When a customer clicks “Buy,” a complex chain of operational steps is activated behind the scenes. Each of those steps must run smoothly to keep costs low, orders accurate, and customers happy.
This guide breaks down each major phase of warehousing and shipping for eCommerce explains why it matters, and highlights how brands can optimize their operations for reliability, efficiency, and scale.
Receiving is the first and arguably most foundational part of fulfillment. In an ideal workflow, inventory arrives on time, in the right quantities, and in alignment with warehouse receiving guidelines.
Receiving becomes more complex when multiple vendors are involved, and even small mistakes can ripple across the entire operation. A well-executed receiving process includes:
Investing in strong receiving practices establishes the accuracy and predictability that downstream teams rely on.
Once inventory is in the building, it must be stored and monitored in a way that ensures quick retrieval and minimizes errors. Effective inventory management means having the right stock, at the right levels, in the right place, at the right time.
This requires:
Strong inventory management helps brands maintain customer trust by reducing the likelihood of backorders, delays, and mispicks.
Order processing is the bridge between your eCommerce platform and your warehouse. Manual order entry introduces unnecessary delays and errors. Integrated systems solve this by:
A centralized order dashboard provides transparency from order creation through final delivery. This foundation allows brands to scale without adding administrative burden.
Picking is the process of locating, retrieving, and preparing ordered items for packing. It’s where most fulfillment errors occur, which is why accuracy and efficiency in this step are crucial.
Effective picking relies on:
When picking is optimized, brands benefit from fewer returns, faster order cycle times, and happier customers.
Packing is where items are prepared for shipment, and it’s far more nuanced than simply choosing a box. Key considerations include:
Good packing increases delivery success rates and improves the customer experience, especially for DTC brands where unboxing matters.
Shipping is the final step, but its success depends heavily on what comes before it. Warehousing teams apply shipping labels and prepare orders, but long-term success requires a thoughtful strategy.
Efficient shipping depends on:
A strong shipping strategy reduces costs, improves delivery times, and strengthens customer loyalty.
For many brands, the tipping point comes when internal resources can’t keep up with operational demands. A third-party logistics (3PL) partner can help by:
Brands often partner with a 3PL when order volumes rise, costs become unpredictable, or accuracy issues begin affecting customer satisfaction.
Toward the bottom of the funnel — once a brand is actively evaluating partners — Materialogic can help streamline operations and support long-term growth. Materialogic offers:
Learn more about Materialogic’s custom 3PL solutions for eCommerce.
The primary stages are receiving, inventory storage, order processing, picking, packing, and shipping. Each stage must function smoothly for orders to be delivered accurately and on time.
A 3PL uses integrated systems, trained warehouse teams, and well-defined processes to minimize errors in receiving, picking, packing, and shipping.
Absolutely. Many brands now use hybrid models, leveraging FBA for fast-moving SKUs and a 3PL for slower or specialty products.
Common inflection points include rising order volumes, lack of warehouse space, inconsistent delivery times, escalating shipping costs, or limited visibility into stock levels.
Cost savings often come from improved inventory accuracy, optimized picking and packing workflows, multi-carrier shipping strategies, and reduced manual labor through system integrations.
Materialogic combines decades of fulfillment expertise with scalable technology, customizable workflows, and centralized facilities that enable fast, affordable delivery across the U.S.