What Should I Look for in a Shipping Partner?

Too many businesses make the mistake of thinking shipping is all about the bottom line. Managing shipping costs is, of course, a big part of any business. However, it’s important to look beyond the numbers to find the true cost of things. For example, will your shipping company schedule a pickup for you, or will you need to send a driver to their fulfillment center? Any business that ships items regularly is in a position to negotiate rates with different couriers, and value-added services such as these should be part of that negotiation.

What Should I Charge My Customers?

These days, it’s not difficult to find businesses online that offer free shipping. In fact, many customers seek out e-tailers that will ship their order for free, a fact that puts smaller businesses at a distinct disadvantage. If you’re in a position to offer free shipping, it’s worth it to do so. If not, try to look for other revenue streams that will allow you to cut costs as much as possible. Whatever you charge, be upfront about pricing — no one likes to see an additional cost tacked on to their order as they’re about to check out.

What Is the Best Way to Track My Packages?

Businesses have more options than ever when it comes to tracking their shipments. All major couriers offer web-based, text and email tracking. However, tracking items individually can be tedious and time-consuming. Several third party apps and services are available that are especially useful at consolidating shipping updates from multiple sources.

What if My Product Is Damaged?

With most shipping providers, it’s up to you to properly manage the risks of transporting your items. Many providers offer optional insurance in the event of damages, though it’s important to read the fine print about what is and isn’t covered before spending the extra money. Certain third parties also offer shipping insurance, which can be particularly useful for businesses that prefer dealing with a single point of contact whenever issues arise.

The efficiency with which you get your product to customers is something that plays a large role in their impression of your business. If you’re in over your head, it’s worth it to partner with an organization that knows what they’re doing and can help you ship more efficiently. National Fulfillment Services (NFS) is pleased to offer warehousing, shipping and other services to a wide variety of businesses — contact us today to find out how we can help you.

SHARE:

National Fulfillment Services is a full-service B2C and B2B turnkey solution for complete fulfillment services. We excel in handling focused solutions for contact center, order management and complete distribution.