Standard International Shipping: 3 tips for A+ Savings

Over the years, the evolution of the global shipping industry has undeniably transformed the way trade networks function worldwide. With the advent of technology and the increase in shipping options available for customers, shipping services have become necessary for most companies to fulfill their business processes. A recent study conducted by Apex Insight showed that global shipping revenues had reached a massive $430 billion in 2019, with numbers continuing to go up soon.

Shipping companies these days can offer a plethora of shipping services for its customers, and they do so within multiple locations and at varied rates. From standard international shipping services to express international shipping, reaching customers from every corner of the world is limitless. 

At first glance, a start-up entrepreneur would immediately look at the standard shipping option as his primary shipping option for international customers. After all, this shipping method is cheaper than international priority shipping services and is still relatively reliable. But is there a way to up your savings and make sure your shipping investment is worth it? Short answer: yes.

Ready to ship your products abroad? In this article, we will talk about three fundamental ways you can maximize your investment with the economy international shipping service. 

Tip 1: Create a Robust Shipping Strategy.

Any business process requires proper planning for it to work efficiently, and shipping is no exception. 

By having a general document to look at, you can stick to your goals and not be confused with what to do. Remember, international shipping can make up half of your overall business costs, and as a result, it can have a hefty price tag if not managed effectively. A cohesive shipping strategy is typically determined by looking at the following factors:

• Product type/s (What products do I plan to ship?);
• Shipment quantity (How big is my product inventory?);
• Shipment size (How large would each shipment be?), and
• Shipping budget (How much should my average shipping costs be?)

If you answer these questions early on in your planning process, you are essentially forming a foundation that will streamline your day-to-day shipping operations in the future. 

Tip 2: Build a long-lasting relationship with the right shipping company.

Now that you have a solid strategy for your shipping operation, it’s time to find the right shipping carrier. There may be an abundance of shipping companies out there offering standard international shipping for your business, but not all of them will be able to fit your needs.

For starters, researching the right shipping company means they have to provide the following services for your business:

• Competitive pricing;
• The broad reach of services;
• Shipping reliability;
• International shipping tracking services;
• Stellar customer service, and
• Packaging support options.

Finding a good shipping company is one thing, but nurturing this relationship for a long time is another thing. We continuously emphasize long-lasting relationships because they provide multiple benefits for you in the future, specifically reducing your shipping costs. It’s crucial to look for a courier service that can provide you with excellent, trustworthy service for a long time.

Tip 3: Determine your shipping method for customers.

While it is your responsibility to plan your shipping strategy and choose a carrier for your goods, it is your customers who will have to pay for shipping. Shoppers usually look at expensive shipping rates as one of the determining factors for their purchasing decisions— in short, they hate paying for expensive shipping.

To prevent this incident from happening, some entrepreneurs use a calculator and try to trim their shipping costs without considering other variables. You wouldn’t want your overall earnings to be affected just because you’re offsetting shipping fees. Instead, you can utilize a systematic approach to determine the best shipping method you can offer for customers:

• Offer real-time rates. Live shipping rates allow you to offer instant prices to your customers, depending on your carrier’s exact calculations. You can charge accurate costs depending on size, quantity, and weight measurements, and you can sync these rates automatically to your website.

• Offer established table rates. Established shipping rates may have a set of rules you need to follow for your shipments, but they can still be customized to fit your needs. You can play around with shipping conditions to allow your customers to pay less shipping charges.

• Offer flat rates. Flat rates are straightforward: your shipping costs are the same regardless of size and weight. While this method is the easiest to implement, it only works if you offer products with identical size and weight measurements or if your customers usually buy the same quantity of products.

• Offer free shipping. Over 90% of online shoppers are inclined to purchase a product if it offers free shipping, but this option will only be cost-effective for a business if your profit margins are still at an optimal level. If your earnings are severely affected because you are offering free shipping, it might not be your best option.     

Conclusion: Standard international shipping continues to be a reliable option if managed efficiently.

Standard international shipping is a cost-effective option for businesses that are motivated to expand their customer reach without compromising their profit margins. However, not all entrepreneurs are smart enough to manage it from both ends: either they end up losing money on shipping, or they leave their customers unhappy with their service. As a savvy businessman, follow these steps and ensure that your shipping process is polished from all sides. 

If you’re interested in hiring a shipping professionals team, we at Stallion Express offer top-quality international shipping services for a fair price. Schedule a free consultation with us today!