With the increase in online shopping and e-commerce, many businesses have had to wrestle with increased shipping costs.
Failing to have a solid approach to delivery methods can cause you to lose a lot of money on shipping costs. You want to maximize your profits, not let them get eaten up by inefficient shipping and delivery methods.
Luckily for you, we've put together a guide on the best delivery methods that can help cut down on shipping costs and raise efficiency. Read on for more information on proficient product shipment practices!
Traditional Shipping Services
Traditional third-party shipping services are still an excellent option. These include UPS, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service.
They offer tools and benefits to small businesses. These include metered shipping calculators, bulk shipping discounts, and more.
If you plan on using traditional shipping services, make sure to look into getting a business account. This will allow you to place pickup requests as well as take advantage of their small business offerings.
Many small business owners start out by taking their self-labeled packages directly to a drop-off center. This can actually result in increased costs. Opening a business account will pay off in the long run.
Drop-Shipping
If you deal in goods that come from other manufacturers, dropshipping is a viable option. This means that the manufacturer will ship orders to your customer's place, freeing you from middle man duties.
You can save on both shipping and warehouse costs since you don't have to physically store and process the shipments yourself.
Drop-shipping is good for businesses that deal in large items. It's also great for testing out a new product before committing to warehouse storage and fulfillment.
Hybrid Shipping
This delivery method is when a shipping service (such as FedEx) transports the package through their national shipping network. Another shipping service (such as the USPS) takes over the last local leg.
This can be a bit more unpredictable on shipping times, but can also be an efficient cost-saving method. Hybrid shipping works best for rural customers outside of FedEx and UPS service areas.
Third-Party Logistics
If you are dealing with a large volume of orders, you might want to consider using a third-party logistics company to fulfill them.
These companies offer a full suite of services including warehousing, fulfillment, middle mile delivery, and shipping.
Local and Regional Couriers
Smaller courier services can be a massive boon in delivery methods for your business, especially if you operate on a local or regional scale.
These smaller couriers can often be much faster and more nimble than the national or international services. You can also negotiate better bulk rates and long-term contracts.
Courier dispatch software can streamline the supply chain. This lets you free up more time and energy to developing products and services.
The Best Delivery Methods For Your Business
Ultimately, your shipping needs are dependent on your volume and the items you are shipping. Carefully consider these things when picking delivery methods, and watch the shipping savings roll in.
For more retail business tips and advice, make sure to check out the "Retail" section of our blog for more insightful articles! We publish a wide variety of helpful articles on ecommerce delivery methods, shipment tactics, and logistics learning.
