Shipping is one of the most significant expenses for any small business aiming to provide a cost-effective delivery service while still getting orders quickly. This article will list plenty of tips and tricks to help you reduce your shipping costs.
1. Reduce the Weight of The Package.
Packaging plays a vital role in shipping costs. Packages are generally weighed according to the product packaging, so packaging the product as light as possible is essential. An excellent example of this would be putting the fragile items in a bubble wrap envelope and then putting them inside a box with cushioning material.
2. Get A Suitable Shipping Carrier.
While the service can be tailored to your requirements, there are generally four leading shipping carriers in Australia: FedEx, TNT, Australia Post and GoPeople. It is crucial to choose a suitable carrier for your business depending on what it is you’re selling and what your prices are. For example, if you’re only selling retail products that may not be expensive enough to justify a direct shipping method, then one of the prominent carriers would probably be best suited; however, if you’re selling something more expensive or of a higher value – then choosing GoPeople may be a good option for you.
3. Read the Shipping Price Carefully.
It is important to note that if you’re buying a product in retail and want it shipped to several states, they are chargeable again, as they can be seen as separate shipments. This can sometimes mean higher costs when it comes to shipping. For example, if you were only buying one item of clothing and had another product shipped along with it. However, if you were purchasing them separately or at a different time of the year, this may lower shipping costs for items purchased separately
4. Get Package Insurance.
Package insurance is often standard with some carriers, but it is always worth checking before you purchase your shipping label. This is especially important when ordering expensive products that could cause severe damage if they get damaged in transit – or should there be any breakages.
5. Offer Local Delivery or Pickup.
Offering local delivery will help your small business by reducing shipping charges and providing you with more customers and sales.
Shipping costs are unavoidable for any business in Australia, and understanding how to reduce shipping costs can only benefit you financially in the long term. You can take some simple steps to help you with your shipping needs and reduce your costs, such as proper packaging of products or the use of a courier.