Freight shipping remains one of the few thriving industries thanks to the internet bringing buyers and sellers from across the world closer together. Consumers are now more willing and able to make their purchases from anywhere in the world. For small businesses, online sales have become a lucrative revenue stream as it allows them to tap into a much larger market.
To fulfill orders, these businesses must partner with a suitable freight shipper who has the necessary machinery and logistics to deliver items to their destinations in good time. E-commerce can be highly profitable but requires good decisions as a misstep can easily cost you your reputation. Late deliveries, damaged contents, and having to facilitate returns can cause a business serious damage.
Another key consideration is the cost of shipping. To remain competitive, it is vital to find low-cost freight shipping companies to work with. In this way, you can retain a good profit margin and continue to attract strong sales. Here are some tips on how to achieve this.
Use Lightweight Fitted Packaging
Packaging can strongly influence the cost of shipping. It is ideal to make use of customized shipping boxes that better fit the cargo being sent out. This will better secure the contents of the box and ensure a reduced sizing and weight that will lower shipping quotes. Lightweight packaging materials like corrugated boxes are preferable than options like plywood and plastic containers as they remain strong even with a lighter construction.
Review Your Selection of Shippers
Certain factors can affect how different freight shipping companies will price their services. From insurance to fuel cost in the different regions they operate, you will likely find that some companies offer better deals than others. Consider using different providers for different locations and types of freight. Mixing and matching can help lower your overall costs while still providing this much-needed service to your clients.
Incorporate Shipping Costs in Pricing
Rather than cover all the costs of freight services as a separate component when invoicing clients, consider incorporating this cost in your product pricing. This is a more discreet way of passing on the cost to your customers without hitting your bottom line too hard. You will need to do a bit of research to work out the figures. Try to add a few dollars to your best selling products to cover this cost without directly quoting a high figure for shipping and delivery costs to the client.