the US.
NextSmartShip vs. ShipHero: A Comparison
There are many pros and cons to consider when choosing between two shipping fulfilment companies. Let’s compare the two – which fulfilment service should you use for your e-commerce store?
Location
NextSmartShip is based in China, the USA, Europe, and Australia. It has several master fulfillment centers in China, one in the UK, one in Europe, one in Australia, and two in the USA. This allows for a minimum of two-day shipping in these areas.
However, ShipHero has warehouses strictly in the USA and Canada, and this means that international shipping can take up to 45 days. Aside from that, ShipHero does not accommodate shipping to certain countries in the world, and this can be disappointing for customers.
Automation
Automation and AI are taking over the world. Companies that use automation can reduce costs and charge less for labor fees. NextSmartShip has fully automated warehouses in China, the United States, Europe, and Australia.
ShipHero also uses automation features in conjunction with shipping carriers such as UPS and FedEx to automatically track packages as they pass through various points in their journey to the end customer.
Pricing
China shipping is an incredibly cheap option, considering the low manufacturing and labor cost. Since NextSmartShip is based in China, you can expect to enjoy reduced prices for your fulfilment services.
NextSmartShip offers a variety of services at no cost, including setup, receiving, and software and API integrations. Packaging services and materials are also offered completely free of charge.
However, for clients who prefer to use sustainable packaging materials, the PackGreen solution offers biodegradable packaging at an affordable price.
Shipping fee varies depending on factors such as destination, weight, and dimensions. For additional information, your fulfilment advisor will offer a complete list of shipping solutions.
On the other hand, ShipHero does not offer clear shipping pricing on their site. They prefer to meet clients and provide a pricing strategy that works best for different businesses.
Additionally, ShipHero charges a more complex and tiered payment options for access to their Warehouse Management System. It is split into Standard WMS, WMS for 3PLs, and Enterprise WMS.
Shipping and Fulfilment
NextSmartShip has a strong focus on international shipping, providing worldwide coverage and various shipping options. ShipHero also offers international shipping, but the options are more limited.
Both NextSmartShip and ShipHero provide warehouse management services, including inventory management, order processing, and returns management. However, NextSmartShip has a proprietary warehouse management system that offers more features and is more flexible.
Integrations
Both NextSmartShip and ShipHero integrate with major e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. However, NextSmartShip offers more integrations and is generally considered more user-friendly.
Customer Support
Both NextSmartShip and ShipHero have strong customer service teams that are responsive to customer needs. However, NextSmartShip offers 24/7 customer service and has a reputation for being very attentive to customer needs.
Additionally, NextSmartShip offers a variety of channels for customers to communicate their concerns, including live chat, email, phone, and meeting booking tools. Customers can select a channel based on their comfort.
Global Shipping Capabilities
NextSmartShip offers worldwide shipping to over 200 countries. Businesses can choose from a range of shipping options, including express shipping, standard shipping, and economy shipping. This way, you don’t have to disappoint customers if you don’t ship to their country.
Conclusion
NextSmartShip has a strong focus on international shipping and provides worldwide coverage, which is essential for businesses that have a global customer base.
NextSmartShip’s integration with major e-commerce platforms is seamless and user-friendly, offering a hassle-free experience for businesses looking to streamline their shipping and fulfillment processes.
The company’s competitive shipping rates and customized solutions also make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes and industries.
In conclusion, NextSmartShip is a great fulfillment solution for startups and small and medium sized companies. If your supplier is based in China, NextSmartShip is the smarter option for your ecommerce store.
