{"id":891,"date":"2023-10-09T18:02:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T18:02:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/shopify-fulfillment\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T21:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T21:04:37","slug":"shopify-fulfillment","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/shopify-fulfillment\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Complete Guide to Shopify Order Fulfilment Services in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

What is Shopify Fulfilment Network?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How fulfilment can make or break your Shopify shop<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3 main fulfilment options a Shopify store owner has<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Shopify fulfilment works<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify Fulfilment Network: pros and cons<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3 best Shopify fulfilment services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to set up ShipBob on your Shopify site<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maximise your Shopify fulfilment operations with ShipBob\u2019s WMS <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify fulfilment FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>

Key Takeaways<\/h2><\/span><\/div>
\n

1<\/p><\/div>

\n

Shopify store owners can choose from three main fulfilment options: in-house fulfilment, dropshipping, or partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2<\/p><\/div>

\n

The Shopify Fulfilment Network (SFN) connects brands with a trusted third-party logistics (3PL) partner, but has limitations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3<\/p><\/div>

\n

Leading Shopify fulfilment services include ShipBob, Flexport, and Amazon, each offering different capabilities such as global reach, specialization in heavy items, or integration with Amazon\u2019s marketplace.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4<\/p><\/div>

\n

Integrating a fulfilment provider like ShipBob with Shopify automates order processing, provides real-time inventory management, and enables access to multiple fulfilment centres for faster and more cost-effective shipping.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

With over 2.7 million<\/a> online stores in the US alone, Shopify is one of today’s largest ecommerce platforms. Because of its popularity among online businesses, Shopify has nuanced functionality, integrations, programs, and partnerships to help improve the merchant experience and increase customer satisfaction.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the introduction of Shop Pay<\/a>, Shopify\u2019s streamlined, accelerated checkout experience, to the TikTok app for Shopify<\/a>, Shopify keeps a finger on the pulse of what\u2019s going on in the ecommerce world to ensure merchants stay competitive and successful.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their quest to offer solutions for ecommerce businesses, they offer a fulfilment solution to ecommerce brands in the form of Shopify Fulfilment Network, or SFN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Shopify\u2019s fulfilment solution has its strengths, it isn\u2019t for everyone. It\u2019s important to make an informed decision when choosing a fulfilment provider so your logistics operations<\/a> don\u2019t slow down growth and cut into profit margins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll provide insights into Shopify\u2019s fulfilment solution so you can make the best decision for your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Shopify Fulfilment Network? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shopify Fulfilment Network (SFN<\/a>) is Shopify\u2019s fulfilment service that brands can use to store inventory and fulfil customer orders. Launched in 2019, Shopify introduced SFN to offer fulfilment capabilities for ecommerce brands already using the online shopping platform. SFN has a network of fulfilment centres in the United States to fulfil domestic and international orders. Shopify works with USPS, DHL, UPS, Canada Post, and various regional mail couriers to deliver customer orders.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use SFN your ecommerce business must sell to US customers, have an active Shopify Payments account, and meet Shopify\u2019s eligibility requirements  <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How fulfilment can make or break your Shopify shop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Picture this: You\u2019ve spent countless hours designing your Shopify website<\/a>, setting up marketing campaigns, and designing custom packaging so you\u2019re ready to start selling on Shopify<\/a>.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as soon as orders are placed, it\u2019s up to you to figure out how to fulfil orders accurately and quickly to get them shipped. If an online store is unable to deliver customer orders in a timely manner, customers can easily find what they need somewhere else. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a lot to keep in mind when it comes to fulfilment. The entire process involves starting with Shopify inventory management<\/a> and storing, then picking and packing items accurately, and shipping Shopify orders. If you fulfil orders yourself, then you will need to figure out how much packaging, software, shipping, and all of the other logistics will cost you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you launch a Shopify store, be sure to consider how you will handle fulfilment, so you don\u2019t spend too much time and money packing and shipping orders and get stuck in an endless cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shopify Fulfilment Network: pros and cons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Below we compare ShipBob to the Shopify Fulfilment Network.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Features<\/h4><\/strong><\/td>


ShipBob<\/h4><\/strong><\/td>


Shopify Fulfilment Network<\/h4><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>

Fulfilment experience<\/td>Has operated fulfilment centres of its own since 2014 and currently has over 50 fulfilment centres in its global network. ShipBob created and owns its proprietary warehouse management system software, which is used across all of its fulfilment centres. ShipBob is trusted by thousands of Shopify brands. <\/td>Announced their fulfilment network in 2019 and outsources fulfilment to different 3PLs and uses each 3PL\u2019s WMS. <\/td><\/tr>
Order volume and ideal merchant size<\/td>ShipBob has fulfilment solutions for fast-growing ecommerce brands across several verticals\/industries. <\/td>SFN works with brands that ship between 10 and 200 orders per day (or 84 \u2013 10,000 orders\/day). They only work with brands with under 2,000 SKUs. <\/td><\/tr>
Products fulfilled<\/td>Can generally fulfil products that couriers can ship, including products that require serial, lot, or batch tracking<\/a>, or a first-in-first-out (FIFO<\/a>) inventory policy.<\/td>Doesn\u2019t work with beauty or medical items, any regulated or perishable products, and those that need lot tracking. SFN prohibited items<\/a> include hand sanitizers and CBD products. See their full list of product eligibility here<\/a>.  <\/td><\/tr>
Pricing<\/td>ShipBob\u2019s outsourced fulfilment solution has direct pricing. You have one fee for each order fulfilled (no separate line items for certain things like packing supplies). Monthly billing includes storage and inbound receiving (see more here<\/a>). <\/td>Shopify Fulfilment Network is set up as one price that includes inbound, packing, and receiving. Domestic fulfilment pricing is determined by the billable weight of the SKUs being sent. See their fulfilment cost calculator here<\/a>.  <\/td><\/tr>
Countries available<\/td>ShipBob works with businesses across the globe and has 50+ fulfilment centres in the United States, Canada, UK, EU, and Australia. <\/td>Only for businesses that sell in the United States and only has fulfilment centres in the US. Shopify Fulfilment Network closed SFN operations in Canada as of July 14th, 2023. <\/td><\/tr>
Onboarding process<\/td>Very fast with the average implementation taking less than 30 days, though some get onboarded in as soon as 3 days. <\/td>You have to apply and get accepted to move forward with SFN. There is no clear timeline listed on their site. <\/td><\/tr>
B2B fulfilment<\/td>Can seamlessly handle B2B fulfilment<\/a> for brands. ShipBob supports retail dropshipping and distribution for 100 approved B2B retailers (e.g. Walmart, Target, Ulta, Sephora, Chewy, etc.). <\/td>Shopify Fulfilment Network is compatible with sales channels that are integrated with your Shopify store including Facebook, Google, Instagram, Shop, Walmart Marketplace, and others.  <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 3 main fulfilment options a Shopify store owner has<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. In-house fulfilment<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re just starting out or don’t have the means to hire a staff and rent a warehouse, it is possible to fulfil orders yourself. While this gives you absolute control over every step of the supply chain, it can also take up too much time and drive up logistics costs<\/a> as your business expands.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As brands grow online, it\u2019s not uncommon to switch from in-house fulfilment to outsourcing fulfilment sooner rather than later. This allows you to leverage established fulfilment operations rather than investing in fulfilment infrastructure<\/a>, including warehousing<\/a>, labour, equipment, fulfilment software<\/a>, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> This option may be best if you\u2019re selling locally only and primarily have in-store pickups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are reasons many brands continue to fulfil orders in-house. Brands that require considerable customisation<\/a> or have ample space to fulfil orders may opt in for self-fulfilment. As order volume increases, you need a warehouse management system<\/a> (WMS) to help you streamline processes, show real-time data, and give your team the tools they need to quickly, and efficiently pick, pack, and ship orders.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Dropshipping<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dropshipping is the most hands-off fulfilment option, so it gives you much less control over the fulfilment process. If you opt for dropshipping, the order fulfilment process is entirely managed by the manufacturer. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though there are pros and cons to dropshipping, this fulfilment method tends to have a much longer transit time (as products are often coming from Asia) and greater quality control risks since your customer is the first one to see your finished product. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Third-party logistics (3PL)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To save time and money while still maintaining control, many fast-growing Shopify stores partner with a 3PL. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many 3PLs offer multiple fulfilment centres<\/a> (including international fulfilment<\/a> locations), leading technology that automates and streamlines inventory processes, and data and analytics<\/a> that help you make better decisions across your supply chain.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 3PL\u2019s fulfilment centre is designed and optimised to be as efficient and effective as possible, from the equipment they use to their use of space and technology to increase accuracy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3PLs partner with shipping couriers<\/a> to negotiate discounted shipping rates, which allows you to offer more shipping options. Best of all, you can tap<\/span> into a 3PL\u2019s technology, distribution network, and expertise, while not having to pack orders yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI shipped everything myself and made a lot of trips to the post office. It was intense and pretty tough. You quickly reach that breaking point, where you cannot do it any longer, and it\u2019s not worth the compromised quality of life.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We did some market research, and I knew some other brands that used ShipBob. Everything just works. We are super happy with ShipBob and very impressed by how well they\u2019ve pumped out our large volume of orders.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sergio Tache, CEO of Dossier<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

(Note: Shopify recently launched Shopify Fulfilment Network (SFN), which offers packing and shipping services. Acting as an <\/span>on-demand warehousing<\/span><\/a> solution, SFN partners with other warehouses and 3PLs to utilise their technology and operations.)  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Shopify fulfilment works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve confirmed that your products are eligible for Shopify Fulfilment Network and you\u2019re ready to set up your Shopify or Shopify Plus<\/a> website so you can receive orders. What\u2019s next? If you plan on using SFN for fulfilment, here’s what you can expect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose and launch a Shopify plan <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shopify has various plans<\/a> to suit the needs of all businesses. Shopify has a basic plan for individuals and small businesses ($39\/month), a standard plan for businesses ($105\/month), and an advanced plan for medium to large businesses ($399\/month).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enterprise-level businesses may want to explore Shopify Plus<\/a>, which offers more nuanced features for $2,000\/month.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After you\u2019ve selected the best plan for your business, you can launch your store and begin setup with SFN.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Migrate your fulfilment data to SFN <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you jump into fulfilment with SFN, you\u2019ll want to audit your current fulfilment setup to make sure you\u2019re ready for a new system. You\u2019ll want to take note of your current number of products, SKUs, and inventory levels to understand what you have on-hand and the transfer process will go smoothly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, you\u2019ll want to add products and create an inbound transfer in the SFN app. You\u2019ll assign SKUs and barcodes to your products.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select and route orders to your preferred fulfilment centres <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, you\u2019ll pack and label your products so they can be sent to the SFN fulfilment centre. You\u2019ll be given a location to send your inventory in the SFN app. Depending on the quantity of your inventory, your inventory will be split across the Shopify Fulfilment Network so it\u2019s located closer to end customers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 3 best Shopify fulfilment services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to outsource fulfilment<\/a>, Shopify makes it easy to leverage fulfilment services provided by a third-party. Here is an overview of the leading <\/span>Shopify fulfilment services to consider. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. ShipBob<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

ShipBob fulfils orders for thousands of Shopify stores \u2014 more than any other fulfilment provider. ShipBob is an official <\/span>Shopify Plus Certified App Partner<\/span><\/a> and has the most advanced fulfilment technology on the market. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThe Shopify Plus Certified App program is designed to meet the advanced requirements of the world\u2019s fastest growing brands. We\u2019re happy to welcome ShipBob to the program, bringing their insight and experience in fulfilment to the Plus merchant community.\u201d<\/p>\nLoren Padelford<\/span>, GM of Revenue at Shopify Plus<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

With access to best-in-class fulfilment services, ShipBob partners with Shopify stores to put fulfilment on autopilot, offer faster and affordable shipping, as well the the ability to expand into new channels and markets. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob\u2019s technology allows you to maintain visibility into the entire fulfilment process, track inventory<\/a> in real time, filter all orders by status, view fulfilment and shipping performance insights, and much more. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob also partners with other leading ecommerce solutions and platforms like TikTok<\/a>, Amazon<\/a>, NetSuite<\/a>, Gorgias<\/a>, and more, which makes it easy to connect ShipBob to your existing tech stack and enable an end-to-end ecommerce solution<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once integrated with your Shopify store, ShipBob plays a significant role in reducing shipping costs and improving last-mile delivery<\/a> while saving you time on logistics. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a global fulfilment provider with 50+ fulfilment centres across the globe<\/a>, ShipBob can help you reach your international customers via global fulfilment. By leveraging ShipBob’s international fulfilment centres, you can place inventory in regions closer to your end customers, eliminating the need for international taxes and duties.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n