Most Indian marketplaces entertain small businesses and have adequate sales volume. Thus, selecting a delivery partner is essential for smooth e-commerce running. However, when you do not find a suitable courier partner, order management can become a mess. Here, we are not even discussing the peak sales and orders during festive seasons. You can peruse the below-mentioned headers and their possible implications on your decision-making.
E-commerce Shipping Services
It would help if you affiliated logistic partners with your online store to maintain customer satisfaction. It will also help you provide the buyers with efficient delivery. So your takeaway(s) from this guide will be:
Courier Company
- Shipping cost calculation
- Costing based on package fragility, dimensions, and weight
- Deliveries and shipments with vehicles
Software Tools
- Send notifications to the buyers
- Create labels
- Send confirmation mails
- Process orders
External Management Service
- Has a warehouse
- Manage returns and shipments
- Streamline sellers’ communication with the customers
Pick-Up Points
- Wide network of agreements with collection points or stores
Factors while picking the perfect courier partners
It would help if you considered the following factors while selecting the right courier partner:
Weight
Many e-commerce courier companies charge for package weight and size. When your package weighs less, flat rates postal services can work for you. But if your packages are heavy, a courier partner can offer logistics solutions. In addition, shipping insurance will further protect your deliveries and save you money.
Although NimbusPost is an aggregator, courier solutions with insurance are a click away!
Shipping Costs
Free shipping services are always recommended. If the buyers have to pay for a delivery, they will abandon the shopping cart. Free shipping services can be expensive. Yet, you can increase the product prices and use the profits to cover shipping costs. You can also avail of flat-rate courier services if your packages have a similar weight. If the flat rate is above your budget, you can charge a small shipping cost to the buyers. According to a study, most online sellers calculate average shipping costs by estimating:
- Parcel Weight
- Parcel Size
- Country Origin
- Country Destination
- Insurance
- Online Tracking System
NimbusPost can integrate many e-commerce platforms like Shopify or Magento. It also calculates shipping charges on all orders.
Global shipments
For global delivery solutions, courier partners for eCommerce offer prudent rates. You should present a standard international shipping cost to the buyers in advance. Besides, you have to get written permission from the responsible offices for it. A clarity on shipping policy and responsibility for local customs duties is useful for you.
Delivery Times
It would be best if you always inform the buyers about the expected delivery time for orders. Some users order products from more than one address. Thus, you should reveal the terms and conditions of orders, shipping, and delivery time. For special sale seasons, you can attach a shipping policy under all product descriptions.
Packaging
Many buyers prefer sustainable packaging to maintain a good environment. Moreover, sustainable packaging is recyclable and easy to open. Besides, a discount, a thank you note will attract the buyers for future orders.
Never forget to enclose the invoice, a return slip, and a user guide to the customers. If your products have barcodes, the buyers will trust your brand more than others. Barcodes also help logistic partners to manage your shipments.
Returns
Alongside the shipping policy, you need to clarify the return policy to the buyers. The policy must contain details on the return process and address.
Expedited Delivery
Express delivery is costly. Most buyers prefer same-day or next-day services. Thus, it is best for your e-commerce business. Many e-commerce courier companies offer express shipment plan customization services.
Ready To Find A Courier Partner?
As time passes by, you can increase the shipment volume. An assessment of the courier partners can help you get favorable discounts or terms. Besides, a process of error and trial is imperative in the e-commerce business. It helps you associate with the perfect courier partners who will grow with you.
NimbusPost offers a free trial to empower eCommerce businesses with hassle-free logistic solutions. You get easy channel integration and cloud-based support solution. In addition, NimbusPost connects you with 27+ courier partners to help you reduce RTO up to 25%*. Order filtering and AI-fraud detection are some other important features to your advantage.
