E-commerce is booming and is expected to increase by almost 17% in 2022 and exceed $5 trillion globally.
Even so, running a business is no easy task, and how you ship your products dramatically impacts your bottom line. To streamline your shipping process, you’ll need to learn what small business shipping tips make the most difference.
Keep reading this guide to learn small business shipping tips that will get your business moving in the right direction.
Get Your Shipping Supplies Delivered
Your first step in creating an organized process is getting your supplies in place.
When you need shipping supplies, make it easy on yourself. First, you can get boxes, mailers, stickers, and more at your local post office. USPS makes it easy for you to order your supplies online and have them delivered.
Choose the Right Packaging
When you’re shipping products regularly, you need to cut costs where your can.
One of the best ways to cut shipping costs is to change your packaging. Remember, your overall shipping costs depend on the total weight of the package.
It’s all too easy to buy packaging that’s larger than the product you’re sending to your customer. So, getting accurate measurements of the products you’re shipping out is essential.
You’ll also need to determine how many products you usually send at once. You can easily do this by looking at your order history to see what items are typically ordered in multiples and what items are often ordered together.
You can reduce package weight in other ways, such as:
- Use corrugated boxes
- Choose lightweight packing materials
- Consider designing custom shipping packages
Use Shipping Software
If you have multiple e-commerce shops on Shopify or Etsy and ship many packages weekly, it’s best to invest in shipping software to keep everything organized.
You can start by looking at software companies like ShipStation or PirateShip. You’ll be able to see all your orders in one place and easily be able to update shipping profiles.
Compare Shipping Carriers
It’s also important to find the best shipping company for your business needs. You’ll first need to look at your overall order volume.
If you’re just starting out and have a lower volume, it may be best to use your local post office. You can either drop your packages off or schedule them for pick up.
You’ll also need to consider delivery speed. Your customers don’t want to wait a long time to get their products. So, be sure to compare high-speed delivery options with at least three different carriers.
Delivery days, package tracking options, and rates for different package weights are all things you need to put on your list.
To get started, you can view these courier services to see your options.
Use These Small Business Shipping Tips
Using these small business shipping tips will help boost your business efficiency and maintain a loyal customer base.
Remember, do your research thoroughly to find a trustworthy shipping company to handle your business products.
Check out the rest of our blog today to learn more helpful small business tips!