Workspace design principles to get the most out of your ecommerce workspace

As an entrepreneur (aka hustler, maker, doer, shaker), finding ways to create leverage – more time, more energy, more headspace – to do what really matters is huge. That’s why we strive to provide services aimed to increase leverage for our members. 

We have a lot of entrepreneurs who move to Saltbox from their garage, basement or dining room and don’t necessarily know how to organize their ecomerce workspace, so we’re excited to help them make operations smoother and devoid of clutter.

Read on for our team's tips on setting up a workflow that will have you optimizing your operations.

Inventory design

The Saltbox eForce team uses 5 key design principles to help members optimize their suites and maintain and efficient workspace:

1. Grouping: the first step in designing is taking stock of what you’re dealing with. Take an account of what you need and what can go – for example, group items into returns, overstock, or discontinued and deal with them accordingly.

2. Homes: As the name implies, this principle is all about creating a proper home for necessary items. Ask yourself “How often do I use this item? Is this the best place for it?” Then make room in a spot that makes the most sense, and be sure to use boxes, bins, or other stackable containers to maximize your space.

3. Labels: Another key to simplifying life in your suite is putting a name to a face. This will allow you to always know what’s where without having to touch it or look inside boxes. Use what you have – old shipping labels, sticky notes, paper and tape, and a good ol’ magic marker – and label all of your boxes and containers. This technique will help reduce how often you have to pick up, move, or rearrange items to find what you are looking for. 

‍4. Build up: This one’s a huge unlock! Locate and use as much “dead space” as possible by converting it into storage space. Bonus points for using stackable boxes and labels to maximize storage and minimize handling items on faraway shelves.

5. Triadic design: Our last principle is perhaps the most helpful and is sure to expedite your fulfillment operation. Set up three zones for fulfillment based on how often you anticipate handling a product. Zone one is for your top selling items, and should be closest to your packing area. Zone two is for an average selling SKU, to be placed slightly above Zone one near the packing area. And zone three is for the low or niche sellers, and should go up high or down low in your packing area.

These foundational design principles can be applied in any workspace and will help you stay organized. 

Eforce as leverage

Inventory design isn’t the only project our eForce team can help members tackle. Our operations specialists are trained in all the key daily tasks that keep your business running and always ready to pick up special projects too.

Here are some of the services we provide members to help them create more leverage:

• Assembly: Think putting together boxes or shelves in your suite
• Kitting: Preparing multiple parts of an order for shipment, whether they’re kits, subscription boxes, or standard orders
• Receiving and sorting: Eforce can receive products on your behalf, and we’ll assess boxes for quality and sort products however you’d like to set them up in your suite
• Pick-and-pack: We can help with fulfilling customer orders too by assisting with picking, packaging, and placing inserts into packages
• Inventory management: We’ll help ensure availability and accessibility of your products by tracking inventory levels and restocking items as needed
• Special projects: Eforce is available on-demand to support in any specialized work with a bit of training

Imagine having an extra pair of hands to support your busiest season or just to help you take that three-day weekend you’ve been dreaming about. Saltbox’s eForce is here to help!

About Saltbox

Saltbox offers a cozy and practical spot for small to medium-sized ecommerce businesses looking for a mix of warehouse and co-working space. Think of our spaces as a blend of a functional warehouse and a trendy co-working area, complete with all the essentials like conference rooms, kitchens, and comfy lounges—perfect for both storing goods and getting work done. 

We take the hassle out of logistics with accessible loading docks and our helpful staff who can manage your shipments and inventory for you. Plus, our flexible logistics services are designed to adapt to your business needs, whether you need help by the hour or prefer a dedicated team to handle your orders. Saltbox is here to make your business operations smoother and help you focus on growing your enterprise. 

Come check out the space, book a tour today!