In today’s increasingly competitive market, it is important to develop effective shipping strategies that will meet customer needs while being cost-efficient. Good supplies and flexible systems are necessary for large and small companies alike. Mostly, it means fast processing and shipping, which will help you get your packages and products to market faster. Shipping systems often require manual intervention for entry-level tasks such as tracking, tracing, and sorting. This slows down the process and increases the chance that mistakes will be made. The result is potentially missed shipments, shipments with operations, or logistics errors that cost your company time and money in lost productivity or refunds. Here we’ll discuss tips for fast and easy shipping:
1. State shipping prices and times upfront
Most shipping companies today offer ample shipping options and various carriers, making it hard to determine what is best for your company. It would help if you always tried to find the most cost-effective shipping option, but the best choice will often depend on location, and the time it takes to ship. To determine the most reasonable shipping price, you must consult with local carriers and destination UPS shipments.
2. Invest in good packing materials
A courier may keenly inspect the goods for damage, so you should use the appropriate packing material. It is essential to have corrugated or hard cardboard boxes that come apart quickly. You should avoid using foam as padding because it’s too bulky and will increase the weight of the shipment.
3. Offer free shipping as a promo
To encourage people using your company to buy and make a purchase, consider offering free shipping or a $10 or $20 flat rate. Most people will go with the cheapest option available. Of course, your business will lose a little money on every sale, but it is an effective strategy to bring new customers in the door and acquire customers from which you can later increase your subscription prices. A letter following the purchase of the product will make it easy for the customer to calculate their total shipping costs.
4. Have a plan in place for busy seasons
For businesses that offer products with seasonal peaks and dips, it’s important to have a plan in place for a busy season. For example, suppose you start a season with many customers who want to throw a garden party and end the season with holiday shopping. In that case, you need to have enough workers available to handle the increase in delivery demands. During peak season, your shipping system should be able to handle an increase in orders without any significant increases in productivity or additional costs.
5. Automate your shipping
By automating the shipping process, online shipping systems save your company time and money. It can also reduce errors because if a problem occurs at any point, the shipping administrator will be alerted and able to track down the issue, rather than having several orders shipped without knowing about it.
6. Research Your Shipping Carriers
To find the best shipping rates, you can consult various carriers to find out which offers the most affordable and faster shipping services. You may want to know what type of tracking is provided, and other information that can increase your delivery time.
7. Vacuum seal larger soft items
You can significantly reduce shipping costs by vacuum-sealing soft items such as pillows, blankets, and toys that are three feet or more in length. It can be hard to fit larger shipments into a standard box. Using a vacuum sealer, you can evenly seal items to minimize damage during shipping.
While there is no perfect shipping methods, smaller companies should take advantage of technology and simple logistics when possible. By using programs programmed for specific needs, smaller companies can be more innovative and efficient than larger firms with bigger budgets.
