Brick & Mortar Vs Online Businesses: My Experience

3 Cost-Effective Measures For Shipping Your Products

23 November 2016 by Roy Morris

One of the main expenses your business can face is shipping. Without a firm plan in place, your costs can skyrocket out of control. To help you keep your business's shipping costs under control, here are some tips you can use.  

Choose the Right Packaging

How your products are packaged plays a huge role in your shipping costs. If your packaging is too big, you could end up paying more for shipping. By contrast, if you opt for packaging that is too small, the products could be damaged during shipping and result in a need to replace the items for the customer. 

To avoid this, take the time to ensure that products are being packaged according to their size. Find packaging materials that are close to the size of the products contained within them. To ensure your staff has options available, keep materials, such as multiple sized corrugated boxes, in stock.  

In addition to fitting the products into the boxes according to size, you also need to ensure there is an added layer of protection for items that could be damaged during shipping. For instance, wrapping glass items in bubble wrap can help ensure they arrive in one piece. Check out a site like http://www.apsbox.com to browse some packaging options.

Pay Attention to Postal Zones

Postal zones provide more than just a direction for packages to travel; they can also dictate how much you pay for shipping. Products that are shipped near or within your own postal zone will be less expensive to ship than those for zones that are further out.  

Different shipping outfits charge different rates for delivering in various zones. Compare those rates and your shipping patterns to determine which would be the best option for you. For instance, if you primarily ship within your own zone, check the local rates for the carriers. If you are also offering faster delivery to customers, do not forget to factor that into your estimates.  

Use a Packaging and Fulfillment Service

A packaging and fulfillment service can help with every aspect of getting your products to your customers. Using a service takes some of the stress of determining which packaging to use and which shipping option is the most cost effective.  

If you are considering a packaging and fulfillment service, schedule a consultation. During the consultation, a representative can assess your packaging and shipping needs and help determine the best course of action for your business. You can also get a clear picture of how much you will have to spend for the service.

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