If you run a small business, time is money. While there’s a time to have fun, there’s also much more time to work. Running a small business is learning to work around the clock, constantly growing and improving for the sake of your customers.
If you’re a small business that ships out products, creating more efficient shipping methods is crucial. Customers who wait too long for their packages may not want to do business with you again in the future.
Are you unsure of how to make your shipping process more efficient? Keep reading below, and we will teach you how.
Develop a Set Process and Standard
No matter how big or small your business is, it’s important to have an established process and standard for your shipping. This will help you save time and money.
As customers place their orders, decide how you’re going to set aside time each day to package and ship all of the products. Determine all the materials you need, and go ahead and buy them in bulk.
Develop a detailed process of packaging and shipping to share with all of your employees. Show them how to properly package items, assuring everything arrives safely to the customer.
Invest in technology to save you time if needed. Having a postage meter handy helps a lot. Do some research to find the best postage meters.
Make sure to keep notes as your shopping process develops. Track your average number of orders, the most popular orders, and the most popular regions they’re being delivered to.
Choose a Carrier
For choosing a carrier for small business shipping, make sure you know your budget. Different carriers will charge different prices depending on how quickly you need things shipped, how big the packages are, and where you’re shipping to.
Hop online and write down the different rates for carriers such as FedEx and UPS. Call their customer service if you can’t find some of the answers you’re looking for.
Communicate With Customers
To save some time on answering customer emails, one of the best business shipping tips is creating a system of how you’ll communicate with your customers about their package.
Create templates to send your customers confirming their orders, and always provide ways to reach you in case they have concerns about their order. You can even include return labels when shipping products to expedite the return process.
Speed Up the Shipping Process
Having an efficient shipping process is a key part of owning a small business. Fast shipping will keep you from losing your mind and keep your customers happy. (This also means better business ratings.)
Be sure to develop a set standard and process for shipping, and train employees on this process. Do your research on carriers, and don’t be afraid to read reviews on them from other business owners. Keep customers in the loop throughout the whole shipping process.
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