Logistics can make or break a business. The shipping portion of a business has never been as vital as it is right now. Everyone is looking for faster shipping. Everyone wants things faster, from businesses that sell to other companies to relentless customers clamoring for speedy shipping. So, when you’re building your business, you really want to put some time into deciding on what to do about a shipping partner. Most companies need to look to an outside shipping company, but it’s not a quick decision.
Working with a professional shipping company has an abundance of advantages. Knowing what you’re looking for and what you need is critical. It’s the best way to build a partnership with the shipping company that is best for you.
Every Penny Counts
When you’re building a business, every penny counts, and anywhere you can save costs means you will have more to put back into the business and growth. If your shipping costs aren’t outrageous, you can lower your prices and beat the competition.
If you’re an entirely online business, you’ll be interested to know that nearly half of customers say they abandoned their purchases due to high shipping costs.
So, while considering this, also don’t look for the cheapest solution. There is usually a reason they are so cheap. Shipping costs are just another business expense and what you want to look for most is the value you get for that money.
Customer Support and Services Matter
When you decide on a shipping company, you’ll want to discuss what support they offer their customers. You want to reach the freight company when you have a problem, so look for things like twenty-four-hour live support, email support, and of course, being able to contact them by phone.
They should provide you with dedicated support for your business needs.
Shipping Speed
As we talked about at the start, the speed at which shipments make their way to customers is critical. Nearly half of the consumers today expect to have the option of same-day or next-day delivery.
As customers get less patient, it’s essential to discuss what the shipping company can and can’t do. Smaller businesses often can’t offer same-day or even next-day delivery service. However, you will still want to explore available options. You may be able to allow your customers to pay more for faster shipping. Regardless of the direction you choose, it should be one of the primary things considered when partnering with a shipping company.
Can They Handle Your Growth?
Look at the long term. Is the shipping company going to handle it if your business explodes overnight? Or if you expand into a much larger operation than you started with. You may want to talk to them about their strategies for growth. If you become a sudden massive success, you’ll want a shipping company to keep up with your expansion.
You want a shipping company prepared to handle your business and the growth you want it to have. Smaller businesses often neglect to think about what the end game might look like.
It’s critical to think about the connection between the supply chain and the growth of your business. The shipping company will likely have years of experience and understand the ever-expanding global market. Working with a highly qualified shipping company can help you understand all the complicated logistics.
Tracking, Tracking, and More Tracking
Tracking is everything these days when it comes to shipping. As a business owner, it can help protect you from fraudulent claims about parcels that haven’t been received. It protects your customers as well. Package theft is a fundamental problem these days. The tracking will ensure that you and your customers are covered if someone steals their package. They’ll know it was delivered and report it to the proper authorities, and you’ll be able to show you did what you were supposed to.
You want to work with a shipping company that offers all the needed infrastructure to ensure high-quality tracking.
The data you gather from this will also help you make decisions on growing your business and making it a better experience for your customers. Do you need to make changes to your customer service plans?
Consider the Years of Experience
Especially if you aren’t particularly experienced in the shipping world, pairing with a shipping company with a wealth of experience under their belt will ensure you the best chances of success.
Working with a shipping company that already knows all the ins and outs of international shipping, local shipping, and logistics will help you focus on the real goals like growing your business.
This is even more important when you are an entrepreneur and essentially on your own. A shipping company with experience will guide you in the right direction regarding your business needs.
Building a Relationship of Trust
Trusting the shipping company you choose to work with is one of the most important things. Suppose a company can match your budgetary needs but doesn’t offer you the services you need, or you can never reach them. In that case, you probably don’t have a business relationship built on trust.
The needs of your business come first. If you need someone who specializes in international shipping, you need to make sure that’s what you’re getting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re first getting started. That’s what they are there for. They’re the shipping experts. You can ask them about their experience with international shipping. Do they know the specific requirements for border paperwork? Are they more experienced in certain areas? Knowing what you’re getting when you choose a shipping containers for your business.
Remember that it’s your livelihood and your business that you’re putting into the hands of a shipping company. If you cannot get products out to your customers or have too many mistakes, it can mean the end of your business.