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The e-Commerce industry has undeniably boomed in the past few years. This is not only evident in the Philippines, but everywhere in the world, with Amazon topping the charts as the largest Internet company in the world in terms of revenue, and also being the second-largest private employer in the United States. Pandemic or none, the eCommerce industry is definitely here to stay as it grants everyone access to buy everything: from the basics like food, clothing, appliances, and furniture, to art materials, collector’s and novelty items all within a few clicks, without having to leave the comforts of home.

If you are an entrepreneur or online seller, you would know very well that the job does not end once the customer hits that check-out button. In fact, the most crucial part of the purchase happens right after that. A recent survey found that a good 60% of consumers have abandoned a purchase with high shipping costs, and a whopping 84% say they’re unlikely to shop with a brand again if they encounter a bad experience with shipping.

Having good products and packaging solutions are important, but none of it will make an impact if the package arrives to your customers late, damaged, or even worse, doesn’t arrive at all. In this article, we will give you some short but effective tips to find the right shipping partner for your e-commerce business.

If you find this article helpful, we recommend our guide in creating an e-commerce shipping strategy and some telltale signs it’s time to switch shipping partners.

First, ask yourself these three important questions

Before you explore the different options, it is best to answer these three questions first.

1. What products do I sell?

What is the nature of the products you sell? What are their dimensions? How many shipments can your team pack and release in a week? If you are selling big, fragile, and expensive items like furniture, your needs would definitely vary from someone selling clothing and accessories.

2. Who are my customers?

What is the purchasing power of your target market? How much would they typically pay for shipping costs?

3. Who are my top 3 most successful competitors?

Why are they so successful? What are their shipping methods? How much do they charge?

Next, do your research, scope out your top contenders and take into account these three factors

1. Delivery speed and range

Whether you ship locally, nationwide, or across several countries, these details are quite crucial. Remember that no matter how good the quality of your products are, customers will always opt for security and prefer products that arrive in the quickest possible time.

2. Parcel tracking capabilities

In the world of shipping, delays and problems may inevitably arise. It is important to find a shipping partner that can keep you and your customers updated at all times, even when something goes wrong, and deliver an accurate and truthful ETA.

3. Total Cost

Remember, low costs do not always offer quality results. So it would not be wise to base your decision on this factor alone – a mistake that a lot of entrepreneurs have made. Find a company that matches all the criteria mentioned above, and go for it, even if it’s not the cheapest option. Chances are, exemplary service from your shipping partner will translate to more sales and return customers in the future.

Finally, if you encounter issues with your top choice, do not fret! Go back to the previous step and try to work something out with your next best contender. Not everyone gets it right the first time, and that’s okay.

At MyKartero, we offer services that make it easy for all business owners to go about their e-commerce and shipping needs with competitive shipping rates, an innovative postal system, and multi-country delivery. Let us help you grow your business by booking your first parcel with us here.