One thing that sets ecommerce apart from other buying channels is shipping. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for online shopping has soared, and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon. Customers enjoy it mainly for the two points of gratification it hits when they shop online. The first is when they make a purchase, and the second is when the purchases arrive at their doorstep.
Since ecommerce is not going away soon, many entrepreneurs seek to venture into this channel. However, real marketers know that it’s not enough for businesses to have good-quality products and killer branding to sustain sales. Best practices for shipping are necessary for brands to stand out in the online marketplace.
To many, shipping may be as simple as picking a freight forwarding partner to do the job for them. In some cases, it can be beneficial to outsource a third-party logistics service (3PL). However, some businesses may find these services costly and prefer to take matters into their own hands.
This article will tackle five best practices that every ecommerce business should apply in their shipping management. Let’s first emphasize the importance of proper shipping in every business.
Importance Of Proper Shipping Management
If you look at product reviews on ecommerce platforms, you’ll see many people comment about the shipping service. Some say that the sellers are not responsible for shipping delays and that the logistics are at fault. However, shipping can be a deciding factor in consumers’ purchasing choices.
The seller must find a reliable shipping partner to ensure that their products are received on time and in superb condition.
Let’s look at these numbers:
- 66% of shoppers choose a competitor when their initial option’s delivery options are subpar.
- 30% switch to another seller when the initial retailer cannot guarantee a delivery date.
- 44% bounce because of long delivery times.
- 45% abandon their online shopping baskets when shipping options are unsatisfactory.
If you don’t take your shipping management seriously, your customers also won’t take your business seriously.
5 Best Practices For Ecommerce Shipping Management
- Know your products’ weight and dimensions
A product’s shipping weight and dimensions do not end in the product itself. For example, selling glassware in your ecommerce store entails packing the items intricately with layers of shock-proof materials like plastic bubble wrap, boxes, or even styrofoam.
Knowing your product’s precise weight and dimensions will help you quickly gauge the shipping costs and make wise adjustments with your customers.
- Ensure safe and secure packaging for your products
Branding does not end on your selling and marketing platforms; it also needs to show in the packaging. Ensure that you align the product packaging with the brand image.
For example, selling high-quality luxury jewelry entails the utmost care in shipment for its high value. It would be a huge turnoff to your customers when they receive your products in old and reused boxes. Translate luxury and elegance into your packaging.
Take it from the points made in the previous item. Your packaging must not only be pretty, but it must also be functional. It should protect your products from damage in the shipping journey.
- Adjust your shipping costs
Think about this: you’ve exerted much time, money, and effort to attract customers to your website, but when they are about to checkout, they realize that the shipping fee is a little over their budget. The sale you were supposed to make gone in an instant.
Many people get turned off by exorbitant shipping fees. This is why you must familiarize yourself with your logistics partner’s rates, including the weight and dimensions of every product you sell.
Make your shipping costs a part of doing business. If logistic rates can’t help but be a little bit on the pricey side, try including the cost of shipping in the product’s price. That way, you won’t overwhelm your customers with your shipping rates while preserving profit.
- Use flat rates or other shipping deals
Another way to “hack” the shipping game is to use flat rates, regional rates, and discounts. Flat rates are default charges that your customers will consider when they think about your shipping costs. Regional rates are your designated rates for shipping, depending on your customer’s area.
You may also get creative by providing free shipping or other shipping discounts once your customers reach a particular worth of purchase.
- Employ the help of shipping software
Shipping software is typically subscription-based, but investing in this can significantly affect your manual shipping process. It lets you integrate multiple marketplaces and multi-channel inventory management systems while providing customers with more reliable and up-to-date tracking information. You can also automate your shipping while giving you product estimates and more.
Shipping Options: Make It Or Break It
The key to good customer retention is consistency in fulfilling your promises. Just because you have made your sale does not mean your work is over. Shipping is not just about sending products over distant shores and hoping for the best. A good eCommerce business owner makes shipping a vital part of their business plan, whether in packaging, pricing of delivery costs, or automating tracking systems.
Hopefully, this brief guide has helped you improve your ecommerce order management and build meaningful customer relationships.
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