Shipping Tips for Small Businesses for a Smoother Holiday Season

If you’ve been in business for any amount of time, you know that selling online and shipping go hand-in-hand. During the holidays, the shipping headaches can build up like a snow squall! To make sure your holiday season sails smoothly, here are some updated shipping tips for small businesses like yours.

In the current landscape where prices seem to be soaring across the board, shipping rates continue to be a pivotal factor influencing holiday buying decisions.

For online sellers, staying vigilant about shipping costs and understanding their impact on both your business and customers is crucial. 

Transparency in communicating your shipping information is more important than ever this year.

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Starting from 10/2/23 through 1/2/24, the USPS has once again implemented temporary rate adjustments for the holiday season. 

If you typically charge flat rate shipping or offer free shipping, it’s essential to factor in these changes. Ensure your pricing reflects these adjustments accordingly!

Establishing a streamlined shipping system is key to setting yourself and your customers up for success during this bustling holiday period.

Here’s a guide to get your “shipping department” running like clockwork:

Shipping Tips for Small Businesses: Stock Up on Supplies

Supply chain disruptions persist, significantly affecting shipping supplies. What used to arrive overnight now takes days, and some items may face months-long stock shortages. Relying on last-minute orders is no longer a reliable option.

Take stock of your inventory and holiday sales forecasts. Consider:

• Past order volumes as a reference point.
• Average items per order (use analytics tools like those offered by Shopify).
• Inventory quantities on your website.

Bonus Tip for 2023: Streamline Your Packaging

Consider consolidating packaging sizes to be more cost-effective. Can you reduce from five different box sizes to three, for example?

Bulk ordering ensures the best prices for shipping supplies. There are virtually no downsides to this practice. Plus, shipping materials don’t expire, so having extras won’t hurt.

Realistic Shipping Timelines

Each year, USPS releases shipping deadlines. For 2023, these are:

• USPS Priority Mail Express: Ship by Friday, December 22nd.
• Priority Mail: Ship by Monday, December 18th.
• First-class Mail: Ship by Saturday, December 16th.
• USPS Retail Ground: Ship by Saturday, December 16th.

It’s wise to add extra time when setting customer order cut-off dates. Consider:

• Production time (especially for custom orders).
• Packing time.
• Transit time to your preferred shipping service.
• Additional transit time once shipped.

Tip for USPS Users: Utilize the “schedule a pickup” option for prepaid packages right from your home!

Print Labels at Home and Save

Printing shipping labels at home can save both time and money. Services like Etsy or Shopify offer the ability to print USPS labels at commercial rates. Information required includes:

• Selected shipping service (e.g., USPS First Class, USPS Priority).
• Accurate package size and weight (mistakes here can lead to extra costs or delays).

Investing in a small scale and label printer for home use can save a significant amount of time and money.

Explore various shipping services for access to USPS commercial rates. Some recommended services include ShipStation, Shippo, and PirateShip.

Shipping Tips for Small Businesses for a Smoother Holiday Season

Setting up a robust shipping system will save time and hassle for both you and your customers. Faster deliveries, happier customers, and a smoother business – it’s a win-win!

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