Running an online store comes with its fair share of advantages and pitfalls. From maintaining the website to getting the product delivered safely, there are a lot of other things that are to be handled in-between.
Apart from product listing, promotion, deploying payment gateway and managing the website, shipping is another important aspect of e-commerce cycle, and since there’s a lot of paperwork involved in the process, it is also a stage where plenty can go wrong.
Shipping is the last leg of e-commerce cycle, and it requires proper planning and patience. Here are 4 of the biggest shipping issues, along with solutions that actually work.
Shipping products internationally
Most sellers want to avoid international shipping altogether, due to one reason or the other. But once you get familiar with the process, it’s not as complicated as it might seem. When you have the right resources at your disposal, understanding custom duties & taxes and building liaison with carriers doesn’t feel too much work especially when you are considering have your vehicle being shipped. Here are eShip reviews to get more up to speed. And as far as shipping cost is concerned, you may use online shipping cost calculator to get an estimate of overhead expenses. This should help you price your product for international shipping accordingly. Also, keep in mind that international shipments are subject to local taxes and duties, and they may take additional time for clearance in the destination country. Therefore, take care of the documentation and get all your ducks in a row to avoid delays or unpleasant surprises.
Shipping Products that exceed weight restrictions
Not all businesses are created equal and nor are their products. While small products can be shipped through mail, the bigger ones, which exceed weight restrictions, will require freight shipping to get where they need to be. While you choose any of the freight companies in Perth, you are required to ensure proper packaging – as per the guidelines – lest your product gets damaged during transit.
It is highly advisable to use durable packaging supplies and secure the package in a proper pallet. Make sure your package is strong enough to stand up to the weight of other packages stacked on top of it.
Shipping Cost
High shipping cost is another issue most online sellers find intimidating to their profit margin. While you may be able to keep your margin intact, it is also important to make sure your shipping charges do not pass onto your customers. Although there are several ways of cost-cutting, which might work differently for different businesses, here are some universal ways that work for one and all.
One way to get the best deal is to compare prices. Every carrier has different prices and unique set of services. If you take time to shop around, you are likely to stumble upon the best deal.
Another way to minimize cost is to consider flat rate shipping. If you frequently ship packages to a fixed location, choosing flat rate shipping can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars in the long run.
Handling product damage during transit
It’s common for a package to get damaged or misplaced during transit, and to avoid any loss, it is recommended to buy shipping insurance. Many freight companies in Perth offer an all-inclusive price, covering insurance cost as well, which means you will not have to buy an insurance separately and still rest assured that any damage to your product is covered.
Conclusion
Like every other job, shipping comes with a set of challenges, which may be beyond your control, but you can certainly control most situations, to take out the guesswork and streamline your operations once and for all.
With these quick tips, you can expedite the process and make it lesser of a hassle.
