Shopify Getting Started, The Fulfillment Playbook

Author: Jason Martin
Reviewed by: Ecommerce Operations Lead
Last updated: October 6, 2025

Executive TLDR

Set up Shopify with clean product data, one barcode per sellable unit, and clear packaging rules.
Plan inbound with ASNs, book dock times, and target a 1 to 3 day dock to stock so inventory is sellable fast.
Build a simple pick and pack flow, right size packaging, and rate shop every label to protect margin.
For supplements and cosmetics, capture lot and expiry and pick FEFO for freshness and compliance.
Start with a small pilot, measure accuracy and speed, then scale in waves.

Want a launch that ships clean on day one — talk to Product Fulfillment Solutions.

What “getting Shopify ready” really means
Product data and barcodes
Inbound: ASNs, receiving, and putaway
Outbound: pick, pack, labels, and tracking
Controls for dated and regulated items
Your 30 day launch plan
Why Product Fulfillment Solutions
FAQ

What “getting Shopify ready” really means

A smooth Shopify launch is not just a theme and a checkout. It is clean data, clear labels, and a repeatable warehouse flow. When product details, barcodes, and packaging rules are tight, orders move fast and errors stay low. Your store looks great, but your operations make it profitable.

Product data and barcodes

One product master, one truth

Each SKU needs a title, description, barcode, dimensions, weight, case pack, and hazard flags.
Use one scannable barcode per sellable unit. Avoid sharing barcodes across variants.
Store label placement rules for unit, carton, and pallet so receiving and pack are consistent.

If your catalog is growing, standardize now under 3PL fulfillment and ecommerce fulfillment services.

Inbound: ASNs, receiving, and putaway

Send a complete ASN

Include PO, SKUs, barcodes, quantities by carton and pallet, weights, and dimensions.
Print matching carton and pallet labels so the dock scans, not guesses.

Book dock times and stage cleanly

Schedule arrivals and staff to hit a 1 to 3 day dock to stock target.
Separate overages, shorts, and damages into an exception lane.

Putaway to labeled locations

Large, high contrast bin IDs.
Fast movers live near pack to reduce walking.
Need space and clear slots, see warehousing and storage solutions.

Outbound: pick, pack, labels, and tracking

Pick with the right method

Batch single line orders for speed.
Cluster or wave multi line orders.
Always scan at pick to reduce swaps on look alike SKUs.

Pack with a simple matrix

Post which mailer or carton to use by product family.
Add inserts only when they help, instructions, care, reorder path.
See pick and pack services.

Print labels last and rate shop

Create labels after the final scan at pack to avoid waste.
Rate shop on weight, zone, and promised day. Add regionals for dense lanes.
Protect margin with discounted shipping rates.

Tracking and status

Push tracking back to Shopify and notify customers immediately.
Keep exceptions visible so support has the same facts as operations.
Get shared dashboards with real-time information.

Controls for dated and regulated items

If you sell supplements, vitamins, cosmetics, or other consumables:

Capture lot and expiry at receiving and enforce FEFO at pick.
Mark bins that require lot picking.
Kitting sheets include component lots for sets or subscriptions.
Quarantine questionable product and audit a few bins daily.
See health and wellness fulfillment services and kitting assembly services.

Your 30 day launch plan

Week 1, clean the data

One product master with barcode, dimensions, weights, case packs, hazard flags.
Unit and shipping label templates saved and shared.

Week 2, inbound discipline

ASN format locked.
Dock schedule posted at the door.
Receiving checklist live.
Set a 1 to 3 day dock to stock goal and report daily.

Week 3, floor and pack rules

Slot fast movers near pack.
Print large bin IDs.
Post the pack matrix at every bench.
Add a tiny exception lane for rebag or relabel so the main line never stalls.

Week 4, pilot and tune

Run a one week live pilot on the top 20 percent SKUs.
Measure handling time, order accuracy, billable vs actual weight, on time ship rate, and cost per order.
Fix slotting and packaging rules, then roll to the rest of the catalog.

If you outgrow your space, expand cleanly with warehousing and storage solutions.

Why Product Fulfillment Solutions

Central U.S. hub in Cincinnati so most customers get 1 to 3 day ground.
Barcode first receiving aligned to your ASN for predictable dock to stock speed.
FEFO and lot or expiry control built for consumables.
Pick and pack standards with right size packaging and scan at pack.
Small parcel optimization with multi carrier rate shopping.
Retail and marketplace readiness when you add B2B flows, supported by EDI solutions and connections.

Talk to an Expert

FAQ

What is the fastest way to be “Shopify ready”
Clean product data, lock barcodes, and post a pack matrix. Then pilot with top movers for one week.

Do I need multiple warehouses to be fast
Start centralized. A Cincinnati hub reaches most buyers quickly with ground. Add nodes only when data proves savings.

How do I cut label costs
Right size packaging and rate shop every label. Use regionals where lanes are dense.

What accuracy should we target
Aim for 99.7 percent or better. Separate look alikes and add a second scan at pack.

Can one inventory pool serve Shopify, Amazon, and retail
Yes. Standardize data and labels once, then route orders by promise and cost under 3PL fulfillment.