Rakuten is a powerful and globally recognized e-commerce platform with a vast customer base and numerous benefits for sellers. If you’re running an e-commerce website with a Rakuten store, you understand the importance of getting your products to your customers promptly and accurately. At ShipWizard, we specialize in seamlessly integrating with Rakuten to streamline your order fulfillment process. Let’s take a look at why ShipWizard is your trusted ally in expanding your e-commerce presence on Rakuten.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is a Japanese e-commerce giant that has made a significant impact on the global e-commerce market. Founded in 1997, Rakuten has grown to become one of the world’s leading e-commerce platforms, offering a wide range of products and services.
Rakuten, which means ‘optimism’ in Japanese, is a company with innovation in its core DNA. Its mission states: by providing high-quality services that help our users and partners grow, we aim to advance and enrich society: Empowering people to realize their hopes and dreams, Embracing new thinking, Rakuten changes the world through innovation.
Rakuten has over 1.4 billion registered users worldwide and operates in more than 29 countries and regions. In 2020, Rakuten’s revenue reached $15.5 billion. It boasts a marketplace with more than 70 million products, making it a compelling platform for e-commerce businesses looking to expand their online presence.
Sellers on Rakuten include over 42,000 on the Rakuten US marketplace alone, attracting a diverse range of businesses, from small enterprises to major brands. Rakuten offers various seller tools and resources, including access to Rakuten Advertising, Rakuten Rewards, and its proprietary e-commerce infrastructure, to help businesses succeed.
Why Sell on Rakuten?
Rakuten offers several compelling reasons for e-commerce businesses to consider expanding their online presence on the platform:
- Global Reach: With a presence in over 29 countries and regions, Rakuten provides access to a vast and diverse customer base. This global reach allows businesses to tap into international markets and expand their customer reach beyond their home country.
- Rakuten Super Points: Rakuten’s loyalty program, known as Rakuten Super Points, incentivizes customers to shop on the platform by offering points for every purchase. These points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases, providing an additional incentive for customers to return to your Rakuten store.
- Brand Recognition: Rakuten has established itself as a trusted and reputable e-commerce platform with a strong presence in multiple markets. Associating your brand with Rakuten can enhance your credibility and attract more customers.
- Diverse Product Categories: Rakuten accommodates a wide range of product categories, making it suitable for businesses in various industries. Whether you sell electronics, fashion, beauty products, or niche items like supplements and nutraceuticals, Rakuten provides a platform to showcase your products to a broad audience.
- Seller-Friendly Environment: Rakuten offers a user-friendly interface for sellers, making it easy to manage product listings, inventory, and order processing. Additionally, the platform provides resources and support to help businesses succeed, including advertising solutions and marketing tools.
- Rakuten Advertising: Rakuten offers robust advertising and marketing solutions to help sellers boost their visibility and reach on the platform. These advertising options allow businesses to target specific audiences and promote their products effectively.
- Integration Opportunities: Rakuten is known for its willingness to integrate with third-party solutions and partners, allowing businesses to enhance their operations and expand their reach further. This openness to collaboration creates opportunities for sellers to optimize their Rakuten presence.
What is E-Commerce Order Fulfillment?
Order fulfillment is the process of receiving, processing, packing, and delivering customer orders. Order fulfillment is the lifeblood of any e-commerce business. In a nutshell, order fulfillment is the entire process from the moment a customer clicks “Buy Now” on your website to the moment the package arrives at their doorstep. It encompasses everything from inventory management to shipping logistics, and it’s a pivotal factor that can make or break your e-commerce venture:
- Receiving and Processing Orders: It all starts when a customer places an order on your website. The first step is to receive and process that order accurately. This involves verifying the order details, checking inventory availability, and ensuring that the product is ready for shipment.
- Inventory Management: Efficient order fulfillment hinges on effective inventory management. You need to keep track of stock levels, know when to reorder products, and ensure that the information on your website matches the real-time availability of items. This prevents overselling, which can lead to customer disappointment.
- Picking and Packing: Once you have a confirmed order, it’s time to pick the items from your warehouse shelves. Careful and accurate picking ensures that customers receive the right products. Then, you move on to packing, which involves choosing the appropriate packaging materials and ensuring that the items are packed securely to prevent damage during transit.
- Shipping and Logistics: Choosing the right shipping carrier, negotiating shipping rates, and optimizing delivery routes are all part of this step. It’s essential to calculate shipping costs accurately to avoid unexpected expenses that can eat into your profits.
- Tracking and Communication: Customers appreciate transparency. Providing order tracking information and sending out shipping notifications can enhance the customer experience. It keeps customers informed about the status of their orders and reduces inquiries to your customer support team.
- Returns and Customer Service: Order fulfillment doesn’t end when the package is delivered. You also need a process in place for handling returns and addressing customer inquiries or issues promptly. A hassle-free return policy can be a key differentiator for your business.
Benefits of Rakuten Order Fulfillment with ShipWizard
Now that we’ve highlighted the significance of Rakuten in the e-commerce landscape and explained the fundamentals of order fulfillment, let’s explore how partnering with ShipWizard for Rakuten order fulfillment can benefit your business. We are here to quickly integrate with your Rakuten store and make sure every order is delivered as quickly as possible, without errors, and with transparent communication every step of the way. Here is why ShipWizard is your best bet for Rakuten fulfillment:
- ShipWizard offers Rakuten integration expertise, ensuring seamless synchronization of your product listings, inventory, and order information. This eliminates manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors, allowing you to focus on growing your business while we handle the logistics.
- Our advanced order processing system ensures that your Rakuten orders are processed quickly and accurately. When your customers hit that “Order Now” button, we kick into gear, picking the right stuff, packing it up, and sending it off with care. It’s like a well-choreographed dance, but for orders!
- At ShipWizard, we store your inventory in a secure and fully air-conditioned facility. It means your products are pampered with the perfect climate, ensuring they stay in pristine condition. No matter what Mother Nature has in store, our temperature-controlled warehouse keeps your items safe from extreme heat or cold, maintaining their quality and integrity. Whether you’re storing sensitive electronics, nutraceuticals, personal care items, or any other temperature-sensitive goods, our cool and comfortable storage environment provides the peace of mind that your inventory is in the best possible hands.
- We provide real-time visibility into your inventory levels, allowing you to monitor stock availability and make informed decisions about restocking or discontinuing products. Our extensive network of shipping partners enables you to access competitive shipping rates and a variety of shipping options.
- Dealing with returns can be a headache for e-commerce businesses. ShipWizard efficiently manages returns, inspecting and processing them to get products back into inventory promptly. This reduces the impact of returns on your business and ensures that your Rakuten store maintains a positive reputation.
Getting Started with ShipWizard as Your Rakuten 3PL
By outsourcing your order fulfillment to ShipWizard, you can concentrate on growing your e-commerce business and expanding your product offerings. Leave the logistics to us, and watch your business thrive. Our expertise and commitment to reliability ensure that your Rakuten orders are handled with care and precision, meeting the high standards of e-commerce excellence.
If you’re ready to harness the power of Rakuten and streamline your order fulfillment with ShipWizard, here are the steps to get started:
- Contact Us: Reach out to ShipWizard to initiate the conversation. Our experienced team will discuss your specific needs, answer your questions, and provide insights into how our services can benefit your Rakuten store.
- Onboarding and Training: Our experts will guide you through the onboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition to ShipWizard’s services. We provide training and support to help you make the most of our platform.
- Start Fulfilling Orders: Once everything is set up, you can sit back and know that your Rakuten orders are handled by ShipWizard. We’ll take care of the rest, processing orders efficiently and delivering products to your customers promptly.
- Monitor and Optimize: ShipWizard provides you with tools and insights to monitor your order fulfillment performance continually. We encourage ongoing collaboration to optimize your Rakuten store’s operations continually. Our goal is to help you achieve efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction, resulting in the growth and success of your e-commerce business on Rakuten.
Are you ready to take your Rakuten store to the next level with ShipWizard’s expert order fulfillment services? Contact us today to request a quote or learn more about our Rakuten 3PL solutions.
