When it comes to e-commerce shipping, shipping information has a significant influence on consumer purchases. BigCommerce reports that shipping cost and speed influence 80% of U.S. customer decisions, while 87% of customers are influenced by price 71% by discounts or promotional offerings. Consider how your e-commerce business can be strengthened thanks to shipping best practices. Among them include the following five tips.
#1: Identify Shipping Information for Customers
Customers are easily distracted online, so making their navigation of discovering products and checking out during their purchase experience as seamless as possible is essential. To help, be clear and concise in your e-commerce shipping details – provide all necessary information they need. This should include carrier options, shipping costs, delivery timelines, and extra fees (if any) associated with shipping and return policies. With Media Post reporting that half of the customers have abandoned an online shopping cart because they didn’t like their shipping choices, giving your customers options is essential. The main takeaway is this, however… make sure your customers don’t have to hunt for the shipping details your e-commerce business provides.
#2: Introduce Automation into Your E-Commerce Shipping Strategy
Let’s face it… shipping is big business, but it also takes time to manage. Save your time and your employees’ time by introducing a 3rd-party fulfillment strategy or simply drop-shipping select products from manufacturers to help reduce the time you spend shipping. This will reduce time spent on e-commerce shipping efforts and open up time for your e-commerce business to strengthen selling strategies. It’s a win-win scenario.
#3: Provide a Customer-Centric Return Policy
When customers shop online, they often consider whether they need to return what they purchase. As a result, your company’s return policies are essential in determining if a consumer makes a purchase. Still not convinced return policies matter? eMarketer reports that more than 50% of customers will avoid shopping with online merchants with strict shipping policies. It’s critical online sellers provide a return policy that is reasonable yet relaxed. This allows consumers to confidently make purchases without fearing returns are not an option. Or challenging to make. Shipping influences this, so clearly state how shipping costs and actual efforts will also control returns.
#4: Monitor Your Shipping Costs
Clarifying how much your shipping spend is can help your e-commerce business save money on your shipping efforts and increase profit. To help, incorporate a parcel auditing strategy into your shipping strategy to identify where you spend excess money. Reduce incorrect FedEx and UPS billings and gain exposure to reporting and information. With only a few quick steps to get this setup, this is an effective and easy way for e-commerce businesses to gain a clear view of where they can save money. In addition, identify where they are losing money and, most importantly – how they can capture more dollars for their e-commerce business. Learn more here.
#5: Review and React to E-Commerce Shipping Analytics
Creating a dynamic e-commerce business doesn’t happen mindlessly. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities is the best way to enhance e-commerce shipping. Yet the human touch alone cannot accomplish this. Allow reports and analytics to clarify your shipping efforts – ultimately helping your business strengthen all shipping actions. With improved visibility, you can make more informed decisions and, thus, reduce your shipping spend. To help, explore more here.
Finally, as you aim to enhance your e-commerce shipping efforts, also aim to improve upon your carrier contracts. The carriers you choose to ship with –such as FedEx and UPS – impact your shipping efforts significantly. Therefore, reviewing your existing carrier contracts and considering negotiations on them to help your e-commerce business is essential. Combined with the abovementioned measures, this can help your e-commerce business excel in selling and shipping online.
