The pandemic has changed the how we work and where we work. Work from home (WFH) has become the new norm. And thanks to the variety of digital solutions available, the process of running an online business has been much simplified. One of the integral and essential parts of the process is ‘Shipping’. There are number of steps involved, but to ship products to customers from home is not so difficult anymore.
Plan Smart and Plan Ahead
The ultimate goal is to deliver your customers a positive experience. Shipping is the final touchpoint customers have with your brand. This will create a lasting impression on them. Customers’ likelihood of returning to buy more is directly linked to how quickly and conveniently they receive their product.
Product selection is not the only primary criterion when buying online. Studies show that customers also consider the speed and cost of shipping. A smart shipping strategy will ensure that you get a competitive edge, especially when you are up against retailer giants like Amazon.
learn how you can make your shipping easier as a small business
To help you implement an efficient and customer-centric shipping strategy, we have created a step-by-step guide. Now you can easily ship products to customers from the comfort of your home.
Step One: The Pre-requisites
There are a few basics that you need to take care of first.
Categorize the products
Different products require different shipping methods. Shipping furniture is not the same as shipping perishable items like food products. You will benefit from proper categorization when dealing with customs regulations, taxes, and other issues.
Destination:
It is always better to start out small before expanding your reach. You need to have clear goals on how much distance you will cover as it will have a greater impact on delivery times.
Set the Budget:
While free shipping is a common expectation, it is not always possible. Setting a reasonable shipping budget can help you in covering shipping costs and identifying the best method for shipping products to customers.
Talking of shipping costs, you can check and compare shipping costs of different courier options from Parceldeck’s shipping rate calculator
Step Two: Shipping Method
Shipping methods are the various options that you can give customers during the checkout process. They are usually determined by the courier companies you partner with and have impact on shipping rates and delivery timeframes.
Rates based on: shipping weight, destination, delivery speed
When calculating shipping weight, product weight and dimensional weight are taken into consideration. Dimensional weight is also known as DIM weight or volumetric weight. It measures the amount of space taken up by the package, or its density in relation to its weight.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a preferred method of shipping products to customers is the destination. It will help you decide whether to offer standard delivery, one-day delivery, two-day delivery, or other options.
However, on-time delivery is only feasible when the delivery speed is good. One way to ensure timely delivery is by having multiple courier options at hand. You can then easily compare and choose among the number of alternatives available.
Free Shipping
No customer can resist free shipping, but how to give one?
There are ways,
- One way to do so is by incorporating it into the price of the product itself. Only make sure it doesn’t raise the price too much. It can help you cover the shipping cost and offer free shipping.
- Offer free shipping only when customers match specified criteria. For example, “Free shipping on orders above 1000 rs.
- Only give out during special promotions or to new customers.
Step Three: Packaging
Packaging has two goals. First, it guarantees that the product is delivered safely to the customer. Second, it offers an excellent opportunity to promote your brand.
Follow the below steps to ensure a safe and secure shipment
- Use sturdy and undamaged boxes
- Seal it properly to avoid accidental opening
- Pack it light to reduce shipping cost
- Take extra care of fragile items. Use bubble wraps, foams, packing peanuts, etc.
After you have taken care of the basic concerns, you can now think about doing a bit of branding. You can present the parcel in a way that reflects your brand or add a well-placed logo.
Step Four: Labels
It’s a simple step, but if you do it wrong, all your hard work will be for naught. Wrong labeling will result in the wrong destination, which in turn results in wasting time, resources, and money.
For small orders, handwriting the labels is an option. When large orders begin to come, however, it will quickly become time-consuming and inconvenient. It is usually best to have them professionally printed.
- Ensure the label has,
- Destination address
- Return address
- Product weight
- Tracking number and bar code
- Commercial invoice
Step Five: Carrier Options
The carrier is responsible for ensuring that the product is delivered securely to the customers. So, take your time and choose the best.
Consider the below factors
- What are their shipping costs? Depending on the type of product and weight, shipping costs can vary. So compare different courier options to find the one offering low costs.
- How far is their reach? Some carriers will be able to provide deliveries to any corner of the country. Look for the carrier that has a reach in your targeted area. If you’re looking for overseas shipping, note that charges may increase.
- What is their delivery time? If you want to provide customers with fast shipping options, go with the speedy delivery service.
What can Parceldeck do for you?
Parceldeck is an aggregator platform that has ties with multiple courier partners. This gives you the agency to choose and compare the best option for your needs.
We will ensure that the product is delivered to the customer quickly, reliably, and at a low cost.
The delivery method is never an issue. We have all the options right here, whether you want to ship via sea, road, or air.
How Does it Work?
Simple. Follow the below steps.
- Create a free account
To get a more personalized experience, fill in the required details
- Why you are using the platform? Whether for e-commerce, office use, personal use, or other.
- What type of products do you wish to ship to customers?
- How many couriers do you ship in a day?
Once you are successfully logged in, you can calculate product weight, keep a proper record of your shipments, and much more.
Want to calculate shipping cost? No need to sign up. Use our shipping calculator to get accurate costs.
We hope you find the information useful and it helps you to successfully ship your products to customers.
