5 Tips for Your Business When Shipping Your Products

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Have you been thinking of improving your business by adopting better shipping methods? If you have, then you came to the right place. Shipping practices and costs are a huge determining factor for the success of any modern business. Especially if you’re just getting your company off the ground, you have to keep up with the shipping expectations of your customers and prospects. Here’re the top five shipping tips you need to reach your business targets.

Know the shipping costs

Understanding the shipping costs can be the difference between shipping success and failure. According to the National Retail Federation consumers usually expect orders to be delivered for free, even if they are under $50. You may not be able to provide a free shipping service to all your customers, which is why you should consider the following two alternatives:

1. Set a minimum threshold. You need to set a minimum value for your products to qualify for free shipping. Your shoppers will be motivated to shop more to get free deliveries.
2. Offer free shipping to loyal customers. Create a loyalty program and provide free shipping to buyers who don’t mind paying a tiny annual fee to join it. That’s a great way to cover the shipping costs.

Reuse and recycle

Consumers are shifting towards environmentally-conscious businesses. When your customers hear that you’re eco-friendly, they would be happy to buy from you. Moreover, reducing your shipping material is a great way to save. There are many ways to be more eco-friendly and safe. Firstly, you could reuse the shipping material from your returned orders. Secondly, use an efficient shipping software to automate the orders and other tasks in shipping management. This would ensure the overall supply inventory is reduced to only what you need. You can also use recyclable shipping materials and encourage your customers to recycle them.

Collaborate with shipping companies for the best deal

Understand that shipping carriers are different, and you need to find the one that best suits your business. Conduct research and understand the shipping options that you have. USPS, for instance, has a free priority mail starter kit that can benefit your business in terms of communication. It also has programs that can allow you to buy print shipping labels and postages. On the other hand, FedEx is usually a great option for startups shipping perishables. If you want a program that can allow you to schedule pickups and manage customer returns, UPS would be ideal. There are also other companies that provide outstanding white glove services, such as white glove storage and transportation that you should also consider. Once you find the right shipping company, connect and establish a relationship with them, and then negotiate discounts. This will ensure your shipping is cheaper, fitting and efficient.

Audit your invoices regularly

There are many businesses that lose a lot of money for failing to audit their shipping invoices. Shipping carriers tend to alter their billing, and you would never discover it unless you ensure your shipments are audited regularly. Regular auditing also gives you a better glimpse of the service you are receiving, thereby helping you think of expedient ways to get your carrier to improve their services. If you think about it, auditing can also provide you an excellent chance to claim refunds in case of service failures.

Get insured

As with many business processes, accidents can happen at any time during shipping. Even the most careful courier can damage or lose an important package. Unfortunately, insurance in shipping is something most new businesses are not conversant with, and they often don’t know what to do with a lost or damaged package. Typically, standard carrier liabilities can go up to $2 per pound, and they don’t cover more than $100 per package. Depending on your business, that may not be enough coverage for your shipments. If you ship high value goods, you should consider getting extra insurance to be safe.

Conclusion

If you want to save, have peace of mind and even build a better relationship with your customers, you have to find ways to ship your products right. While there are many ways to do that, these tips should feature among your top five.