Shipping Tips For Your Online Store

Business, Technology
Reading Time: 2 minutes

When you’re in charge of an online business, you have to know how to deliver on your promises.  If a customer orders something from your store, they should feel comfortable knowing that it will get to them when they want it.

It’s your responsibility to figure out how to satisfy this part of the sales equation.  What happens after the sale may be more important than anything else, so make sure your business gets it right.   Take a moment to read through a few shipping tips for your online business, and be a rockstar at fulfillment this year.

Always take advantage of free shipping supplies

You should always take advantage of the offer of free shipping and packing materials.  All of the major carriers provide this service for business owners.

You may not get ALL of your shipping and packing materials for free, but anything free is better than nothing for free.  If you’re shipping something valuable or breakable like a gun from an online gun store, then you need to have the right packing materials to make it safe.

Stay in the know on the shipping and packing requirements for your particular products as well.  You don’t want any surprises at the post office.

Create a clear and concise return policy

Think from a customer’s perspective when formulating your company’s return policy, but don’t forget to think from a business owner’s perspective as well.

You know what it’s like to order some shoes that don’t quite fit or a top that is bigger than you expected.  Customers need to know there’s room for them to change their mind.

Always validate addresses

It’s important to make sure all of the shipping information is correct when customers order something from your online store.  To help alleviate the propensity for error in the situation, it’s wise to instill a two-stage address verification process after purchase.  Utilize a USPS ZIP code lookup system, and set up a USPS resource for military and diplomatic addresses.

Consider including a return label

The most efficient way to label your packages prior to shipping is to print out your shipping labels yourself.  With a thermal label printer, you don’t have to write or depend on the post office to properly label items.

In addition, adding a scan-based return label is well worth the extra couple of dollars it takes to add on.  Your return labels won’t cost anything extra unless they’re used, and a simple addition of the return label will make customers feel more comfortable with their order.

Use a SCAN form for large shipping orders

If you regularly have the need to ship a large number of packages from the post office, you can expedite and simplify the process by utilizing a SCAN form.  A SCAN form is a ledger of your shipments with one simple barcode for the post office person to handle.  It leaves less room for mistakes and less room for irritation.

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