Ecommerce Shipping Solutions: The Ultimate Guide

If someone clicks on"purchase," or the "purchase" link on your website, you've made it across the finish line, aren't you? Almost. Now you need a seamless online shipping procedure to maintain your new customers to stay.

Utilize this guide to find the best strategy to delight shoppers throughout the sales funnel, from when they put your product to their cart up to the moment it is delivered to their doorstep.

Options for fulfillment of your shipping orders for your shop

Shipping fulfillment can get very complicated. The first thing you'll want to consider when establishing your ecommerce shipping strategy is who will be responsible to fulfill the orders. Are you able to fulfill them yourself? Are they shipped directly from the manufacturer or wholesaler? Or will you contract with a third-party logistics company (3PL) to manage the fulfillment of all orders placed on your eCommerce?

Let's take a look at the possibilities and go through some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

1. Ship orders yourself

If you're running a small company who produces its own products It may be easy to deliver directly from your own offices or storage facility. This can be more cost-effective, especially if you're keeping your inventory in your own home or office, but this requires more effort to manage.

There are pros and cons in managing the shipping of orders on behalf of your own online store.

The advantages of sending orders yourself:

• You have complete control over the ecommerce shipping process and are able to customize it according to your needs.
• Build relationships with customers by hand-writing thank-you notes or putting small items in the order.

The disadvantages of shipping your own orders:

• The process of shipping can be lengthy, particularly if you have an abundance of customers.
• You may need to invest in shipping supplies and equipment such as boxes, labels, and tape.

2. Ship orders using dropshipping

Instead of purchasing wholesale goods and keeping them in your own warehouse until orders to arrive, you could have your suppliers ship them directly to your customer. If the suppliers you currently have don't offer this option You could look for companies that make similar or similar items and work with them to ship the orders directly.

Dropshipping could be an excellent method of fulfillment for shipping orders on ecommerce for large companies, too. Wayfair started its start as a dropshipping-only firm, and later expanded into using their own warehouses as well as to still using the dropshipping model. Houzz which is a competitor to Wayfair is still using the dropshipping model exclusively. Last year Houzz made $500 million in revenue. This isn't bad for a company that doesn't design, manufacture or even ship the products that it sells.

Utilizing a dropshipping option is beneficial, but it also has some downsides. Let us discuss the pros and cons of dropshipping in order to choose the right option for your business.

Benefits of dropshipping

• It's low-cost. It's not necessary to invest in inventory upfront or to staff your own shipping operation.
• It is possible to be more flexible when it comes to the products you sell. You are able to easily alter your product offering as needed, and you're not tied to any specific stock. This can give the flexibility to react to any changes in customer demand.

The disadvantages of dropshipping

• It is harder to control the quality of your product. With Dropshipping you're relying on the supplier to supply quality goods. If they do not meet the standards you set, it could be a negative reflection on your company.
• A longer and more insecure shipping times might be frustrating for customers and lead to reduced sales. As you're dependent on an outside company to manage shipping, you're always at risk of chance of delays. If you're working with multiple dropshipping firms, the items in the same order might be delivered in different boxes on different days, leading to customer confusion as well as increased customer support tickets.
• The shipping issues may require more time to address. If you are shipping your own products or work with a 3PL firm, you are able to handle customer service concerns faster. If you're using multiple dropshipping businesses, you may have delays in communication that increase the length of time it takes to resolve a customer complaint.

3. Orders can be shipped using a third party logistic (3PL) service

If you're a business that purchases multiple items from different manufacturers, but don't have enough time, money or resources to do your own warehousing it is possible to contract an outside logistics company to manage all your e-commerce shipping.

This can be a good solution if you don't have the storage space or the capability of shipping yourself, but it can be costly for smaller businesses, depending on the volume you average for the sales.

There are pros and cons to the use of the 3PL services for fulfillment include:

Pros of making use of the 3PL services:

• A fulfillment service can handle the entire shipping process to you, from packing, tracking, and delivery.
• They often have relationships with major carriers, which will reduce cost of shipping.
• They can scale up quickly to accommodate spikes in demand.
• You don't have to hire employees to handle shipping and fulfillment, which helps you cut down on time managing tasks.
• You don't have to keep your inventory in your own office or home. This could reduce the cost of overhead and keep your work environment clear of clutter.

Pros and cons of using the 3PL service:

• The shipping process will be less controlled over the shipping process and might not be able to customize it to your needs.
• It is possible that you will have to pay a monthly fee or per-order cost as well as shipping costs.
• Certain customers might prefer to work directly with the store instead of a third-party.

In the end, which option is suitable for your needs - shipping yourself or using a dropshipping company and/or working with an 3PL - depends on several variables that go beyond the ones we've mentioned above. It's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Then you could even settle on a mix of fulfillment options. It's not necessary to select just one!

Methods for shipping and the carriers that ship

Whatever fulfillment method you select, you'll have to be familiar with the different shipping companies and techniques, since you'll need to add information about these into your store's delivery settings. You'll also need to provide details about your shipping carriers as well as shipping methods to your customers - especially when you offer them multiple alternatives during checkout.

A shipping serviceis the business which physically delivers your items to your customers. Examples include USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

Shipping methods include the various options as well as the associated prices customers can choose at the time of checkout, such as free ground shipping, $5.00 three-day shipping, or $15.00 next-day delivery. These options are generally determined by the carriers you work with and impact the cost as well as the speed of delivery.

Factor in places, dates, and weighs

Before you choose the method of shipping and shipping consider a few key variables:

1. Places. What countries, states, or provinces will you deliver to?
2. Dates. If you consider where your clients live and the time it will take to a given nation, state or region? Are you interested in offering express shipping?
3. Weights. The dimensions and weight of each item will affect your overall shipping costs.

Countries: Choose which you will ship your items to.

There are some aspects to think about when looking to determine which countries the e-commerce site you're running should be serving. Consider first which markets your customers are in. If your products are popular within the United States, then it is sensible to deliver to the United States. However, if you're selling items which are niche or specifically targeted at a certain location, then you may want to limit your shipping exclusively to the region in question.

The other thing you should consider is the cost of shipping. International shipping can be expensive and you'll have to consider that in your selection. There is also the possibility of having be aware of customs requirements as well as other rules, which can add even additional complexity and expense.

Consider whether you've got the capacity for shipping across several nations. It can be a lot of work to manage different shipping regulations, carrier choices, and prices and so be ready for this prior to making the decision.

When you consider all these elements into consideration, you should be able narrow your list of potential countries that you could ship to. Then, you'll be able to start researching the specific rules and regulations for every country, to ensure that you're ready to move there successfully.

Pro Tip:Beyond extra expenses and logistical challenges International shipping is a challenge because it has legal and customs requirements that vary greatly depending on the country or region. Be sure to partner with an international shipping business which can streamline all of the processes as possible.

Shipping has joined forces with DHL - so now you are able to manage international deliveries from directly within your dashboard. There's also a savings of up to 67% on labels, enjoy free pick-ups as well as be able provide customers with end-to-end tracking and automatic customs form creation.

The dates should be determined by the delivery time for the carrier, delivery methods, as well as other ways

Decide on delivery times and methods of shipping for your online store to most suit your needs. Choose a shipping method that can get your products to clients in a timely fashion. If you're selling items that need to be delivered quickly, such as cosmetics or food it is more important.

Based on the location you're shipping to , and the time it takes for your goods to get there, you may offer one or multiple ecommerce delivery options such as

• Standard Shipping: UPS Ground, 1-5 business days
• Expedited Shipping: USPS Priority Mail, 1-3 business days
• Overnight Shipping: FedEx Priority Overnight, 1 business day

With a fast and efficient delivery, you can be sure that your customers are happy with their experience.

Size and weight can influence shipping choices and costs.

When you begin shipping orders, it is important to know not only the weight and size of your items, but also the size and weight of your products once wrapped. This can help you determine which method is best for each item or order to be shipped.

If you're a business that ships to shipping to the United States, the least costly method of shipping small parcels is usually USPS Priority Mail 3 Day Small Flat Rate envelope or Small Flat Rate Box. It comes with tracking and quick delivery times and it's a particularly good bargain if you're shipping tiny but heavy items. You can ship something that weighs up to 70lbs, and be charged the same flat fee. Also, you can avail the benefits of USPS giving you a free flat rate envelope or box.

In the case of shipping bulk items the cost of oversized packages are not a must, however, if you're shipping multiple items in an order it may be more cost effective to split the items into multiple packages in order to avoid excessive fees for packages.

A 3PL service will default to any method that's most economical both for them and your business. If your items must be delivered in the same box regardless of whether it's expensive, or if you want to divide things up over multiple packages for reasons that make it better to place them in one larger box, then you'll have to notify your 3PL to ensure they comply with your guidelines. If you're packaging and shipping things yourself, you can have greater control over the entire process and more precise control over the entire method.

When shipping international You'll have take a look at the choices that are available for each destination country and determine which one is most effective according to the size and weight of your products. While strategies like splitting up items to avoid oversized-package charges may be beneficial domestically, the same strategy might not work for international shipments. The best way to do this is to design the specific ecommerce shipping method for every country you're shipping to.

How do you package orders to ensure shipping

Destination, size and weight, the carrier and shipping methods all influence your shipping costs and practices. However, equally important is determining how the items are shipped. As a business proprietor, you must deliver your orders in the most cost effective manner while making sure that your products arrive in good condition.

If your products are not properly packed it could result in with poor reviews, return, and expensive order reshipments. If you're shipping items by yourself, employing an 3PL service or even dropshipping direct from your supplier Make sure all of your items are packaged properly and safely.

You'll want to consider the quantity of each item that will fit in one package , and whether the different kinds of goods should be sent within the same box or in separate packages. You'll also want to make sure that the products you purchase are secured against the elements as well as harm caused by falling, stacking, and an agitation in transport.

Consider asking yourself the following questions regarding your items for the best way to package them:

• Do you think it is weighty?
• Is it fragile?
• Does it have a sharp edge?
• Does it contain fluids?
• Does it have a unique quality?
• It could be easily damaged if it gets wet?
• Are they too big?
• Is it very small?

If a customer orders two very different products - like a pair of champagne flutes in crystal or an assortment of weights for free - you probably don't wish to put them all in the same box. However, even if a customer orders several of the same product, you may still want to break the order up in several packages to minimize damage.

In the case of a customer who orders twenty 18" 24" canvas prints at your shop, it might not be wise to pack them all into the same box. The weight of each item may create damages to the canvas beneath it. Plus, you may be charged more for shipping by using a box that is too large.

Also, the larger and more unwieldy the item is, the more challenging it will be to get it delivered without being dropped. A package's size that is notable could attract the attention of package thieves.

Smaller packages aren't easy also. Even if the item you want to send be placed in a compact envelope with padding, you might have to include a strong cardboard or hardboard insert to keep it from bending or bending. You can also use bubble wrap, or another padding to ensure the items are delivered safely at the destination of the buyer.

If you've got a mix of small and large things in an order it is possible to ship them all together in the event that the smaller items serve as padding (like clothes or linens), or are lightweight and durable.

Picking the right the right packing materials

Packaging materials that are suitable for small and big packages may add to the cost of shipping ecommerce. You don't just have invest the cash for these supplies, but they also make the package heavier, which will raise shipping costs.

You'll need to make sure that the boxes you use and other packing supplies can handle the weight and size of the goods you're sending however that's not all you need to think about.

In selecting the materials you will use to pack your ecommerce orders, consider these aspects:

• Fragility of item
• Brand experience
• Organic materials
• Cost of packaging

Fragile merchandise

If you're shipping fragile items it is necessary to utilize different packing materials than if the items are not fragile. It is possible that you will require additional bubble wrap, foam or air cushions to ensure your items arrive safely. The addition of packing materials can add to the overall size of your package, but making sure your items are delivered safely can help you save money on return costs in the long run.

Take into account whether or not your items could be damaged by rain or any other element during the shipping process. Consider wrapping products that could be damaged by water in the form of shrinkwrap, an overbag made from plastic or any other type of waterproof packaging. If you're using a bubble mailer, opt for the one made of plastic rather than a paper one.

Experience with brands

If you're not concerned about costs and hassle, consider branding your packing materials. Businesses such as Mule Sticker Mule offer custom branded packaging and tape that will allow you to customize everything about your order shipments an experience that is branded.

When a container with your logo on it is delivered to someone's door, they'll know it's from the company. Seeing your brand can add some excitement the day of a client. Additionally, the fact the fact that you're going the extra mile for packaging can build trust that you're also putting just as much effort into your products.

Organic materials

If your company wants to use environmentally sustainable packaging products, there are plenty of solutions available. It is possible to use environmentally friendly packing materials as part of your marketing plan. If your products are nature-related, organic or simply prefer the use of sustainable production methods It could be beneficial to purchase eco-friendly packaging.

Companies such as Hero Packaging, Mushroom Packaging and Noissue provide sustainable packaging alternatives. Noissue even provides custom branding options for packaging products. Eco-friendly packaging can be higher priced than other types of packaging, so keep that to your heart if you're operating on a a tight budget.

Packaging cost

You'll want to ensure your items are delivered in a safe manner and the recipient has a positive experience with your delivery. But you also don't want to overspend on packaging.

In light of these points With these considerations in mind, let's take a closer look at some of most popularand cost-effective shipping supplies and see how they could benefit your enterprise.

Cardsboard containers are one of the most widely used packing items for orders made via e-commerce. They're durable and strong, which makes them ideal for packaging fragile products. They're also lightweight, so they won't add a lot of extra weight to the shipping cost. And best of all, cardboard is recyclable, so this is a good option for companies that care about the environment.

There's even cardboard made from recycled materials from the very first place. Most packaging retailers like Uline sell environmentally-friendly cardboard boxes.

The bubble wrap is another choice to pack materials. It's ideal for protecting delicate items and preventing damage during the shipping process. Bubble wrap is available in a variety of thicknesses, so you can choose the right degree of protection for your products. Like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap is affordable and recyclable.

Packing peanuts are often used to fill empty space in packages and prevent items from moving during transportation. They're composed of various substances, including biodegradable options like cornstarch. Packing peanuts can be reused and are a great alternative for companies looking to lower their carbon footprint.

air cushions can be used as an alternative for packing peanuts. They're inflatable bags which are able to be utilized to fill empty space within packages. Air cushions provide the same security as packing peanuts however are more convenient to reuse and recycle.

Papier is a different eco-friendly packaging choice. It can be used to protect fragile products or to fill in empty spaces within packaging. Paper can also be recycled (and you can use paper constructed from recycled material), so it's another ideal option for those who are looking to limit their environmental impact.

There are numerous packing materials on the market, therefore it's important to choose the appropriate one to suit your needs. Consider your products, packaging requirements, and your company's identity when choosing packing materials to ship your online orders. By choosing the appropriate packaging materials, you can be sure that your items arrive in a safe manner on time and make a a positive impact on customers and a minimal impact on the planet.

Find out your shipping costs for customers

If you're aware of the location you're shipping to, what you're packing it, which techniques and shipping methods you're using as well as how weight and size impact the options for shipping You'll have to determine two things: your cost to ship and handle as well as the rates for shipping you're charging your clients.

Although you may use a shipping calculator on any of the major carriers' websites or the multi-carrier shipping program to calculate ecommerce shipping costs based on method of shipping, the size, weight and location The calculators won't include shipping costs for handling.

You can decide which works the best for your particular business but you'll need to add those handling costs somewhere to make sure they don't impact the margins of your profits.

How much are the handling expenses?

It's all about handling, but not the shipping cost that the company will charge you. Handling may include, but is not limited to:

• The cost of shipping materials includes boxes, padding materials the backing board and sleeves made of plastic Labels, tape and a thermal printer.
• Cost of storage for inventory.
• The time is spent packing orders as well as arranging for the pickup of carriers.
• Customer service regarding damaged or lost packages, and providing customers with information on the status of their packages.

An easy way to figure out the cost of handling for each order is to calculate how much you'll spend each month on average on the above costs and then divide by the number of items you place per month. Add that handling cost to the cost of shipping every single order.

If you'd like to incorporate the cost of handling in your prices for products then you can divide your average monthly handling cost by the amount of products sold per month. If you have high-priced products and products that are priced low it is possible to proportionally distribute the handling costs. Cheaper products will likely come with lower costs for handling with them than the more costly merchandise, though this may not be often the case.

How can I best approach formulating shipping costs?

Live rates

Table rates

Flat rate

Flat rates streamline your shipping strategy by taking the guesswork out of the process of calculating prices. You can charge the same price regardless of the amount or weight of the order. This can be a good alternative if your inventory is consistent in the size and weight or if a majority of your customers purchase similar quantity. By using default settings, you can set a fixed price per product, a percent-based price, or a minimum fee.

Free shipping

Shipping is free and makes buyers satisfied, but it also lowers margins for your business. You could include the cost of shipping in the cost of your item, but people might not be impressed because of the price. Or keep your pricing minimal and offer free shipping hoping that increased sales can make it profitable financially.

Combination shipping

Combined shipping options give you two options. If one size-fits-all approaches to shipping doesn't align with your needs as a business You can mix and match. One option is offering free shipping for orders that have a minimum value for customers to make more products to their carts.

Implement your ecommerce shipping strategy

When you've completed your study after you've weighed your options and finally made your choice now is the time to put your strategy into position and begin setting up the ecommerce shipping process.

1. Back up your store

If your store is live, start by taking a full backup. If any unanticipated issues arise, this ensures you don't loss important information and order information. We highly recommend Jetpack VaultPress Backup for this.

Once your backup is completed, upgrade WordPress, , your theme, as well as the plugins in order to guarantee support for any updates to fulfillment and shipping extensions.

2. Setup the settings

Click on the settings tab and then Shipping on the dashboard. In this section, you can define shipping zones that define prices based on customer locations, as well as shipping categories for defining prices based on the same products in a group.

We'll begin by taking a look at shipping zones. By setting these up, you'll be able to define shipping rates based on the regions you are delivering to. You can just be a bit generic (like setting rates by the country) or hyper-specific (like setting rates according to ZIP code). Don't worry - no matter how complex you go every customer will only be able to see rates applicable to their specific shipping address.

Click on the shipping zonestab and in the event that you're still not setting an area yet, you'll see a prompt to set it up.

Click Add shipping zone.

When the new window opens, name the zone however you'd like to. Next, choose the shipping regions that will be included in this zone. There are many methods to set up zones, so think through what is the best method to accomplish this for your particular business.

A retail store that is located within New York City might have zones for the East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast, with rates increasing in price based on distance from New York. For example, a bakery may offer free shipping just within their area or at a reduced rate for any other location.

Choose all locations that you'd like to be included in this shipping zone. If you wish to restrict the area based on zip code, select Limit to specific zip/postcodes. A new form will be displayed that allows you to enter a list of zip codes.

In the next step, you'll need to define the shipping rates that are available for the brand new zone. Click on the "Add shipping rate" button. In default, there are three options: flat rate free shipping, and local pick-up.

If you select Flat rate shipping,you'll be able to specify a particular cost for the zone (e.g. $9.99 flat price shipping). The option to change this is according to the shipping class that's something we'll cover in a moment.

If you select free shipping You can choose to set the minimum amount of your order to qualify for free shipping. You can also choose regardless of whether you wish to combine free shipping with a coupon code, and other.

In the event that you select Local pickup,customers who live inside of the shipping area are able to take their orders to the location of your business.

Remember, you can include one or more of these items to each zone. Thus, for instance, you could give free shipping on an amount specified in the order, or flat rate shipping on everything less than that total.

However, what are shipping classes? While these aren't required but they can be a great way to set rates for different types of products. As an example, you could sell unframed prints of your artwork, alongside frames. They will not only be priced differently to ship based on their weight, frames will require more packing materials.

Let's take a look at the following example. In your dashboard, go to the Settings tab, then Shipping and then select the Shipping Class tab. Click Add new shipping class in the bottom right part of the page.

Add the class's name, name, Slug (URL) as well as a description, and click Save the class.

Now you'll want to assign products to each class that you create. Click on Products - All Productsand open the that you'd like to change. Scroll down until the box for product information and click the Shippingtab.

The dropdown menu to select the Shipping class,select the class that best matches your product. Then, save your changes. This can be done for each product in that class.

This lets you be much more precise with your shipping charges. So, for example when you're setting up flat rate shipping and you want to specify an additional price for frames vs. frames that are not. You'll see in the screenshot below that there's now an option that is specific to"framed" shipping classes "framed" shipping class.

This is it! It's clear that there's plenty you can accomplish with default settings for shipping.

3. Install and activate shipping extensions

For table rates live rates or to combine the two, you'll need an extension. It is also possible to use extensions to include features such as warehouse syncing and shipping labels.

Do you work in conjunction with a 3PL service? There may be an extension available in the marketplace or directly from their website They may also design an integration that is custom-built for you.

4. It should be easy for the customer to know where their orders are located

The process of shipping your order online does not stop after you have dropped the package off. Indeed, many most effective opportunities to provide good customer service occur after your order is in the post!

Customers should be able to easily know where their purchase is always at hand and also know when they can expect it to arrive. This is especially important if your products are frequently purchased as gifts.

5. Consider return shipments

While no one likes to consider returning items but they occur. And if you accept exchanges or returns, it's important to have a plan that is in place.

Shipping - profit!

It's time to begin shipping! Make sure you adapt your shipping strategy as you go and make modifications as you discover more about your customers. Eventually, you'll quickly discover the solutions that will benefit relationships with customers as well as your bottom line.

There are several methods to deal with ecommerce shipping. It is possible to do it yourself or partner with a logistics business and drop ship items directly from a manufacturer. To make these decisions it is important to think about, in part, which companies are readily available in each case and if they're able to handle your needs.

Some ecommerce shipping carriers limit the products they'll send, like specific regulations that apply to specific kinds of material. In addition, if you wish to ship internationally, you'll have locate a company that is able to reach the regions you'd like to target.

The option is to transfer charges for shipping to customers as well as cover all or part of it you. There's pros and cons for any method and you could decide to test it over the course of the course of time. If you decide to opt to charge shipping, you could calculate rates in a variety of options ranging From flat rates to table rates to even liveprices in real time generated by your shipping provider.

And, regardless of which method you pick to set the e-commerce shipping system, has the tools to handle everything. Take advantage of extensions for shipping products cheaply effectively, quickly and securely so your happy customers stay satisfied and your business is running efficiently. Need more information? Check out our ecommerce shipping documentation.