Small businesses or startups face a lot of challenges in their starting days. From arranging funds and planning meetings with investors to focusing on product management and delivery – there are plenty on the list. Among them, the shipping costs can be a difficult thing to manage. With every year, these costs keep rising. Regardless, there are a few things business owners can do in order to reduce these costs.
Hiring shipping services for a small business is one of them. However, some other things also come on the list.
Read this article to learn about the top five ways for small businesses to reduce such costs.
1. Reduce Package Dimensions as much as possible
The first step to saving money on shipping costs is to reduce the size of your packaging. Use a lighter-weight box, but ensure it’s still sturdy enough to protect your product. Smaller boxes are always better than gigantic ones regarding transportation costs. If you have small products that can be shipped in padded envelopes or bubble mailers instead of boxes, do that as much as possible!
Use an excellent cushioning material. You can use old newspapers, bubble wrap, or air pillows to protect your product during transportation. The cost of this will be less than if you had to pay for more expensive materials like foam packing peanuts.
2. Avoid Transporting Small Items to Faraway Places
Transporting small items to faraway places is expensive, so avoid it whenever possible. If your business or startup is just getting started, focus first on the local market. The idea is to find a niche and create a brand that people will remember. The more confident you are, the easier it will be to stand out from your competitors.
Once you have a proven brand, you can expand into other markets. You’ll also want to consider whether or not your business is scalable—that is, whether it can be easily replicated in different locations. If so, try expanding into new cities or countries and see how things go.
3. Create a Minimum Purchase Limit for Buyers
You may have noticed that Amazon has a minimum purchase limit for buyers. The minimum amount you can order is $25, and it must be eligible for free shipping. It’s because the more items you buy in one transaction, the less it costs them to ship each item.
So, creating a minimum purchase limit may be beneficial if your business is small and lacks cash flow or working capital. This encourages customers to buy more and helps you save on shipping costs.
4. Compare Prices of different Service Providers
Compare prices of different service providers to find low-cost shipping services. However, it takes time and effort to research them.
Look for free transportation options, discounts, special offers, and free returns. Some service providers offer discounted rates on specific days of the week or month, while others have special deals running all year long that can save you money compared with regular rates.
5. Partner with a Freight Transportation Company
Partner with a professional freight transportation company. Freight shipping companies can help you cut costs by consolidating your deliveries, eliminating excess packaging, and reducing the time needed for each delivery.
Find a company that offers the best value for money and customer service. Choosing a company that provides affordable and affordable services is essential.
Also, prefer the ones with a good reputation and track record so that they provide better security than those relatively unknown in their field of operation.
Wrapping Up
If you are looking for shipping services for a small business, partner with a professional freight transportation company. Shipping is one of the most critical factors to consider when selling online. It can make or break a business, so finding the right shipping company that offers affordable rates is essential.
Also read: Same Day Delivery Can Help You Beat The Shipping Blues
