How to Reduce Shipping Costs for Your Business
Supply and logistics are the core of any business activity. Therefore, all business firms must ensure that they expedite delivery mechanisms so that their end users get the products of their choice on time without failing the deadline.
Once a customer has booked their order for particular goods online, the company or the firm needs to respect the deadline. It means a company should always try to ensure the delivery of the said products within the stipulated time as mentioned online or in its terms and conditions. If you fail to do so, it can impact your business.
It comes with a price. If you want to expedite your supply chain management and logistics process, your shipping cost will be high. No doubt, high shipping costs can have an impact on your overall ROI.
Firms need to find innovative ways through which they can gradually bring down the overall shipping cost.
Here are some useful tips that firms can follow to reduce the shipping cost of their business.
Pay Attention To Your Packaging
The size and weight of the package matter a lot. The shipping price is charged on the basis of the size and weight of the consignment. Minimal product packaging is trending these days. It aims to minimize your package’s size without affecting the product inside the container. You can talk to your carrier about the possible packaging materials they provide to clients free of cost.
Using these freebies (free packaging boxes and materials) can help merchants save a lot of bucks that would’ve otherwise increased their shipping charges.
Choose the Right Logistics Partner
When it comes to supply chain and logistics, you can’t take any chance. Choosing the right partner or shipping carrier is important. Also, you should never hesitate to ask for discounts and rebates when the volume of the consignment is big.
If you are looking for a carrier or logistics partner with a nationwide presence across Australia, you can contact Ontime Group for more information.
A reliable shipping and delivery partner will ensure the smooth and safe consignment of goods from one part of the country to another. It can improve your ROI and the overall shipping cost as well.
Scrutinize Your Shipping Bills
You may have to pay a wide variety of shipping charges for your consignment. It’s ideal to directly contact your shipping partner and get to know about it. However, you shouldn’t go beyond the estimated figure the carrier has given.
Before hiring a carrier, you must understand their charges, fees, and additional costs. Under any circumstances, don’t pay any hidden charges, as it can affect the ROI of the business.
Go for Flat Rate Shipping
When it comes to paying shipping charges, always insist on your carrier for a flat rate shipping. It is the best way to bring down your shipping cost. Under flat-rate shipping, you have to pay a standard shipping charge irrespective of the quantity or volume of the order.
For example, if a carrier charges 100-AUD per order, you have to pay the same amount irrespective of the number of goods or products you ship to end users.
Use Packages of the Carrier
Your carrier should provide you necessary boxes and packaging materials. But if you use your own boxes and other materials, the carrier or your shipping partner can charge some additional fee.
Using your own packaging material can be brilliant for branding and promotion, but it can also invite additional costs. That’s why you should always seek the opinion of your shipping partner to avoid paying for these charges.
Choose Third-party Insurance
Many firms opt for shipping insurance from the company they hire for consignment. But it’s costly. You can instead choose third-party insurance for the consigned goods. The rate of insuring the consignment can be much less than what you would’ve to pay the shipping company for it.
In Conclusion
When your supply chain and delivery mechanism are alright, it helps you stay ahead of your competitors. But, on the other hand, if you don’t streamline your shipping process, it can badly affect your reputation in the market.
You must ensure on-time delivery of ordered products to end users without fuss. In such a scenario, it’s always brilliant to team up with a reliable delivery partner who can take care of your logistics. So why should you wait anymore? Contact your delivery partner today for further assistance.