Everything can be done easier and faster online now, from shopping to paying bills. That's why new e-commerce businesses are continuously emerging around the globe every minute. The shipping process is among the most important factors to successfully run your business and satisfy your customers as it ensures that the product will be delivered safely and quickly.
Investing in a reliable shipping service that will help you process orders, choose the best shipping options, and create labels is an important step in establishing a trusted and strong e-commerce business. While you may have your pick of different shipping software out there, they don't all cater to different e-commerce business sizes. ShipStation does. They make the entire shipping process seamless and ensure that every detail is covered whether you're just starting out or you're a long-standing and established operation.
How Does the Shipping Process Affect E-commerce Business?
The delivery process significantly impacts the image and impression of your business. Failing to provide a smooth shipping experience may discourage potential buyers from purchasing products from your business or discourage repeat purchases.
Customers may lose their trust and interest in your business if they usually experience shipping delays, damaged or mishandled items, and a lack of transparency in tracking their orders. After all, comfort, convenience, and peace of mind are their top priority when purchasing goods online.
Because of this, you need to constantly assure your customers that they will receive their products safely and securely regardless of their location, or their order's weight and quantity. Aside from product quality, the shipping process is also helpful in increasing customer satisfaction and positive feedback for your business.
Not only does fast and transparent shipping positively affect your customer's experience but so does the cost of shipping. Shoppers are more likely to hit the checkout button when shipping is free. With a shipping software like ShipStation you get access to deeply discounted shipping rates so that offering free or reduced shipping to your customers doesn't hurt your bottom line.
When customers are satisfied, they will most likely purchase products from your business again and attract more potential customers.Your business can grow rapidly if you provide a well-executed shipping service to your customers.
Advantages of Choosing ShipStation
Shipping isn't just about transporting a package anymore. 'Shipping' encompasses the entire journey from the moment a customer adds one of your products to their cart through the return process. The shipping process is an extension of your brand and an integral part of the customer's journey. Choosing a reliable shipping software or service for your business can be challenging, especially if you're a novice in the e-commerce industry or are running a small business where you wear most of the hats. You need reliable shipping software that will help take the manual work out of processing orders so that you can you focus your efforts on other parts of scaling your business.
ShipStation helps small and big e-commerce businesses process all orders smoothly. It benefits businesses that don't want to opt for a third-party logistics partner. Since small businesses usually ship from their homes or rented facilities, ShipStation also offers software and services for self-fulfillment to help these businesses succeed. This is a good option for those starting or running small businesses. ShipStation pulls orders in across multiple selling channels and allows you to see all of your orders in one place. From there you can set up rules and automations to apply your preferred shipping methods to different types of orders or products. With these automations in place, the manual work and time-consuming repetitive tasks are taken out of the equation which allows you to get orders out the door faster and more efficiently. In the Amazon-era, fast shipping is a necessary element of your brand's shipping process.
As mentioned earlier, it's important to use a shipping software that passes their carrier discounts on to you. You can even offer free shipping once you combine them with carrier volume discounts, which your customers will love! It can help match your orders with the most cost-effective shipping carrier, allowing you to choose from various shipping options.
With ShipStation, you can connect with hundreds of leading marketplaces, carriers, and channels. So you can easily find the best shipping options for your customers to avoid any issues in shipping your products that may negatively affect your business. It also lets you print customized packing slips and process returns efficiently to serve your customers better.
Your customers can track their orders with easy tracking notifications that take them to your own branded tracking page that includes tracking information, your logo and color scheme, and links to your social media accounts. They can also receive SMS notifications with timely shipment information via their preferred communication channel. If they encounter an issue or have concerns about their orders, they can instantly contact you on different platforms. Customers can use their own return portal as well to initiate a return instead of calling a support agent.
A good shipping process is not only about fast shipping. It encompasses a comprehensive order management system, high-profile integrations and partners, smart inventory management, expanded branding opportunities, and a wide range of shipping options.
Run your business efficiently anywhere you are with ShipStation.
