Are you looking to save money on your shipping costs?
As a small business, you’ll be aware of how easy it is for costs to mount up. Sometimes, they may even feel like they’re spiraling out of control. This is especially the case if you have manufacturing and shipping obligations. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
You can save money on your shipping costs and we’re going to tell you how. Read on for these ways your small business can save money on shipping costs so you can focus on growing.
Take Accurate Weights & Use Smaller Dimensions
Unless you have a flat shipping rate, the heavier the items the more expensive they are to ship. If you’re shipping from your home and printing labels invest in a postage scale. This will help predict costs and make sure you buy the right labels.
Alongside weight, carriers take package dimensions into consideration. If you’re using a large box for a small item, you’ll pay more than you should because of that extra unneeded space. Don’t ship more air than you actually need. A box that fits your items will also help keep them more secure in transit, so it’s a win-win all around.
For packing fragile items though, make sure that you pack them safely. Don’t compromise on getting them to your customers in one piece.
Use Discounted Supplies
Carriers like FedEx and UPS may offer small businesses set envelopes and boxes for free. Or, they may have discounts that you can take advantage of on certain packing supplies.
If you know you’re going to use them, pick up bubble wrap, air-fill and boxes in bulk to save money. Don’t let the higher upfront cost put you off. You’re not going to run out straight away, and you’re lowering your shipping costs long-term.
Make Use of Discounted Shipping Rates
All shippers and any courier service will have discounts based on shipping volume. Before you worry, this doesn’t mean you have to ship hundreds or thousands of orders a week to get them.
The saying goes, if you don’t ask you don’t get and the same goes for shipping options. Get in there and negotiate, see what your shippers can offer you. It could surprise you the discounts on offer for your loyalty sticking to using one shipper.
For ecommerce store owners it’s always a good idea to look for lower shipping costs. But remember, it should impact the quality of your shipping, or extend your delivery times.
Reduce the Shipping Distance
One of the biggest shipping costs comes from when businesses have to ship to distant, often international locations. Shipping zones are the areas that carriers ship to.
The further away a shipment has to go, the more expensive it will be. It’ll also take longer to arrive. If you can cut out shipping to far-off regions or countries, you could see huge savings. You may also be able to make use of better shipping options that have lower rates. It’s one of the top ways to save on shipping.
Every customer is valuable, so we’re not saying to leave them hanging. But consider expanding to other fulfillment centers. It’ll reduce your shipping costs, for certain. But it’ll also allow you to improve your shipping to customers further away.
Compare Platforms & Offers
If you run an ecommerce store, check if the platform or marketplace has offers to make use of. There might be a bulk discount service or program you’re missing out on.
They may also offer services like:
- real-time carrier rates
- built-in features
- shipping apps
- fulfillment software integration
This keeps you up with rate changes, find lower rates and get better fulfillment services.
Find New Insurance
Most of the main shipping providers offer or include extra items with their service. Some of these may be useful to you, but you often end up paying extra for the added convenience.
Review exactly what you are paying for, and see if you can find cheaper alternatives. The best example of this is shipping insurance. Third-party insurers can sometimes save you up to half compared to your provider.
Use Prepaid
Choosing prepaid shipping could save you up to 20% on shipping costs from FedEx and UPS. All you do is buy a set number of shipping labels in one go, upfront.
There’s no time limit, you only need to fix them to a box when that order is ready to go. Not only will this save you money but time too. And there is less chance of running out of labels when you need them most.
But you need to note that this only works well when you have consistent weight and dimensions. Or, for the instances where you know the information ahead of time. Otherwise, you might over or underpay, causing inaccurate shipping costs.
Consider Your Packing Materials
Paying for the shipping itself isn’t the only cost you have to deal with. The cost of packaging materials can add up, especially if you fulfill lots of small orders.
Look over your product catalog and see if boxes are actually the best option for your needs. Polybags are perfect for smaller non-fragile items, such as clothing. Like boxes, they come in many sizes and are cheaper and easier to store.
Look At All Your Options
Most companies don’t consider anything other than traditional delivery for shipping. But alternate options could save you a lot of money.
Hybrid shipping services split your delivery between many couriers, rather than a single provider. This can result in a more complex delivery chain in a longer delivery time but can save a lot of money on deliveries where speed isn’t a priority.
How to Save Money on Shipping the Easy Way
So, there you have it! Now you know these top ways to save money on shipping, what are you waiting for?
If you are looking for a reliable courier with competitive, flexible pricing, then contact us today at 10-21 Sunrise Delivery. Day or night, we can route deliveries to fit your needs. We provide 24-hour service 7 days a week!