The shipping company your business uses plays a pivotal role in your future success and growth rate. Order delays and shipment damages can cause you to lose business. For any aspiring business owner, here are five tips for choosing a shipping company that’s right for your product.
Shipping Rate
A lot of businesses, specifically small ones, think that they aren’t big enough to haggle down prices with when choosing a shipping company, but they actually can. With websites like iShip and InterShipper, it’s easier to conduct a thorough comparison shopping based on the size, weight, and location of where you need to deliver your products. How much you pay for shipping your items to customers will affect how much you ultimately charge them, so it’s important to get the best and lowest rate possible.
Security
If you are thinking of going with a local shipping company, be sure to check if they have the necessary licenses and permits to operate in your location. Moreover, see if they are bonded and insured. Different areas around the country have seen an increase in the number of semi truck accidents lately, so you should make sure the company is able to recover and quickly resume operations. Also, any damages to your shipment should be reimbursed by the company so you don’t have to pay for those expenses out of your own pocket.
Speed
Customers are very critical when it comes to timely delivery of their orders. Even being a day late from your promised delivery date can turn off repeat business and affect your long-term growth. See if your prospective shipping company has any rush service options, such as overnight or same-day delivery. For local shipments, most companies have a two- to three-hour express delivery option.
Container Type
Figure out what cargo container you’ll need for your product. This depends on how big and heavy your shipments are. Containers come in different sizes, ranging from 20 to 50 feet. Shipping bags of fruit candies may require a different container than those who are shipping pet crates or computer monitors, so make sure the company has the type of container you need.
Extra Tools and Services
Look for extra perks, convenient features, and add-ons that offer additional security for your shipments. Cargo tracking tools, for instance, are now available free of charge to both retail and commercial clients. This provides some peace of mind and an added level of comfort when you can track where your shipments are. Other similar services can make one company stand out from the rest when choosing a shipping company.
These tips will help you filter out the dozens of local and international shippers in operation today. Ultimately, you’ll want to focus on choosing a shipping company that is perfectly aligned with your budget and shipment size. In addition to shipping your product, there are other important decisions you’ll make before bringing it to market, including product packaging and branding. If you have questions about any of these steps, contact the marketing experts at Refined Impact for guidance!
