2Ship’s Ecommerce Shipping Tips: Do's and Don'ts - 2Ship

Ecommerce Shipping Tips

Entering the world of ecommerce can be an exciting and rewarding experience. If you’re just getting started, it’s essential to understand the basic do’s and don’ts of shipping packages to ensure smooth operations and customer satisfaction. In this article, we’ll provide you with essential ecommerce shipping tips, best practices, and insights to help you get started on the right foot and overcome common challenges along the way.

1. Packaging and Labeling Best Practices

• Do: Use sturdy packaging materials suitable for the contents of your orders. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and corrugated boxes can protect your products during transit.
• Don’t: Use damaged or reused packaging materials, as they may compromise the integrity of your shipments.
• Do: Don’t forget to include a packing slip or invoice inside the package. This will help customers identify their order and serve as a reference for customer service queries. 2Ship can be set to automatically print you a packing slip for every order you process.

2Ship will also provide you with your shipping labels that you need to stick on each package you send out.No matter what shipping service you select for your order, 2Ship will produce the labels you need to print and put on your packages. Our labels clearly show the customer’s address, your return address, and all other information the courier / carrier needs to get your package to your customer. Just make sure the label is affixed securely to your package.

2. Choosing a Shipping Service

• 2Ship provides a streamlined experience, easy label creation, and discounted rates with many couriers for all our clients.

• With 2Ship you can instantly compare all available shipping services to find the best fit for every order. You will have full visibility to cost, reliability, delivery speed, and tracking options for every service.

• Don’t: Solely rely on the cheapest option; consider the value provided by the carrier and the level of service your customers expect. This is why 2Ship calculates and displays the on-time performance of every service for the specific route your order will take. Some couriers are much better delivering to certain areas than others, which is why its so important to have route specific stats when making your decision.

• Don’t: Overlook the importance of insurance coverage for your orders especially when they include valuable or fragile items. 2Ship has assessed each carrier’s insurance policies and calculates the additional coverage charges as well. You simply enter the value you wish to protect and we’ll show you what that costs with each carrier and service.

3. Package Weight AND Dimensions

• Simply put, incorrect measurements will result in additional fees!
• Do: Accurately measure AND weigh your packages before shipping AND don’t underestimate the weight or size of your packages.
• Most carriers charge based on the size of the package to account for the space occupied in their vehicles. This is called the Dimensional Weight, Volume Weight or Billed Weight of your order.
• Adding Dimensions is especially important for bulky packages that are light in weight.
• Don’t: Forget to include any packaging materials when measuring dimensions, as carriers consider the total package size.
• Delivery delays and returned items are also possible if measurements are not entered accurately.
• Note that that all carriers calculate dimensional weight differently!
• 2Ship calculates the dimensional weight for every carrier and service it offers to ensure the rates you see are accurate and all inclusive.
• In short, you enter accurate information, 2Ship finds you the best service for the best price.

4. Customs and International Shipping:

• Do: Familiarize yourself with international shipping regulations, customs documentation requirements, and restricted/prohibited items for specific countries.

• Do: Accurately complete customs forms, including detailed descriptions and values of the contents. This ensures smooth customs clearance and avoids unnecessary delays.

• Don’t: Overlook the importance of researching and understanding any additional taxes, duties, or import fees that may apply to your international shipments.

• Don’t: Forget to provide accurate and complete contact information for both the sender and recipient on international shipments, as customs officials may need to contact you or your customer.

• Don’t: Forget that 2Ship helps with all the above. We make sure you enter all the required information each time you send orders to other countries. We prompt you for all the information needed for each item in the order. We estimate Duties and Taxes if you have the required information for each item in the order, so you and your customer know the full Landed Costs ahead of time. We also produce all the customs paperwork required so there is nothing else you need to do but print and attach them to your order.

5. Customer Service and Communication:

• Do: Provide clear and transparent shipping information to your customers, including estimated delivery times and any potential delays or disruptions.

• Do: Promptly respond to customer inquiries and concerns regarding their shipments. Clear communication helps build trust and loyalty.

• Don’t: Make promises you can’t keep regarding delivery times or shipping capabilities. Set realistic expectations and manage customer expectations accordingly.

• Don’t: Overlook the importance of tracking numbers. Always provide tracking information to your customers, allowing them to monitor their shipments.

With a couple of settings in place, 2Ship becomes your customer communication solution. Every time you ship an order, 2Ship automatically notifies your customer and provide them with all the information they need to track their order. This includes the expected delivery date and time and a button to simply click for the latest tracking information, which includes where their order is in real time. Additional communications are sent if there are any exceptions or delays along the way. We keep your customers informed to keep them happy and minimize the resources you need to deal with customer service enquiries.

By following these do’s and don’ts, you will establish a strong foundation for successful order fulfillment and customer satisfaction. Remember, paying attention to packaging, choosing the right shipping service, accurately measuring packages, understanding customs procedures, and providing excellent customer service are key elements in your journey to becoming a successful online business. Embrace the 2Ship solution and we’ll continuously help you improve your shipping practices to ensure a smooth and efficient ecommerce experience for both you and your customers.