Integrated Shipping 

Multichannel selling is the norm for most businesses who sell online. Wrangling orders from different marketplaces and social channels is time-consuming and cumbersome. ShippingEasy integrates with the platforms you sell on, so that all of your orders populate automatically in one hub. Removing this step gives time back to your team and eliminates some of the risk for human error by directly importing the correct customer and shipping information. 

Your business may also choose to use multiple carriers based on your product specifications and shipping needs. Sign into all of your carrier accounts directly in ShippingEasy, and easily compare rates and services within the platform. ShippingEasy makes it easy to navigate your options and organize your orders. The platform is built to be accessible and easy-to-use, so your team can start shipping quickly. 

Discounted Carrier Rates 

Affordability is essential for most e-commerce shoppers, but providing low-cost shipping options can be a challenge for small businesses. Offering competitive and affordable shipping prices is necessary for small businesses looking to compete with larger companies and grow their customer base. Using a shipping platform like ShippingEasy will give your business exclusive access to discounted carrier rates. 

ShippingEasy gives you access to discounted rates on select UPS and USPS shipping services, as well as discounted shipping insurance. You can compare the costs of these services from different carriers easily on one screen, making sure you get the lowest cost for each shipment. 

Automation 

Organizing and printing labels can quickly become complex and time-consuming. After integrating all of your orders into one hub, ShippingEasy allows you to make shipping automation rules specific to your business’ unique needs. You can create automation rules based on things like package weight, package size, or delivery speed. These rules can help you create simple workflows and print labels quickly. 

Package tracking is expected by customers. ShippingEasy automatically sends customers the tracking information for their order. Features like branded tracking ensure that your company’s brand and messaging stay at the forefront of the customer journey, even post-purchase. ShippingEasy also gives users access to a simple, automated returns process that helps minimize the hassle of return orders for you and your customers.  

While ShippingEasy is a great tool for small businesses looking to improve their shipping process, it is robust enough to power bigger businesses. With various free and premium add-on features, ShippingEasy grows with you and your business needs. ShippingEasy’s top-rated customer service team is available to help you make the most of your account and start shipping faster.

The post Best Shipping Company for Small Business appeared first on ShippingEasy.

1. Implement a Shipping Solution
2. Cheapest Way to Ship Based on Package Specifications
3. Other Considerations: Shipping Insurance
4. Recommended Bookmarks

Keeping the cost of logistics low is important for small businesses. Whether you’re looking to expand your customer base or simply offer shipping services to existing customers, you need to know how you can ship affordably. Implementing a shipping strategy can cause strain for small teams, but there are solutions to help you save time and money during the process. 

Implement a Shipping Solution

Carrier rates are always subject to change and can be time-consuming to keep up with. A shipping solution like ShippingEasy will display the most current shipping rates automatically so you can make the best choice for your business without doing hours of research. Importantly, ShippingEasy also provides discounted shipping rates for users. Taking advantage of these exclusive discounted rates is critical for small businesses looking to save on costs. 

One Balance

ShippingEasy One Balance offers users discounted shipping rates up to 46% with USPS and up to 82% with UPS. You can control all of your carrier options from one central wallet with One Balance. 

Get the best and easiest shipping solution for small business owners. Start a 30-day free trial of ShippingEasy and win the holiday season!

One Balance Advantages: 

• Access to USPS Commercial Rates—the lowest rates available
• Up to 82% off UPS Daily Rates 
• Discounts on shipping insurance 

One Balance also integrates with FedEx, Globelogistics, RR Donnelly, APC, and DHL so you can manage all your shipping options with ease. 

The fulfillment process can take up a substantial amount of time and resources. ShippingEasy users are able to better streamline this process through e-commerce integrations that will save your team time on the backend. For example, you can connect your e-commerce platform (such as Shopify or BigCommerce) to your ShippingEasy account so that orders made on your website will automatically populate in ShippingEasy. This ensures that order and customer information will be transferred correctly, ready to fulfill. From here, you can create and print shipping labels easily. 

Cheapest Way to Ship Based on Package Specifications

Once you’ve set up a shipping solution, consider the details of what you’re shipping. This includes product weight, size, shape, travel distance, etc. Shipping rates are often categorized by product weight, travel distance, and shipping speed. Depending on the weight and shape of your products, you may choose to utilize flat rate packages (different carriers have different flat rate package options). 

Ship by package weight

Package weight has a big impact on shipping rates. It’s also important to consider the dimensions of your package, like cubic feet. 

Learn more about The Cheapest Ways to Ship with USPS, UPS, and FedEx with our blog!

If your package is under 1 pound, USPS First Class Mail is the cheapest way to ship. If your package is between 1 and 5 pounds, USPS Priority Mail will be the most affordable option. For heavier packages (over 5 pounds), FedEx Ground and UPS Ground will likely be the cheapest shipping services. 

Ship by shipping speed

You may choose to offer customers different options for delivery speed. If you want to offer express shipping, such as 2-day or overnight shipping, knowing the cheapest options will help bring down costs for you and your customers. 

USPS does not offer guaranteed 2-day delivery times. If you’re looking to offer 2-day shipping—check out  FedEx 2 day shipping for second day business delivery and UPS 2nd day air. 

If you need an overnight delivery option, UPS and FedEx offer the most competitive rates and convenient service. Each carrier has multiple overnight service options. 

No matter what your shipping specifications are, using a shipping solution like ShippingEasy allows you to compare carrier rates in real time so you can make sure you’re always getting the lowest rates. 

Other Considerations: Shipping Insurance

Shipping insurance is an often overlooked, but important, cost of the shipping process. Some shipping services include default shipping insurance up to a certain price. If you’re shipping expensive products such as tech, jewelry, or furniture, investing in shipping insurance is likely necessary. There are ways to save to make insurance more affordable. 

Carriers offer their own shipping insurance options, but these can be more costly. Using a third party insurance provider like Shipsurance can help you save $.20-.30 per $100 product value. ShippingEasy One Balance also gives you access to discounted shipping insurance options. 

Find more examples of how shipping insurance works in our How to Ship Jewelry blog!

Recommended Bookmarks

Shipping Unboxed: FAQs about ShippingEasy

Shipping Unboxed: FAQs about UPS and UPS One Balance

How to File an Insurance Claim with USPS, UPS, and FedEx

Shipping Insurance—How to Avoid the Scary Side of Shipping

Shipping 101: Shipping Tips for Starting Your Own Small Business

What Are the Cheapest Overnight Shipping Options?

Shipsurance Guide

What Are USPS Zones & How Do They Affect My Shipping?

The post What is the Cheapest Way to Ship for a Small Business? appeared first on ShippingEasy.

What Are USPS Zones?

USPS zones are frequently misunderstood as being defined by some geographical area. USPS zones are actually defined by the distance a package must travel from its point of origin. Therefore, USPS zones will be specific to your business and its distance from each of your customers. Zones range from Zone 1 (a destination within 50 miles) to Zone 9 (a destination far away from your business). As you ship to locations farther away from your business, in higher USPS zones, your shipping costs will increase. 

These zones are calculated using 3 digit zip codes. You can calculate specific zones based on your business address on the USPS website. 

USPS Zones Breakdown: 

For quick reference, here are the criteria for USPS zones: 

• • Local: Destinations within the same PO
  • Zone 1: Destinations within 50 miles (outside of the PO) 
  • Zone 2: Destinations within 51-150 mile radius 
  • Zone 3: Destinations within 151-300 mile radius 
  • Zone 4: Destinations within 301-600 mile radius 
  • Zone 5: Destinations within 601-1000 mile radius 
  • Zone 6: Destinations within 1001-1400 mile radius 
  • Zone 7: Destinations within 1401-1800 mile radius 
  • Zone 8: Destinations within 1801 mile radius or farther 
  • Zone 9: Destinations within freely associated states 

If you are shipping to U.S. territories such as American Samoa, Guam, or Puerto Rico, be sure to check the Zone 9 rates and restrictions for your destination address. 

How Do These Zones Affect My Business? 

If you’re looking to expand your e-commerce business and reach a wider customer base, it’s important to understand the shipping costs involved. If you choose to ship with USPS, these zones will determine your shipping rates for different shipping destinations. Shipping efficiently and affordably will help you maintain business stability and increase profits. 

Shipping rates differ widely depending on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: zone, package weight and size, and delivery speed. These rates fluctuate over time and can become complex for businesses to keep up with. Using a shipping logistics platform like ShippingEasy can help you stay on top of your shipping options. ShippingEasy allows you to compare rates among different carriers for each package you send, so you can ensure you’re choosing the best rate for every address you ship to. ShippingEasy also gives users access to discounted shipping rates so you can start saving on your fulfillment process. 

The less time and money you spend on shipping, the more you can spend developing your product and assisting your customers. Try ShippingEasy free for 30 days and see how a shipping solution can transform your fulfillment process and enhance your business. 

The post What Are USPS Zones & How Do They Affect My Shipping? appeared first on ShippingEasy.

USPS Global Express Guaranteed

USPS Global Express Guaranteed offers a guaranteed delivery to over 190 countries in 1-3 business days. This service is one of the more expensive options, starting at $67.80. However, if you’re on a tight deadline, and your package has to be delivered within a few business days, Global Express Guaranteed may be the way to go. Global Express Guaranteed is also a guaranteed service, so if your package isn’t received in its delivery timeframe, you’re eligible to start the refund process with USPS support. 

Need a refresher on shipping packages? Check out our How to Ship a Package blog!

USPS Priority Mail International

USPS Priority Mail International is one of the most commonly used international shipping services. Packages will be delivered within 6-10 business days and pricing starts at $29.60 for Flat Rate Boxes and $40.45 for regular packaging, which is dependent on the weight. The maximum weights for these Flat Rate options are 70 lbs for packages and 4 lbs for envelopes. If you already use USPS Flat Rate Boxes in your shipping workflow, this might be the best option for you! 

USPS Priority Mail Express International

If you have a longer delivery window, USPS Priority Mail Express International is a great option.   Packages shipped with this service usually arrive within 3-5 business days. Pricing starts at $45.95 depending on the destination. Like USPS Global Express Guaranteed, this service is eligible for a guaranteed service refund.

USPS First Class Mail International

If you’re sending a letter or lightweight package abroad, USPS First Class Mail International is worth mentioning. This service applies to letters, postcards, and large envelopes up to 15.994 oz. This service begins at $1.30 for letters and postcards, and the price will vary depending on the destination. For larger packages, the price will depend on the destination as well. One of the downsides of USPS First Class Mail International is that tracking is limited, and the amount of tracking available depends on where it’s headed. 

For more answers to your questions about USPS, check out our blog – Shipping Unboxed: FAQs about USPS!

Conclusion

Based on USPS’s international offerings, you’ve decided international shipping is the right move for your business. You’ve officially taken that first step! You know you have more research to do and platforms to update, but you’re no longer worried about finding services to offer to your customers. 

Learm more ways to expand your business reach with Shipping 301!

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