{"id":664,"date":"2021-08-25T11:26:54","date_gmt":"2021-08-25T11:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shippingchimp.com\/blog\/?p=664"},"modified":"2024-12-30T08:13:38","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T08:13:38","slug":"shipping-guide-for-small-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shippingchimp.com\/blog\/shipping-guide-for-small-business\/","title":{"rendered":"An eCommerce Shipping Guide For Small Businesses – 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

eCommerce businesses are doing the rounds for a long time now. This industry is growing rapidly and is expected to be worth USD 16,215.6 billion by 2027<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever wondered, what is the success of this massive growth for eCommerce businesses? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, there are many reasons, to be honest. However, the most obvious reason is the fact that they deliver customers\u2019 desired products at their doorsteps. Everybody enjoys fast shipping. But we don\u2019t really know what goes into this prompt shipping process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping is difficult to manage, especially if you\u2019re running a small business. The shipping process for a small business involves several stages and intermediaries, resulting in shipping delays and excessive spending. Hence, the best way to ship for small businesses is to find a solution where the shipping steps are executed affordably and without any interruptions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wondering how? Well, we have come up with a set of small business shipping tips<\/a> for you. We\u2019re sure, this will come in handy. So let\u2019s get started.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you find the right shipping method for your small business? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to selecting the right shipping method, there are several aspects that you must consider. Going for the most popular shipping method may not always be the best choice. Small businesses should focus on collaborating with an efficient shipping vendor that can speed up the multi-stage shipping process in a cost-effective manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confused? Let us help you select the best shipping method for small businesses. Here\u2019re a few points of considerations: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Packaging matters <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re confused with the selection of a shipping method, start with the packaging. Let\u2019s take the example of one of the biggest shipping brands FedEx. This brand uses a dimensional shipping model. That means you can determine the costs of a shipping process on the basis of the weight and size of the packages. If you\u2019re clueless about the starting point, this could be a great start to your shipping process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Use the right shipping technologies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The use of the right technology can ease the shipping process for small businesses. However, you should select the right tools to enjoy the benefits of technology. Powerful technology can help you with in-depth visibility into your shipping process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, earlier when a customer would report receiving damaged products, there was no choice left to the eCommerce company but to accept their claims. With next-gen shipping analytics technology, eCommerce businesses can now have real-time visibility into their shipping process. Hence, you don\u2019t need to rely on the customers\u2019 or suppliers\u2019 claims anymore. Track your shipping stages, verify their claims and then take action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Don\u2019t ignore the cost aspect <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Small businesses have limited budgets. Hence, avoiding the cost aspect is never the right option for them. Try to find out channels and tools that can minimize your shipping costs. Select a shipping method that doesn\u2019t increase your overhead, without compromising on the customers\u2019 demands. You can always research and list the available shipping methods. Then go on to perform a cost vs. benefit analysis to shortlist the most suitable shipping approach.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Advanced support is mandatory  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When narrowing down a shipping process for small businesses, you must focus on the support part. The shipping vendor you select should offer a quick and timely response to your queries. The ideal shipping process would be where you can get all your queries resolved with the least waiting time. Don\u2019t settle for the first shipping vendor you come across. Wait till all your requirements are met. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Networking is the way out <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Networking is the key to any successful business venture. Small businesses should not ignore the power of networking at any cost. New entrepreneurs can always network with suppliers, drop-shippers, and other stakeholders to explore different shipping methods and approaches. That way, you\u2019ll be able to select the apt one for yourself in no time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Shipping best practices for new eCommerce businesses <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some small business shipping tips that will work for small eCommerce businesses. Let\u2019s get started: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Automate your shipping process <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Move over the challenges of a manual shipping process. Avoid delays and errors through end-to-end automation of your shipping process. With automation comes real-time analytics and tracking facilities. Hence, your customers can find out the answers to questions like \u201cWhere is my order?\u201d by themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, with automation, you can derive a data-driven shipping strategy. You\u2019ll no longer require to depend on assumptions to form a shipping roadmap. You can easily find out where the roadblock is and the reasons for complaints and plan your actions accordingly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Send timely shipment notifications <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember that online shoppers are informed, people. They prefer receiving timely shipping notifications throughout the process. So, one of the best shipping options for small businesses is to send personalized notifications to their clients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each brand has its own voice, each customer has their own preferences. So, your shipping notifications should be aligned with these two aspects. By sending timed notifications, you can save your customers from having a poor shopping experience. In fact, it can be the first step toward creating loyal customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Predict and communicate shipment delays <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the greatest frustrations for online shoppers is shipment delay. Do you know what makes it worse? When the eCommerce brands forget to communicate these delays with their customers. Hence, as an eCommerce business owner, your focus should be on predicting the possible shipment delays in advance. That way, you can take actionable steps to expedite the shipping process. In unavoidable cases, you can always communicate the shipping delays in advance to keep the customers informed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Make return and refund painless for customers <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to make the return and refund process miserable for your customers? Well, trust me that will only affect your brand reputation in the market. Making the return process simpler is the best way out if you want to go for a credible online brand image. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shipping websites for small businesses should focus on converting return instances into repurchases. It should not be such a bad experience that your customer churns out. Analyze advanced shipment analytics to find out what are the barriers in your shipping process. Then work toward resolving those issues to improve customer satisfaction rate. To make the return and refund process smooth and interruption-free, you can use ShippingChimp<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Keep a branded tracking page ready <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keeping a product tracking page is an absolute necessity for eCommerce brands. How about adding some branding aspects to it? For example, you can add product recommendations to the tracking page to make the most of upselling and cross-selling possibilities. Plus, you can add cool themes, fonts, layouts to the tracking page to convey your brand\u2019s message. These can help you create long-lasting impressions on the customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to find the best shipping service for your small business? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are the quick steps to find the best shipping solution for small businesses: <\/p>\n\n\n\n