To ensure that shipping goes as smoothly as possible once the product has been manufactured, the packaging of goods is generally controlled by a shipping or logistics company.
Because customers are often in a hurry and don’t like to wait a long time for their orders to arrive, shipping is crucial to the success of a sale. When it comes to ecommerce, this is an aspect not to be overlooked.
Some merchants choose to manage package shipping themselves, in order to cut costs. However, while this may be a financially advantageous solution at the outset, it’s often an unmanageable constraint as the business grows.
In this case, it's best to call on a specialized subcontractor to manage the dispatch of your store’s packages.
Shipping can take several forms, depending on the distance covered and the speed required to receive the product. It can be by land, sea, or air. It all depends on the mode of transport used.
Generally speaking, the most cost-effective form of shipment is over land. However, it’s also one of the slowest shipping methods, ideal for short distances.
For faster or more distant deliveries to other countries, air freight is preferred. However, it’s also more expensive, and this has an impact on delivery costs.
To minimize shipping costs, it's best to ship products in large quantities. This reduces the cost of scale and optimizes the movement of goods.
To ensure profitability, it’s essential for any commercial enterprise to take a close look at its logistics process, both in terms of receiving goods from the supplier to the merchant, and in terms of shipping to the end customer.
Many parameters need to be taken into account, including lead times, distances, costs, storage, volumes, packaging, and shipping documents.
It's also worth noting that shipping is slightly different for dropshipping. In dropshipping, products are sent directly from the supplier to the end consumer. They don't pass through the merchant, which reduces storage and transport costs.
To strike the right balance between fast delivery and a cost-effective option, every business has its own shipping method.
Some prefer same-day shipping, while others prefer next-day delivery or opt for methods that take several days. Some perishable goods require expedited delivery, which is more costly but essential. In addition, while many companies offer their customers free shipping, others stay away from this option. Depending on the business in question, shipping is a parameter to be planned on a case-by-case basis.
