Factors to Consider when Picking the Best Shipping Partners for eCommerce

We all know that Amazon is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in the world. Their net revenue increased by over $47 billion, from $232.9 billion in 2018 to $280.5 billion in 2019. Customers flock to their website due to their famous same-day and two-day free delivery service. However, these shipping services give headaches to competing businesses. How can they offer free and fast delivery service when their customers live in another country? The answer would be quick and reliable shipping partners for eCommerce. 

Shipping partners for eCommerce come in various forms. You can choose between shipping couriers or shipping solutions. Shipping couriers are private firms that offer shipping and mailing service from the shipper’s location to the customer’s address. They also provide border shipping services such as shipping services from Canada to the US. A shipping solution integrates several shipping couriers to create a centralized shipping service. Some of the famous shipping couriers are UPS, USPS, DHL, and FedEx, while shipping solutions are WooCommerce, Amazon, and BigCommerce.

In this article, we’ll talk about the factors you need to consider when picking the right shipping partner for your business. Determining the right shipping partner shall help you give the best shopping experience to your customers. 

Factors you need to consider when looking for the best shipping partners for eCommerce

Before you start looking for shipping partners for eCommerce, you first need to consider these factors to gauge which shipping partner to choose. You want the best for your business, so you have to pick one that will help you grow your business. 

• Transparency and Accountability

Two things you need to look for in a shipping carrier are transparency and accountability throughout the whole process. When a shipping company is working with an eCommerce business, they should be transparent about the number of days they would need to deliver the package. It’s best to have a tracking system that both the customer and seller can use. Considering that the eCommerce industry is a competitive market, knowing the whereabouts of your packages is a must. 

Aside from providing transparent reports, your shipping carrier must be accountable for every step of the process. You’ll be putting your trust in them, so they need to be responsible when it comes to handling your packages. Any mishaps that may arise should be their responsibility. 

• Reliability

Before you choose a shipping carrier, you need to read and understand the fine print. Ensure that the carrier is trustworthy. Serious companies can offer you certain guarantees and security when using their services. They should ensure basic things, like proper package handling and delivery time. 

Customers usually don’t care about other aspects of shipping. However, they do when their order shows up in bad condition.This is why you need to look at the shipping partner’s track record. Check their reviews, both positive and negative, so you’ll know what they are like. If possible, you can talk to their previous customers for feedback. 

• Flexibility

When looking for a shipping partner, look for someone flexible enough to also expand as your business further grows. Since the work requires shipping from one location to another, there may be fortuitous events that can happen, which might affect the delivery process. How they manage this should matter to you because it will affect your business. You should know whether they have other options or what their plans are for these situations.

Aside from being prepared for uncertainties, your shipping partner should be flexible. What if your product became instantly in-demand due to a celebrity sharing it with her followers? You and your shipping partner should be prepared. 

• Shipping Rates

The shipping cost could mean the difference between a buyer purchasing from your store or backing out due to high shipping costs. However, choosing a shipping partner with cheap shipping rates can be a double-edged sword. They can offer affordable fees but poor delivery services.Your package may arrive late or damaged, or can become lost during shipping. The result can lead to unhappy customers and negative reviews. 

You need to look for reliable and affordable shipping services. It’s best if you know the factors that determine shipping prices so you can decide if the price given to you is reasonable. Take note of the following:

• The dimensions and weight of the package

Shipping carriers would price goods based on the dimension or weight of the package, whichever is higher. Some packages are light but take up a lot of huge space, while there are packages placed in small boxes but are pretty heavy.  

• The distance to the destination

The cost per shipment changes according to the area. It is based on local, regional, national, or international areas.

• Shipping Speed

In a world where Amazon offers same day and two-day delivery services, you’ll need to amp up your game and provide competitive shipping options. To do so, you need to look for a shipping service that offers multiple shipping options. You can ask them if they offer expedited delivery or express shipping. By knowing these details, you can relay to your buyer the expected delivery time. 

You also have to consider the pick-up schedule of the shipping company. Ask them about options available, reception logistics, and delivery times. Also, check how you will send a request for a pick-up. By taking note this information, you can plan how long you will need to prepare the orders. 

• The Type of Products they Ship

You should also know if the carrier can ship your products or not. There are shipping carriers that do not ship a specific product to a certain country. Hence, you need to be aware of the shipping carrier’s rules, especially if your product is high-value. 

• Coverage

The shipping coverage of a business will affect its success. The more area you can cover, the more you will grow. Hence, you need to look for a company that offers broader coverage. Ask for the areas they cover and the quality of service they provide for each area. Will they offer border shipping services or shipping services in Canada? It’s also helpful if they offer you a fixed rate for national and international coverage. Compare the speed of shipping, rates, and services they provide, then pick the more promising one. 

• Offer additional support and customer service.

Besides a fast and reliable shipping service, you want to look for a partner that offers extra support services. What if the package arrived in a damaged state? What if the receiver wasn’t at home when the delivery arrived? Do they go back the next day to try and deliver it again? Do they leave a slip in their mailbox for them to pick it up at the courier office? Do they return the package to you if they can’t deliver?

Knowing these things shall help you decide if the shipping partner is right for your business. Aside from fulfilling orders, your shipping partner should help your business expand and that means providing a holistic service to your customers. You want a shipping partner that will take care of both your packages and customers. Ultimately, your shipping partner should support your company’s goals. 

• Do they offer Insurance options?

It would be beneficial if your shipping courier offers insurance coverage for your packages. We don’t know what may happen to the boxes while they are shipped. It will help if your shipping courier offers such an option.

• Do they have an updated system and new technology?

Since you are selling online, your shipping partners should also be up-to-date with the tools and technology to facilitate shipping. Your shipping partner must have the ability to integrate with other companies to complete the task. Choosing a shipping service that has a tracking service is a good idea. It will help you and your customer track the goods and know if the package has already reached the destination. 

Key Takeaways

When it comes to picking the best shipping service, you need to look for a company that will understand your needs and help you grow your business. You shouldn’t only choose the one that offers the cheapest prices, but you have to choose based on service and quality. 

It’s a good thing that here at Stallion Express, we offer the best and affordable shipping services. We also have state-of-the-art shipping systems that you can integrate with your business seamlessly.

You don’t have to worry about your packages because we will take care of them and offer additional support to help you scale your business. Contact us now!

Pramod Bhat