One of the biggest challenges of venturing into the business of internet sales is learning how to ship. And it is that, that moment in which your product reaches the hands of its final recipient, it is like reaching the summit after an exciting journey!
Ok, maybe it sounds very poetic… but we are not exaggerating when we say that —regardless of the size of your business— it surely fills you with peace and pride to know that your customers are receiving their orders in the expected time and manner.
No entrepreneur or brand starts their business online knowing how to send. So, if you still haven’t managed to optimize that part of your sales process, the experts at are here to help you along the way. 😉
Benefits of planning your shipments well
Before moving on to practice, let’s talk about the positive effects that a well-defined logistics strategy can bring to your brand. We could summarize them in five points:
- Helps increase salessince a satisfied customer will surely buy from your store again and will not hesitate to recommend it.
- It is a key point for the expansion of your marketsince it will allow you to reach new corners of the country, and the world!
- Influences cost reductionas long as you choose the right shipping provider (we’ll give you some tips on how to do that later).
- Streamlines the flow of operationsespecially when there is an automated process (one of the many benefits of integrating your store with a shipping provider).
- Improves brand reputationbecause satisfied customers will always speak well of your brand.
Ok, now that we’ve covered the importance of having a solid shipping strategy in your online store, let’s learn how to ship.
How to send: 3 options
Now that you know the benefits of planning good logistics, it’s time to explore the parcel companies and other logistics allies that you have at your disposal to make shipments.
1. Direct packages
They are logistics companies that are responsible for delivering packages locally, nationally or internationally, either at home or at established delivery points. Depending on each provider, there are some that offer express deliveriescarbon emission-free shipments, package tracking, package collection service, among others.
Some examples are:
2. Parcel groupers
parcel groupers bring together various services from different parcel companies In one single place.
With the groupers it is possible to make shipments with the main providers in the country (for example, DHL, Fedex, Estafeta, Redpack, etc.) and they allow you to offer your customers competitive rates, automated shipments and package tracking.
Some of the best known are:
3. Custom Shipping
In our opinion, it is always advisable to leave logistics in the hands of experts to avoid setbacks and facilitate the task of sending your products. But there may be exceptional cases in which a personalized delivery is the best solution, for example: when your company already has its own delivery dynamics.
If you use Tiendanube you have the option to offer at the time of check out (sale), in we explain how to do it. And if you still don’t use our platform, we invite you for 30 days.
Or if you prefer, you can check our article to learn. In it you will learn to quote your shipments and find the best option.
Well, now that you know the three most common options for sending shipments in Mexico, we are going to give you some tips to make shipments successful. Let’s start by talking about how to prepare a package to send it by parcel.
Join us as we explore the world of product shipping. 📦
Shipping of products
In order for you to make an adequate shipment of products, you must take into account the characteristics that your package must have according to each package. However, there are three important points that you should always take into account:
- Packing
- Packaging
- tracking guide
Packing
In general terms, the packaging is the material that protects the product; while the packaging is the container used for storage and transport.
Although cardboard boxes are one of the most used materials when making shipments, there are other options that we are going to review below.
Packaging types
1. Standard packing
- Cardboard boxes. There are different sizes and thicknesses, they also exist for normal use, for heavy use and with legends that indicate that the content is fragile.
- Envelopes. They can be plastic or paper. They are normally used to send documents, photographs, magazines or papers; they are not very sturdy.
- padded envelopes. Unlike traditional envelopes, these contain an inner lining of bubble wrap or some similar material whose function is to protect the product it contains.
2. Specialized packaging
Either for shipping products that require special handling (such as food, plants or ) or to generate a memorable experience At the time of opening the order, there are specialized packaging options.
More and more brands are betting on using the packaging of their products as a marketing reinforcement. Reusable boxes, personalized paper, stickers or stickers, messages of thanks for the purchase and product samples, are some of the most used strategies when making shipments.
Packaging
An essential element to make almost any type of shipment are the protection materials that will be part of the packaging of our package and are responsible for protecting the product and guaranteeing its protection within the packaging.
Some of the most used are:
- Bubble plastic
- air pads
- Paper Kraft
- Peanut
- Foam
- shredded paper
- wood chip
- China Paper
Regardless of the type of packaging you choose to send the products of your online store, it is important that you consider the following:
Most logistics companies determine their prices based on the dimensions of the package to be shipped, so the larger the size, the higher the shipping cost.
Is the difference between packing and packaging clear to you? Let’s look at an example: Mario has an online store for personalized gifts, including mugs. One day, Mario receives an order for two mugs with a couple’s initials on them, so he personalizes them and places each one inside a custom-made cardboard box. To protect them and ship them in one trip, he keeps them inside a larger cardboard box (packaging) and adds kraft paper around it to prevent the two boxes (packaging) from colliding with each other and damaging the cups.
tracking guide
And to close with the topic of shipping products, let’s not forget an essential element for any package that you are going to send by parcel: the tracking guide. Basically it is the printed document that contains the data of who sends and who receives the package.
By integrating one of the shipping methods that we have, you will have the facility to generate automated tracking guides in each sale, thus facilitating the logistics of your ecommerce.
And, this useful site will allow you to make the national of your shipments.
Learn more…
Article
How to charge shipping
Let’s move on to a topic of great relevance to: shipping costs. Statistics confirm that the shipping charge can change the mind of a potential buyer, as indicated by the AMVO’s most online sales:
The main reason for abandoned carts is the price increase due to high shipping costs.
To avoid being part of this figure, choose very well the strategy with which you are going to charge for your shipments. Here are three of the most common options:
Strategies to define shipping costs
1. Flat rate
As its name says, it consists of having established rates for the different products that make up your catalog. If you choose this strategy, it is very important that you are clear about how much you are going to pay for each shipment. This way you will be able to limit the margins and establish prices that do not generate economic losses.
We recommend using packaging with standardized dimensions, to be able to quote with your logistics provider. In addition, take into account the following data when calculating costs:
- Package size.
- Package weight.
- Place from where it will be sent.
- Destination place.
2. Shipping calculator
If your goal is offer the best rate to your customers (without this affecting your earnings), then we suggest you bet on offering personalized shipping costs.
To calculate them, you must take into account the dimensions of the package you are going to send and the distance it will travel to reach its recipient.
It may sound complex but, once again, technology is on your side (at least yes). If you use our platform you can integrate a shipping calculator with your store so your buyers can learn about shipping options they have, just by entering your zip code. That easy!
If you want to know, in this post we give you the details.
3. Free shipping
Do not get confused! Free shipping will never be free, someone has to pay for them. Let’s see how to make free shipping in your online store, with three different strategies:
- Raise product prices to cover shipping costs (that is, the customer pays).
- Use your profit margins to pay for shipping (that is, you pay).
- Raise product prices just a little, to cover partial shipping costs (that is, both you and the customer pay).
Well implemented, a free shipping strategy can be a powerful sales magnet. So study your possibilities and, by the way, read this post to understand your Tiendanube.
How to make national shipments?
We have talked about the most important thing when it comes to shipping your products. As a summary we will return to the most important points to make shipments within the Republic.
- Choose by which means you are going to make your shipment: parcel, grouper or personalized.
- Prepare the packing and packaging of your package: depending on each parcel and the product you send, you must pack and pack your products so that they can be sent
- Generate your tracking guide: this will be the document that contains the data of who sends and who receives. It is important for your logistics process.
- Define the costs of your shipments: It is important that within your rates you add the shipping costs or that you are clear that the rates vary depending on the area, with this you can prevent extra costs and provide your customers with a good experience.
- Send your products and notify your customers when it arrives.
Now you have a better overview of how to send, so now it’s time to choose the best ally for your business.
Find out more…
Article
Tips to decide how to send in your business
Finally, we want to leave you with some extra tips so that you can make successful shipments.
Each…
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