eCommerce Shipping Solutions in 2021: What You Need to Know

The continuous growth of the eCommerce industry paved the way for businesses to reach more customers worldwide. According to a 2021 forecast from Oberlo, 27% of global customers will prefer purchasing products through digital platforms over physical stores. This data means that eCommerce Marketplaces are bound to thrive for years to come— shoppers don’t have to wait in line for queues, and they can search for exactly what they want on the platform at competitive rates. Simply put, the promise of reliability, comfort, and high-quality service made the potential for eCommerce shipping solutions to grow to new heights.

With the emergence of technology that allows people to connect from different parts of the world, it’s safe to say that eCommerce will be the future of shopping. And while most entrepreneurs are building their businesses entirely on digital spaces, not all are smart enough to maximize this opportunity. For instance, eCommerce shipping continues to be a neglected part of online companies despite having a hefty price tag associated with it.  

Most online entrepreneurs look at eCommerce shipping and receiving services to ensure that their shipping processes are streamlined and that their products reach their customers on time. If you’re interested in reinforcing your shipping operations, this article provides a brief checklist of things to take into account before deciding to have your products delivered.  

Part 1: Identifying a clear set of shipping goals for your business

Planning is often the most crucial part of any business process. If the building blocks aren’t sturdy and sustainable enough, it will be an automatic recipe for failure. Typically, defining a clear and realistic set of goals can be set by answering the following questions:

• Increase sales (Do I want to increase profit margins? How?)
• Increase average orders (Do I want more people to buy my products daily?) 
• Trim operating costs (Do I want to decrease monthly business fees?)
• Reinforce customer reach (Do I want to reach more customers through eCommerce platforms?)
• Improve shipping process efficiency (Do I want to streamline business operations?)

Once you have identified what goals you want to achieve with your shipping process, you can move on to assembling the right people for the job. Remember, you can adjust your goals along the way if you need to. It’s always about being flexible and knowing how to react to each situation.

Part 2: Measuring product size and weight

Product size and weight measurements are crucial in determining your shipping costs. If you don’t know how big and bulky your products are, you might end up paying more than you expect.

eCommerce shipping solutions offer different shipping boxes for each type of product. Naturally, the bigger shipment boxes are more expensive, so you have to include these costs in your plan. You can choose from the following standard options below:

• Shipment parcels and envelopes (for documents and small-sized shipments);
• Corrugated or cardboard boxes (for medium-sized shipments);
• Wooden crates (for large-sized shipments), and
• Specialized boxes/drums (for products containing solid and liquid hazardous materials).

While the size and weight measurements vary depending on the types of items you sell, you can take a one-size-fits-all approach if you have very identical items. This situation is incredibly real for wholesale companies that require bulk shipping solutions to have their products delivered to customers.  

Part 3: Packaging your products properly

Every product may require a specific package to keep it protected, but you still need to take a strategic approach to maximize your packaging. Some business owners who don’t spend time and effort trying to find the right packaging for their products end up paying extra fees because they bought oversized packages.

To start, we highly recommend investing in high-quality packaging materials that are lightweight and compact. Some good examples include Airkraft envelopes or corrugated padded or bubble boxes. You may also try going for more eco-friendly packaging options, including mushroom/seaweed wraps and biodegradable cardboard paper. 

Some courier services with eCommerce shipping options also provide support for packaging supplies. They offer bubble wrap, medium-sized cardboard boxes, and large regional boxes for your products.    

Key Takeaway: eCommerce shipping solutions are achievable with the right strategy.

Various eCommerce shipping solutions exist for entrepreneurs to smoothen their fulfillment processes. Still, some businesses fail to plan ahead of time and minimize their savings with their shipments. In 2021 alone, shipping's been enjoyed by numerous multinational companies. So, you need to streamline your process from the beginning to have a clear shot at success. A good start would be to identify your goals, write them down, measure your product size and weight requirements, and find the right packaging.
If you’re interested in hiring professional shipping partners for eCommerce, we at Stallion Express provide top-quality international shipping services for a fair price. Schedule a free consultation with us today!