5 Shipping Tips for New Business Owners

Starting a new business is an exciting adventure but it is also a daunting one. You need to learn and experience so much in a short space of time so that your company can take flight. The trick to being a successful business owner is to ensure that you spend time in each department, getting to know your employees and their processes. This will allow you to spot issues and listen to the gripes of the people on the floor. One of the most important departments in your company is the shipping and dispatch department, this crucial wing of your company needs to work effectively and efficiently. Here are five tips to help you in this area:

1. Measure

The dimensions of your product are directly related to its shipping cost. You must make sure that your shipping department has the right tools and accurate measuring equipment to do this as accurately as possible. Review your company’s process for weighing and measuring goods, if this process is even slightly off it can throw out your costs completely. Teach your employees the best way to measure a package for shipment and make sure that everyone knows exactly how to do this.

 

2. Package

Different products have different packaging needs; do your research before just using boxes for everything. Shipping plans and documents internally to your other branches will require cheap mailing tubes, always ship with purpose in mind. Packaging costs can easily mount up to unmanageable amounts if you don’t keep an eye on usage. If possible, choose sustainable or recyclable packaging materials to reduce your company’s carbon footprint.

 

3. Data

The shipping department of your company is an essential cog in the machine of your business. For this reason, having the correct shipping data is vital. You can streamline your data processing by using modern technology and the right software. Without the correct shipping details completed and captured in full, your packages may never reach their intended destination.

 

4. Insurance

Cargo insurance is a must-have for any business that ships its products; it is immaterial whether these are sent to other companies or directly to the end-user. This type of business insurance gives you peace of mind that even if something goes wrong in transit like the package is damaged or lost, you will be compensated for the full value of those products.

 

5. Strategy

If your shipping department doesn’t have a good strategy, you may as well give up now. A good shipping strategy is essential to running an effective shipping department. Don’t rely on common sense, which is not enough to base a shipping plan around. Your shipping department needs to know what the cheapest shipping option is and which the fastest one is – this is necessary information for planning your dispatch and shipments. There are many different shipping options available – each of them has its own set of pros and cons. You should select the shipping option that suits your needs every time.