The Offline Technicalities Of Your Online Shop
Online shops are major business in the modern age. More of us than ever are taking to the net to sell our wares. Some decide to set up shop on sites like Etsy, while others are going it alone with domain names and online marketing.We’re spending our days locked up in home offices, either making goods to sell, or trying to get noticed. It’s an amazing way to make a living.
But, it’s not all easy. There are technicalities to making an online shop work, just as there are with any other business. A lot of these involve online presence. You need to master your marketing, website design, and much more. And, there are many guides out there to help you do it.
But, we focus less on the offline technicalities of small online shops. Yet, they’re just as essential for success. The offline stuff is what happens between your receiving the order, and your customer getting their goods. Namely, that involves postage and packaging.
If your operation is still in the starting stages, your postage may be giving you sleepless nights. In truth, it’s a difficult thing to your head around, and most of us have to learn by trial and error. But, to make the task easier, we’re going to look at some of the technicalities you should consider.
The cheapest way to travel. Every entrepreneur wants to find the cheapest way to post. If you charge top dollar for postage, you stand to lose custom to cheaper competitors. So, you need to make sure you look into this.
Operating through private couriers is often cheaper. Companies like DHL and FedEx offer bespoke services which often cost less. Bear in mind, though, that they’re only cheaper if you’re sending in bulk, and using them often.
Or, you could focus on keeping the size of your packages down. That way, sending through Royal Mail won’t be as expensive. Small changes to your packaging will make a huge difference. When transporting liquids, you could use something like these bespoke drink pouches instead of boxes.In other instances, it may be best to use envelopes instead of boxes. Anything like this is sure to save money.
Ensure safe travel. If your products are a mess when they arrive, you stand to lose money and custom. So, you need to ensure they always travel well. If sending items which could become creased, use cardboard backed envelopes for protection. It’s also worth investing in bubble wrap or polystyrene stuffing to protect delicate items. And, always listen to customer feedback so you can adjust your methods.
Know your posting dates. As mentioned above, posting all items at once can save on postage costs. But, it does mean that customers who order just after you’ve sent a post could be waiting a while. Which is why it’s worth letting customers know when you post, and when they can expect to receive their items. Otherwise, you’ll get grumpy customers, and spend a lot of time answering queries.
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