Discover the transformative power of ShipBob, a cutting-edge ecommerce fulfillment solution designed to streamline your business operations.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the myriad features and services offered by ShipBob, from their advanced inventory management systems to their global shipping capabilities.
Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, understanding how ShipBob can revolutionize your fulfillment process is crucial in today’s fast-paced ecommerce landscape.
Join us as we explore the intricate details of ShipBob’s offerings, and learn how they can elevate your business efficiency, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, your bottom line.
Read further to learn more about ShipBob, in our review we will detail its features, pros and cons with our rating, and a conclusion about why you should use it.
Click on “open” if you want to see exactly what we will talk about in the rest of this article.
Overview
What is ShipBob?
ShipBob is an ecommerce fulfillment software designed to streamline the shipping and logistics process for online businesses. It integrates with various ecommerce platforms, offering services like warehousing, inventory management, and order fulfillment.
The software automates the fulfillment process, from picking and packing to shipping, and provides real-time tracking for both the business and its customers.
ShipBob’s solution is tailored to help ecommerce businesses scale efficiently by reducing shipping costs and delivery times, while also managing inventory across multiple distribution centers.
This makes it a valuable tool for online retailers looking to optimize their fulfillment strategy and enhance customer satisfaction.
ShipBob specifications
Features | 2-Day Express Fulfillment / Customization and Branding / DTC Fulfillment, Amazon FBA Prep, Amazon FBM, Online Marketplaces, Retail distribution and dropshipping / FreightBob / Global reach / Hand off Logistics to ShipBob / Inventory Management / Multiple Warehouses / Omnichannel Support |
Best suited for | Small businesses, Mid size businesses, Large enterprises |
Website languages | English |
Website URL | Visit official website |
Support link | Support page |
Live chat | No |
Company address | Chicago, IL |
Year founded | 2014 |
Pricing
ShipBob pricing: How much does ShipBob cost?
Pricing range | From $5 per month |
Pricing types | Monthly subscription / Quote based |
Free plan | No |
Free trial | No |
Money back guarantee | No |
Pricing page link | See plans |
ShipBob pricing plans
ShipBob’s pricing model for order fulfillment services is designed to be comprehensive and transparent, covering various aspects of the fulfillment process. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Receiving: ShipBob charges a flat rate of USD $35 for the first two hours of receiving and storing inventory. After the initial two hours, the rate is USD $45 per hour.
- Storage: Storage fees are based on the amount of space used, with charges of $40 per pallet per month, $10 per shelf per month, and $5 per bin per month.
- Pick and Pack Fees: The first four picks in an order are free, after which a fee of $0.25 per pick is charged. This fee is for each individual item picked in the process of assembling an order.
- Standard Packaging: Standard packaging, including brown boxes, yellow bubble mailers, white poly bags, packing tape, and airfill, is included in the total fulfillment cost at no extra charge. Custom branded packing materials are available at an additional cost.
- Kitting Fees: Kitting, which involves unique arrangements or assemblies of items before shipping, is charged on a per-project basis. This includes a flat fee for the kitting project (e.g., $25) and an additional touch fee ranging from $0.04 to $0.50 per unit or kit.
- Shipping: Shipping costs vary based on destination, weight, dimensions, shipping speed, etc. ShipBob passes the cost of shipping from the carrier, often at a discounted rate, directly to the client.
- Onboarding Costs: New clients may encounter onboarding costs to set up ecommerce fulfillment services, which are designed to streamline the start-up process with the fulfillment provider.
These pricing components reflect ShipBob’s approach to providing a comprehensive and scalable fulfillment solution for ecommerce businesses, with the flexibility to cater to various needs and business sizes.
Features
ShipBob features: What can you do with it?
Dive into the heart of ShipBob’s capabilities in our detailed features section. Here, we uncover the layers of functionality that set ShipBob apart in the ecommerce fulfillment landscape.
From their advanced warehouse management system to their innovative 2-day shipping strategy, each feature is crafted to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Explore how ShipBob’s customization options, multichannel fulfillment, and global distribution network can be leveraged to meet the dynamic needs of your business.
2-Day Express Fulfillment
ShipBob’s 2-Day Express Fulfillment feature is a game-changer for ecommerce businesses, offering comprehensive 2-day shipping across the continental United States. This feature is not limited by the number of fulfillment centers used, ensuring wide coverage even with a single center.
The integration of 2-day shipping badges and estimated delivery dates on top ecommerce platforms like Shopify enhances customer trust and can significantly boost conversion rates. This service extends to various online marketplaces, including Walmart, Facebook, Instagram, and Google, allowing for a broader reach.
ShipBob’s commitment to on-time delivery is evident in their industry-leading performance, which they transparently share. Their proprietary algorithm efficiently combines ground, air, and regional carriers to maintain high delivery rates while keeping costs manageable.
This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses operating across multiple online channels, as it ensures a consistent, fast shipping experience, meeting modern customer expectations and aiding in business growth.
Customization Suite
ShipBob’s Customization Suite elevates the customer experience by offering unique, branded packaging options. This suite is instrumental in creating a memorable unboxing experience, which can significantly influence purchasing decisions, enhance customer loyalty, and generate social buzz.
About 55% of shoppers are more likely to revisit a brand that uses branded packaging, and ShipBob facilitates this with options for custom boxes and mailers. Their advanced box algorithm ensures optimal packaging by considering product dimensions and preferences.
The suite also includes kitting services, allowing for pre-packaged, ready-to-ship kits that can include various custom actions like adding stickers or labels. Marketing inserts offer another layer of personalization, providing opportunities for promotions, special offers, or heartfelt messages from the brand.
Additionally, the suite allows for customizable gift notes, adding a personal touch to gifts sent through the platform.
Despite the high level of customization offered, ShipBob ensures that the costs remain manageable, with free options like custom sender labels and standard packaging, and nominal fees for more personalized services like printed gift notes and kitting.
This suite is a powerful tool for brands looking to stand out and create a lasting impression on their customers.
ShipBob WMS
ShipBob Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a comprehensive solution designed to enhance accuracy, visibility, and productivity in warehouse operations. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 1000 companies, and is used to manage over 7,000 brands in ShipBob’s global network of 50+ warehouses.
The platform serves as a single source of truth, eliminating slow fulfillment, manual processes, and inventory discrepancies.
It integrates various functionalities including warehouse, inventory, order, and transportation management, along with pick and pack services, reporting, analytics, and an App Store with an open API.
The system is cloud-based, allowing for remote access and management of multiple warehouses. It improves inventory accuracy with detailed product images and location-specific visibility, optimizes order fulfillment metrics, and provides intelligent order routing for optimal transportation.
The pick and pack process is enhanced for accuracy and speed, with various picking options and an intuitive dashboard for easy training.
ShipBob WMS also offers seamless integration with major ecommerce platforms, marketplaces, and tools, and provides comprehensive onboarding and support, including virtual or on-site implementation and dedicated account management.
Additionally, it offers a blended fulfillment option, allowing access to ShipBob’s extensive warehouse network for testing global markets and managing stockouts.
Hand off Logistics to ShipBob
ShipBob’s Outsourced Fulfillment Solutions offer a comprehensive approach to logistics, enabling businesses to improve delivery experiences and scale efficiently. ShipBob, a tech-enabled 3PL, operates over 40 fulfillment centers globally, all integrated with their proprietary software.
Their full-stack fulfillment services include a distributed network that scales with business growth, covering both DTC and B2B fulfillment. They offer fast shipping, customization capabilities, cross-border shipping, and reliable support from fulfillment experts.
The inventory distribution and placement services provide data-driven recommendations for optimal fulfillment center locations, designated receiving hubs, and an Inventory Placement program in the US for efficient inventory management.
Their multichannel fulfillment services support major ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, along with EDI providers for wholesale B2B and retail dropshipping orders.
ShipBob ensures better delivery experiences with fast shipping options, customizable unboxing experiences, and a global reach for international scaling. They provide expert onboarding and trusted support, with a dedicated team for successful integration and ongoing assistance.
Global Growth
ShipBob’s Global Growth Solutions are designed to support brands in their journey towards international expansion. They offer a comprehensive suite of services for businesses at any stage of global growth, with a focus on cross-border solutions and a physical presence across three continents.
ShipBob’s network enables fulfillment from key global locations including the US, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia, and offers shipping to over 200 countries with both standard and expedited options. Their Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping capabilities enhance cross-border transparency and eliminate unexpected costs at checkout.
The centralized global fulfillment network speeds up transit times and facilitates in-country delivery to avoid duties and import taxes. ShipBob’s best-in-class technology provides real-time logistics transparency and access to their proprietary WMS, ensuring consistent service levels and support.
Additionally, they offer guidance for global expansion, working closely with businesses to strategize and recommend optimal approaches for international growth. Their DDP solution, powered by FlavorCloud, optimizes international shipping from the US and UK, reducing delivery times and surprise fees, thus enhancing the overall customer experience.
Omnichannel Fulfillment at Your Fingertips
ShipBob’s Omnichannel Fulfillment Solutions are tailored to help businesses outpace competitors by leveraging a combination of B2B and DTC fulfillment services. This comprehensive approach allows businesses to meet the demands of both retail partners and consumers efficiently.
ShipBob’s logistics platform, efficient operations, and expert support streamline the fulfillment process, enabling businesses to focus on growth while handling the complexities of retailer compliance and consumer expectations. Their services cover all channels under one roof:
- Retail Distribution: ShipBob ensures B2B orders are shipped fully-compliant to retailers, mitigating the risk of costly chargebacks.
- Retail Dropshipping: Businesses can sell products on a retailer’s online store, with ShipBob handling the fulfillment and shipping directly to the end customer.
- Online Marketplaces: Integration with online marketplaces like Walmart expands customer reach, while ShipBob takes care of order fulfillment.
- Amazon FBA Prep: ShipBob assists in sending inventory to Amazon warehouses, enabling businesses to leverage the Prime Badge for fulfillment.
- Amazon FBM: Through direct integration with Amazon, ShipBob can fulfill FBM orders directly to customers.
- DTC Fulfillment: ShipBob integrates with preferred ecommerce platforms and tools to automate the processing and shipping of DTC orders, achieving affordable 2-day shipping.
Your All-in-One Fulfillment Tech Stack
ShipBob’s Fulfillment Tech Stack is designed to provide a comprehensive, integrated solution for managing customer experiences across multiple sales channels. This tech stack is a part of ShipBob’s strategy to help businesses grow smarter, faster, and stronger by partnering with leading commerce technology solutions.
- Ecommerce Platforms & Marketplaces: ShipBob offers turnkey integrations with all major ecommerce platforms and marketplaces, including Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Squarespace, Wix, and Square. This integration facilitates a two-way flow of information, allowing for seamless import of orders and data exchange. For non-direct integration orders, middleware tools like ShipStation and OrderDesk are used.
- Beyond Sales Channels: The system extends its capabilities beyond sales channels, enabling inventory and order management, connecting to retail partners, forecasting demand, and more. This is achieved through native integrations with leading EDI, ERP, and inventory and order management providers. Additionally, ShipBob integrates directly with platforms for returns management, custom packaging, marketing, CRM, subscription services, and customer support, enhancing the overall customer experience.
- The Leading Fulfillment App Store: ShipBob’s App Store, accessible directly from the dashboard, allows users to connect their favorite apps and tools to enhance their business operations. This includes customer support tools like Gorgias and direct integrations with various popular commerce tools. The App Store is continuously updated based on customer feedback.
- Developer API: For businesses seeking more control over their fulfillment process, ShipBob provides a flexible and user-friendly REST API. This API can interface with stores, marketplaces, custom websites, ERPs, and more, offering a high degree of customization and integration. ShipBob’s developer portal offers additional resources and information for those interested in leveraging this capability.
Overall, ShipBob’s all-in-one fulfillment tech stack is a robust solution for businesses looking to streamline their fulfillment processes, integrate with multiple sales channels, and enhance customer experiences through advanced technology and strategic partnerships.
FreightBob
Managed Freight Program
FreightBob is ShipBob’s comprehensive managed freight and inventory distribution program, designed to streamline the process of getting inventory into ShipBob fulfillment centers. This program offers a range of benefits and features, making it an essential tool for merchants looking to optimize their logistics and distribution strategies.
- End-to-End Managed Freight: FreightBob provides an all-inclusive solution for freight and inventory distribution. Merchants can choose from a selection of preferred freight providers, allowing them to optimize freight costs and strategically distribute inventory across ShipBob’s fulfillment centers. This service is designed to speed up product delivery to customers, increase revenue, and enhance forecasting accuracy.
- Reliable Transit Times: FreightBob offers guaranteed sailings from most global locations directly to ShipBob fulfillment centers. With competitive rates for both air and ocean freight shipments, it ensures a steady flow of inventory and well-stocked shelves.
- Multiple Providers: The program includes a network of partners to support every global freight need, covering everything from customs clearance to inventory importation.
- Preferred Cost: By leveraging ShipBob’s global freight partnerships, merchants can access preferred costs and priority partner rates, making it a cost-effective solution.
- Smarter Distribution: Once inventory arrives at a ShipBob Hub, it can be distributed quickly and intelligently across US fulfillment centers. This includes cross-docking services to de-consolidate containers or LTL shipments for distribution to multiple warehouses or a chosen cross-regional fulfillment center. The Managed Freight/Inventory Placement feature intelligently distributes inventory across the US market.
FreightBob Partners
- Maersk: As a tier 1 global freight solution, FreightBob powered by Maersk offers extensive coverage with 65,000 port pairs in over 100 countries. Maersk specializes in LCL consolidation and provides access to its global freight network as part of FreightBob’s offerings.
- ECU Worldwide: Partnering with ECU Worldwide, FreightBob becomes a leader in ocean consolidation and air freight. ECU Worldwide facilitates cargo movements across 180 countries, with more than 2,400 direct trade lanes, and door-to-door deliveries in over 50 markets.
- Flexport: Flexport enhances FreightBob by bringing inventory to market faster, combining freight forwarding with fulfillment for a seamless supply chain experience. This partnership aims to provide predictability and growth for ShipBob merchants.
FreightBob, with its comprehensive features and strategic partnerships, offers a robust solution for businesses looking to optimize their freight and inventory distribution, ensuring efficient, cost-effective, and reliable logistics operations.
Conclusion
ShipBob review: Why you should use it?
ShipBob is a popular choice for businesses seeking a reliable 3PL (third-party logistics) solution, particularly for its ability to manage inventory and expedite the delivery process. Users appreciate the software’s simplicity, which allows for comprehensive business management from an app.
The platform is known for its intuitive interface, although it may require some initial learning. Fulfillment times are generally very good, contributing to enhanced business efficiency.
Pros:
- Intuitive Software: Once accustomed, users find the app easy to navigate.
- Effective Inventory Management: Efficient handling of inventory, ensuring quick delivery to customers.
- High Accuracy Rate: Noted for an impressive accuracy rate of 99.95%.
- Customer Support: Generally receives positive feedback for its helpful customer support.
- Multi-Channel Integration: Seamlessly integrates with major ecommerce platforms and marketplaces.
Cons:
- Learning Curve: Some users may need time to familiarize themselves with the software.
- Potential for Errors: Although rare, errors can occur, affecting customer experience.
- Pricing Transparency: Some users have reported concerns about the clarity of rates and technological capabilities.
- Limited Analytics: The analytics provided are basic and may not meet the needs of all users.
- Suitability for Complex Needs: May not be ideal for clients with high SKU counts or complex B2B orders.
FAQ