Shipping can be extremely expensive and cut into your bottom dollar. Thankfully, there are a few ways that you can save on shipping costs. Saving on shipping costs will allow you to make more money, and you may even be able to pass some savings on to your customers.
Packing Correctly
One of the most common mistakes companies makes when shipping is that they do not pack their boxes correctly. You will want to make sure that you have enough space for your merchandise while not having to pay for any unused space. It is recommended that you leave two inches of clearance in the box to add safety. If you are shipping fragile items, you will want to make sure that they are packed correctly with bubble wrap or some other sort of protection.
Take the time to choose the right packing materials for your merchandise. For example, if you are shipping something that is not breakable, you do not want to cover it with bubble wrap. You are just wasting packing materials and money.
Another thing that you will want to consider is switching from boxes to poly mailers. Poly mailers are easier to ship and can cost significantly less money depending on how heavy your items are.
Look for Flat Rate Shipping
You can save money by finding sources for flat rate shipping. For example, the postal service offers several different packaging options that ship for a certain price, no matter how heavy it is. This is a great option for heavier items that will be expensive to ship.
Ship Orders Together
If you have a customer that has come in and ordered several different things, it is ideal to ship them together in the same box, so you do not have to pay a separate shipping fee. Just make sure that you pack correctly to ensure that you are saving money and that the items are safe.
Verify Addresses
Sending packages to the wrong address can make you lose money and can help to ensure that the customer never returns to your business. Verifying customer addresses should be done with a usps address validation api if you are using the United States Postal Service. This will help to ensure that the package you send out will arrive at the customer’s home. You never want to send out a package unless you have verified the address. When you do verify the address and ship the package, make sure that you get tracking information so you can see when the package is delivered.
Different Shipping Options
There are several different companies, including Fed Ex, UPS, USPS, and more, that will ship out your packages. Their pricing will all vary depending on the size of your package, the weight, and what you are shipping. To find the best shipping source for your business, you will want to research what each shipping service has to offer. Look for discounts on shipping multiple items, free shipping supplies, and free package pick up. The more you can do to save money, the better off you will be.
The Importance of Shipping Insurance
So many people fail to add shipping insurance to their packages. Shipping insurance helps to refund your money if the package goes missing or is stolen. If you do not have this insurance, you will have to replace the item for the customer, and you will lose money. With shipping insurance, you will get the money back for the damaged or missing item. You will want to make sure that you choose the right shipping insurance.Â
Most shipping companies like USPS have insurance integrated into several of their packaging options. For example, the USPS priority mail service will cover up to fifty dollars in insurance. If you need more insurance coverage, you have the option to purchase more. You will want to make sure the insurance coverage you get is high enough to cover the price of the item and the amount you paid for shipping.
Conclusion
When it comes to saving money for your business, one of the areas that you can save in is shipping costs. Consider looking at your packaging, shipping sources, and more to determine where you can save money. The more money you save, the more savings you can pass along to your customers. Your customers will love saving money and will be more encouraged to shop at your business.
