Looking to start an ecommerce business but don't know how to find a 100% working e-commerce shipping strategy for your online start-up? E-commerce shipping can be complicated, but it does not have to be. In this blog post, we'll break down the basics of ecommerce shipping so you can understand shipping strategies, what's involved, and how to get started.
What is E-commerce Shipping
After an online purchase, the transportation of products from the origin to their final destination is called e-commerce shipping. An e-commerce shipping operation encompasses everything between order processing and final delivery.
E-commerce Shipping Strategy for Your Online Start-Up
If customers can't get their orders in a timely manner, they may be less likely to shop with you again. As a startup, it's important to develop a shipping strategy that works for your business and meets customer expectations. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
1) Offer Cost-Effective and Free Shipping
A divisive factor in an e-commerce purchase is the shipping rate. Today, Amazon and so many other e-commerce ventures provide free and low-cost shipping, which can be a game-changer. When your online platform can accommodate cost-effective transportation and free shipping, you gain a competitive edge in the market.
Improvise the cost of your products and create strategies with your 3PL partners to offer cost-effective and free shipping for your customers. You can also incentivize customers for free shipping with product offers and packages.
2) Utilizing a Shipping Tracking Software
It is important to streamline all your shipping operations to effectively manage your supply chain. Especially, when using multiple carriers for your business operations, shipping tracking software would be a great way to configure your supply chain. There are free shipping softwares in the market but you can also avail yourself of paid ones with advanced features.
Shipping software like ClickPost lets you optimize your shipping operations and multiple carriers from a single dashboard. Moreover, shipping softwares utilize API integrations to manage data between logistics partners and online platforms. API integrations and Intelligent recommendation engines in shipping software help execute carrier selection, order tracking services, managing delivery exceptions, COD reconciliation, etc.
3) Competitive Delivery Speeds
Delivery speeds can make or break the post-purchase customer experience your online platform offers. Your online platform should offer competitive delivery speeds to be visible in the e-commerce market today. To create a competitive edge in e-commerce, manage your customer expectation by providing expedited delivery options.
Same-day, next-day, hyperloop, and super-express are fast-tracked delivery options that can offer a comprehensive customer experience. Even though fast-tracked delivery services can come at a price, they can be a worthwhile option for your customers.
4) Optimize Packaging
We all know that shipping costs can really add up, but do you also realize how important it is to pack your product carefully and efficiently? Packaging will be an essential component in reducing the overall cost for sending and receiving products - so don't forget about this important part! You should ensure the safety of the package and consider different methods to make it more business-friendly. To optimize your packaging, consider these tips:
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Using lightweight package materials to lower overall weight
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Consider reusing package materials
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Dextrous product design needs simple packing
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Packaging materials appropriate to environment and supply chain
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Using the relevant protection material suitable for your product
5) Providing Precise Returns Policy
Customers sometimes return products citing various reasons, and it makes up for a substantial percentage of all purchases. As an online start-up, it's important to have an effective returns management system to keep costs in check and maximize efficiency.
So, ensure you provide a precise returns policy and management to track your products sent back through the supply chain to their origin warehouse. With comprehensive returns management, any issues with quality or quantity can be quickly identified to manage overall shipping costs.
6) Monitor and Analyze Shipping Data
Tracking and analyzing shipping data is crucial for keeping your ecommerce business competitive. With the right tools, you can keep a close eye on your shipping data and make sure your supply chain is optimized for accuracy, speed, and consistency.
Free and paid analytical tools can help monitor and analyze your shipping data. They give insight into what areas might need improvement without wasting time trying to figure out why something isn't working. However, find a reliable logistics intelligence software that enables you to improve your business operations through data analytics.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Our 100% working eCommerce shipping strategy for your online start-up to compete in today's e-commerce market. Of course, as with anything, these strategies require constant monitoring and tweaking to ensure they are adequate for your unique business. But follow our advice and invest in the right 3PL partners. You should be well on your way to providing an excellent delivery experience for your customers – one that could set you apart from the competition.