Whenever any crisis occurs, we always experience a paradigm shift in consumer habits and preferences. For example, after covid-19, people have been more into online shopping and eCommerce than ever before.
This changes the whole eCommerce landscape. Therefore, businesses must keep up with this ever-changing demand in order to stay competitive.
One of the most critical aspects of meeting these demands is the ability to deliver products in a timely and efficient manner. Each customer wants their products to be delivered at their pace. As a result, shipping has become an integral part of modern eCommerce. If you’re torn between express shipping and standard shipping, don’t worry! This blog post will guide you through the differences between the two shipping methods, making it easier for you to make an informed decision in choosing the best shipping mode for your business.
What is Express Shipping?
Customers often expect their orders to arrive as quickly as possible, and express shipping helps get their products to your customers in record time.
Express shipping is an expedited delivery method designed to prioritize certain parcels or packages over others. This service is ideal for businesses and customers who require time-sensitive items or need to meet tight deadlines. It typically involves a fast freight process, utilizing air or road transportation, depending on the shipment’s dimensions and weight.
One of the key aspects of express shipping is the provision made to ensure orders are dispatched overnight or the next day. This quick turnaround allows customers to receive their packages within a short timeframe, usually between 24 to 72 hours. For dropshipping businesses that need to maintain high customer satisfaction, express shipping can be a game-changer.
What is Standard Shipping?
Standard shipping is the most cost-effective delivery option offered by couriers. Although it doesn’t include overnight or expedited delivery, standard shipping remains a popular choice for businesses and customers seeking a more affordable way to transport goods.
This method is ideal for customers who are not in a hurry to receive their orders and are willing to wait a little longer for their packages to arrive. Standard shipping typically takes around seven business days, using slower modes of transport such as sea freight or surface couriers.
Express Shipping vs Standard Shipping: Know the Differences
Delivery Time
The speed at which your customers receive their packages can significantly impact their satisfaction. With delivery times as short as one day, express shipping ensures that your customers receive their orders promptly. This method typically utilizes air couriers or dedicated trucks to transport packages faster than standard shipping. In some cases, express shipping can even provide same-day delivery for local destinations, making it ideal for businesses that require quick turnaround times.
On the other hand, standard shipping offers a slower but more cost-effective delivery option. The delivery time for standard shipping ranges from three to eight business days, depending on the distance between the origin and destination. While this method may not be suitable for customers who need their orders urgently, it is an excellent option for those who can afford to wait a little longer for their packages to arrive.
Reliability
Express shipping is generally considered more reliable than standard shipping due to its shorter delivery times and the use of air couriers or dedicated trucks. The faster transportation methods employed by express shipping providers reduce the chances of delays and minimize the risk of damage to packages during transit. With fewer stops and handlings along the way, express shipping ensures that your customers receive their orders in the best possible condition.
Standard shipping, while more affordable, may not always be as reliable as express shipping.
Due to its longer transit times and the use of surface couriers, standard shipping can be more prone to delays and potential damage to packages. However, it is essential to note that many standard shipping providers offer reliable services and take necessary precautions to ensure the safe delivery of your shipments.
Shipping Cost
Understanding how each method affects your bottom line and your customers’ wallets helps you make informed decisions. Express shipping, as the name suggests, offers faster delivery times. This expedited service comes at a higher cost due to the use of air transportation or dedicated trucks to ensure the speedy delivery of your shipments. Express shipping is ideal for customers who need their orders urgently and are willing to pay a premium for convenience.
On the other hand, standard shipping is a more cost-effective option for both businesses and customers. With delivery times typically ranging from two to eight days, standard shipping relies on slower transportation methods such as road or sea freight. These methods are generally less expensive than air transportation, which results in reduced shipping costs for your business and, in turn, your customers.
Dispatch from Warehouses
The speed at which orders are processed and dispatched plays a crucial role in determining the overall delivery time and customer satisfaction.
Express shipping typically offers faster dispatch times, with orders leaving the warehouse within one to three days. This is because express shipping services prioritize the processing and handling of these orders to ensure they are delivered within the promised timeframe.
In contrast, standard shipping involves slower dispatch times, with orders taking around two to eight days to leave the warehouse. Since standard shipping does not have the same time constraints as express shipping, orders are processed more leisurely.
Tracking and Updates
With express shipping, tracking is an integral part of the service. Customers can expect detailed real-time updates on their orders, including the current location and estimated time of arrival. This level of transparency allows customers to follow their package’s journey every step of the way and stay informed about any potential delays or issues.
On the other hand, standard shipping usually provides more limited tracking options. So, while there might still be some visibility into the order’s placement, it’s often only updated once the package arrives at specific checkpoints or destinations.
Insurance and Guarantees
Due to the higher costs associated with express shipping, courier companies typically provide better protection for your packages. This may include higher insurance limits, faster claims processing, and more robust guarantees to ensure timely delivery. By choosing express shipping, you can provide your customers with the added security of knowing their orders are well-protected and that they will be compensated in case of any unforeseen issues.
Standard shipping, while more cost-effective, may offer more limited insurance coverage and guarantees. The insurance limits might be lower, and the process for filing claims could be more time-consuming.
Conclusion
Get the best standard and express shipping provider through NimbusPost.
While standard shipping is a practical choice, there are situations where express shipping might be more suitable, especially for time-sensitive products.
Opt for standard shipping when affordability is your priority. Customers are often willing to wait a bit longer for their orders if it means lower shipping costs. Express shipping can be an option if you’re prepared to absorb some losses, but charging customers more for faster shipping might deter them. Research has shown that customers tend to prioritize shipping costs over delivery speed.
However, this isn’t always the case. Certain situations and products may prompt customers to pay more for faster shipping. To retain customers, it’s essential to provide express delivery options as well.
So, when it comes to standard shipping vs. express shipping, navigating through shipping options can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. NimbusPost helps businesses find the perfect balance between cost and speed for their shipping needs.
By offering an array of services and features, NimbusPost makes it easy for businesses to choose the right shipping method, whether it’s standard or express. For example, with the courier recommendation engine, you can easily find the fastest courier services based on various factors such as shipping rates, serviceability, return orders, and more. Moreover, you can compare various courier partner charges like FedEx courier charges, DTDC courier charges, etc. This ensures that you’re making informed decisions and getting the most value out of your shipping budget.
