‘Tis the season of shopping… and shipping. In fact, in 2017 it was reported by Shopify that $1 billion in sales took place online everyday from November 1-22, and on Cyber Monday alone $6.6 billion in online sales were recorded. Collectively, the holiday season saw $108.15 billion in e-commerce sales – an impressive number that undoubtedly could not exist without shipping. Keeping this in mind, there is no time like the present to get your shipping strategies in place to ensure you’re ready for the upcoming shipping influx that will take place this holiday season.

To help your online business become holiday ready, consider these five shipping tips:

1. Sort Packaging Supplies Now to Be Prepared Later

There are many logistics when it comes to shipping, but among the most important will be how you actually package your shipments. Ensuring you have the right materials that include boxes, labels, tissue, tape and more is among the first steps you should take to become holiday ready. Identify what your current stock levels are of these products, then order what you will need to get your business confidently through the holidays — and even beyond. It’s better to over-order vs. under-order to help avoid shipping delays or worse, losing a sale in general. Another tip to consider? Don’t forget to order holiday gift wrap if this is an option for inventory ordered by your customers.

2. Know Shipping Black-Out Dates

On-time deliveries are not just ideal for customers, but for business as well. To trust you can meet the delivery expectations set by both your customers and yourself, know what black-out dates may impact your shipping schedule. UPS and FedEx alike both identify Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day as official holidays and as a result, will not pick up or deliver on these days. Keep this in mind as you both plan and promote your shipment options.