Shipping Guide For Small Businesses

Competitive advantages in shipping

As a customer, you love free shipping. As a business, not so much. Someone has to pay for that courier. Small businesses have historically struggled to compete with big businesses that can ship fast and cheaply. But it's not the beating it used to be.

How to offer free shipping

Small businesses don’t have to pay big money for shipping anymore. Shipping brokerages use their bulk buying power to negotiate good deals then pass those savings on to smaller e-commerce businesses. That makes it easier to cover the cost yourself.

“Lots of businesses build 50% of the shipping costs into their retail price and pay the other half themselves, as an operating expense.”

Should small business shipping be free or fast?

It’s perfectly reasonable to have customers choose between cost and speed. You can offer free snail mail alongside a paid express option. People are OK paying for the speed if they’re in a hurry – but give them the option.

That will also mean you don’t have to pay for shipping on every single sale. Customers that are in a rush will pick up the bill themselves. Online business consultant, Marc McKeown of FortBrave suggests you can charge shipping on low-cost products.

“People don’t expect complimentary delivery on small purchases.”

Another way to think about costs

On those occasions when you do pick up the bill, shipping isn't just a lost cost. Farid says you can think of it as a marketing initiative.

“Retailers often get a spike in web traffic and sales when they offer free delivery. You can also offer it to a customer who has previously abandoned a cart. It may help get the sale over the line. In that way, free shipping can be an investment in acquiring new customers.”

What about shipping returns?

Small business shipping stings enough on the way out. It really hurts when you have to pay for a return as well. Two good ways to cut down returns are to make sure customers know what they’re getting, and ensure the quality is right.

Make product descriptions accurate. For things like clothes, use actual measurements rather than vague size references like small, medium, or large.

And do quality control. We've seen companies that checked 100% of inventory before shipping, and companies that checked 10%. The guys that checked 10% spent a lot more on returns.

How small businesses can win at shipping

Small businesses aren’t stuck playing catch-up on every aspect of shipping. There are things you can do better than any big retailer or marketplace.

Packaging can be used to underline the fact you’re a small indy brand with a unique story to tell. That can go a long way with your customers.

“Differentiate yourself from the corporate experience,” says McKeown. “People buy from people so package products nicely and put a personal note in. Amazon can’t compete with that.”

Shipping tips for small business