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Did you know that 80% of Americans are influenced by the cost and speed of shipping when purchasing things online?
As a small business, you need to make sure that you’re able to meet the demands and excel your customer’s expectations.
Keep reading to learn more about how to save time, money and what the best options are for small business shipping.
Shipping for Small Business
Finding the best shipping practices for your small business is essential for the success of your company. Many small businesses go into shipping blind and often have to learn from their costly mistakes.
Our small business shipping tips are designed to help you avoid mistakes and focus on what really matters for you and your customers.
Talk to Your Shipping Provider
You might spend hours scrolling through the various different business shipping companies to find the best deal and best shipping provider for your business. But why stop there?
Once you’ve found a company that you want to work with, contact them. Talk to one of the experts who work at the company and find out what the best small business shipping options are.
Shipping providers are on hand to make your life easier, so discuss your business’s needs and ask them to advise which service is best for you.
You might be able to find a really good deal or get some money off if you send so many parcels each month. And what small business doesn’t want to save money on shipping?
Find a Shipping Business That Suits You
Every business is different so make sure the shipping provider you choose is right for you. There are many different providers to choose from, some who offer budget-friendly shipping options and others who offer a high-quality service that you can track in real-time.
For example, if your customers expect next day delivery then choose a provider who has an expedited freight service. Or if you know your customers want top-class products then ensure your provider is careful with their parcels.
Spend some time carefully researching each provider to ensure you find the one that best suits your business. And if you aren’t sure about anything, just ask.
Package Your Parcels Well
To avoid customer disappointment, sent back items, and requested refunds, make sure you package your parcels well. Damage can occur to parcels during transit which can be costly for you.
However, if you take the right steps when packaging your parcels then you’ll be able to save money, time, and also have happy customers. Use shock absorbant materials when packaging your parcels to ensure the best possible outcome.
Track Your Orders
To avoid missing parcels and disgruntled customers, make sure you track your orders. Many shipping providers offer tracking options so that you always know where your parcel is and when it arrives at its final destination.
Some shipping providers might also be able to give you real-time updates. Receiving real-time notifications can help you save time when shipping because you don’t need to track the parcels manually.
Tracking your orders is a must for any business, as you can notify your customers of any possible delays which can help boost your customer satisfaction.
Address Any Issues
Shipping issues can cost you your customers. So if you’ve noticed any shipping issues with your provider make sure you speak to them immediately.
Shipping issues you might encounter include delayed shipments, parcels not reaching your customers, or damaged parcels. The sooner you contact your provider to work out what is going on with your shipping the better.
Shipping providers should be understanding of your issues and try to rectify them right away. You might even be offered some money off for the inconvenience caused. However, if they don’t then you might want to think about switching providers.
Recycle Package Material
One of the best shipping options for small businesses is to recycle package material. Always purchasing new boxes and packing material can be costly. It can also be bad for the environment. So, if you receive boxes and packing materials try to reuse them.
Before recycling package material, ensure that it’s in good condition and can hold your parcel materials. You also need to make sure that the box or packing material that you’re reusing doesn’t have any other business’s logo or branding on it.
Understand Dimensions and How to Calculate Shipping Costs
Familiarize yourself with how your provider uses dimensions to price a parcel. You will need to know the weight, length, height, and width of a parcel before you send it.
You might want to invest in some weighing scales and a tape measure. Alternatively, you can use a postage meter, which can weigh your package and give you an estimate of how much it’ll cost to ship. Postage meters can also print off labels, which can help you save more time when it comes to posting your parcels.
Keep Your Eye Open for Deals
Some providers offer various deals throughout the year, so you can minimize your shipping costs. The best way to look out for these deals is by looking at your provider’s website, checking emails that the provider sends, and ringing up your provider to see if they can offer you any money off.
Follow Our Small Business Shipping Guide
Saving money and cutting costs is essential to any business’s success, especially small businesses. So, before you send out your next parcel, make sure you follow our guide on small business shipping.
if you found this article helpful, then make sure you have a read of some of our other articles aimed to help entrepreneurs and small business owners.