Congratulations on creating a product! You’ve taken the first step in the journey of owning and operating your own business. Now comes the hard part—shipping. Shipping is an integral part of owning your own business, and it can be overwhelming if you don’t have a plan in place. From the company to the packing method there are many little details that must be carefully chosen and accounted for when shipping items. Your unique business will need its own signature shipping method that will best fit the product you’re hoping to sell. This post will cover five tips that will help you get started shipping your product so that you can make sure it reaches its many destinations safely and efficiently.
Choose Appropriate Shipping Materials
The type of packaging you use to ship your product makes a huge difference when it comes to protecting your item during transit. Make sure that the shipping materials you use are appropriate for the size, weight, shape, and fragility of the item being shipped. Using inadequate packaging could leave your product vulnerable to damage caused by external forces like rough handling or extreme temperatures. Not only that, but the packaging itself says a lot about the quality and care of your company. Make sure all products are packed neatly and if you can add some sort of decoration or symbol, that will help with both brand recognition and reputation. It’s also important to ensure that all labels and markings are clearly visible on the outside of your package so that it can be easily tracked when necessary. Packaging is one of the major areas where errors can occur so make sure all items are tightly packed and correctly marked before sending them out.
Research Different Shipping Options
There are many different shipping options available, USPS to FedEx to DHL to intermodal trucking jobs, each with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Do your research ahead of time and choose one that works best for you based on factors such as cost, delivery times, tracking capabilities, customer service ratings, etc. Remember that cheaper isn’t always better; using a more expensive option may mean faster delivery times which translates into happy customers who are willing to shop with you again in the future. A good delivery method will be fast, affordable, and provide regular updates on package location and delivery times.
Consider Insurance Coverage
Accidents happen—sometimes packages get lost or damaged during transit—which is why it’s important to consider insurance coverage when shipping items. Between the original packaging and the eventual destination there are dozens of things that could go wrong that may have nothing to do with the transporter, and are simply unavoidable accidents. There are many companies who offer insurance coverage for packages shipped domestically or internationally; do some research ahead of time and find one that works best for you. The cost of insurance will depend on how much coverage you need (based on the value of the item or items being shipped), but having this extra layer of protection can give you peace of mind knowing that any potential losses will be covered should something happen during transit. It can also give your customers peace of mind to know if something does go wrong you are on top of it and able to offer guidance and help.
Offer Tracking Information to Customers
It’s important to provide customers with tracking information so they know where their packages are at all times during transit. This not only keeps them informed about their purchase but also helps ensure delivery accuracy since customers can be alerted if there is an issue with their package before it even arrives at its destination! Tracking information should always be sent out as soon as possible after shipment so customers have enough time to track their packages before they arrive at their destination address. Make sure that whichever shipping company or method you choose, they have some sort of tracking options available. Being able to check a package’s location can be a great help to your customer’s peace of mind as well as your own. In addition, being able to track the package gives you the ability to ensure it has been delivered correctly and refute any potentially false claims about packages not being delivered or received at their final destination.
Include Clear Instructions for Returns and Refunds
The last thing any business owner wants is a customer returning an item because they were unhappy with it or found something wrong with it upon arrival; however this does happen from time-to-time which is why including clear instructions for returns/refunds is essential when shipping items out. Make sure to have the return information clearly labeled so that a customer is aware of the policy before they even order. Always clearly state what type of return policy applies (30 days? 60 days?) along with any other pertinent information such as whether or not original shipping costs will be refunded if an item is returned due to dissatisfaction or defectiveness etc. It is also wise to take into account people wanting to switch out items that are perhaps the incorrect size, color, or model for what they needed them for, and consider how you will approach exchanges. This helps eliminate any confusion down the road and keeps customers happy in case they ever need to return or exchange something purchased from your store.
Shipping products can seem daunting at first but there are plenty of helpful resources available online that can walk through all aspects involved in successful shipments—from researching different shipping options and choosing appropriate packaging materials—all the way up through providing clear instructions for both returns/refunds should they ever become necessary. With just a little bit of research into what works best for each individual business owner plus some trial-and-error along the way (as needed) anyone running a successful business should have no problem getting up-to-speed quickly when it comes time to ship out products purchased by their customers. As long as these 5 tips are kept in mind throughout each shipment process then success should follow shortly after! Good luck!