Several priorities may guide a small business looking for the right shipping option. Shipping for small packages or large ones. International shipping options. Quick shipping or affordable shipping. It’s not just about selecting the right shipping company but the best shipping option for the type of product you’re moving and where to.
Here are the best shipping options for a small business.
Why Your Small Business Shipping Is Important
The quality of your shipping impacts the customer relationship. If you aren’t delivering orders affordably, on time, and without damage to the product, that’s a problem.
A company has to look at rates, time of delivery, and overall quality to decide how to access the logistical support to minimize any inconvenience for the customer.
How to Deliver Your Shipping Orders on Time
A key to the best shipping option is delivery time. This partially relies on how you’re conducting order fulfillment. Many eCommerce sites use third-party services, i.e. Shopify fulfillment services, for managing inventory and incoming orders and arranging the shipping on their behalf.
This can be extremely effective and minimize your workload when finding the best shipping rates or conditions. It’s all done for you. That said, the more you want to invest in fast shipping, the more it may cost you or the customer.
What Is the Best Small Business Shipping Rate?
It is impossible to quote exactly the best small business shipping rate because it understandably varies depending on where the package is going, its size and weight, and the time of year. Rates can change, up and down, for several reasons. Some shippers may also have subscriptions required for commercial clients.
As a small business, look at different shipping services. Compare rates. Routinely evaluate and negotiate for the best rate possible to minimize your costs and the costs you must pass down to the customer.
Why Going with Cheap Small Business Shipping Isn’t Okay
Cheap shipping sounds great, but it often comes at the expense of performance. Be careful speaking to any carrier or stakeholder in shipping that makes wild promises for cost nothing. Ensure that whoever you partner with, whether a specific carrier or a third-party order fulfillment service, can deliver.
Many third-party services exist that can help compare quotes and services and aid in managing inventory or finding quotes that align with what you need for your small business.
Ask for Discounts & Build Your Shipping Relationship
Some variables you cannot control with a shipper. Their shipping area is out of your control, i.e. if they only ship domestically and not internationally. You also cannot improve on their quoted delivery time. Their delivery time is their delivery time.
However, you may be able to negotiate better shipping rates based on two factors – loyalty and volume. If you’re using a shipper frequently, they may be more inclined to offer better shipping rates. The same goes for if you’ve been using a shipper for a long period.
How Well Shipping Services Integrate With Your Website
If you’re selling or doing most of your business online, consider how a shipping company integrates with your website or what sort of online interface they offer. Monitoring packages and being able to track inventory is important. Some shippers don’t offer Amazon integration, for example, which can be a big inconvenience to some.
Some shipping APIs cannot be used on customer-facing websites. Some offer diverse online tools, while others provide next to none. This can be make-or-break for a small business that wants to micro-manage.
Comfort Levels with International Shipping for a Small Business
International shipping can be more of a headache for a small business than anything else. It’s expensive, and if you do it, you will need a shipper who is an expert in international shipping. The more territories a product has to travel, the more surcharges and service fees it will encounter.
While most small businesses do not ship internationally, if you start, research is integral to ensuring you are locked in with a good rate and the right shipping services to not compromise the customer experience.
Reducing Shipping Costs for Your Small Business
As you compare and contrast small business shipping options, there are many ways to reduce shipping costs when selecting a partner. Here are some ways.
- Reduce the size and weight of packaging, avoiding non-standard sizes and unnecessary weight.
- If you know the shipping cost beforehand, purchase prepaid shipping labels to save money.
- Look at order fulfillment services that can process and ship your orders, handle inventory storage and more.
- Opt for more affordable shipping materials to use in packaging, possibly using your courier’s packaging.
- When you’ve reached certain output in volume, don’t hesitate to call and negotiate better shipping rates for your company.