Happy Victoria Day!
The sun is shining and there's no better time to start your summer with the approaching bank holiday weekend.
Here is a summary of our Victoria Day long weekend schedule:
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Allow us to entertain you for a quick minute (we promise, you'll laugh).
Due to the rising number of eCommerce stores in the country, offering something that can give you leverage over your competitors is something you must consider carefully. Shipping is one of the major factors that customers consider when purchasing online because it is the process of getting the products from the seller to the customers.
Several elements affect shipping, like the costs, distance, and speed, making it more challenging for entrepreneurs and online sellers to find the most suitable carrier to keep up with their needs. Therefore, you must find the best shipping company for eCommerce to satisfy your customers' demands. Check this article out to learn the qualifications necessary before choosing. Scroll now!
Each package arrives at its destination at a different speed because shipping companies offer various shipping methods to customers, providing options to customers depending on how urgent they need their orders.
Express shipping in Canada is the fastest way to get the parcels to their destination earlier. Some shipping carriers also refer to it as expedited shipping. How fast is express shipping in Canada? This shipping option allows customers to receive their packages within 24 to 72 hours. However, it is also the most expensive among the choices. Most of the time, express delivery items are flown by airplanes, which makes it more costly.
Express shipping is also the best option for urgent and perishable items.
Most shipping companies for small businesses offer standard shipping. It is also referred to as regular shipping or delivery. This method does not include overnight shipping or other expedited delivery options. This shipment is typically less expensive and carried out by surface couriers or ground shipping.
This shipping option is best if your package contains non-urgent or non-perishable items. If you want to keep minimal shipping costs, standard shipping can help you reduce the shipping cost.
It is the most affordable method when shipping packages. Furthermore, the most prominent carriers provide this service because it is a first-rate shipping solution and lowers shipping costs, especially for shipments requiring less urgent delivery.
If you want to know how the economy differs from standard shipping, it boils down to the volume of shipments the shipping carrier ships. An economy shipment has goods in bulk to reduce the prices, while the standard one carries fewer items, thus the higher shipping cost.
It refers to the distribution of products locally in a specific neighborhood or city. Local delivery in eCommerce shipping enables customers to buy products from an online store, online marketplace, or physical store and have those orders delivered to their doorstep. However, local delivery does not guarantee fast shipping. The first class local mail delivery takes about two to three days, depending on the location and season.
Suppose you are a small business competing against a reputable eCommerce company. In that case, it will help your business if you partner with a flexible shipping service to meet your customers' needs. There are shipping companies for small businesses if you research. Note that whichever shipping method you choose will affect the transit time, so you must consider the urgency of the orders to select the appropriate shipping service.
Similar to shipping methods, each shipping company charges different shipping fees. However, it is affected by other shipping elements, such as the shipping services and destination.
The eCommerce business offers free shipping and other discounts instead of the shipping company; you must ensure that you can compete with this perk. Undeniably, customers prefer shops offering discounts, which benefits your business.
Every online business offers free shipping for various reasons. First is when a customer reaches a particular amount of order in a single purchase, which is one of the most popular reasons why a small business offers free shipping.
Another reason is when the eCommerce business celebrates a special event, like an anniversary or a local or national holiday. Regardless of the reason, find a shipping partner that can help you provide this advantage.
It is when the carrier's actual shipping charges are automatically generated during checkout for any individual item. Once the customer has finished placing products in their cart, the rates will accurately represent the cost by considering the order's weight, size, and shipping location.
To avoid overcharging specific customers or losing money on other purchases, real-time carrier rates enable online businesses to charge each customer the actual value the shipment will incur.
Flat rate shipping refers to a shipping method where the cost is determined by how much you can fit into the issued package or box and not by the weight, size, or shape of the item transported.
While each shipping provider has different ways to calculate the shipping fees, the common factors considered are the package's dimensional weight, the receiver's location, and the shipping options.
As for the dimensional weight, the standard calculation will be width x length x height. So, getting a box big enough to carry the items but sturdy enough to protect what's inside will help you minimize your cost.
A business distinguishes itself from competitors. One way to think of a brand is the company's identity, expressed through an identifiable mark, logo, slogan, voice, and tone. Some of the most enduring and well-known brand names have existed for decades, if not centuries.
Brand marketing is essential as it's how to promote the products and services in a way that strengthens the brand. It entails developing and upholding relationships between a brand and its customers. Furthermore, it goes along with the marketing brand attributes or the characteristics that come to mind when someone thinks of a specific brand.
Understanding brand marketing helps you get insights into strategies, brand types, equities, relevance, and recognition, which are beneficial in expanding business.
What do customers first see when buying products? THE PACKAGING! Thus, your choice of product package will provide the first impression you need to attract potential customers. It is vital in brand recognition, and as new products enter the market, you must develop strategies for establishing an impact immediately and motivating customer behavior to buy.
Consistency is the key when creating a package. While it is common among brands to change their packaging once in a while, keeping some distinguishable features will help customers identify your brand.
On the other hand, your packaging can also affect your overall eCommerce shipping costs. Thus, the dimensions of the packages matter in designing innovative and creative boxes and containers. It won't only save you on shipping, but you can also provide an impact on customers, especially your target audience.
Shipping protection and tracking are valuable features in guaranteeing your customers that they will receive their packages safely. For an eCommerce company, establishing trust will help you gain customer loyalty and increase customer retention.
Shipping carriers are providing a tracking tool to make it easier for customers to know where their packages are. Often than not, this tool is already included in the shipping software offered by companies. So, it would benefit you more to partner with a shipping carrier that provides the best shipping software available.
Along with your tracking, shipping protection assures customers that they will receive compensation if something happens to their items. While accidents and shipping issues rarely occur, it is always better to provide options for mishaps.
Not only will you avoid paying for damages, but you can also earn confidence from your customers.
While you can only deal with customs if you intend to send your products across the border or for international shipping, you will eventually take this step when you expand your business.
Dealing with customs takes too much time and effort, completing the requirements and paying the necessary taxes and duties while ensuring that you do not go against the policy.
Fortunately, Stallion Express can make eCommerce and commerce shipping possible, especially for small businesses.
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It is the cheapest way to ship anywhere in Canada, the United States, and internationally and has earned the confidence of thousands of online sellers in Canada.
Partnered with reputable companies, Stallion has established a well-rounded shipping process and multiple shipping options to ensure the satisfaction of its customers. Aside from domestic, cross-border, and international shipping, they also offer other services, including Amazon FBA, Returns, and Stallion Protection.
Amazon FBA. Amazon offers an order fulfillment process to lift the burden from the customers in catering to the customer's purchases while handling customer service and marketing plans simultaneously. Stallion can help you bring the items to the Amazon US warehouse at a meager price.
Returns. It is the cheapest US to Canada Returns you can find in the market. Once an item is returned, you do not have to wait for at least seven business days to get the things back to your hands. Since Stallion Express ships weekly, you can get your items within 24-72 hours upon return. Moreover, a photo will be uploaded, and you will receive a notification through your Stallion account.
Stallion Protection. Stallion provides complete coverage shipment protection for Canadian online sellers at the lowest pricing in the market. Get the assurance you need to handle any hazards you may face along the way.
However, apart from these three additional services, Stallion has partnered with Aftership for an efficient tracking service!
Although creating a shipping strategy that matches your needs and satisfies your clients will be challenging, Stallion is ready to assist you.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact our reliable customer service for any support you need.
Hey there, Stallion clients! The team has prepared another batch of announcements to share for you to be informed about anything Stallion-related.
Let’s jump into the updates and see what’s new!
Stallion Analytics is now live for you to get additional insights when making guided decisions for your eCommerce business. This new service addition shows the countries you ship to, delivery success rate, postage options frequented, postage costs, and much more.
To check out this feature, log in to your Stallion account and click your profile initials icon at the top right part. Click the Analytics tab found in the drop-down menu.
As Stallion continues to improve our website based on your feedback, we have improved the transit times feature based on the live data from our carrier partners. This adjustment applies to all Stallion service sets once you purchase our shipment labels.
This will give you a clearer understanding as you ensure to provide your customers with accurate delivery times.
Please note that your credits for Stallion Protection don’t have any expiry dates. Our client support team can process your claims as soon as the concern has been raised and applicable forms filled out.
The team advises our clients to use Stallion Protection whenever there are delivery issues or any applicable cases that can be covered by it. However, please note that it is only possible if the client has sufficient proof to provide to our customer support.
As of May 6, APC advises eCommerce sellers to check service updates depending on the country you ship to.
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Stay tuned to the upcoming summaries for more exciting news to watch out for! You can expect more updates as we welcome the Q3 season in a few more months.
Keep in touch with us by sending an email at [email protected] or calling 877-863-7447 for any clarifications from our client support team.
Taking your online business to an international level can sound intimidating, isn’t it? But once you understand the twists and turns of the global market, you can tap into your eCommerce business’ fullest potential.
Get yourself familiarized with these tricks of the trade by keeping in mind these pointers:
Know what products tickle your customers’ fancy
One way to reach more international consumers is to know what items are hot and popular in the market. If you’re targeting online buyers in the U.K., selling vinyl and eyelash accessories are a few products to consider due to their increased demand in the country.
A sports water bottle is another trendy item this 2022. This product makes way for profitability from a large audience due to the versatility and convenience it can offer, whether it's a gym enthusiast or a stay-at-home busy bee.
But first, check the allowed items for import shipping.
Different countries have distinct rules on acceptable goods to be strictly followed. Carriers implement this policy in compliance with the U.S. customs prohibiting FDA-regulated products and to avoid unforeseen damages on the way. Doing otherwise will not only drain your precious time but will also affect your seller performance.
The solution? Further review the allowable commodities for import. Stallion Express offers global shipping while encouraging our clients to check the permitted goods in the destination country.
Visit APC and PostNL restricted items list for your reference in your next shipping transaction.
Whether big or small, keep the shipments secured for long transit
No one can anticipate the transit hiccups as your package makes its way towards a long journey to your customer. Purchasing shipping coverage, securing items with interior packaging, and tampering a fragile sticker are among the options that can relieve your worries once the shipment is on the road.
Check our available shipping supplies specifically for internal cushioning and outer packing to keep your goods in their tiptop form, just like how you shipped them out with utmost care.
Make it personal!
The days (or mostly weeks!) spent waiting for your international shipments to arrive is serious business.
Make the long arrival worthwhile by sending personalized notes along with your buyer’s purchased items. Giving away freebies as a token of gratitude for trusting your online shop is also a surefire way to increase customer loyalty.
Opt for a shipping carrier that provides an efficient delivery option.
Surprises can’t always be good, especially if it’s the unexpected charges upon receiving your package. Ship internationally without having your customers pay for tax and duties separately with APC Priority Worldwide Tracked (DDP) service!
Your recipient no longer needs to worry about transparency and cost issues as fees will be credited straight to your Stallion account. We’ve created a price summary for APC Priority for quicker access to your much-needed information.
Conclusion
Make your eCommerce business known by reaching customers around the globe. Stallion Express has a wide array of international postage services that suit your shipping standards.
We have a team of responsive CSRs that can help you navigate your path toward your logistical objectives. Register now for a free Stallion account and begin shipping to international countries with our streamlined platform!
Management is a make-or-break process for any merchant, but it is especially crucial for small businesses. As someone who’s just starting out, many factors will leave you feeling overwhelmed.
With difficulties in services brought about by the pandemic, shipping becomes especially challenging for many businesses. However hard, shipping is also vital—especially for customers stuck at home. The situation prompts businesses to make sure they manage their shipping services well.
As a small business owner, the key is to learn. Know about the essential factors that you have to consider, and build a strategy that will work under these conditions. For locations like Canada, shipping costs are one of the biggest concerns. Here's a helpful guide to help you get started with efficient small business shipping in Canada.
As an amateur merchant, this question might come across your mind: "Why does it have to be expensive here?" There are a couple of answers that best explain why shipping services in Canada can be expensive.
Here are highlights of significant data collected from various reports. This showcases the increasing demands and expectations of Canadian consumers.
As much as possible, it is crucial to know your exact shipping costs. It beats the anxiety to know the exact digits and it will be the root of your strategy in avoiding profit damage. That being said, you should begin with the essential factors to work on before creating your shipping strategy.
Package dimensions are what shipping companies use to determine rates. Have your dimensions ready and look for a company that ships that package size.
Tip #1: Organize your inventory based on size and weight. Uniformity is a must when it comes to your package dimensions.
Tip #2: Find a shipping provider that delivers your package size at the lowest rates.
Tip #3: Practice secure and solid packaging to avoid additional costs.
Tip #4: You should know what specific documents you will need when your packages are shipped.
Location significantly contributes to and determines shipping prices in Canada.
Tip #1: Continuously research customer location data and Amazon FBA as a fulfillment warehouse near your US customers.
Tip #2: If you're planning to expand globally, work with well-established shipping companies.
Find a reliable shipping courier to work with for your small business.
Tip #1: Ask the right questions. Find out if they cover your shipping destination, their cost structure, the cost policies, logistics, and customer services.
Tip #2: Use shipping solutions to help manage your eCommerce platform. They're reliable when it comes to getting you reasonable shipping rates and discounts.
There are several ways for small businesses to grow their profit margins while avoiding the trouble of too much cost. Here are some of the best tips for small businesses.
Tip #1: Use Third-Party Insurance: A shipping protection like Stallion Protection, is usually half the price of what other carriers charge, so this is a good starting point if you're a small business.
Tip #2: Look Into Free Shipping: 88% of customers are more likely to purchase when they see free shipping. There are also chances of them buying more than what they intended simply because of the free shipping offer. If you're a small business, you could offer free shipping with a minimum order—this will help with your margins.
Tip #3: Go with Carriers: Although carriers are not as fast as courier companies, carriers are suitable for a large volume of shipments. They also vary in rates and services, so choose those that meet your business needs.
Tip #4: Don’t Neglect Automation: Automated features in your shipping procedure help maximize efficiency. An example is shipping software that provides precise and real-time rates during a customer's checkout.
Tip #5: Give Back to Earth: Reduce, reuse, and recycle! You can reuse shipping materials and encourage your customers to do the same. An earth-friendly brand catches customers' hearts and contributes significantly to your business’s savings.
As a business owner, you should aim for a shipping service that helps you save costs and satisfy your customers at the same time. While both seem like opposite sides of the coin, with enough research, one can indeed work well with the other. Learn as much as you can, get started with your worry-free shipping, and give your customers a wonderful experience with Stallion Express! Get the ultimate shipping experience with the most reliable and affordable shipping partner in Canada! With a few clicks in your Stallion account, you can ship products across Canada, to the US, or even internationally.
Feel free to check out the perks that await you!
