Getting orders out the door fast is the difference between a one-time buyer and a loyal customer. Messy shipping, stock issues, or missed updates? That’s how you lose trust. This guide from ConnectPOS breaks down the top BigCommerce order fulfillment options built to keep things moving, no guesswork, no wasted time.
Highlights
- BigCommerce order fulfillment keeps your store running smoothly behind the scenes – getting orders out fast, syncing inventory in real time, and reducing customer service headaches.
- ConnectPOS, ShipHero, ShipMonk, Cahoot, ShipBob – The top fulfillment solutions for 2025 bring different strengths, so choosing the right one depends on how your store sells, ships, and scales.
What Is BigCommerce Order Fulfillment?
Order fulfillment in BigCommerce is what happens after a customer clicks “buy.” It’s the behind-the-scenes work that moves the order from your screen to their doorstep.
The process usually follows a simple path:
- Order received
- Payment processed
- Item picked and packed
- Shipment dispatched
- Order marked as delivered
Each stage is tracked using built-in status labels in BigCommerce. You’ll see terms like:
- Pending: Order placed, payment not confirmed
- Awaiting Fulfillment: Payment received, packing not started
- Awaiting Shipment: Package ready to leave the warehouse
- Shipped: On its way to the customer
- Completed: Order delivered
- Cancelled/Refunded: Order not fulfilled or returned
These statuses aren’t just for your records. They keep your team aligned and your customers informed. When done right, fulfillment builds trust and prevents support tickets. When delayed, it creates confusion and bad reviews. According to Baymard Institute, 70.19% of online shopping carts are abandoned, and many of these are tied to unclear fulfillment or shipping expectations
Why BigCommerce Order Fulfillment Matters for Your Business
One missed package. One late update. That’s often all it takes to lose a repeat customer.
BigCommerce order fulfillment isn’t just about shipping. It’s how you keep promises. When the backend works, the front-end experience feels smooth. Orders get out on time, tracking shows up automatically, and your support team doesn’t drown in emails asking, “Where’s my stuff?”
McKinsey reports that 90% of online consumers are willing to wait two to three days for delivery if the timeline is clear and reliable, showing how much trust hinges on precise fulfillment communication.
When fulfillment drags, so does conversion. Shoppers are quick to leave if delivery feels slow or unclear. According to Bloomberg, shipping costs now take up 10% to 15% of eCommerce profits, making fulfillment efficiency a direct financial priority. BigCommerce data shows cart abandonment often spikes when shipping speed or transparency is poor.
There’s also confusion around what ‘fulfillment’ actually means. It’s not the same as shipping. Shipping is the tail end. Fulfillment includes order processing, stock updates, pick-and-pack, and delivery setup supported by solid inventory management software.
Many stores run into the same pain points:
- Orders marked shipped but still sitting in the warehouse
- No real-time sync between inventory and storefront
- Stockouts that stall revenue
- Manual tracking updates that take hours
A smart fulfillment flow plugs those gaps. It works in the background, so your team can focus on scaling, not fixing mistakes.
Best BigCommerce Order Fulfillment Solutions for 2025
Not every store needs the same setup. Some focus on speed. Others need scale or flexibility. The five solutions below stand out for solving real merchant headaches in real time. We’ve broken them down so you can see which one fits your store best.
ConnectPOS
ConnectPOS gives BigCommerce merchants a smarter way to handle orders, especially when products go out of stock. Instead of losing sales, stores keep selling. Customers stay informed. Fulfillment keeps moving.
The BackOrder system allows buyers to purchase unavailable products while clearly displaying estimated delivery times, variant-level availability, and custom call-to-action buttons. Every update is synced instantly, and staff can track orders by SKU, quantity, and buyer details.
But BackOrder is just one part of ConnectPOS’s larger fulfillment suite. The platform unifies inventory, shipping, and order processing across channels, online and offline, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Key features include:
- Pre-order & BackOrder support: Sell unavailable items and display real-time ETAs to convert stockouts into revenue
- Omnichannel sync: Automatically updates inventory and order status across POS, eCommerce, and marketplaces
- Complete order control: Manage inventory, print labels, and handle shipping in one place
- Self-service portals: Let customers track orders, manage returns, and stay in the loop without contacting support
- Flexible fulfillment options: Set rules by product type, region, or customer group; support Click and Collect, BOPIS, or ROPIS
- Smart reporting: Get detailed reports & analytics for demand planning and restock decisions
- ERP, CRM, and shipping integrations: Plug into existing systems for smoother workflows and faster fulfillment
Best for:
- Retailers who want full control from supplier to delivery
- Businesses selling across multiple channels
- Merchants losing sales from out-of-stock items
- Teams needing fast setup with minimal training
ConnectPOS isn’t just about avoiding delays. It’s built to help stores sell more, fulfill faster, and run smarter without switching systems or adding extra staff.
ShipHero
ShipHero is built for businesses that ship a lot and ship often. It combines a warehouse management system with fulfillment services, making it ideal for stores with multiple storage locations or high order volume.
It connects directly with BigCommerce and gives you tools to handle picking, packing, scanning, and shipping from one dashboard. The automation helps large teams avoid delays and stay organized.
Key features include:
- Real-time inventory tracking across warehouses
- Barcode scanning and smart pick/pack workflows
- Support for in-house fulfillment and 3PL use cases
- Direct BigCommerce integration
Best for:
- Brands with multi-warehouse logistics
- Stores managing thousands of SKUs
- Operations that need control and visibility at scale
ShipMonk
If you’re a fast-growing brand juggling international shipping, ShipMonk can lighten the load.
It handles everything from subscription box fulfillment to international shipping rules. What makes it clickable for many BigCommerce stores is the ability to route orders to the right warehouse, automatically and intelligently.
Key features include:
- Smart routing to global fulfillment centers
- Subscription and bundle order support
- Automation for packing, labeling, and inventory
- Works well with BigCommerce for real-time updates
Best for:
- DTC brands scaling quickly
- Sellers offering custom packaging or kits
- Stores shipping worldwide with complex requirements
Cahoot
Cahoot takes a different approach. Instead of relying on traditional fulfillment centers, it taps into a network of other sellers to fulfill your orders faster and cheaper.
That peer-to-peer model means your order might ship from a nearby location, even if it’s not your own warehouse. It’s a clever way to get 1–2 day delivery without paying a premium.
Key features include:
- Peer-to-peer network for distributed fulfillment
- Fast 1–2 day delivery across the U.S.
- Syncs inventory and automates routing with BigCommerce
- Affordable shipping without sacrificing speed
Best for:
- Stores that need faster delivery options
- Merchants looking to cut fulfillment costs
- Brands expanding into nationwide markets
ShipBob
ShipBob offers wide coverage and flexibility. With fulfillment centers across the U.S. and beyond, it helps brands ship from the closest location to each customer.
That reduces transit time and cost, something that matters when margins are thin. Plus, ShipBob’s platform offers real-time analytics, inventory forecasting, and return handling.
Key features include:
- Distributed warehouses for faster, cheaper shipping
- BigCommerce integration with live sync
- Branded packaging, return processing, and analytics tools
- Forecasting tools to help manage demand and restocking
Best for:
- National or international brands
- Stores that want more control over shipping speed
- Teams looking for all-in-one fulfillment visibility
Quick Comparison Table: BigCommerce Order Fulfillment Solutions
| Fulfillment Need | Recommended Solution | Why It Works |
| Sell out-of-stock products | ConnectPOS | Lets customers buy unavailable items with clear ETA, badges, and auto-sync |
| Handle large SKUs and warehouse logistics | ShipHero | Manages multi-warehouse operations with scanning, real-time stock updates |
| Scale global DTC with automation | ShipMonk | Supports bundles, subscriptions, and routes orders to global fulfillment centers |
| Fast and affordable 1–2 day shipping | Cahoot | Uses peer network to ship from the closest seller at low cost |
| Distributed fulfillment and analytics | ShipBob | Optimizes shipping zones and provides tools for demand planning and returns |
How to Choose the Right BigCommerce Order Fulfillment Partner
No two fulfillment partners work the same. Some shine at speed. Others handle complexity. Picking the right one means matching their strengths to your business model, not just their price tag.
Start by thinking about what you sell and how you ship. Are you running a DTC brand with bundles and kits? Selling to businesses in bulk? Managing multiple stores or only one?
We’ve collected some key points you should check before making the call:
- Business fit: Match the fulfillment approach to your product type. Subscription boxes, fragile items, or fast-moving SKUs each need different workflows.
- BigCommerce integration: Make sure the tool syncs in real time with your storefront. This prevents inventory mismatches and shipping delays.
- Warehouse location and delivery speed: Choose partners with warehouses near your customers. The closer the inventory, the faster the delivery.
- Pricing model: Don’t just look at pick-and-pack fees. Compare storage costs, returns handling, and hidden charges like account minimums or setup fees.
- Support and onboarding: Some services guide you through setup. Others hand over a manual. Ask what level of support you’ll actually get.
- Peak season performance: Can the provider handle BFCM spikes or seasonal surges without breaking your flow?
- Data and reporting: Look for tools that show stock levels, shipping performance, and demand by region. That kind of visibility helps you plan better and sell smarter.
Choosing right means fewer headaches later. Make the switch when you’re ready, but only once you’ve checked all the above.
FAQs: BigCommerce Order Fulfillment
1. What is the default order fulfillment process in BigCommerce?
BigCommerce includes built-in order statuses like Awaiting Fulfillment, Shipped, and Completed. You can manage orders manually or integrate with third-party fulfillment apps.
2. Can I automate order fulfillment on BigCommerce?
Yes. You can connect apps like ConnectPOS BackOrder, ShipHero, or ShipMonk to automate inventory sync, shipping, and order updates.
3. What happens if an item is out of stock in BigCommerce?
By default, BigCommerce prevents customers from buying it. But using apps like BackOrder, you can keep selling out-of-stock items with clear delivery estimates.
4. Which fulfillment service works best for fast shipping?
Cahoot and ShipBob are strong options if you need fast 1–2 day delivery across the U.S.
5. Do I need a fulfillment partner if I ship orders myself?
Not always. But as your business grows, outsourcing can help you save time, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
A slow fulfillment process creates more than delays. It creates doubt. Customers expect clear updates, fast delivery, and zero confusion from click to doorstep. That’s why getting BigCommerce order fulfillment right isn’t optional. It’s part of how your brand earns trust.
Whether you’re preventing stockouts with ConnectPOS, speeding up delivery with Cahoot, or managing high-volume orders through ShipHero, the right tool makes all the difference. Want a fulfillment system that fits your store, your scale, and your speed? Contact us today and see how we can support your BigCommerce business.
