BlogRSS Feed

Lori Boyer

Business Shipping Made Easy

by Lori Boyer
TweetShare

Navigating the world of business shipping can be daunting, especially for small businesses looking to optimize their shipping services. With various carriers, costs, and logistics to consider, finding the right solutions for your business shipping needs is crucial for success. In fact, shipping is a huge part of consumer loyalty and overall business success. A staggering 77 percent of respondentsopens in new tab in a global survey reported that they have abandoned an online purchase due to unsatisfactory shipping options, while 58 percent have gone as far as ceasing to shop with specific retailers altogether due to a negative shipping experience. In this post, we'll explore the unique aspects of business shipping, share tips for making the most of business shipping services, and discuss how technology can help you streamline and save on your shipping costs.

Why is business shipping different from normal shipping?

Understanding the differences between business shipping and personal shipping is crucial for managing your company's logistics effectively. So what makes it so different?

  • Businesses need to keep customers happy (and coming back for more!) Unlike personal shipping, where you're mostly dealing with friends and family, business shipping is all about impressing those customers who are excited to get their hands on your products. When packages show up on time and in great shape, your customers feel satisfied and come back for more. But if their order arrives late or damaged, those same customers get quickly annoyed – even worse, they might take their business elsewhere. 
  • You must leverage the power of bulk shipping.  As your business scales up, so does the volume of items you need to ship. This is where the magic of bulk shipping comes into play. Carriers often provide discounts for high-volume shipments, which means you can save some serious cash by shipping in bulk. But it's not just about cost savings. Mastering bulk shipping also allows you to optimize your processes, from packaging to logistics. There is a huge amount of time and resources you can save simply by consolidating your shipments and streamlining your operations.

Small business shipping tips

To ensure your small business shipping processes run smoothly and cost-effectively, it's essential to follow some best practices. Here are a few tips and resources to help you get started with your shipping strategy.

Shipping Basics

  1. Centralize shipping operations to streamline processes, reduce errors, and ensure that all departments are working together efficiently.
  2. Leverage technology and API integration by choosing a reliable shipping API that enables seamless integration with your company's existing software, simplifying the business shipping process and allowing for greater automation.
  3. Use data to optimize shipping rates and times by analyzing shipping data to identify trends and patterns, enabling your company to make informed decisions about carriers, delivery times, and shipping costs.
  4. Access multiple carriers, including regional, next-day, and same-day providers, ensuring you have the flexibility to choose the best shipping option for your needs.
  5. Prioritize hands-on customer support by choosing a business shipping partner that provides prompt and efficient customer support, addressing your concerns within hours, not days.
  6. Offer a variety of shipping options to your customers to avoid losing sales due to limited shipping options.
  7. Invest in branded shipping materials to leave a good impression on your customers and look more professional.
  8. Use discounted shipping rates through business shipping services, like EasyPost, to save up to 83% with instant discounted shipping rates.

Take advantage of the cheapest small business shipping options

When searching for the cheapest and most efficient shipping options for your business, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of each carrier. Carriers like USPS, UPS, DHL, and FedEx each have their unique services and pricing structures. While shipping costs will vary depending on where, what, and how you’re shipping, here are a few of the basic pros and cons of these carriers to get you started: 

USPS (United States Postal Service)

Pros:

  • Affordable rates for small and lightweight packages
  • Wide range of shipping services, including Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
  • Extensive network, reaching even remote areas of the US

Cons:

  • Limited tracking capabilities compared to other carriers
  • May experience slower delivery times during peak seasons

UPS (United Parcel Service)

Pros:

  • Reliable and fast shipping services, with options for next-day delivery
  • Detailed tracking and delivery notifications
  • Strong international shipping capabilities

Cons:

  • Can be more expensive for smaller packages
  • Some rural locations may have limited access to UPS services

DHL (DHL Express)

Pros:

  • Specializes in international shipping, offering fast and reliable global services
  • Advanced tracking features and a strong global network
  • Offers a range of shipping options for businesses of all sizes

Cons:

  • Domestic shipping services are limited compared to other carriers
  • Can be costly, especially for small businesses

FedEx (Federal Express)

Pros:

  • Known for its fast and reliable shipping services, including overnight options
  • Provides comprehensive tracking information
  • Offers a variety of shipping options tailored to business needs

Cons:

  • Rates can be higher for small and lightweight packages
  • Delivery to remote locations may incur additional fees

Remember, while price is important, the cheapest option isn't always the best one – it's crucial to also consider factors like delivery speed, reliability, and tracking capabilities to ensure your customers are satisfied and your shipping processes run smoothly. 

How can I ship in bulk?

Getting started with shipping in bulk involves several steps, including:

  1. Determine the shipping requirements: Determine the size, weight, and quantity of the items you plan to ship, as well as the shipping destination and delivery timeframe.
  2. Select a shipping carrier: Consider factors such as shipping rates, delivery times, tracking capabilities, and customer service.
  3. Negotiate rates: Many carriers offer discounts for bulk shipments, so be sure to ask about these options.
  4. Choose packaging: Select packaging that can handle the weight and size of your shipments. Consider using standardized boxes and materials to help reduce costs and simplify the shipping process.
  5. Develop a shipping process: This may include labeling, tracking, and handling procedures to ensure that your shipments arrive at their destination safely and on time.
  6. Monitor and optimize: Monitor your shipping process to identify any areas for improvement, such as reducing shipping costs or improving delivery times. Make adjustments as needed to optimize your shipping operations.

Domestic and International Shipping

At some point in every business’ lifecycle, the question of international shipping pops up. But is it worth it? There are a variety of things that must be considered before jumping into that realm. These include:  

  • Market demand
  • Pricing
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Payment processing
  • Returns and refunds

The biggest question businesses typically have, however, is cost. Determining the costs associated with international shipping, including custom fees, duties, taxes, carrier fees, and more is critical to deciding if it is a financially viable idea. Check out our blog post for a comprehensive overview of the different international shipping options. 

With EasyPost, businesses can access discounted domestic shipping rates to keep costs low while ensuring timely delivery.

EasyPost also offers competitive international shipping rates, making it simple to expand your business globally.

Managing returns and exchanges

Managing returns and exchanges efficiently is crucial for keeping your customers happy and fostering long-term loyalty. When you handle these processes effectively, you not only improve customer satisfaction but also save time and resources. Keep the following things in mind when dealing with returns and exchanges to avoid frustration and boost satisfaction:

  • Use clear and concise policies
  • Ensure quick processing of returns 
  • Offer flexible return options
  • Keep customers informed throughout the process
  • Analyze return data to identify trends and find ways to improve

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage returns and exchanges, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction and fostering long-term loyalty to your brand.

Shipment Tracking

Keeping track of shipments is an important aspect of business shipping, as it ensures that you and your customers are informed throughout the shipping process. By providing tracking information, you can reduce customer inquiries and complaints while improving overall customer satisfaction. With real-time shipment tracking, you can track shipments across multiple carriers and receive automatic updates on delivery status, location, and estimated delivery times. This helps you to stay on top of your shipping operations and make any necessary adjustments to improve efficiency and customer experience. Additionally, customizable tracking pages and notifications can help to brand your tracking experience and keep customers engaged with your brand. It may seem like a small thing, but shipment tracking is a critical component of successful shipping operations and can help to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

EasyPost Has You Covered

EasyPost offers numerous solutions to enhance your business shipping processes. Our reliable Shipping API enables seamless integration with your company's existing software, simplifying the business shipping process and allowing for greater automation. With EasyPost's SmartRate API, you can find the best rates by comparing multiple carriers using highly accurate time-in-transit statistics, ensuring you secure the most affordable option at the speed you need.

EasyPost's comprehensive shipping API solutions include Address Verification API, Tracking API, rating, labels, shipping insurance, partner white label, carbon offset, and more. We also provide access to a wide range of carriers, including regional, next-day, and same-day providers, allowing you to choose the best shipping option for your business.

Streamlining and optimizing your business shipping processes is essential for your company's success. By implementing the suggested tips and partnering with a comprehensive shipping solution provider like EasyPost, you can optimize your shipping operations, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately boost your bottom line. Taking advantage of modern technology, data-driven insights, and a wide range of carrier options will help you stay competitive and ensure that your business shipping processes are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with your customers' needs.

Take advantage of EasyPost's comprehensive business shipping solutions – sign up now and save on your shipping costs!