One of the first items to consider when starting an eCommerce business is the shipping component. Too often we see business owners design an eCommerce store, begin making sales, and then realize that they don’t have a good shipping strategy. While it can be overwhelming to choose from the hundreds of shipping options, we want to help you lay out a plan. Here are a few shipping tips to help inform your business strategy and avoid inefficiencies along your shipping process.
- Organize your workspace. Before diving into shipping details, don't forget to consider your pre-shipping storage area. Where will your products live while they're waiting to sell? Additionally, once an item sells, it should have a separate designated storage space.
Whether your workspace is a kitchen table, garage, or warehouse, defining details now will set you up for scaling. The last thing you need to deal with is a misplaced product along your shipping route. For tips on optimizing your shipping area setup, check out these ideas on how to save time and money.
- Understand your product. What is it that you’re creating - a perishable food item? Something that includes breakable glass? Does your product’s wrapping play a significant part in the presentation? The answers to these questions will help inform the rest of your shipping strategy.
As another example, consider alcohol. The laws around shipping alcohol constantly change, presenting a new set of challenges. Many states in the US restrict direct shipments to wine. Educating yourself on shipping laws and the possible need for insurance is non-negotiable.
- Choose packaging that makes your product shine. Finding the correct packaging for your product will be more simple if you could answer the previous questions. Companies like Uline offer many packaging options, including boxes, envelopes, tubes, and more. Not to mention the idea of “unboxing,” which is the simple unpacking of a product. With up and coming trends like these, packaging is more than what it used to be.
If you’re just starting out, there are still ways to create a top-notch unboxing experience for your customers without breaking the bank. For example, create branded in-box marketing materials, such as packing slips, care instructions, and thank you notes.
- Research carriers. Once decided on product packaging, you can identify the carriers that will best suit your shipping needs. Don’t forget to consider factors such as shipping speed, price, and reliability.
At ShipEngine, our Shipping API seamlessly integrates with over 20 of the top shipping carriers across the USA, CA, AU, and the UK. This gives you the freedom to stop building carrier integrations from scratch and spend more time on your core business.
- Get ship done. Take a few minutes to think through your process. Is it efficient and scalable? If Good Morning America invites you on their show tomorrow, your process should be prepared for an exciting impact! Where can you consolidate technology, reduce the number of touchpoints, and optimize your physical shipping space?
Shipping solved at scale
Whether a small business or an enterprise level firm, a seamless eCommerce shipping solution will save you valuable time. For more tips on how to streamline your shipping process, visit the ShipStation blog.
