Whether your eCommerce business is small or huge, you’ll know that a good shipping solution is essential for its smooth functioning. Choosing a reliable eCommerce shipping company, methods, and add-on services can help you ensure a positive customer experience.
However, if you are wondering how to find the perfect eCommerce shipping partner for yourself, you’re in the right place. Read on!
What Is eCommerce Shipping?
eCommerce shipping encompasses all services required to transport online products from a retailer to the customer’s delivery destination. With the right partner, eCommerce shipping can be manageable, affordable, and fast. For eCommerce, the shipping process involves everything from receiving a customer order to preparing it for last-mile delivery. eCommerce shipping basically involves:-
Placing an Order
The process begins with the buyer placing an order with the seller directly or on any marketplace.
Confirmation of Order
Once the order is placed, the seller or business confirms it and prepares it for delivery.
Verification and Retrieval
The warehouse is checked upon, and the availability of the desired product is ensured.
Packaging
The orders are then packed carefully so that they can be picked up by the courier partner chosen.
Label of Shipping:
Labels are printed and pasted on the product’s outer package. They contain necessary information such as the customer’s address, company name, contact numbers, delivery partner, and amount.
Carrier Pickup
The packaged order is handed over to the chosen shipment company i.e. the carrier. Then, the product is further transported to a respected city or town via the same carrier.
Last Mile Delivery
The delivery man takes over from the carrier, delivering the product to the customer’s location.
Essential Offering of a Shipping Carrier in eCommerce
Shipping gets tricky when you scale a little bit or prefer to sell on multiple platforms. Shipping carriers play a critical role in the eCommerce industry, allowing businesses to send their products to customers around the world. eCommerce as we know it today would not be possible without shipping carriers. Shipping carriers also play a critical role in the logistics industry, allowing businesses to transport goods quickly and efficiently. The primary responsibilities of a shipping carrier include:
- Picking up and delivering packages
- Transporting packages to their destination
- Providing tracking information to customers
- Offering various shipping options at different price points
Which is the Most Reliable Shipping Partner?
The question boils down to which is the best or most reliable shipping partner. Well, it completely depends on business to business— after all, every business’s requirements differ. However, some well-known eCommerce delivery solutions are worth checking out.
RapidShyp: RapidShyp is a tech-backed courier aggregator that offers end-to-end eCommerce logistics solutions. It also offers economical rates as it has tie-ups with 15+ courier partners. Sellers can enjoy features like transparency, the Xperience suite, 29000+ pin code coverage, and more.
Delhivery: Founded in 2011, Delhivery provides logistics solutions to eCommerce businesses across 18,600+ pin codes.
Blue Dart: A courier service that serves 21,650+ pin codes within India and 220+ countries across the globe. Operating since 1983, Blue Dart services over 55,400 locations in India and 220 countries. It also offers a transit time calculator, COD delivery, weather-resistance shipment packaging, and slot-based delivery.
FedEx: is a popular delivery company based in Paris and offers express, ground, freight, and custom critical services across 220 countries.
Ecom Express: A logistics company that specializes in eCommerce deliveries and covers 27,000+ pin codes domestically in 2,700+ cities and towns.
eKart: One of the largest logistics and supply chain service providers, eKart started operating in 2009 and offers hassle-free pick-up and delivery services.
Xpressbees: With one of the most extensive networks, Xpressbees enables broader pin code coverage, reaching even remote areas efficiently. It employs cutting-edge technology for tracking and monitoring shipments in real time.
Factors while choosing eCommerce Shipping partner
With so many different eCommerce shipping options available, choosing an eCommerce shipping company that best fits your needs can be daunting and confusing.
Shipping costs Rates and Fees
Consider the cost structure of shipping companies to ensure it aligns with your budget and pricing strategy. Shipping rates can significantly affect your profit margins and pricing, making it crucial to find a balance that doesn’t deter customers due to high costs.
Delivery Speed
Evaluate the shipping company’s average delivery times. Fast and reliable delivery is essential for customer satisfaction and competitiveness in the eCommerce space, influencing repeat business and reviews.
Area Coverage
Assess the shipping company’s geographical reach. It’s important to choose a provider that can efficiently deliver to your target pin codes, whether they are local or national.
Technology and Integration
Examine the technology and integration capabilities of the shipping company. In today’s world where technology is taking over the world, any company, unicorn, or startup must follow the latest technology. Seamless integration with your eCommerce platform and access to tracking and management tools can streamline operations and enhance customer experience and satisfaction.
Customer Service and Support
Essential requirements for company building. Consider the quality of customer service and support provided. Reliable customer support can help resolve issues quickly, maintaining trust and satisfaction.
Challenges Sellers Face While Choosing a Shipping Carrier
Merchants require abundant trust in a logistics company for them to feel secure enough to send their products. Damage or loss of products in transit means losses to the merchant. Some factors that have to be considered before deciding on the logistics company are:
Safety
The safety of goods is of prime importance for eCommerce businesses. Breakage, items lost in transit, and delivery errors are common issues you might face if you trust unreliable logistics companies.
PIN Code Coverage
Being able to cover wider pin codes is a competitive advantage. It is challenging to acquire a new customer, but losing them to an avoidable reason such as ‘out of coverage area for your shipping company’ is bad for your business. Customers also want their products delivered in the remotest areas. Hence, a carrier with wider pin code coverage is a mandate.
Price
Logistics isn’t cheap. The cost of sending the parcel to customers is borne by the sellers as customers want free delivery. A little bit of cost can be added to the product cost but since customers are smart today, they compare the prices of various vendors. Hence, finding a carrier with low shipping rates is necessary.
Security Coverage
Mandatory package security coverage will help sellers prevent losses even if a product has been damaged or lost in transit. Ensure that you choose logistic companies with insurance policies so as to avoid the additional cost of lost packages during the shipping process.
Why Should You Partner With RapidShyp as Your Shipping Carrier?
With limitless scalability, eCommerce businesses have bigger fields to play. Customers want the best products at the best prices, yet eCommerce is much bigger than this. It’s also about how those products reach buyers and their experience. If there’s a delay in the delivery, retaining customers becomes difficult.
RapidShyp is one of the most economical shipping partners in India, and it gives customers the option to choose a shipping carrier that provides feasible and affordable shipping based on the unique requirements of the business. Some of the basic facilities that RapidShyp serve, due to which it is chosen before any other shipping companies are:-
Multiple Shipping Partners
RapidShyp has tie-ups with many shipping partners, including Blue Dart, FedEx, and Delhivery. It lets you choose the best shipping partner and ensure your product delivery is on time.
Economical Pricing
RapidShyp offers its sellers economical pricing. We have pre-negotiated rates, which can help you save a lot on shipping costs. Transparent pricing makes it feasible for sellers to know what to pay for shipping.
OTP-Based Delivery
OTP-based delivery not only diminishes the need for physical paperwork but also ensures the packages are delivered to the right person and location and acts as delivery confirmation.
Advanced Technology
RapidShyp offers advanced technology solutions that make it easier to manage your shipping operations. Its platform lets you automate shipping processes and track shipments in real time.
Live Tracking
Live tracking is necessary as customers want to know where their products are in real time. Most companies offer tracking, but customers don’t get the real insights. Here, RapidShyp has a cornerstone.
Connectivity
RapidShyp has connectivity with multiple shipping partners. All the shipping partners work under one roof on a single platform. Hence, you must choose which carrier to use according to your requirements. Some carriers may be fast; others may be cheaper. Moreover, if your carrier doesn’t deliver to certain pin codes, you can change the carrier in a jiffy.
Top Shipping Tips You Should Know
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology can help you automate many aspects of your shipping process, from order tracking to package delivery. Utilize RapidShyp to streamline your operations and improve efficiency.
Keep Your Promises
In today’s era, customers have come to expect fast and reliable delivery. Make sure you live up to their expectations by meeting your delivery deadlines.
Communicate With Your Customers
Customers appreciate proactive communication, so keep them in the loop about their order status. This way, they’ll know when to expect their package without wondering where it is.
Offer Discounts and Incentives
Customers love a good deal, so consider offering shipping discounts or other incentives to encourage them to shop with you again.
Streamline Your Packaging
One of the easiest ways to reduce shipping costs is to streamline packaging. Use the right size and type of packaging for each order to minimize waste and avoid overspending.
Use Shipping Software
Shipping software can help you automate many of your shipping processes, from label printing to tracking orders. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your business.
Train Your Employees
Your employees play a vital role in the shipping process, so it’s important to train them well. Ensure they know how to pack properly and ship orders to avoid mistakes.
Use Tracking Numbers
Tracking numbers are essential for tracking your packages and ensuring that they arrive at their destination. Make sure to use them for all of your shipments.
Maintain Records
Accurate shipping records are essential for tracking your spending and monitoring your shipping operation. Make sure to keep detailed records of all your orders and shipments.
Use a Shipping Calculator
A shipping calculator can help you estimate shipping costs and delivery time for your packages. This way, you can avoid overspending.
Consider Drop Shipping
Drop shipping is a great way to outsource your shipping needs without incurring the cost of storing inventory yourself. This can be a great option for small businesses or businesses with limited storage space.
Compare Shipping Rates
Shipping rates can vary depending on the carrier you use, so it’s important to compare rates before shipping your packages. This way, you can ensure that you’re getting the best deal as per your unique requirements of the business.
Use Shipping Templates
Shipping templates can help you automate the shipping process, save time, and advertise at the same time. This way, you can focus on other aspects of your business.
Selection Criteria for eCommerce Shipping Companies
Selecting the right eCommerce shipping companies involves carefully evaluating and studying their offerings. Before you zero in on a shipping partner, ensure you get the following:
Fundamental Functionality– The essential deck
- Reliable tracking of shipments
- Integration with leading eCommerce platforms
- Flexible shipping options (e.g., same-day, two-day, overnight, standard, one-day delivery)
- Cost-effective pricing structures
- Easy returns management system
- Return-on-Investment (ROI)
- Customer feedback
Additional Feature- To go above and beyond, sellers look for
- Advanced analytics for shipping performance and logistics optimization
- Eco-friendly shipping options for sustainability-conscious brands
- Exceptional handling of fragile or special care items
- Custom branding options on packaging and tracking pages
- AI-driven recommendations for optimizing shipping routes and costs
Usability– A balance between comprehensive features and user-friendly design is the key
- Predicting web or app interface for easy navigation
- Simplified shipment booking process
- Quick access to frequently used features or settings
Onboarding– The transition to a new shipping service should be smooth and straightforward
- Comprehensive tutorial videos and documentation
- Interactive guides or walkthroughs for first-time users
- Access to onboarding support specialists or resources
Customer Support and Feedback– Responsive and helpful customer support is vital, particularly for resolving shipping issues
- Multiple support channels (chat, email, phone)
- Prompt responses and effective problem resolution
- Proactive advice and support for shipping optimization
Value for Money– Pricing should reflect the value provided, considering the scale and needs of the business
- Transparent pricing without hidden fees
- Competitive rates for the features offered
- Flexible pricing plans that scale with business growth
Customer Reviews– Customer feedback provides invaluable insights into real-world performance
- High satisfaction ratings for reliability and service quality
- Positive feedback on ease of use and customer support
- Constructive criticism and how the company addresses it
When selecting an eCommerce shipping company, one must keep all the points in mind and it’s important to consider not only the core functionalities but also additional features that can provide a competitive edge and visibility. The right shipping partner should offer a seamless blend of reliability, innovation, and user-friendliness, enabling businesses to excel in customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Features of eCommerce Shipping Solutions
Some of the features which should be kept in mind when choosing a shipping company:
1. Order management: You should be able to log in and check the status of orders, make changes, and do any other things you might need. You may also want dedicated order management software like RapidShyp for this.
2. Rate comparisons: A company that provides the best shipping costs for your needs every time.
3. Rate discount options: Offers rates and discounts keep the customers engaged.
4. Communication and tracking: The ability to track any packages reliably and provide customers with the information too, gives them a sense of trust. dedicated order-tracking software can also be used for the same purpose.
5. Reporting: Ability to pull reports on products shipped, customer demographics, and other key info.
6. Returns management: They will work with you on any returns a customer might need to process.
8. Flat rate shipping: This can be helpful for frequent large or long-distance shipments.
eCommerce Shipping Best Practices
Create a Shipping Team: The best way to improve any element of your business operations is to assign someone to pack and track orders across every platform. Moreover, you would need customer support executives to help your buyers with their shipping woes.
Choose & Optimize Your Packaging: Another critical factor when considering eCommerce shipping best practices is the packaging. You can use many types of packaging to protect items during shipment and storage. The packaging you use needs to be suited to your items and budget.
Analysis and Benchmarking: Before setting company goals, you must assess how you compare to the competition. That involves conducting competitor research and setting internal benchmarks.
Set SMART Goals: Your shipping team needs to develop a plan to improve and monitor shipping and identify all the ways it could improve.
Single Carrier vs. Multi-Carrier: One of the most important decisions you need to make is which carrier to use. In most cases, a single carrier will not suffice because it might not deliver across all pin codes. Multiple carriers are required for a wider pin code coverage.
Be Transparent About Shipping Costs: The cost of shipping greatly impacts people’s purchasing decisions. Expensive shipping and slow delivery times generally result in high cart abandonment rates.
The Bottom Line
In the eCommerce industry, shipping plays a vital role in determining the success of an online or offline business. Shipping carriers also play a critical role in the logistics industry, allowing businesses to transport goods quickly and efficiently. While there are many shipping carriers in India, RapidShyp stands out for its reliable service, wide range of shipping options, and competitive pricing.
As a critical aspect of the customer experience, choosing a reliable courier service that can meet your delivery needs and expectations is crucial to achieving a seamless shipping process, it’s essential to understand the complexities involved and have the right strategy in place. Investing in a streamlined shipping solution can enhance the customer experience, increase customer satisfaction, and retain a competitive edge in the fast-growing eCommerce market. Also, it can help the growth of the business.
