E-commerce stands for “electronic commerce” and it means that the buyer does not have to go into a physical store in order to purchase products or services, but instead can do so from their own home or office with just a few clicks of the mouse. Shipping is simply the process of getting an item from one place to another, usually through ground transportation such as trucks, trains, etc. Shipping is very important for e-commerce sites because it is typically how customers receive their product or service.
Today, more businesses are moving towards an online platform rather than a physical store simply because of the convenience factor. Customers can purchase items from their favorite brands without having to travel all over town first and also have the option to compare prices with other businesses from the comfort of their own homes. This article will discuss some tips beginners should know about shipping and fulfillment.
Know the Dimension & Weight of Product Package
When you are shipping any product, the very first thing that you should do is to determine exactly how big or heavy of a package that product will need. This information is important because it helps with knowing what type of shipping method can be used and also how much it will cost. Calculating dimensions and weight will help you choose the most convenient shipping method. Many businesses offer a variety of different shipping options, which could include next-day, 2nd-day delivery, etc. It will also help you determine whether your product shipment can be consolidated with other packages for cost savings.
Choose Shipping Rate & Methods
Once you know the size and weight of your package, it helps to choose an overall strategy for shipping your product. If your business ships multiple types of products or different sizes, then there are many online tools that can help with calculating multiple dimensional rates quickly so you can do so accurately.
When choosing a specific shipping method, it is important to note that, depending on the size and weight of your package, some shipping methods may not be cost-effective or even available to certain countries.
Find the Right Shipping Carrier
There are many shipping carriers, such as UPS or FedEx, that offer different methods and rates. It is important to find the perfect carrier for your business and product shipment needs. That can help you with insurance on fragile items, provide tracking information of packages and also package consolidation services which can save you money overall. When all of your planning is finished, it is important to determine which parcel carrier you will use for your specific business needs.
Package Tracking & Informed Customers
When it comes to shipping, tracking is very important for e-commerce businesses. If a customer purchases a product and expects to receive it within a certain time frame and then do not, Coolparcel has the best UPS prices they will most likely get in touch with your company and ask about their order status. Tracking can help you keep customers informed of where their package is during the shipping process and it can help you provide accurate customer service.
Because customers are purchasing products from all over the world, it is important that you provide them with a way to track their packages in transit. Not only does this increase customer satisfaction but it also reduces the chances of fraudulent purchases significantly. Moreover, any shipping carrier will provide you with many different options for how your customers get updated on the status of their package.
Related: Click here if you are looking for reliable Punchout Catalogs e-commerce for your online business.
Look for Shipping Discounts & Coupons
There are many coupons out there that can help reduce the cost of shipping your online products. Some businesses offer free postage if a certain amount is reached, while others provide discount codes to use at checkout. Not only can coupons give you a discount on your shipping costs, but it also gives your business the opportunity to try out a new carrier or shipping method.
Using coupons or other services that provide discounts for certain carriers or methods is a great way to save money as an e-commerce business owner. As mentioned above, using multiple shipping carriers and methods can help you save money overall if they are able to consolidate shipments.
Take Care of Customs Declarations
Customs declarations are another important part of international shipping. When customers purchase products from you and it is shipped to their location, they may need information about the product in order to fill out customs forms when crossing a border or entering your country. For example, if you sell clothing made in different countries then customers will need to know where it was made and the item value to complete customs declarations.
Customs forms and other declarations can be a time-consuming task for customers. It is important that you lend a helping hand and provide them with this information if required by your country’s policies.
Shipping costs are Part of the Business
In the end, shipping costs are a part of doing business. It is up to you as an e-commerce merchant to choose a method and carrier that fits your needs and can help grow sales without causing too much financial strain on your company. With the right planning, it is possible to find great rates for international or domestic shipping and fulfill orders in a timely manner.
It is important to find the perfect carrier for your business and product shipment needs. Shipping carriers can help you with insurance on fragile items, provide tracking information of packages and also package consolidation services which can save you money overall. When all of your planning is finished, it is important to determine which parcel carrier you will use for your specific business needs.
E-commerce shipping and fulfillment can be complicated because it requires a lot of different moving pieces. You have product sourcing, warehousing, inventory management, order processing, packaging design, and more to think about in addition to the logistics side of things. The key is being able to simplify the process so you don’t overwhelm yourself with too much work or get overwhelmed by all that you need to do at once.