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5 Shipping Red Flags You Need to Watch Out For

Posted on Jun 24, 2021 12:00:00 AM by Brandon Draga

Oftentimes when we as a society discuss eCommerce, it feels like we see it as this cutting-edge, way-of-the-future arm of industry that is going to change the way we do business. It’s a bit silly, really. The first online transaction was in 1994, complete with secure credit card encryption. eCommerce is as old as Friends. The way we do business changed nearly three decades ago.

dogherine-1jLi_nZG59U-unsplashAnd yet, unlike Jennifer Aniston, eCommerce has changed in those twenty-seven years. Above all else, starting an online store has become so easy that nearly anyone can do it. This is, for many entrepreneurs, a curse and a blessing; everyone wants their work to be a bit easier, but if everyone has an online store it makes it more difficult than ever to be successful.

One sticking point for many an online entrepreneur? Shipping. Your customer’s experience browsing and ordering from your online store may be the gold standard, but that’s only half the experience. Here are five red flags you need to keep an eye out for in your eCommerce shipping process.

1 - You spend too much time filling orders

Every small business owner knows that, especially in your company's infancy, you will be required to wear several hats. As your business grows, however, your focus should ultimately narrow to management. If you still find that most of your day is spent filling customer orders, it may be time to rethink your shipping strategy.

Integrating a shipping software solution into your business can help alleviate this problem considerably. By automating your shipping, you'll have the chance to remove one of those hats, and focus on your company's continued growth. 

2 - You’re manually managing all your shipping information

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There are some parts of running a business where it helps to have that human touch. Managing shipping information is definitely not one of them. In fact, if you’re trying to take care of things like shipping rates or customer data manually, not only are you being inefficient with your time, you also run a greater risk for potentially costly errors.

Rather than burdening yourself with mountains of information to manage, use an innovative shipping software solution that integrates with your ecommerce marketplace (such as Shopify) to automate the entire process. What would otherwise have taken hours now takes a few clicks, and will ensure your customers get their shipments accurately and on time.

3 - Customers are frequently receiving late or damaged packages

damaged-box-unloaded-from-a-moving-van-cargo-area-56EU78C

No business owner wants to hear customer complaints, especially when they pertain to something as oftentimes avoidable as late or damaged packages. Filing a claim with your carrier can lessen the financial impact of these instances, but that won’t change the negative experience your customer had. If you find that complaints of late or damaged deliveries are getting a bit too frequent, then you know it’s time to take action.

Perhaps the root of the problem is internal, in which case the solution could be as simple as streamlining your order fulfilment process. It could, however, be that your shipping carrier is the issue. This, in turn, leads us to our next red flag...

4 - You only use one shipping carrier

More than likely, your business is not shipping out the same size, shape, and weight packages all day, every day. In fact, the types of goods being shipped to your customers are probably as diverse as your customers themselves. This begs the question: why not be as varied in your choice of shipping carriers?

If one single shipping company could reliably accommodate every possible logistical need, there’s a good chance there wouldn’t be so many of them to choose from. Instead, each carrier has its own strengths and weaknesses. In resigning yourself to only relying on one carrier, not only are you narrowing your shipping options, but you may be spending more than you need to in doing so! 

5 - You’re missing the personalization to promote your brand

pexels-liza-summer-6348097Picture this: a customer found your website using a Google search for a product you offer. They receive their package, are happy with the product, but the only way the customer can connect the purchase back to you is the return address on the shipping label.

What happens if your business isn’t the first Google result next time?

You want your business to stand out from the rest. That unique touch of personality can be the key to fostering customer loyalty. Things like custom shipping labels, invoices, and packaging can be vital in helping a customer tie their experience to your brand, and ensure that your business is what comes to mind on their next purchase.

How can Freightcom help?

If these red flags sound a bit more familiar that you'd like to admit, don't fret! Yes, the points above can all be very real problems, but here at Freightcom we offer a very real solution.

Freightcom is an industry-leading, fully-automated shipping platform that will completely revolutionize your company’s existing shipping processes - from calling a carrier, obtaining comparative rates and booking a shipment.

Ready to learn more about how our innovative technology can transform your business? Contact us today for more information.

Brandon Draga

Written by Brandon Draga

Brandon Draga is a full-time content writer at Freightcom, the leading shipping solution for businesses in Canada. When Brandon is not writing content to help businesses with their shipping needs, he can be found at local skate parks or writing fantasy novels.

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