eCommerce business around the world is growing faster than ever before. Due to the recent pandemic when the whole world was forced into a social lockdown, these eCommerce companies have kept the life running. Emerging from local to international now eCommerce businesses have the capacity of shipping worldwide and even to the most remote location in the world.
This article will give you a brief understanding of eCommerce shipping. We will help you comprehend how you can do it better and how it can help grow your business.
Running an eCommerce business is all about keeping your customers happy. Be it your products or be it the customer support you need to put in your 100% to increase your clientele. Among many aspects that are crucial for the success of your business, eCommerce shipping is something that must be on the top of your priority list.
According to AGOL Worldwide, if we look at a recent survey more than 77% of the buyers abandon their shopping carts just because of unsatisfactory shipping options. Either the package is arriving too late, or the cost of shipping is too much. Free shipping on the other hand attracts many buyers and it is a positive thing to have in your eCommerce store. Choosing the right shipping solution for your eCommerce store should be your top priority.
Ecommerce Shipping: What Options Do We Have?
Before setting up your eCommerce store you should consider getting this part of your business sorted. It doesn’t matter if your product is very lucrative you need the best shipping options to get the most out of your business.
- Overnight Shipping
Overnight shipping was once considered the least priority option for eCommerce stores but in recent years this has become the most preferred option. Major retailers like Amazon are also using the same option. 2 days delivery was the norm and retailers offering overnight shipping were among the top and preferred sellers.
- Same Day Delivery
Same-day delivery is even more preferred when it comes to online buying. This is how Amazon has taken the eCommerce business to the next level. Small scale eCommerce stores may not be able to do the same as it requires a substantial amount of extra effort at the end of the retailer.
If you can pull this highly coordinated effort you can for sure take your business to the next level. In a survey, 61% of the buyers are willing to pay extra if you are offering same-day delivery. Furthermore, online shoppers between the ages of 18 and 34 expect to see this option when shopping
- Two Day Shipping
A standard shipping option that is being used by 70% of the eCommerce industry. It’s economical and falls in the mid-range of the delivery period. Back in the time when Amazon started 2 days shipping it was considered the fasted shipping option because at that time others were offering 4 to 5 days shipping. If you are planning to start your eCommerce business, your standard shipping option should be 2-day shipping.
We have explained the term “Expedited Shipping” thoroughly. This option is only valid when you are shipping your goods across international borders. Shipping your goods to a different country takes a highly coordinated effort and it must fall under the budget. Retailers offering expedited shipping are more likely to get more sales from their international buyers.
- Expedited Shipping
Growing your business to facilitate international customers is a good way to take your eCommerce business to the next level. However, shipping your goods internationally poses a bigger challenge than local shipping. You will have to handle much more than just packing and moving. International logistics is the hardest part and if you are not experienced enough to pull this, you might end up losing money and customers.
- International Shipping
To get this done efficiently, you should have a reliable logistics partner who has experience in handling shipments in that particular country. This will reduce your efforts and you will be able to offer international shipping at an affordable price.
- Freight Delivery
Freight shipping is the slowest form of shipping, and it is used when your package weighs more than 150 LB and it is larger than 30 x 30 x 30 inches in size. Using freight delivery, you have the option to deliver your goods both by sea and by air.
eCommerce Shipping: Get your pricing right
As of now, we have described all the shipping options in detail. Now it is up to you how to get the right mix of strategies to get your pricing right. The shipping cost should not be on the higher side or your customer will leave the cart, it should not be too low and it will cost you money. It should be just right enough to balance both ends.
Factors that go into the calculation of shipping costs are as under:
- Package weight
- Value of goods
- Destination
- Dimensions
- Shipping speed
- Carrier
Here we will discuss the 3 most common ways to do the costing of your shipping.
Flat Rate
Using this model you will have to charge the same shipping price for a certain category of items. You can further divide the categories by weight, dimension, and destination. This is a simple model where some of your buyers will pay a little more than the actual cost while others might pay a little less.
Actual Carrier Rate
Simple yet very attractive and helpful this model will depict the actual shipping cost on your website. Using this model buyer will always cover the total shipping cost and this option also help the buyer choose among other options available.
Free Shipping
According to a survey, the holy grill of eCommerce shipping and according to a survey, 88% of the buyers like to see this option while shopping online. On one hand, it is facilitating the buyer but on the other hand, it is very difficult for the retailers. You must be doing the costing right to accommodate the shipping cost. If not done right this option will put you in the worst scenario.
Let Us Help You Explore The Shipping Options
Choosing the best eCommerce shipping option might be a challenge for you but our logistics experts do it every day for hundreds of customers across the globe. Contact Us today and get your tailored shipping plan for your eCommerce store.