Date:01 August 2012

3 ways to cut your Shipping Fees

Shipping fees can mean the difference between a shopper browsing a product on your website and them closing the transaction. Here are three ways to reduce your shipping charges.

Retailing giants such as Amazon and Buy.com have the ability to offer free shipping or shipping programs and policies to tempt the consumer into closing the web-based transaction. In today's marketplace, Internet shoppers expect to be offered free shipping or options of low shipping charges.

Smaller businesses selling online need to look at clever ways to handle the shipping issue to grow sales and profit margins.

1. Research all shipping services

Some shipping options combine a country's postal delivery service with the leading delivery firms such as DHL Global Mail. Keep checking with the bigger players in this area on their latest services. With surcharges mounting to 50 per cent of the shipping cost of a land delivery package, such combinational delivery options can make a huge difference to your bottom line. for the long haul can make a huge impact on a retailer’s bottom line. Duties on goods are often lower when shipped via the USPS parcel carrier.

2. Build up your knowledge of the shipping industry

Learn about shipping and billing. You can also outsource this service to experts in the field. Most shippers overpay for freight. Monitor your shipments closely; are the charges correct or are you handing out money for delayed shipments? Sometimes you may find you are being charged more than you initially agreed with your shipping supplier. By understanding this complex area, you will be able to negotiate better prices with your shipping partner.

3. Abolish double shipments

Instead of importing products to your site and then shipping them out to the customer, look into the area of shipping directly from your manufacturer to your customer. If this is not feasible due to packing or quality concerns, you can consider renting a small site close to your key customers.

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