Shipping challenges

Products from different industries come in all shapes and sizes, with some being easy to ship and other products which are more challenging to deliver. Whether they are a unique shape, size or are fragile, some items may require extra packaging internally to ensure they are given some shockability as well as robust double or triple walled carton for the outer packaging. 

Shipping errors can be a very costly exercise but planning and executing it correctly from the outset will set an invaluable foundation for your small business.

For example, you need to be aware that if you are shipping a product that is an odd shape, you will be charged for the whole space the item takes on the truck, from the widest, deepest and highest point.

Brand aesthetic

Don’t underestimate the value of good packaging when you deliver products.  With the perfect balance of colours, materials and labelling, the packaging is the all-important prelude to what lies within the box. 

The packaging is one of the enhancers of the customer experience. It is fundamental that you align your product packaging with all the other elements of your brand, including your website and your product.  Selecting premium packaging for delivery is a tell-tale sign that the product will also be up there in the quality stakes. They go hand in hand.

Packing solutions

Packaging suppliers have a wide range of products available to ensure you have everything you require so your items are packed with enough protection to withstand shipping.

Heavier items need new, strong sturdy cartons with internal packaging like foam or peanut shells or biodegradable peanuts. Bubble wrapping also provides a good buffer between the outer carton and the internal goods.

If you are enticed into taking shipping short cuts, think about the suite of shortcomings that your small business may likely experience. This includes your time consumed in having to deal with a damaged product, re-shipping replacement items at your expense, loss of margin due to damages or tarnished brand reputation.

You will find the extra few dollars you invest in additional packaging will provide the piece of mind you need to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Keeping it lean and green

Reducing plastics and minimising landfill rubbish is another consideration when deciding on which packaging to use for shipping.

Products like “wood wool” mushroom mycelium is an alternative to plastics and foams. Another thing to think about when designing your packaging is if the packaging can be repurposed by the receiver. Perhaps consider an incentive program that would encourage the receiver to return the packaging to be re-used.

Don’t box up your ideas

Whether you decide to use corrugated boxes, padded mailers, envelopes, or bags when shipping, make sure you take the time and care to make the delivery part of the shopping experience for your customer a positive one.  This will amplify the chances of them coming back to you again and again.

It does not matter how much innovative marketing and alluring website design is presented to a customer, if the order shows up damaged and late, that is the last impression that a small business needs to combat.

Steve Visic, Director of Sales, Smart Send 

The post Why it makes small-business sense to pack goods well appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Australian small businesses need to integrate and consolidate their delivery repertoire to maximise success and profitability in the long term.

Reputation and proven success

It is imperative that you use a website platform that it is designed for and which has a strong track record in eCommerce and fulfilment.

There are simply no short cuts with this: by handpicking the proven and successful website platforms, you will have less issues as you continue to grow. In turn, your shipping will also be more seamless and less labour intensive and arduous. Always do your research.

In Australia, when it comes to sales channels, eBay is the go-to platform.  eBay’s longstanding presence and foothold in Australia for more than 20 years, equates to 74 million visits per month and holds 22 per cent share. 

Facebook and Instagram also enable sellers to target their desired market easier and accurately giving them a greater audience with marketing ROI improvements. 

Amazon is a relative newcomer only starting in Australia in the past few years but gaining momentum with around three per cent share. Catch.com.au, Kogan and Mydeal.com.au are other up and coming marketplaces to consider.

Using a multi-channel approach not only gives you far more options to sell in many different places at the same time, but you have more opportunities to market to your own customer base regularly also, however, this is not easily the case if you only sell on eBay or Amazon. Selling via your own website also removes the costly marketplace seller fees, leaving you much more money in your own pocket. 

The main benefit of businesses using an online marketplace is they take care of the marketing and businesses can gain access to a huge marketplace of buyers looking for similar products to yours. This alleviates the need for businesses to come up with their own marketing campaign which may hit or miss depending on your experience.

However, there is a cost charged by the marketplaces ranging from a few per cent up to 35 per cent or more of your sale price. The challenge is to way up the margin left over after paying seller fees and whether it’s worthwhile (i.e. some products will be better suited to marketplaces then others). 

Harmonised shipping strategy

A synchronised shipping strategy for all channels is imperative in creating a consistent and unified customer offering.  

If you offer free shipping on your webstore, it is imperative that you offer it also on all other sales channels. Consistency in your shipping strategy is important to engage and secure loyal customers on different platforms. eBay heavily pushes sellers to offer Free Shipping at checkout. This is great with speed at checkout for customers and is becoming an expectation from many consumers, particularly for small or lightweight goods.

Shipping is one of the understated, but crucial elements in getting your e-commerce right from the start. Regardless of your size or offering, it is fundamental that you master the art of shipping across all your channels so your customers can benefit.  

Steve Visic, Director of Sales, Smart Send 

The post Harmonising delivery across channels to amplify eCommerce success appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Australian small businesses and independent retailers need to get a firm grip on the seven-common eCommerce transporting traps and transform them into winning formulas for shipping success.

1. One platform, multiple issues

As a small business, it is fundamental that you don’t get stuck selling on one platform or marketplace only.

Be sure you have a multi-channel model for your small business. By having only one platform, you may do reasonably well, but you won’t take advantage of the full opportunities available to you and the exceptional growth potential for your business that multi-channel offers.

2. Align your brand with the right carrier

Another deadly sin when it comes to shipping is NOT doing enough research in finding the ideal carrier. Be diligent and thorough in your research in the industry and don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions.  

Align yourself with providers that project the same standards as your small business and also use a variety of carriers to ship your products. That way, you get the best bang for your buck and a broader range of services you can offer your customers.

3. Get to know the basics of shipping in Australia

Your small business is bound for challenges if you don’t have a good understanding of the three basics of shipping – expectations, methods in calculating shipping costs and packaging. They all lay the foundation to ensure you save on shipping in many different areas. 

4. Packing for success

Another expensive shipping faux par is getting the wrong product and having it packaged incorrectly. 

Over the years, we’ve come across many customers that have sourced the wrong products as well as not spending time researching how they could ship the goods easily or cost-effectively before starting their eCommerce business. 

5. The game changers

There are two game-changing areas of a logistic operation when shipping.

Using shipping apps and an eCommerce platform which are suitable for eCommerce businesses is fundamental. Without either, you will forever be working in the business and not on your business. Your ability to scale and become a high growth success story is limited and also unlikely.

6. Getting ready to ship

Coming down to basics, businesses often don’t see what is right in front of them as obvious obstacles to overcome. The importance of the pickup address, for example, should never be overlooked or undervalued.

This leads to so many problems from our experience with either missed or late pickups with many couriers. If you’re at a point where your small business is sending decent volumes out each day, considering a 3PL solution is also a smart move in removing high fixed costs from your business and allowing you more time to work on your business and grow faster.

7. Customer service is king

This may seem obvious for some, but for others, having a delivery arrive in bad shape and late is one of the worst sins to commit.

It all starts and ends with customer service.

Spend the time to find a shipping provider that can become an experienced partner for your small business, that will assist you during the ongoing shipping issues you will experience during your journey.

It’s all about being reliable, authentic and transparent with your customers. By investing time in quashing the seven deadly sins of shipping, you will have a greater chance of success and longevity.

Steve Visic, Director of Sales, Smart Send

The post The seven deadly sins to shun from your eCommerce shipping solutions appeared first on Inside Small Business.