By rob eagar 
Shipping has become a primary aspect of every eCommerce business that impacts the bottom line and customer satisfaction. A well-planned shipping technique can result in minimum abandoned carts, higher retention rates, and conversation rates.
You need to consider important steps in shipping, such as cost management and real-time tracking access. In this blog, we will discuss how each helps in ensuring that customers get their orders smoothly.
Consider Shipping Costs
It is necessary to consider a shipping method to determine the shipping charges. There are different factors involved in the shipping expenses, such as delivery distance, shipping method, size, and weight of the product.
Techniques for Shipping Costs
- Flat-Rate Shipping: It is a perfect option for businesses with products of similar weight and size, ensuring ideal consistency in shipping expenses for businesses and customers.
- Offer Free Shipping: Free shipping is an effective strategy to engage potential customers by adjusting expenses to the product pricing. Moreover, you can only offer free shipping during special promotions.
- Real-Time Carrier Rates: Different options, such as EasyPost API, can be used to charge customers the exact shipping expenses based on their delivery method and location.
Choose a Shipping Carrier
When you are selecting a shipping carrier, it is important to ensure a balance of reliability, speed, and cost. You can consider the following factors when choosing a reliable carrier service.
Factors to Consider
- Availability: Make sure that the carrier has coverage for the shipping location, whether internally or locally.
- Cost VS Quality: Weigh the shipping expenses against the service type, especially for valuable or fragile products.
- Insurance and Tracking: Choose a carrier service that offers shipment tracking and insurance to ensure excellent customer satisfaction and security.
- Reliability: Consider carriers with a rich track history of shipping products on time at a reasonable price.
There are different carrier options, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, or USPS, providing excellent service depending on the coverage area, cost, and delivery time.
Determine a Fulfillment Strategy
It is important to decide the flow of order fulfillment after selecting a shipping carrier. The fulfillment of orders depends on the budget, inventory, and business size. You can prefer self-fulfillment by handling the shipment, labeling, and packaging. This approach provides excellent control, but it is a time-consuming process, especially during your business growth.
When your business is growing, it is a good technique to partner with a third-party fulfillment warehouse to store your inventory and fulfill the orders on behalf of your business. It will minimize your workload with additional costs.
Dropshipping is also one of the best order fulfillment strategies. In this business model, your supplier will deliver products directly to your customers. It is a hands-off method, but you will have only less control over the quality and process of shipping service.
Decide on Packaging
High-quality packaging not only secures products but also represents your brand identity. It is necessary to choose customizable packaging, like custom kraft boxes, that can elevate brand visibility and enhance the unboxing experience. Generic packaging is an affordable option, but custom packaging is more effective.
You need to define the fragility and size of products before choosing a padded envelope or box. Boxes are protective packaging options for delicate products, whereas padded envelopes are perfect for lightweight items. Therefore, both packaging options are ideal depending on your specific requirements and product nature.
It is necessary to consider eco-friendly packaging options because customers have started to prefer sustainable packaging. You can use packaging made of recyclable or biodegradable materials, which appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and elevate your brand image. This packaging also showcases your brand’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Create Shipping Labels
Shipping labels include the necessary details for customers and carriers. You can consider the integration of APIs such as EasyPost for automated and quick label generation. However, most carriers also provide services for creation of shipping labels.
Tips for Label Creation
- Carrier Services: Offer ideal tools to create and print the labels while scheduling pick-ups.
- Label Printer: Options like a thermal label printer are ideal for shipment of high volumes. This approach offers professional labeling while saving your time.
Send Customer Tracking Information
When you have shipped a package, it is important to update your customers about the process of their order. You can utilize an API to automate forwarding of tracking details to customers. This method ensures the real-time tracking of orders. The shipment status improves the customer experience while minimizing the inquiries about status of orders.
Schedule Drop-Off or Pick-Up
You need to ship products after labeling and packaging them. It is easy to schedule a pickup with your shipping carrier. It is a convenient option, allowing you to make no effort except to be available for the handoff.
Drop-off is another option that enables you to drop the package at the nearby carrier location. It is a flexible option that needs additional effort and time. You can consider this option when you want to ship your products quickly without waiting for the pick-up service.
Consider Shipping API/Software
You need to use a shipping API or software such as EasyPost to automate the shipping process. It is a fantastic approach to streamline the shipping operations for your business. Therefore, you need to take a look at the potential advantages of using either an API or software.
Benefits of Shipping APIs
Automated label creation for the shipping process is a time-saving approach for businesses. This API is also helpful in comparing the shipping rates of different carrier services to partner with an affordable and reliable shipping company.
A robust software also ensures the automatic verification of customers’ addresses while providing them with real-time tracking updates. It is true that some APIs are helpful in finding sustainable shipping techniques, resulting in a minimal carbon footprint. The integration of advanced technology will take your business to new heights of success.