We know shipping is a gigantic aspect of your ecommerce fulfillment strategy. It’s also likely one of the most costly. So it doesn’t surprise us that our shipping guides are some of the most read blog posts of 2020.
In case you missed these the first time around, here are some of our most popular blog posts published this year.
Juggling Small Package Options? Cross Compare the Top Three
Direct-to-consumer shipping costs can make up as much as 70% of a company’s total fulfillment costs and can be a material percent of the average order value. Now more than ever sellers are highly incentivized to find ways to optimize their shipping to be faster and more affordable.
Companies who sell smaller items, anything under 10lbs—consumer electronics, health & beauty supplies, or consumer packaged goods —have a few options for their small parcel shipping strategy. The most used are UPS Surepost, FedEx Smartpost, and DHL eCommerce. All three have many similarities, yet some distinct differences, yet many companies may not know which one is truly right for their products and brand.
Read the full comparison and reference guide infographic.
A Forecasting Tool: Peak Season Carrier Surcharges
It’s never too early to start planning for next year! Even though the peak season is now mostly behind us (except the rush of RMAs!), it’s a great idea to do a full Q4 debrief and make notes for changes you want to make next year.
Every year each carrier sets their own increases, and those vary between freight types, domestic versus international, express and ground, and everything in between.
The unprecedented increase in order volume this year was great for companies’ but it caused delays, bottlenecks, and general uncertainty among carriers. This meant aggressive surcharges that padded the carriers’ need to work harder this year.
Read the full breakdown of peak season carrier charges.
Last Mile Delivery Explained
As consumers increasingly turn to ecommerce for all their shopping needs, speedy fulfillment is the expectation of every online shopping experience. Last mile delivery is just what it sounds like, the last stretch of the delivery process where goods are transported from a distribution hub to the final delivery destination. The focus of last mile logistics is to deliver items to the end user as fast as possible. Last mile logistics has become a popular area of interest for ecommerce businesses due to the growing demand for integrated omnichannel fulfillment.
There are 3PLs and last mile delivery service providers who can help by leveraging technology to improve the efficiency of routing, inventory management, and general visibility (good for the company and the end-customer). By setting up systems that make real-time data visible for the last mile, companies can better manage peak times, routes, and costs.
Read all about last mile delivery and how it plays into your shipping and fulfillment strategy.
Freight Optimization
It is easy to get confused when hearing the acronyms for truckload shipping and less-than-truckload shipping as you try to decide which one is right for your specific needs. Both full truckload (FTL or TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) options have their place in the freight shipping industry. Choosing the right freight shipping method depends on several variables, including the size and weight of your shipment, freight classification, and delivery timelines. It also might make sense to partner with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) to help manage your freight shipments.
Read the full recap of FTL vs. LTL and which one you should be choosing.
Is Dropshipping as Great as Everyone Seems to Think?
Dropshipping is an order fulfillment strategy where the retailer does not keep products in inventory, but relies on wholesalers or manufacturers to actually ship orders to customers.
With lower capital investment, lower barrier to entry, and greater flexibility, dropshipping is quickly becoming a very popular fulfillment method, particularly among startups and smaller companies.
Read up on all things dropshipping to see if it’s right for your brand.
If you’re looking for fulfillment support or a reputable 3PL to partner with, we’d love to hear from you. Read what our customers say about us.
Tags: Expert Advice & Tips
