5 Shipping Options to Consider For Your Small Business

For many small business owners, shipping occupies a significant portion of the business day. You’re sending things all over the place, all the time. If you ship internationally, this opens even more doors. Whether you’ve been doing it for a while and you’re looking to improve your system, or if you’re looking to get started and aren’t sure how to begin, there are a few important things to consider when it comes to shipping options and logistics.

1. Alternative Fulfillment Methods

If you ship internationally, things get a little more complicated. Rates become more expensive for the customer, and things take longer to arrive. Can you make arrangements with a supplier somewhere near where your customers are purchasing from? If you do a lot of business in a specific part of the world, it’s worth looking into alternative fulfillment methods. People will pay a little less for shipping, and they won’t have to wait weeks to receive what they’ve ordered from you.

2. Simplifying Local Deliveries

The ability to provide same day delivery to customers that live close by is the ultimate convenience. Many small businesses forego this option because it takes a long time to get things where they need to go. Being stuck in traffic and having to make a million different stops is a huge deterrent. You can always utilize bike couriers. Companies like Zoom2U offer bike courier services to small businesses. The bikes are eco friendly, and they never get stuck in traffic.

3. Offering More Options Online

You probably want to keep shipping costs low for your customers, and so do many other small businesses. This leads to many of them offering one or two shipping options that are deemed to be the most economically efficient. Sure, they’re cheap, but they take longer. If someone needs something right away, they’ll also need to ability to purchase expedited shipping. If they can’t get the item in time, they may have to turn a competitor that offers something similar and will be able to get it to them on time.

4. Holding Free Shipping Events

There’s a reason why so many companies hold free shipping event. Shipping isn’t a tangible thing, and the value of shipping is difficult for some customers to realize. By placing a minimum order amount and offering free shipping past a certain threshold, people will feel more inclined to spend that amount. They’ll be able to see the value of everything they’ve purchased. If you can’t work out free shipping events, consider offering flat rate shipping on all orders of a certain dollar amount or even discounted shipping under certain circumstances.

5. Improved Packaging

The modern consumer is more concerned about the environment than ever before. A lot of people really hate wasteful packaging – especially if they can’t reuse it. Make sure you’re packing items adequately, but not excessively. Utilize boxes or envelopes that aren’t too large for what they’re meant to contain. If your packaging is made of recycled materials, make sure that fact is stamped on it. When possible, opt for alternatives like biodegradable packaging. The act of shipping alone leaves behind a sizeable carbon footprint – make sure your customers know you’re doing what you can to reduce your impact on the environment.

There’s one thing worth remembering above everything else: since so much business takes place online these days, shipping companies are doing everything they can to accommodate both the volume of shipments and the concerns of businesses and consumers. Make sure you’re always working with a company that provides your customers with the best possible service.