When you’re thinking about outsourcing fulfilment, one of the first worries that pops into your head is: “How long is this going to take? Will my whole business grind to a halt while we switch?”
The good news? Onboarding doesn’t need to be a six-month saga. With the right fulfilment partner, it’s usually measured in weeks, not months. And if done properly, it should feel more like a smooth handover than a stressful upheaval.
What Onboarding Actually Means
Onboarding is simply the process of moving from your current setup (whether that’s your spare room, a small warehouse, or a different provider) into your new fulfilment partner’s system. It has a few key stages:
- System integration. Connecting your sales channels (Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce etc.) to their fulfilment platform so orders flow seamlessly.
- Stock transfer. Physically moving your inventory to their warehouse(s). This usually involves a carefully planned pallet transfer or courier shipment.
- Process mapping. Setting up how you want orders packed, branded, labelled and handled — from packaging choices to inserts.
- Test runs. Trial shipments are sent to make sure the system is working before you go live.
- Go-live. Your first “real” orders are processed through the new warehouse.
Typical Timelines
Most businesses can complete onboarding in 2–6 weeks depending on complexity:
• Small brand with one sales channel: around 2 weeks.
• Multi-channel business with custom integrations: 4–6 weeks.
• Global stock across multiple sites: up to 8 weeks, but still not endless.
The key is planning. A good partner gives you a clear timeline, milestones, and a dedicated onboarding manager to keep things moving.
Why It Feels Scary
For founders, the idea of shifting fulfilment feels daunting. You’re picturing stock going missing in transit, orders slipping through the cracks, or systems not syncing in time. Those fears are natural — but they’re also exactly why you should ask detailed questions about onboarding before signing.
Case Example
A supplements brand I know delayed outsourcing for months because they dreaded the transition. When they finally took the plunge, their new provider mapped out a four-week onboarding plan:
• Week 1: Systems integrated.
• Week 2: Packaging choices agreed and test orders run.
• Week 3: Stock shipped to the warehouse.
• Week 4: Go-live with real orders.
Not a single customer noticed the switch. In fact, order tracking improved overnight. The founder later admitted the onboarding had been “the least painful operational project we’ve ever done.”
What to Ask Your Provider
- What’s your average onboarding time for a business like mine?
- Will I have a dedicated onboarding manager?
- How do you handle stock transfers securely?
- Do you run test orders before go-live?
- What support do you give after the first month?
Final Thought
Onboarding doesn’t need to be a nightmare. With the right fulfilment partner, it’s a structured, supported process that gets you up and running in weeks.
So instead of worrying about the switch, focus on the benefits. Because once you’re through onboarding, you’ll have the systems, support, and scalability to grow without being buried under boxes ever again.
