As a small home business owner, it’s important that you’re able to find value in your business venture and reduce expenses wherever you can without compromising the quality of your products. If you’re selling goods that need to be delivered to customers in different parts of the country, it’s important to establish and maintain efficiency to ensure successful operations.
There is no doubt that shipping is one of the biggest challenges for small businesses. Below, we discuss some vital tips that will help you streamline your shipping process to meet customer needs.
Invest in Brand Packaging and Labels
Packaging is one of the areas of your small business you can’t afford to ignore. While you may just be starting out, putting a simple and memorable brand name to your product packaging will help you connect with customers. The right labels and packaging can make a huge difference to your business.
Branded packaging simply offers your business an opportunity to make a good impression to your customers and also reassert your brand value. It makes you look professional and puts your small home business at par with other competitors looking to make an impression.
Consider Pallet Delivery
Pallet delivery is one of the best, most reliable and convenient shipping options available to small business owners today. This method involves putting goods onto a pallet and securing them with straps or shrink wrap and then delivering them using a pallet delivery service. Why should you consider this shipping option?
- Quicker handling of pallets ensuring faster delivery of your products
- Cost-effective mode of transport as you can ship many products on one pallet
- Efficient to handle with almost all types of material-handling equipment
- Better product protection
- Streamlines your business operations when you join a pallet delivery network
Companies that offer pallet deliveries also offer additional services like shipment pick-ups and tracking solutions, saving your business money and guaranteeing quick delivery.
Find the Right Carrier
Choosing the right shipping carrier is one of the most critical decisions for a small business. Does the carrier offer services all over the country? How much do they charge you? What routes do they use? Pricing will vary from carrier to carrier, depending on their specialties and services.
What you want is a delivery company that has a well-established distribution and delivery network. Some specialize in pallet deliveries and others handle heavier shipments. Plan ahead, as your business expands. Can the carrier meet your growing shipping requirements? The best carrier will provide the best shipping solutions to suit your product delivery needs.
Negotiate Shipping Prices
Shipping costs can be expensive if you’re not smart. Every dollar you get to save in shipping or transportation costs directly translates to an equal improvement in your financial performance. Negotiate shipping prices with your carrier and look for ways you can streamline your supply chain and distribution operations.
Consider quantifying how much your small home business is worth to a carrier, put a figure on that and leverage the best deal. If you’re new, look for a bulk carrier that offers specialized shipping services for small businesses. They’re likely to offer better shipping prices.
Plug All Operational Holes Before Expanding
Every business plans to expand their operations at one point or another. Before expanding your small home business, make sure you’ve sealed all shipping and operational holes. If you’re facing particular challenges with delivering products to specific areas of the country, maybe it’s time to rethink your options.
Reevaluate your return policy, as the costs associated with returns can be significant to small businesses. Make sure you plan to avoid costly shipping, operational or oversight problems that could have been avoided early enough. A good plan means avoiding logistical nightmares.
