You’ve taken a leap of faith and chosen to create an eCommerce website—well done! Over the last ten years, eCommerce has grown exponentially, representing more than double its share of total retail sales.
The ability to provide exceptional service is essential for any online shop, whether you’re an established business wishing to branch out online or a new company just getting started. One of the most important things to consider before you begin is shipping.
Some may regard shipping as a technical step in the eCommerce process, where businesses and customers are expected to cover the cost. However, this doesn’t need to be so; shipping represents an opportunity to improve your customer service. You have put a lot of time and effort into creating an attractive product, driving visitors to your website, offering a smooth shopping experience, and helping them to the checkout page seamlessly.
You now have the chance to amaze your customers with a delivery experience that is both efficient and surprising. Consider this as elevating customer service to its maximum level. We will delve into the details of this later in this article. However, starting with the correct attitude towards shipping as part of your general brand experience is essential.
How to Send Goods to Your Clients?
In this article, you’ll be guided through the seven steps needed to set up shipping for your online store. These are:
- Establish Your Shipping Guidelines
- Acquire a Shipping Software Solution
- Comprehend Shipping Options and Calculate Shipping Costs
- Select Suitable Packaging
- Examine Printer Options
- Ponder Shipping Insurance
- Manage Post-Purchase Communications.
Establish Your Shipping Guidelines
It is essential to have well-defined shipping rules in place to provide customers with a reliable reference point when they have questions or inquiries. Both delivery costs and speed can be vital considerations for shoppers when choosing whether or not to make purchases from you, making the availability of this information on your website an absolute must.
What are the best guidelines for your company? The ones that benefit both customers and businesses should be determined.
Charging or Not Charging For Shipping Products
There are three primary methods for determining whether to charge or waive shipping fees.
Free Shipping
Today’s eCommerce shoppers have come to expect free shipping, mainly due to Amazon Prime’s success. But this can be a tough decision for many businesses. To make free shipping work, it is essential to calculate the average shipping cost per order and adjust the pricing accordingly. If you are selling expensive items, offering free delivery could be a great way to draw in buyers and increase rankings.
However, if you are dealing with smaller, cheaper items, the shipping cost could be more than the product itself. If offering free shipping isn’t an option, consider setting a minimum purchase threshold to earn shoppers complimentary delivery (e.g., “orders of $25 or more qualify for free shipping”).
You can increase your average order value by offering free shipping in various ways. You could add a featured product to an order that would qualify it for free shipping or use free shipping as a reward by providing promo codes based on spending thresholds, seasonal promotions, or bounce-back incentives after the initial purchase. These strategies can help you take advantage of free shipping while still driving revenue.
Consumers are typically enticed by free shipping and may add additional items to their cart to qualify. 48% of shoppers have done this. Despite some initial costs associated with free shipping, businesses can benefit from increased customer engagement.
Charging a Flat Rate
In this shipping model, customers can find out the costs for their orders before the last stages of their checkout process. Instead, they know from the start that there is a single, fixed rate for all orders within set weight and value limits. This can reassure customers as they can plan their spending.
Variable Shipping Rates
Online businesses typically advertise flat-rate or free shipping at first glance. However, when a customer is in the checkout process and has entered their zip code, the shipping fees are calculated using dimensions, weight, destination, and timing (i.e., how quickly the item needs to be delivered). The system then determines the exact shipping cost based on these variables.
Shipping Timing
Different customers have unique requirements. To help them make informed decisions, list your services, such as: 2-Day Shipping, Next-Day Shipping, Same-Day Delivery, Express Delivery, Priority Mail, Media Mail, and more.
Acquire a Shipping Software Solution
Now that you have a firm grasp of the shipping guidelines, it is time to set up an efficient shipping process by utilizing a shipping software solution. Using such a program can help save both time and money while streamlining various shipping-related tasks and managing customer communications. Shippo’s software is one of the most efficient solutions and can help you achieve a streamlined shipping process.
Compare shipping rates between carriers, estimate delivery times, print labels and packing slips, schedule pickups (for USPS and DHL Express), get real-time tracking status, send notifications to keep customers informed about their packages, streamline returns with scan-based labels and tracking services, and more.
Comprehend Shipping Options and Calculate Shipping Costs
A shipping software solution will make it easy to choose from different shipping options. Here are some of the most popular ones to consider.
USPS First Class
For packages that weigh less than 13 ounces, USPS First Class can be an ideal shipping option. The maximum dimensions allowed are 22 inches x 18 inches x 15 inches.
USPS Priority Mail
For packages weighing more than one pound, you can choose either Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail for domestic delivery. Priority Mail Express offers 7-day delivery, while Priority Mail delivers in 1-3 days and comes with a flat rate option.
USPS Cubic Pricing
If the package is of a more minor to moderate size, weighs less than 20 lbs, and each side measures under 18 inches, you may be eligible for USPS’ Cubic Pricing. This pricing system takes into account the dimensions and distance traveled rather than just weight, so if your package is heavier but still small enough, it could qualify for this program, saving you up to 90% of the standard rates.
Typically, access to this program is only granted to retailers who ship more than 50,000 packages a month, but Shippo users can take advantage of these great prices without having that amount of shipments.
Select Suitable Packaging
There is more to designing and selecting the proper packaging than simply getting your customers’ orders from point A to point B. Your chosen packaging should be an extension of your brand, but it also needs to provide a safe and secure delivery for shoppers. Studies have shown that 58% of customers would have their buying decision impacted if they received a damaged package in the mail, which can ruin the unboxing experience. As such, selecting packaging will ensure items arrive in perfect condition is essential.
When selecting your packaging, consider what is best suited for your products. Products that are delicate or fragile require more sturdy and reliable packaging to ensure they make it through the shipping process unscathed. However, it would be best if you also considered packaging types that will help reduce costs during shipping.
Many people opt for the smallest packaging possible to conserve space and save money, but this is not the best option if your products are less than durable. If you don’t have any fragile items that need extra protection, then padded envelopes and poly mailers may be more cost-effective since they take up less weight and space on delivery trucks than cardboard boxes.
Protecting From Within
When packing products for shipping, the best practice is ensuring they are secure and protected. Skimping on protective packaging materials may lead to damage and cost you more in terms of time, returns and replacements.
Depending on the item being shipped, there are various options, such as double-walled boxes, airbags, foam spacers, corrugated inserts, and spray foam. These reinforcements will help protect the items from shifting inside the box, ensuring a safe delivery experience.
Using Free Carrier Packaging
Using branded carrier packaging is an excellent option if you need help packaging your items or need something quickly. Many popular carriers such as USPS, FedEx Express, and UPS offer free shipping supplies that can be picked up from their locations or ordered online.
Your packaging should be used as an opportunity to tell your brand’s story and help create a great customer experience.
Get inspired by other businesses’ eCommerce packaging ideas to create unique boxes, envelopes, and related items that will make your customers happy and reinforce your brand’s reputation. Every classic brand has an easily recognizable outward identity – make sure yours stands out too!
You can create strong relationships with your customers by offering them a personalized experience that features your brand. Over time, you want to generate the same anticipation or joy when they spot one of your packages in front of their door.
By providing a more branded and tailored experience, you can start forming deeper connections with your customers, similar to those that well-known companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and IKEA evoke.
When they see these brands’ logos, type treatments, or packaging, it triggers certain emotions beyond the transaction.
Examine Printer Options
Printers for eCommerce shipping and related labels usually come in three main varieties. When selecting one, it’s essential to consider the cost, maintenance needs, and shipment volume.
Printer categories include
- Inkjet printers provide economical printing of documents and labels.
- Laser printers deliver better print quality but are more expensive and require toner/ink refills. Thermal printers are best suited for higher shipping volumes as they quickly produce large quantities of labels without needing extra ink or taking up too much space.
- Making the right choice of printer will depend on your specific needs and budget.
- Inkjet printers are usually the most cost-effective, while laser printers offer higher quality at a more significant expense.
- Thermal printers can be worthwhile for those who frequently ship items, though they come with a higher upfront cost.
- Regardless of which type you choose, make sure it is up to the task and fits your budget. With the right printer, you’ll be ready to take on any print task with ease!
Ponder Shipping Insurance
You have put a great deal of time and energy into the items you provide and have found imaginative approaches to set aside cash on shipping while at the same time building your image. To help guarantee everything runs efficiently, there is one more part to the procedure that you should consider in case something occurs out of your control. For higher-esteem things, shipping protection is valuable. Think about it: a single misfortune or harmed item can cost you considerable cash. You should give out a discount for the loss of the first shipment and pay for the expense of return delivery on another item.
FedEx and UPS offer automatic insurance of up to $100 against damage or loss for domestic shipments. At the same time, USPS provides the same protection on select expedited services such as Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Express International.
If your package is worth more than $100, you can purchase additional coverage from the carriers or a third-party insurer. Shippo can help you set up this extra coverage quickly and efficiently while processing your shipments.
Manage Post-Purchase Communications
Once your packages have been carefully packaged, shipped, and delivered, you can use various tools to maintain a personal connection with shoppers and give excellent customer service. If you’ve connected your online store with Shippo, you can keep track of the post-purchase experience by utilizing the following features:
- Send email notifications: Keep your customers in the loop with updates on their transactions.
- Monitor shipment progress: Stay up to date on the whereabouts of your packages.
- Verify delivery: Ensure that purchased items make it safely to their destination.
- Streamline returns: Include a scan-based return label that only gets charged if used.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: What are the different types of printers for eCommerce shipping?
A: The main categories of printers for eCommerce shipping include inkjet, laser, and thermal printers. Inkjet printers provide economical printing of documents and labels, while laser printers offer higher quality but at a higher cost. Thermal printers can benefit those who frequently ship items but come with a higher upfront cost. It is essential to consider your needs and budget when choosing the right printer for eCommerce shipping.
Q: What kind of insurance should I consider for my eCommerce shipments?
A: FedEx and UPS offer automatic insurance of up to $100 against damage or loss for domestic shipments. USPS provides the same protection on select expedited services such as Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Express..
Q: What tools can I use to manage post-purchase communications?
A: You can use various tools to maintain a personal connection with shoppers and give excellent customer service. Suppose you’ve connected your online store with Shippo. In that case, you can keep track of the post-purchase experience by utilizing features such as sending email notifications, monitoring shipment progress, verifying delivery, and streamlining returns.
Q: What is the best way to get started with eCommerce shipping?
A: The best way to get started with eCommerce shipping is to create an online store with Shopiroller. This platform provides tools and features that can help you streamline your shipping process, including selecting appropriate printers, obtaining insurance for high-value items, and managing post-purchase communications.
Q: What kind of customer service can I provide with eCommerce shipping?
A: You can provide excellent customer service by utilizing various tools to maintain a personal connection with shoppers. For example, you can send email notifications to keep customers in the loop about their transactions, monitor shipment progress, verify delivery, and streamline returns.
CONCLUSION
You’ve learned to ensure that each part of your eCommerce shipping goes smoothly—from selecting the appropriate printer to obtaining insurance for high-value items and managing post-purchase communications. With these tips in mind, you can ensure an efficient and cost-effective shipping process while providing excellent customer service. Ready to start selling? Create your online store with Shopiroller today!
