Effective split order management is essential for eCommerce businesses, especially those that use dropshipping, third-party suppliers, or several warehouses. Multiple shipments are produced when a customer’s order is fulfilled from multiple locations, a situation known as a split order. Fast delivery and inventory efficiency are maintained, but there are logistical and customer service issues as well.
We’re going explore the causes of split orders, the difficulties they create, and practical ways to handle them in this guide. We’ll also highlight important tools for automating and optimizing the split order process.
Table of Content
- Why Do Split Orders Happen?
- Split Order Difficulties
- The Best Strategies to Handle Split Orders
- Essential Tools for Managing Split Orders
- How a Shopify Store Made Split Orders Work Better
- Final Thoughts
Why Do Split Orders Happen?
A split order happens when a customer purchases multiple items that can’t be shipped in one shipment. There are various reasons for this happening:
Multiple Warehouses:
Fulfilling an order from the nearest warehouse will speed up delivery if your inventory is dispersed across multiple locations.
Dropshipping:
Split shipments are a natural result of orders being fulfilled by several suppliers.
Product Availability:
A single order may contain products that are available elsewhere but unavailable at one location.
Product Type or Size:
Certain products (fragile, oversized, etc.) may need to be shipped individually and require alternative delivery methods.
Requests for Expedited Shipping:
items that a client chooses for fast shipping could be shipped apart from items that are shipped normally.
Split Order Difficulties
Split orders provide a number of difficulties while they help guarantee on-time delivery:
Increased Shipping Costs:
The cost of shipping increases up with more shipments, which may reduce profit margins.
Customer Confusion:
When customers receive their order in several parcels, they could be taken surprised or frustrated.
Complexity of Tracking:
Managing track of several tracking numbers and informing clients of delivery statuses could be difficult.
Returns and Refunds:
If split shipment returns are not handled properly, it might result in unhappy customers and require further collaboration.
The Best Strategies to Handle Split Orders
The following best strategies should be used by e-commerce businesses to ensure seamless operations and a satisfying customer experience:
1. Improve the Management of Inventory
Purchasing a strong inventory management system (IMS) reduces the possibility of split orders and helps businesses in monitoring stock levels in real-time. Additionally, a properly linked IMS can assist with strategic inventory distribution, ensuring that products are kept in locations that minimize split shipments.
2. Enhance Fulfillment and Warehouse Techniques
Strategic Warehouse Placement: Split shipments may not be necessary if inventory is spread across multiple locations according to demand patterns.
- Strategic Warehouse Placement: Split shipments may not be necessary if inventory is spread across several sites according to demand trends.
- Order Consolidation: If at all possible, temporarily hold orders so that they can be shipped together rather than separately.
- Leverage Fulfillment Partners: Using third-party logistics (3PL) companies can reduce split orders and streamline fulfillment.
3. Have Clear Communication with Customers
To manage expectations, customers should be made aware of possible divided orders up front. Some of the best practices are:
- Order Confirmation Emails: Confirm in detail whether an order will be shipped in multiple supplies.
- Tracking Updates: Make sure every shipment has a unique tracking number that is easy to find.
- Customer Support Readiness: Train customer support representatives how to effectively respond to questions regarding split shipments.
4. Provide Bundled Shipping or Shipping Incentives
- Provide Free shipment: To increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, cover the expense of shipment.
- Discounts for Bundle Shipping: Offer savings to customers who are willing to wait for combined shipments.
- Delivery-Based Fee Preferences: Give customers the option of economy shipping (bundled shipments) or quick delivery (separate orders).
5. Automate Order Fulfillment and Routing
- Orders Are Automatically Assigned to the Closest Warehouse: Lowering the requirement for split shipments.
- Highly effective Shipment Coordination: Guaranteeing the fastest and most affordable fulfillment procedure.
- Providing Real-Time Tracking: Providing customers of shipments in real time.
Essential Tools for Managing Split Orders
The following effective tools can help split order handling work more efficiently:
Features:
Provides real-time tracking, interacts with carriers, and automates shipment.
2. AfterShip
Features:
Real-time tracking notifications for multiple shipments.
3. Brightpearl
Features:
Complete OMS with collaboration between several warehouses and suppliers.
4. ShipBob
Features:
3PL solution for optimised fulfilment with distributed warehouses.
How a Shopify Store Made Split Orders Work Better
Due to split sales, an online clothing store that used Shopify had to pay more for shipping. They cut down on split shipments by 40% and made customers happier by combining ShipStation and a distributed warehouse system with ShipBob.
Final Thoughts
Effective split order management is essential to reducing expenses, increased customer satisfaction, and easier procedures. Ecommerce businesses can use automation tools, optimise inventory distribution, and apply smart fulfilment techniques to turn split orders into a competitive advantage rather than a logistical challenge.
Investing in the correct tools and methods ensures that split orders are managed effectively, resulting in better customer experiences and operational success.
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