When you initially start selling online, shipping may not seem like a big deal. But as people become more familiar with your brand, orders begin to flood in and shipping will become a daunting task. No matter how big or how small your online business may be, business shipments play a big role in your business’s success.
You may have a user-friendly website, sell excellent products, or even employ brilliant marketing professionals to help you reach your target audience, but none of that really matters unless you can offer your customers a fast, safe, and secure delivery experience.
And even if you’re not fully liable for any dents or damages that may happen during delivery, the buyer is most likely to blame the bad condition on you.
So, without further ado, here are some tips to ensure the safety of your business shipments whether you’re sending them locally or internationally:
1. Choose Your Packaging Wisely
Typically, you’ll need a sturdy box to keep the inside safe. If you’re delivering something fragile, go for corrugated cardboard since it’s one of the most durable shipping box materials. Also, be careful when reusing boxes that you think are in good condition. During shipment, used boxes are more prone to collapse or open. As a result, products may be lost, damaged, or delayed.
On the other hand, mailing envelopes and bubble mailers are excellent choices for shipping anything flexible and light. They’re cheaper to acquire and send compared to boxes. Also, you won’t need any more supplies like packaging tape to protect your goods since most mailing envelopes have their own peel-and-seal fasteners.
Another thing to ponder about is the size. Surely, you’ll go with one that is slightly larger than your goods. Your container should be large enough to include cushioning materials, but not so huge that you’re spending more on shipping charges. A very huge package could be a red flag in international customs, it might even be held by a customs broker Sydney.
Likewise, with a smaller container, your things will be more prone to any bumps and dents that may happen during the shipment since there is no space available for movement.
2. Focus On The Inside
It takes more than picking the perfect box or container to properly pack your products. Although presentation is everything, securing your goods is a top priority. When you pack your products, try to focus more on the inside. For instance, leaving a lot of room inside boxes with fragile objects is prone to damage.
So, fill the void in your packages with peanuts or bubble wrap to help support fragile goods during transportation. In addition, corrugated wrap or even old newspaper can help protect your goods in the container.
For less fragile goods, you can use a more attractive filler like paper shreds or confetti. Furthermore, lighter and flexible goods may not require any fillers at all. After you’ve finished packing your goods, give your box a little shake to check if it’s secure. If nothing moves, seal it and it’s ready to send!
3. Pick The Best Delivery Service
You can do your best in packing orders, but the courier service you select may let you down in the end. Choose a courier service that can assist you in maintaining a good standard in online businesses. Integrity and professionalism are among some of the qualities you should look for in a courier service.
If you’re shipping overseas, you’ll need to check with your courier service provider to see if they can manage it. You should also inquire about their safety procedures and whether or not the products in route will be insured. And lastly, see if they can provide special delivery services to fragile or big products to send.
4. Have Your Packages Insured
Anything can happen after an order has been sent. If an order is lost or destroyed during the shipment, it might result in financial losses. However, if you had your packages insured beforehand, you will be compensated with an amount depending on the declared value of the package.
So, consider having your packages insured especially if you sell products with a high value and price. There’s always a chance that things can be lost or damaged in delivery, so having a financial safety net might help you and your company from losses.
5. Employ Proper Documentation
To ensure a safe and effective delivery, you must document everything from the beginning to the completion. The first you’ll need is the sender’s information as well as the recipient’s information since you’ll be using this when you send out the package. Additionally, inspect the condition of the products being delivered before packing them.
All of these should be recorded in your documentation. To verify the conditions recorded on your shipment documentation, the sender must sign. And when the recipient receives the package, they should check to see if it is in great condition. This way, legal issues can be avoided.
6. Establish Good Communication
Communication is an important aspect of quality control. You’ll need to communicate with your warehouse as well as your clients on a regular basis. Your customers will be more relaxed once they know the condition of their package or where it currently is. On the courier’s side, they will be more careful with the items if they know there is regular communication going on.
If the warehouse is full, you can suspend new orders and inform the customers until an additional room is available. Phoning or emailing your customer’s chosen warehouse is the fastest way to contact them. Any other method may cause replies to be delayed.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, if you own an online business, packaging is important for both safety and presentation. Inability to properly prepare or ship products can lead to damage, loss, expensive replacement orders, and dissatisfied consumers. So, as a business owner, keep these tips in mind to ensure the safety of your business shipments.
Author Bio
Mara Short is a freight specialist. She has been in the industry for more than 5 years now. She shares her skills and expertise through guest blogging. During her free time, she enjoys yoga, reading, and cooking.