If you’re running an online business, you know that shipping matters. If your customers get their packages late or don’t get them at all, they won’t buy from you again. Instead, they’ll go with one of your competitors, and in the long run, that can cost you a lot. To avoid that, you need to know how to choose the best shipping carrier.
We’ll take you through all the points you need to focus on and explain what you should look for in a carrier. Pick the right one, and you won’t have to deal with shipping delays ever again. It’s tempting, we know, but it won’t be as easy as you might think.
Here are all the things you should consider.
Cost, Quality, and Time
The first thing you should think about is the price. If you offer free shipping to your buyers, the chances are that you can’t afford to pay premium prices to your carriers. Or maybe you can. Think about your profits and pick accordingly.
With that said, you can’t overlook the quality and delivery time. If your customers pay for the shipping, they’ll want it to be cheap. However, if you go with a more affordable shipping company, they’ll have to wait. On top of that, there’s always a risk that the goods will get damaged in the transport.
As a rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to offer a few options. If you can, offer them free shipping if they’re willing to wait or allow them to pay a premium if they need it fast. This way, you’ll keep your customers happy and your profits high.
If you want to choose the best shipping carrier, you’ll have to consider lots of things.
Services Offered
Think about what services your company needs. If you’re not sure about it, here are a few questions to ask yourself.
- Do you want your carrier to pick up the packages in your warehouse, or do you not mind dropping them off?
- Are you going to pack them yourself, or do you want them to do it?
- Are you going to ship locally, across the country, or internationally?
These are all essential factors, and you’ll want to go over them with your potential carriers. Ideally, you’ll find one company that can fulfill all your needs. Working with multiple carriers means that you’ll have to invest more time into it, and as we all know — time is money.
It’s the same as when you’re moving your business from one place to another. You want to complete it in the shortest period of time possible, so it doesn’t make sense to call in one company to pack your belongings and another one to move them. You want the same people to do it all and make it quick.
Reliability
The shipping company you decide to go with, whether big or small, should have a high level of service rates. Your shipments must arrive on time, even if the waiting period is longer. If you know other shippers in your niche, talk to them and ask them for recommendations.
Using a reliable carrier will make your company more reputable. You’ll meet the customers’ expectations, and you’ll grow thanks to that. Hence, even if they’re more expensive, it pays off to go with a shipping company that meets the deadlines at all times.
You want to make sure that they’re transparent in their communication and that they’ll keep you in the loop if something goes wrong. On top of that, if you choose the best shipping carrier, they’ll be ready to accept their mistakes and offer you compensation.
If the shipping company you work with is reliable, you’ll become more reputable.
Capacity
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the freight industry. As a result, the demand for transportation services outweighs the supply. There aren’t enough workers to go around, so if you’re going to ship a lot, you want to ensure that the company you pick can handle it.
Again, you want to think about where you’ll send the packages. Some companies are better locally, while others are better for sending things abroad. Think about the location of your target audience and pick a company that will work the best for your needs.
Shipment Tracking
Customers these days want to know where their parcel is at all times, and you need to make that possible. However, there are a few more things shipment tracking can help you with.
For example, your call service won’t be as busy as people won’t have to call them to ask where their package is. In addition, tracking numbers will build trust and make your company more reputable in customers’ eyes. They also help resolve any issues you might have if the shipment is lost or damaged.
Of course, tracking won’t be necessary for every product. If you’re sending out something inexpensive, there’s no need for it. But, it’s still good if you can offer it to your clients. They’ll like that they have an option, and making them happy is all that matters.
Sustainability
People care about the environment a lot, and you should aim to show them that you do as well. So, when talking to potential carriers, be sure to ask them about it. Find out if they’re environmentally conscious, and learn what kind of practices they have in place in their logistics and supply chain management to prove it.
It won’t cost you more to go with such a company in the long run, and you can be sure that your customers will appreciate it. Just make sure to show them you think about it, and you’ll see more and more people buy from you.
Pick a shipping carrier that cares about the environment.
Conclusion
To choose the best shipping carrier for your needs, you have to think about many things. It depends on what you’re shipping, how much it weighs, and where you’re sending it to. On top of that, you also have to consider what your customers want from you. So don’t rush the process and talk to as many shipping companies as possible before deciding on one. If you’re not sure about it, make a few test runs to ensure everything is as it should be. The better you pick, the easier your job will be.