Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Shipping

19 min read

For quite some time now, shipping costs have been a major obstacle for many ecommerce businesses, taking a toll on their bottom line. When it comes to shipping your products, several factors, including packaging materials and weight, can drive costs. If you’re not careful, these costs can quickly accumulate, leading to unnecessary extra fees.

이 기사에서, we’ll share the top 10 ways you can save money on shipping. From leveraging technology to embracing strategic packaging practices, 당신은 할 수 있습니다 reduce shipping costs, enhance your business, and maintain financial prudence and efficiency.

Let’s dive in!

Optimize Your Packaging

요즘에는, packaging goes beyond being confined to boxes or cartons. It impacts product reliability, quality, speed, 배송비, and flexibility. You can save money for your business if you use less material and optimize your packaging.

추가적으로, since more and more companies are going green, it is best to utilize more environmentally friendly packing supplies, which can have longer life cycles and have less of an impact on the environment.

Here are some ways to optimize your packaging and reduce shipping costs:

선택하다 lightweight and custom packaging materials to reduce package weight.
Reduce the dimensional weight (height, 너비, 길이) of your packaging. You can do this by choosing smaller boxes, eliminating filler materials (e.g., packing peanuts or bubble wrap), and arranging the items efficiently. Minimizing empty spaces and using packaging tailored to the product’s size can significantly reduce dimensional weight. It is very unnecessary to send a little product in a huge box.
Try using corrugated boxes, as they are sturdier and cheaper (boxes that are shaped with ridges or folds).

Speaking of more sustainable options, Samsung introduced eco-friendly packaging made from corrugated cardboard boxes that can be repurposed as cat furniture, shelves, and other common household items.

Samsung’s packaging is recyclable but also reusable

Go For Discounted Supplies

It’s worth looking into discounted shipping supplies as they can have a substantial impact on your shipping expenses. By taking advantage of sales and discounts, you can stock up on packaging supplies such as boxes, 줄자, and any packing material at a lower cost.

We suggest performing a sales forecast for the next quarter and stocking up on supplies in advance. This can ultimately lead to more competitive pricing for your products and allow you to save on avoidable costs in the future.

Go For Bulk Purchases

In addition to finding discounted packaging materials, another way to save money on shipping is to purchase in bulk. Buying in bulk saves money in the long term since you obtain a lower overall cost when you buy more at once. It also guarantees that you always have enough supplies on hand to fulfill requests quickly, reducing the need for reordering.

Buying in bulk also avoids the risk of sudden cost spikes, as material cost fluctuations can wreck a business’s bottom line. 추가적으로, it allows for more accessible organization and storage of shipping supplies, making the entire shipping process more efficient.

전반적인, buying shipping supplies in bulk is a smart investment for any business looking to streamline its shipping processes and save money.

Use Discounted Shipping Carriers

Shipping discounts directly impact profit margins, allowing for competitive pricing and potential sales growth. These discounted shipping rates can also offer customers attractive incentives, such as free or discounted shipping, enhancing their appeal.

Online businesses have many options when looking at discounted shipping rates:

Using shipping calculators for accurate estimates
Taking advantage of bulk shipping options
Negotiate shipping rates based on shipping volumes
Join shipping loyalty programs and other exclusive discounts
Stay informed about seasonal promotions and special offers from shipping carriers.

Discounted shipping carriers vary by location, and a quick Google search for ‘discounted shipping near me’ should give you some great options to choose from.

Ecwid by Lightspeed로 온라인 판매하는 경우, buying discounted shipping labels for your orders is easy. You can actually do that right in your Ecwid admin! 이 방법, purchasing and printing shipping labels is as cheap, efficient, and convenient as possible.

주문을 관리하는 곳에서 바로 배송 라벨을 구매하세요

Learn more about the process in our article below:

If you’re just getting started with your store, you’ll also find this instruction on initial shipping setup helpful.

Offer Customers Shipping Advantages Strategically

Strategically providing customers with perks is essential when shipping packages. In a competitive market, emphasizing all shipping benefits is critical for increasing sales, retention, and brand perception.

Here are some of the strategic ways to provide shipping advantages to enhance the customer shopping experience:

Implement tiered shipping choices, providing customers faster delivery for a premium price or more affordable solutions for customers on a tighter budget (당신은 알고 계십니까 88% 소비자의 will pay for same-day delivery?)
만들다 free shipping thresholds to encourage larger purchases
Introduce hassle-free returns with prepaid shipping labels, boosting customer confidence
Collaborate with loyalty programs to grant shipping perks, incentivizing repeat purchases
Regularly communicate shipping updates and provide tracking information for transparency.

Tailoring the shipping strategy to customer preferences creates a competitive edge and nurtures customer loyalty, leading to a stronger brand relationship and sustained growth.

예를 들어, the online fashion retailer, Fashion Nova, offers free 1-day shipping for orders more than $100. This encourages customers to increase their cart size for free and quick delivery.

Fashion Nova offers free shipping on certain orders

If you’d like to encourage customers to add more products to the cart to get free shipping, you can do so by adding a promo bar or using the apps from the Ecwid App Market. Check out apps like Free Shipping Bar 그리고 AOV Progress Bar.

Protect Your Shipments

Shipping insurance is an ideal way to safeguard investments and provide peace of mind. Shipping insurance protects against loss, damage, or theft during transit, ensuring you are not financially burdened if unforeseen incidents occur.

While a small business must pay for insurance, it is less expensive than paying for all shipping charges and other potential losses. Aside from saving money on shipping costs, it increases customer trust because customers prefer to buy from stores that offer insurance-backed deliveries. We all need a little reassurance.

To choose the ideal shipment protection, you can consider these elements:

Assess your shipping volume, product value, and risk tolerance
Research reputable insurance providers and carriers that are offering comprehensive coverage for specific items
Compare deductibles, coverage limits, and premium insurance costs to find a balanced option
Read policy terms carefully, taking note of exclusions and claim processes
Prioritize providers with transparent claims handling and positive customer reviews.

그런데, when you buy shipping labels in your Ecwid admin, you can see if a label’s price includes insurance:

Shipping labels with insurance will have a note about it

Use Flat-Rate Shipping Rates

Flat-rate shipping is a pricing method where a fixed fee is charged regardless of the package’s weight, 크기, or distance to be traveled. It offers simplicity and predictability, making it easier for sellers and customers to estimate shipping costs.

This method is beneficial for sending items of various sizes within a predefined packaging type. While it might not always be the most economical choice for all shipments, it can be advantageous for heavier or bulkier items, providing cost savings compared to standard shipping rates.

You can maximize flat-rate shipping benefits with these helpful steps:

Fit the expensive items or heavy packages into the predetermined packaging, utilizing cost predictability.
Upgrade packaging to maximize space within the box. 예를 들어, when you’re shipping shoes. You can upgrade packaging by using shoeboxes that fit each pair snugly, stacking them efficiently, and adding shoe inserts to prevent movement. This minimizes wasted space, reduces shipping costs, and keeps the shoes protected, all while optimizing space within the box.
Promote flat-rate shipping’s perks to customers, emphasizing convenience and savings.
Consider using it for free shipping offers to boost order values.
Regularly review its suitability based on market trends and customer preferences.

Ecwid를 통해 온라인으로 판매하는 경우, here’s how to set up flat-rate shipping 온라인 상점에서.

You can set up flat rates per item or order

또한: 6 비용을 절약하기 위해 USPS 패딩 봉투와 함께 배송할 수 있는 것들

Compare Shipping Costs

You should always do your research and compare shipping fees to maximize profit margins and customer satisfaction. You can determine the cheapest way to ship packages for specific products and destinations by comparing rates from multiple carriers.

결과적으로, you can offer competitive shipping charges and prevent excessive delivery costs.

Comparing costs ensures customers receive affordable and efficient shipping, enhancing their shopping experience. 뿐만 아니라, it enables you to adjust to shifting market conditions, maintain competition, and allocate resources wisely.

To accurately compare shipping rates, you should follow these steps:

Gather the necessary details about the shipment, such as shipping destination address (mainly when you ship internationally)
Get quotes from multiple shipping companies, especially major carriers, to identify your shipment’s most competitive rates. Many of them provide shipping calculators on their website
Include any extra fees like fuel surcharges, residential delivery charges, or special handling fees
Compare the delivery speeds, such as priority shipping, expedited shipping, and fast shipping, choosing the most suitable shipping method that aligns with the shipment urgency
언제 shipping internationally, it is important to think about customs duties, 구실, potential delays, and higher shipping costs. These vary greatly between carriers, so keep an eye out.

Ecwid 매장이 있는 경우, it’s easy to compare shipping rates using the apps from the Ecwid App Market.

Comparing rates using the ShippingEasy 앱

Take Advantage Of Online Shipping Tools

Ecommerce shipping tools are web-based platforms streamlining the process of managing and optimizing shipping operations. These tools offer real-time rate comparison across multiple shipping companies, shipping label generation, tracking, and order management. This shipping software enables you to access options easily, choose the most affordable methods, and print labels directly from your computer.

These tools enhance efficiency, cut costs, and help you provide reliable and cost-effective shipping solutions for your customers.

그런데, Ecwid에서, you can set up real-time shipping rates in your online store. 이 방법, customers will see real-time rates at checkout and pay the exact shipping cost. Learn how to set up real-time carrier rates at checkout in our Help Center.

Most major carriers and shipping companies offer different shipping software to their clients, but the common ones are:

Shipping calculators: This shipping software provides real-time shipping cost calculations based on package size, 무게, and shipping destination.
Label generation: This shipping software allows you to create and print labels without issues, reducing manual data entry and minimizing errors.
Address validation: This shipping software can verify and correct recipient addresses, avoiding delivery issues and potential returns.
Tracking and notifications: Tracking and automated notifications keep you and your customers updated about delivery progress.
Ecommerce platform integrations: Find shipping software that seamlessly integrates with popular ecommerce platforms, streamlining order processing and label generation.
Returns management: This can help you facilitate the return management of shipments, making the process smoother for both you and your customers.

Reduce Shipping Costs by Consolidating Shipments

Shipment consolidation involves combining multiple smaller shipments into a single, larger shipment before transportation. This shipping strategy optimizes shipping efficiency by reducing the number of individual loads and maximizing space utilization.

예를 들어, consider an electronics ecommerce business receiving orders from various customers. They have several orders with individual items to be shipped to the same city. Instead of sending each order separately, the ecommerce business consolidated the shipments. They compiled the items from different orders, properly packaged them together, and created a single shipment load. This consolidated shipment is then sent to the destination city.

Customers receive consolidated shipments through various methods: pick-up from distribution centers, last-mile delivery, store pickup, locker systems, or residential delivery. The chosen method depends on the shipper’s logistics and customer preferences:

Pick up from the distribution centers: Orders are first shipped to a central distribution hub where they are consolidated. Customers can choose to pick up their orders from the center or have them delivered from there.
Last-mile delivery: After consolidation, orders are sent to a local distribution hub, where they are then dispatched to customers’ addresses via traditional last-mile delivery services.
Retail store pickup: Some retailers offer the option for customers to pick up their consolidated orders at a nearby physical store. Here’s how to set up an in-store pickup Ecwid 매장용.
Locker delivery: In certain regions, shippers may use locker systems for consolidated shipments, where customers receive a unique code to retrieve their packages from a secure locker.
Residential delivery: In cases where consolidation happens en route, customers will receive their consolidated orders at their doorstep through standard residential delivery services.

This can help you save money and lower shipping costs, 운송업체에서는 통합 배송에 대해 대량 할인 요금을 제공하는 경우가 많습니다.. 추가적으로, 통합으로 인해 운송 횟수가 줄어들어 환경에 미치는 영향이 최소화됩니다..

이 접근 방식은 동일한 목적지로 소량의 상품을 배송하는 기업에 유용합니다., 비용 효율적이고 환경적으로 책임 있는 운송 관행을 유지하면서 규모의 경제 혜택을 누릴 수 있습니다..

다음의 간단한 단계에 따라 발송물을 효과적으로 통합할 수 있습니다.:

미리 계획하기

Planning before consolidating shipments ensures efficient grouping, proper packaging, and smooth logistics, minimizing delays and errors and maximizing cost-saving benefits for sellers.

Check Shipping Policies

It is crucial to check the consolidation services’ shipping policies, as it ensures compatibility with your needs, clarifies rules on package types, 무게, and prohibited items, and helps sellers make wise decisions.

Group Similar Destinations

Grouping packages reduces routing complexities, optimizes delivery routes, 운송 시간을 최소화합니다.. 이러한 효율적인 접근 방식은 적시 배송을 보장하는 동시에 통합 배송을 통해 배송 비용을 잠재적으로 절감함으로써 고객 만족도를 향상시킵니다..

도착 시간 조정

도착 시간을 조정하면 판매자가 지연 없이 효율적으로 품목을 결합할 수 있습니다., 보관 비용 최소화, 포장을 최적화하고.

포장 고려사항

사려 깊은 포장으로 안전한 품목 취급 보장, 병합 및 운송 중 손상 방지, 공간 효율성을 극대화하고. It ensures that items arrive in perfect condition, assuring customer satisfaction and reducing any additional costs.

Label Clearly

Well-labeled packages enable efficient handling, reduce errors, and maintain order accuracy throughout the consolidation process, leading to smooth logistics and satisfied customers.

Provide Instructions

Providing clear guidelines helps consolidation services combine packages accurately and efficiently. Instructions ensure items are grouped accordingly, minimizing errors, optimizing packaging, and facilitating a seamless consolidation.

Shipping Cost Considerations

Awareness of expenses guides decisions, ensuring that consolidation remains economically beneficial while maintaining quality shipping services.

Documentation and Customs

Properly completed documents ensure compliance with regulations, preventing delays or issues at customs. Accurate paperwork facilitates efficient customs clearance, minimizing the risk of disruptions and ensuring smooth delivery to international customers.

배송비 절약 시작하기

Shipping is expensive, but it does not have to destroy your margins. You’ll be surprised at how low your shipping expenses can get once you optimize your operations.

By following the tips we’ve detailed in this article, you should learn how to minimize shipping costs, optimize your resources, and choose the best possible service, all while keeping your customers happy.

온라인 판매

With Ecwid Ecommerce, you can easily sell anywhere, 누구에게나 — 인터넷과 전 세계에서.

시작하다

Selling Online

Nov 9, 2023

About the author

Diana Zheng leads the growth marketing initiatives at Stallion Express, Canada’s #1 shipping company. As a personal trainer turned digital marketer, Diana is obsessed with equipping ecommerce entrepreneurs with everything they need to scale their online businesses. In her spare time, you can find her doing yoga or hitting the tennis courts.