Ecommerce shoppers want the best value for their money and the fastest shipping options available. With the increasing number of online shops, the importance of shipping standards and shipping options has never been more crucial.
Even the most discerning of shoppers cares about the final outcome when it comes to their purchase. If the shipping process is too slow or the packaged product is too heavy to be delivered in one go, shoppers won’t touch their new clothes, shoes or bags again.
That’s why we’ve listed the best shipping options for ecommerce at the bottom of this article. Keep reading to know more.
What is Ecommerce Shipping?
Ecommerce shipping is the process of shipping goods from one physical location to a different physical location. This process generally includes delivering merchandise to a customer’s front door, and then picking it up at their location of choice.
Traditional physical methods such as parcel post, letter mail and Federal Express can sometimes be used for this purpose. These types of shipping are often referred to as “regular” shipping.
Ecommerce shipping is different from regular shipping in that it involves the exchange of digital data without the physical presence of the sender or the recipient. The data that’s exchanged during the shipping process is generally referred to as “shipping instructions”.
The Difference between Regular Shipping and Ecommerce Shipping
The main difference between regular and ecommerce shipping is the nature of the data being exchanged. While ecommerce data is generally more detailed and has more tags associated with it, regular shipping is generally meant for billing and shipment purposes only.
With ecommerce shipping, the whole shipment process is based on the fact that the customer will take possession of the goods at their own location. Since the customer doesn’t actually have to drive to the post office or wait on hold for their shipment to be delivered, there’s no extra cost to the business.
On the other hand, regular shipping often involves a higher shipping cost due to the volume of traffic. This can range from a few cents to as much as $50 or more for a larger item. If the average amount of traffic on your website is low, you may be able to reduce the cost of regular shipping by choosing a lower value option.
Shipment as a Service (SaaS)
Shippers often refer to shipping as a “service” because they offer it as an add-on for already-shipped goods. These goods can be physical items like groceries or furniture, or virtual goods like video games or movies.
Most ecommerce businesses use a software called “SaaS” to help manage the shipping process. SaaS services let the business acquire and ship items quickly, securely and at low cost.
Some examples of SaaS platforms include:
iTunes: One of the most used SaaS solutions today
Google Shopping: Another popular SaaS solution
USPS Shipping
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the national shipping service of the United States.
It’s the most widely used shipping method in the world, and it’s the only one we’ve included on this list.
The USPS can be a great choice for smaller businesses that are just getting started. Most USPS packages are under 100 pounds, and many businesses ship under $500 per year.
Unfortunately, the service has several problems that make it less than ideal for larger businesses. First, the price for mailing a package significantly increases with its weight. Second, it takes about 5 business days for the package to reach the recipient, even if it’s on a business day. And last, but not least, the USPS doesn’t deliver to residences, businesses or other non-corporation addresses.
That’s why we recommend the UPS and Federal Express options instead.
DHL Shipping
DHL is a world-renowned shipping company. It’s one of the largest global distribution services, and it offers a wide range of shipping options.
This option is often the cheapest option, but it can result in heavy packages. XE packages can range from 50 to 65 pounds and take about four to five weeks to arrive at their destination.
DHL also offers a few other options: Express, which offers same-day shipping; Next Day, which is available for a day or two;
FedEx Shipping
The Federal Express Company is a leading provider of commercial air cargo services. It’s one of the largest shippers in the world, with a wide range of shipping options available to meet a customer’s needs.
Like the other ecommerce shipping options on this list, the FedEx option is usually the least expensive option. It costs $45 to ship a small piece of gear, and it takes about seven to ten days to arrive at its destination.
Like the USPS, the Federal Express company doesn’t deliver to residences, businesses or other non-corporation addresses. However, unlike the USPS, the Federal Express company delivers to all destinations nationwide.
UPS Shipping
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a private-sector partner with the U.S. government to provide mail and package delivery services. The USPS provides these services at a price, but it does so on a commercial basis.
UPS has several different shipping options, including Standard, which costs $25; Super Saver, which costs $35; and Extreme, which costs $45. Like the other ecommerce shipping options on this list, the package takes about 10 days to arrive at its destination.
The Final Verdict
Shippers care about the final outcome when it comes to their purchase. That’s why we’ve included the best shipping options for ecommerce at the bottom of this article. These options will help you ship your products more efficiently and reach your customers more effectively.
