Chapter 6

Fulfilling Expectations and Orders

IN THIS CHAPTER

Bullet Planning the logistics of your operation

Bullet Setting up an in-house fulfillment system

Bullet Outsourcing your shipping area to someone else

Bullet Learning the rules of shipping and handling

Bullet Maintaining your information as you pack up and ship out

Setting up your online business can be full of excitement and milestones. The true payoff, though, is best realized when that first payment rolls in for something you sold. Seeing an electronic payment receipt or deposit right in front of you helps cement the idea of what you’re doing and provides validation of the business you created. Even though you may feel satisfied when you see the money, don’t think you’re done.

After the order is completed and the payment has cleared, you still need to handle one area of the sale. Fulfillment, or filling the order, is simply the practice of delivering the product to the buyer after payment has been received. In a retail store, fulfillment is easy: You ...

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