Expanding into the e-commerce world is not difficult, but it does require small businesses to master the art of shipping out orders to customers. This requires you to learn about the various shipping companies and their shipping methods in addition to having the right supplies. These three tips can help you get started.
Set Up Good Organization
Before you start listing products online and begin shipping them to customers, you should come up with an effective organizational system. For example, ensure that your inventory management system is up to the challenge of keeping track of stock for both online and in-store sales. Organize your shipping supplies so that they can be easily accessed and determine if more needs to be ordered. Ensure your products are organized in a system that is easy to understand so that the correct items are shipped out fast.
Consistent Labeling
You will need labels for a number of purposes once you begin shipping goods. They can be useful for organizing supplies and keeping track of inventory, but you will mostly need them to print labels used on your packages. This can include the shipping label itself, return address information, order information for internal use in case of returns, company branding labels, and more. Thermal printing is often recommended for shipping labels. This is because it provides a clearer, more durable label that is less likely to be damaged in shipping and cause confusion.
Navigate Shipping Methods and Companies
It would help if you also familiarize yourself with the various shipping companies and shipping methods they offer. Most small businesses will use one of the major shipping companies, such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, rather than having a delivery system of their own. These companies offer many different shipping methods that vary based on package weight, contents, and shipping speed. The best choices for your business will largely depend on the type of product you are shipping, how much it costs, and how long it will take for it to reach your customer.
We recommend that many small businesses utilize the shipping options within Shippo. Not only can you have a free account on Shippo, which lets you find discounted rates from many shipping companies, you only have to pay a very small fee for each shipping label! Set up an account within minutes, and print a label from your home computer.
If your small business doesn’t do so already, you should strongly consider making online sales available. It provides the opportunity to grow your business and reach a much larger customer base. Factor in the considerations outlined above to make this transition go smoothly.
Ready to transition your business to an online platform? Register on our e-commerce marketplace.
