E-commerce Shipping Guide: How to Choose the Right Shipping Service
As an e-commerce merchant, shipping your products to your customers is a vital part of your operation. Shipping large quantities of products can be complex and requires careful preparation in terms of packaging, choosing a service and determining your delivery area.
Whether you want to ship within Quebec or internationally, you’ll need to find solutions for all these issues before getting started.
Globex Courier is an expert in e-commerce shipping. In this article, we provide an overview of the factors to consider when shipping products and how to choose the right shipping service.
Packaging
When shipping products you’ve sold online, the first step is to package them properly.
The importance of packaging
It’s important to make sure that packaging is always neat and appealing. It’s a key marketing element for companies— brands with great packaging are often more popular than their drab counterparts. Some even personalize their packaging to give themselves an edge. So, you’ll want to carefully consider what your packaging is going to look like before getting started.
Avoid excessive packaging
Once you’ve figured out your product packaging, you’ll need to determine what to ship it in and how to protect it. Depending on the type of product you’re shipping, you may need a variety of cushioning and protective packing materials. However, consumers today are becoming more and more eco-conscious and demonstrating a preference for zero waste. Try not to use more packaging than necessary to avoid being branded as wasteful.
Labelling
The final step of the packaging process is labelling. Most of the time, e-commerce merchants set up their platform so that labels print automatically. You can then simply place them on the corresponding packages. Consult your carrier to determine the cost and template for your labels.
Delivery area
When deciding on a shipping service for your e-commerce products, you need to consider your delivery area. You need to decide whether you’ll be shipping across Canada, within Quebec, or internationally.
Calculating shipping costs
Knowing your delivery area is essential to calculate shipping costs. The following elements must also be considered:
- The size of the package
- The weight of the package
- The country of origin
- The destination country
- Package tracking
- Insurance
Every carrier will offer different prices depending on the add-ons and options you choose. However, when it comes to pricing, the most important consideration is the distance between the place of origin and the destination. That’s why it’s important to establish the delivery area your online store will cover before getting started.
Variable or fixed rates?
There are two main options when it comes to charging your customers for delivery: variable and fixed rates. A fixed rate never changes, no matter where you’re shipping to. This method is easy to implement, but it can lead to customers being over, or undercharged for shipping. If you’re shipping within Montreal or sending a product to Paris, the costs won’t actually be the same for both customers, but they’ll be charged the same amount.
Variable rates are a more fair and personalized way to charge your customers. Shipping platforms such as Shopify can provide customers with rates that vary depending on carrier and location.
Free delivery
The last issue to cover when it comes to shipping rates is free delivery. Many companies and e-commerce platforms offer free delivery to entice customers into buying from their site. According to Statista, 73% of shoppers consider free delivery to be a deciding factor when it comes to purchasing items online.
Of course, free delivery doesn’t work for all economic models and geographic areas. However, it’s a great way to help your online business grow.
Customs
Depending on the country you’re shipping to, packages may incur customs fees.
Calculating tariffs, taxes and customs duties
Generally, customers are responsible for any additional fees incurred at customs. They are supposed to know the duties that apply to their country.
It’s always a good idea to give your customers a heads up about potential additional fees to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Talk to your shipping company about trying to estimate customs fees so that you can determine whether you need to warn your customers about them.
When packages get stopped at customs
The last issue to keep in mind when shipping internationally is the possibility of having your package stopped at customs. This is a rare occurrence, but you must be equipped to deal with the possibility.
Respect delivery times
Delivery times are another incredibly important aspect of shipping that will influence your choice of carrier.
Consumers have high expectations when it comes to delivery times 63% expect their package to be delivered within 3 days of purchase. Therefore, you need to work with a carrier that offers quick, reliable delivery throughout your delivery area. Respecting delivery times is essential to maintain your credibility and grow your business.
Globex Courier: the right shipping service for your e-commerce business
Coordinating product shipping for an online business is no easy task. As you can see, there are many factors to consider and it’s vital to choose the right carrier.
Globex Courier is the right choice for all your e-commerce shipping needs. Our API and team expertise will be sure to exceed your expectations and those of your customers.
Globex Courier offers a shipping service specifically designed for e-commerce. With our customizable solutions, you can configure your shipping options to suit your needs and your customers’ expectations.
Contact us today! We will be happy to answer your questions and work with you to determine the best possible strategy for delivering the products from your online store to Quebec or anywhere in the world!