Choosing Your Carrier Partner for Your eCommerce Business

Businesses have been forced to incorporate eCommerce sales into their operation’s model to continue to serve their customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most important aspects for eCommerce businesses is choosing a vendor to handle shipping, delivery and returns for your products. Whether you’re new to the world of eCommerce sales, or your business has been fulfilling online orders for years, selecting the right shipping partner is critical to maintaining your business’s reputation.

Clearly Outline Your Shipping and Return Policies

Before choosing your shipping vendor, make sure you have clearly defined shipping and return policies. Some items to consider for your shipping policy include:

Where are you able to ship your products?
Does a certain order amount qualify customers for free shipping?
How long will shipping take?
How long will it take for customers to receive their orders?

Here are some items you need to consider when setting up your return policy:

What condition will the product need to be in when it is returned?
Will there be a restocking fee for returns?
How long will customers have to return the product?
Will shipping costs be included in refunds?

Choosing the Right Shipping Vendor

You’re likely familiar with national carriers like FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). But which of these carriers is the right choice for shipping your products to your customers? When choosing your shipping carrier, here are some things you need to think about:

Costs – Consider the size of the orders you’ll be shipping, there will be different rates for each carrier. Research the costs of shipping your most ordered products to determine which carrier may save you the most money.
Reliability – Your business’s reputation is at stake with each order. If a product arrives late or damaged, your business could risk losing a customer. Research various carriers to see what other businesses have experienced with shipping and delivering their products.
Give Your Customers Information – Your relationship with your customer doesn’t stop once they’ve placed their order on your website. Be sure you’ve chosen a carrier that will provide them with an estimated delivery date and tracking for their package. This is key in maintaining a positive relationship with your customer and drawing them back to your business in the future.

If you’re looking for assistance choosing the right carrier for your eCommerce business, VGM Forbin’s account executives can walk you through the available options. We can also help you determine if white label shipping is appropriate for your business. Complete the contact form below to connect with one of our helpful account executives!