We fulfil orders for dozens of distance selling organisations, from large mail order companies and retailers to small internet businesses and charities. We also have specific expertise in international distance selling. With this experience we are able to offer you advice and answer many frequently asked questions.
Contents
Want advice on setting up an online mail order business (webshop)? >>
How can your order fulfilment supplier help you generate more sales? >>
Want to expand your distance selling business internationally? >>
Are you an overseas mail order business wanting to sell in the UK? >>
Generate more money from your internet shop >>
Want advice on setting up an online mail order business (webshop)?
Business Link has produced some excellent articles about running a successful ecommerce mail order business and the following links take you to the articles we think are most relevant to our clients.
Accepting online payments
Common ecommerce pitfalls
Create an online shop
Develop an e-marketing plan (online marketing and offline marketing i.e. telemarketing, direct mail fulfilment etc)
Generate business from your emarketing plan
E-market places and online auctions
Ecommerce fulfilment and the law
Efulfilment: fulfilling orders and fulfiling promises
How can your fulfilment supplier help you keep your customers happy and generate more sales?
Choosing the right fulfilment partner can not only make your life easier it can also help keep your customers happy and loyal to you. Choosing the wrong fulfilment supplier can be disastrous and lose you customers.
They can help keep your delivery costs low, that is what your customers want.
One of the main reasons people visit a website but do not buy is because they think the delivery charge is too high. A good mail order fulfilment supplier will offer a wide range of postal and courier options. >> Find out more
Your customers want the right product delivered first time.
A high quality mail order fulfilment supplier will have very low error rates. You can gain an idea of what to expect from the procedures they use, the people they employ, their training, their IT systems, and their quality accreditations. >> Find out more
When things do go wrong (no fulfilment supplier is perfect) they should deal with it quickly and professionally which will keep your customer satisfied.
There are many questions to ask your potential mail order fulfilment suppliers such as what is their complaints handling procedure? Do they have an internal customer services team to deal with your customer issues directly? will they sign up to a Service Level Agreement? etc. >> Find out more
Some mail order fulfilment suppliers also offer direct marketing services too which can help increase your sales.
Have you though about inserting a promotional leaflet or voucher within your customers order? What about sending a newsletter to your customers, or a direct mail campaign to potential target markets? Some mail order fulfilment suppliers will also offer print and direct mail fulfilment services which you can use. >> Find out more
If your customers order products by phone directly with your fulfilment supplier then that contact can make or break the sale.
Some fulfilment suppliers will also offer a Contact Centre solution including telephone ordering services. You need them to be your brand advocate, and not only take the order in a professional manner, but also up-sell and cross-sell, just like you would! >> Find out more
Want to expand your distance selling business internationally?
We are part of the world's third largest postal and fulfilment group and can provide international mail order fulfilment solutions. This includes providing cross-border solutions from the UK and developing order fulfilment solutions within foreign markets too. When expanding internationally there are many things to consider, and we can help.
How will you know which markets will provide you with the best success?
Research, research, research. From free resources to specialist consultancy there is a wealth of information available. >> Find out more
France is our nearest neighbour, what mailing and fulfilment services are available into France from the UK?
France can be a good place to start, it's not far away and many markets are similar to the UK >> Find out more
Germany is a large market, what mailing and fulfilment services are available into France from the UK?
Germany is an economic powerhouse of Europe and is often an early target market of UK distance sellers. >> Find out more
USA is your target market? What mailing and fulfilment services are available into the USA from the UK?
They speak the same language as us, have a similar culture and buying habits, but it is still a market to consider carefully. >> Find out more
You will need to translate your website and catalogues to suit the local market
Translation doesn't just mean changing from one language to another. Translation means adapting to the local culture too. >> Find out more
What about data? How can you make sure you get the best marketing data to target prospects overseas?
Buying international marketing data can be a minefield. Don't get caught out. >> Find out more
International markets means international languages and time zones. How can you deal with customer service issues?
Successful mail order companies rely on repeat business and recomendations, so you need to offer high levels of customer service in the time and language that suites your customer. >> Find out more
Your customers overseas will want to pay in their local currency, what does this mean to you?
When paying for goods and services the moment someone parts with their cash is the moment they need to trust you as much as possible and enabling them to pay in a way they are used to is key. >> Find out more
What about returns handling?
Reverse logistics is a hot topic in the mail order fulfilment world >> Find out more
What are the legal implications of selling in other countries?
Rules and regulations differ between countries and it is vital to have a good understanding of these. >> Find out more
Are you an overseas mail order business wanting to sell in the UK?
We work with a number of international businesses that need a European fulfilment hub to handle orders to their customers in the UK and Europe (and beyond). As well as order fulfilment services we can provide guidance on issues around import duties, taxes, etc.
What are the legal implications of selling in the UK?
It is vital to have a good understanding of these. >> Find out more
How can I get my products to my customers quickly?
Customers will be turned off if delivery is going to take too long or be too expensive, which is usually the case if you are sending products from overseas into the UK. You therefore need to consider the advantages of using a UK based fulfilment partner >> Find out more
How can I identify prospects for my products?
BTB Mailflight can provide you with targeted marketing lists >> Find out more
How can I get my catalogue and other direct mail to my prospects as cheaply as possible?
Choose a direct mail printing and mailing specialist that can offer the full range of mailing fulfilment services and postage discounts. >> Find out more
Want tips to generate more money from your internet shop?
This section deals with issues such as getting potential customers onto your internet shop in the first place to converting more of these people into sales and repeat business.
What is search engine optimisation (SEO) and why does it matter to me?
SEO is big business, and it matters because it's key to getting people in your internet shop. >> Find out more
There are 100's of SEO companies, how do I choose the right one for my internet shop?
This is an important decision. Choosing the right partner can be highly profitable, choosing the wrong one can cost you £1000's >> Find out more
Google Adwords? There's lots of information online, but I just want a summary?
Google Adwords needs to be done properly, this takes knowledge and time, but that doesn't mean you can't learn about it quickly and test it yourself. >> Find out more
How can Google Analytics help me increase my online sales?
Google Analytics is an excellent tool and it is free! It can help you improve your website and increase conversion rates. >> Find out more.
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Order Fulfilment (Pick & Pack) 
