Streamlining your pick and pack process for small business shipping

Running an e-commerce business from your home, garage, or small warehouse can be both exciting and challenging. As orders start to increase, one of the biggest bottlenecks you’ll face is in the pick and pack process, the steps between receiving an order and sending it out to your customer.

An efficient pick and pack workflow helps prevent costly errors, saves time, and keeps customers happy. This guide walks through simple, scalable practices to help you create a smooth fulfilment system that suits your space, budget, and business size.

Table of contents.

1. Why the pick and pack process matters

2. Setting up an efficient pick and pack system

3. Integrating technology to improve accuracy

   3.1 Create a clear pick list

   3.2 Develop a packing strategy

4. Managing invoices: physical or electronic?

5. Keeping your stock up to date

1. Why the pick and pack process matters

Every order that leaves your business represents your brand. Sending the wrong item or making your customers wait too long can damage trust and lead to returns or lost sales.

A well-organised process ensures:

• Accuracy – each order includes exactly what was purchased.

• Speed – orders move from picking to dispatch quickly.

• Consistency – customers get a reliable experience every time.

• Scalability – your process grows as your business does.

Even if you’re operating from a home garage or a shared workspace, or your own dedicated warehouse, you can achieve professional fulfilment standards with clear systems and simple tools.

2. Setting up an efficient pick and pack system

A structured workflow is essential to manage increasing order volumes without chaos.

2.1 Create a clear pick list

A well-designed pick list is the foundation of accuracy. It should include:

• Product names and SKUs (if used)

• Quantities

• Storage locations (e.g. shelf or bin numbers)

If you’re using software such as ReadyToShip or an e-commerce platform with built-in order management, generate automated pick lists to reduce manual entry and mistakes.

2.2 Develop a packing strategy

Packing efficiency is about more than just speed. It’s about consistency and protecting your products. Tips to improve your packing process:

• Create a packing station with all materials close by (boxes, tape, satchels, labels).

• Standardise box sizes to reduce decision-making time.

• Print shipping labels before packing to avoid confusion.

• Double-check the SKU and quantity and customer details match before sealing the package.

When space is limited, mobile packing carts or foldable tables can help maintain flow without cluttering your workspace.

3. Integrating technology to improve accuracy

Technology can take much of the stress out of order fulfilment. 

Useful tools include:

• Shipping integrations like ReadyToShip – automatically import orders, print labels, and update tracking details across multiple sales channels.

• Inventory management software – keeps stock counts accurate and alerts you to low items before they sell out.

• Tablet or mobile devices – open a pick list summary and pick items in bulk rather than printing off pages

For small businesses growing from manual to semi-automated processes, these tools can dramatically improve consistency without requiring major investment.

4. Managing invoices: physical or electronic?

Many small e-commerce businesses wonder if they need to include printed invoices with every parcel. Ask yourself, do my customers need a physical invoice, and do they align with my sustainability policy?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Electronic invoices are often sufficient, as most e-commerce platforms automatically email them to customers.

• Physical invoices may still be helpful when shipping B2B orders, sending items internationally, or including marketing offers such as discount vouchers. 

5. Keeping your stock up to date

Once an item has been picked, your system should immediately reflect the updated stock level. This helps prevent overselling and ensures accurate reporting.

Best practices:

• Sync inventory automatically with your sales channels.

• Conduct regular stocktakes to correct any discrepancies.

• Reconcile stock movements daily if you have high order volumes.

If you’re managing stock in a small area, label your shelves and bins clearly. Group products by category, size, or SKU to make picking faster and easier.

Final thoughts

A streamlined pick and pack process is key to efficient small business shipping. By combining clear organisation, simple technology, and smart packing habits, even small teams can achieve accuracy and speed that rivals larger operations.

Start small, refine your workflow, standardise your materials, and use software tools like ReadyToShip to automate repetitive steps. As your business grows, these foundations will help you maintain accuracy, save time, and keep your customers delighted with every order.