Individuals launching a new venture feel the excitement. They cannot wait to share outstanding products with consumers and enjoy designing an online storefront and marketing the business. However, certain tasks serve as a challenge.
For example, the entrepreneur must establish shipping policies, which many find difficult. They agonize over which shipping method to use, how to package the items, whether they need insurance, and more. As they research different shipping ideas, they come across a fulfillment provider and wonder if they should consider this option. The following shipping guide makes it easy to determine which option is right for your organization.
Shipping Items
When shipping products to customers, an entrepreneur must choose a shipping method and provider. Compare shipping rates and policies when researching different providers to find the one that best meets the requirements of your venture. Packaging plays a role in the weight of each package, so take this into consideration when making these comparisons.
To save on packaging, many companies now use a shipping service that provides the packaging for them. Although this service may appear to be free, companies actually pay for the packaging through higher shipping costs. Research the cost of purchasing packaging items and factor this in when comparing rates between providers that offer packaging materials and those that do not.
Additional Expenses
After choosing a shipping provider and packaging materials, the entrepreneur’s thoughts then need to go to additional services. For example, should the company pay for insurance and tracking, or is this an unneeded expense? Many companies choose to invest in these services for peace of mind. If a customer states they didn’t receive an item or it arrived damaged, it becomes easier to file a claim with the shipping provider to get the matter resolved.
For those companies selling internationally, the owner must consider customs requirements. For example, they will be required to complete a customs declaration form for each package. This adds to the time needed to complete the sale and the expense associated with doing so. Factor this into the final shipping price. Don’t overlook labeling expenses either at this time, as each package being sent requires a label.
Comparing Shipping Fulfillment Providers
With so many tasks associated with shipping products, many entrepreneurs today choose to use a fulfillment provider to assist with these tasks. The entrepreneur connects the store to the fulfillment provider’s platform and sends their inventory to the provider’s warehouse. When an order comes in, the provider picks, packs, and ships the item. While this may seem like an excellent resource to use, the entrepreneur must choose the right provider for the optimal return on investment.
When comparing providers, entrepreneurs should consider the rates charged for packages. They also need to learn whether there is a setup fee or other expenses associated with using the service. Learn the accuracy rate for the organization and research its reputation to ensure you get the right partner for your business. Furthermore, ensure the provider offers reports, so each company can monitor their personal fulfillment operations and determine whether they continue to meet the company’s needs. Taking these steps helps an entrepreneur find the right fulfillment provider the first time.
Opening a business serves as an exciting time in a person’s life. However, these individuals often avoid certain tasks until they can no longer put them off. Choosing a shipping provider serves as a good example of one of these tasks. Skip the hassle and headache associated with product shipping by working with a fulfillment provider. Entrepreneurs that do so find they have more time and energy to focus on things that grow their business, as the fulfillment provider takes care of the hard part.
