In this age of technology, it has become easier and common to make purchases online as customers have access to more goods and services online. Therefore as a business owner your competition for sales may be even greater.
Your ability to provide stellar customer service will make or break your business and a large part of this is shipping products to your customers on time and without damage. There are many shipping companies available and if approached each will say that they can meet your demands and ship your products in an efficient manner.
However, not all of them are the same with some being better than others. Before settling on a shipping company to use, you need to consider the following factors. Doing so will ensure the company you choose will meet your needs and ship your items safely and in a timely manner.
1. Reputation
When choosing a company to ship your products, you obviously want one that can do it quickly and safely. The best way to guarantee which company can help you achieve this goals is by consulting with others.
Before hiring a shipping company, connect with family members, friends, and colleagues to see if they have ever utilized the services of a shipping company. Also talk with other business owners to see what shipping company they usually hire. These people will give you an honest answer and you can then make an informed decision. Also checking reviews online and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website will give you information on the company that you are considering. These details will be honest and accurate, allowing you to be confident in the decision you make.
2. Cost
The cost it takes to ship your items will be a major determinant. If your customers will be paying for shipping, you want prices to be reasonable so they will be enticed to place orders with you. If you will be offering free shipping, chances are you will be paying for shipping. Because these costs will add up, you want the best shipping costs that you can find.
Before hiring a shipping company, get prices for domestic and international deliveries. Be mindful of the weights of the items you sell. This will greatly influence the costs to ship. You also want to purchase insurance so there is recourse if your items get lost or damaged so do not forget to factor this into your overall costs.
3. Methods of delivery
As a business owner you want to be able to give your customers different options regarding shipping delivery. For example, if the item is needed quickly, they can choose a method such as express, next-day, or 2 day delivery. If the customer is not in a hurry to receive the item and instead wants to save on costs, he/she can choose regular or ground delivery.
Before listing methods of delivery available to your customers, confirm with the shipping company that you are considering that they can in fact offer the methods that you state. If you offer next day, 2-day, or 3-day and domestic and international delivery, confirm that the company can meet these demands and items will in fact be delivered at a speed that matches the method chosen. If it is not, you will have many disappointed customers who may choose not to do business with you in the future.
4. Tracking
The ability to track shipments is beneficial for you and the customer. Both parties are able to see where a shipment is during transit, the expected delivery date, and when it is delivered.
Confirm with the shipping company that they offer a method to track items in transit. This will give you the peace of mind that your items are on the way and will alert you to any issues or when the item is successfully delivered. Customers appreciate the ability to track their items and it allows them to plan effectively so they can be available when their delivery is expected to arrive.