E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services online. In 2022, global e-commerce sales reached 146.9 billion euros, an increase of 13.8% on the previous year. These figures show continued market growth and growing consumer interest in online shopping. To meet this demand, it's crucial to prepare e-commerce orders properly. D&fiGroupe gives you all the keys you need to succeed.

Key stages in e-commerce order preparation

Order management procedures and requirements may vary from company to company, but the basic principle remains the same.

1. Receiving and processing orders

It all starts when the customer places an order online, specifying the details via an appropriate form. The computer system records this information and confirms the validity of the order. An employee then takes over the task of processing the order: packaging, invoice preparation and stock management. Each step must be carefully followed to avoid errors and guarantee customer satisfaction.

Good to know: automating certain steps, such as order entry and stock updating, can reduce human error and improve overall efficiency.

2. Order organization methods

Companies adopt different methods for organizing their orders, depending on their sector of activity and specific needs. Among the most common options are :

• Picking by item: an operator collects ordered items from the warehouse.

• Zone grouping: one employee is responsible for a specific area of the warehouse, which can improve processing speed.

• Batch loading: several orders are prepared simultaneously, which is particularly efficient when orders share common items.

Example: A clothing company can use zone grouping to speed up item picking, especially during sales periods when orders are flooding in.

Discover these 10 tips for shipping parcels from an online store.

Tips for optimizing order picking

From receipt of the order, through the intermediate procedures, to dispatch of the parcel, preparation can be optimized. Choosing more appropriate options will save time and resources. These choices will also increase customer satisfaction, which in turn will boost the company's image and revenues.

Efficient inventory management

Optimized inventory management is the key to avoiding shortages and surpluses. Analyze results from previous periods to adjust merchandise supply. Take into account product popularity, seasonality and supplier accessibility. This enables you to forecast storage volumes and ensure continuous availability.

Good to know: Implementing an automated inventory management system can help maintain optimal stock levels, reducing costs and delays.

Choosing the right packaging

Packaging is a crucial stage in order picking. Using the right packaging not only protects products, but also makes operators' work easier. For example, instant assembly crates and boxes with integrated cushioning save time and ensure optimum protection of items.

Example: an electronics company can use boxes with integrated cushioning to ship fragile equipment, reducing the risk of damage in transit.

Set up a global collection

Global picking consists in grouping all the elements required for order picking in a single movement. This strategy reduces unnecessary operator movements and increases productivity, especially in large warehouses.

Good to know: installing trip-tracking systems can help identify areas of inefficiency and optimize operator routes.

Considering special cases

Some items require special treatment because of their size, hazardous nature or packaging method. Preparing a specific protocol for these cases saves time and improves service quality.

Example: a company shipping hazardous chemicals can establish a safe handling and transport protocol, including specific labeling and additional precautions.

Minimize logistical errors

Reducing errors in order preparation is essential to maintaining customer satisfaction. Implementing regular checks at every stage of the process, from receipt of the order to dispatch, can limit classification or labeling errors.

Tip: using digital purchase orders with automatic validation systems can reduce the risk of human error.

What you need to know to improve your e-commerce order-picking process

Optimizing e-commerce order preparation is an investment in time and resources, but the benefits are manifold: reduced costs, increased productivity and improved customer satisfaction. As e-commerce continues to grow, companies need to find new ways to optimize their organization, by integrating advanced technologies and adopting efficient logistics strategies.

Call on DéfiGroupe to optimize your e-commerce logistics

At DéfiGroupe, we help you optimize your e-commerce order-picking processes. Our supply chain experts offer tailor-made solutions to improve inventory management, reduce logistics errors, and maximize customer satisfaction. Contact us today to find out how we can help you achieve your logistics objectives.