Tips for eCommerce sellers – How to save money on deliveries
Getting it right!
This is the first thing to check before you sell your products. Start with the basics, how strong does my packaging need to be? Clothing is an easy product to send but fragile and glass items are much harder to pack. Will your product require bubble wrap, air pillows or some other material? Will you send your item internationally? Does it need to be sent in a double wall or single wall box Do I need a box that can fit through the letter box?
At boxed-up we offer over 40 styles of boxes including subscription postal boxes, large letter boxes, small boxes for mugs and candles to large house moving boxes
To logo or not to logo?
Bespoke boxes look professional and unique. Our sister company Belmont Packaging can help you create a suitable box for your business. Belmont Packaging offer a wide range of sizes including shelf ready packaging, Countertop displays and packaging for the food and drink sector.
They offer a flexographic print that is popular amongst retailers but looks amazing on the packaging. FSC approved, Belmont packaging offer eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Fill the void!
If you are using bubble wrap or another packaging material, make sure that you line your box first and then start to wrap your product separately. Glass and more fragile products should be wrapped with a few layers of bubble wrap to make sure that they are secure. Pack the box as tight as possible so that there is no movement inside the box. Add more bubble wrap to the inside of the box to make sure there is absolutely no movement from your product as this can cause damage. If you want to be eco-friendly why not fill any voids with scrunched up newspaper.
Tape it up!
Don't be mistaken into believing that all packaging tape is the same. It does make sense to invest in some good quality tape to make sure that your boxes arrived in one piece.
We would recommend investing in some fragile tape if you have glass or items that are breakable and good quality brown or white tape.
Post my box!
There is a plethora of couriers around, so it does make sense to regularly check with couriers to see who offers the best deals.
Good courier comparison sites can easily be found on the internet. To make sure you are getting the best deals available, always know the exact weight and size of your parcel.
A good quality set of scales is recommended for weighing your items as you wouldn't want to post out to your customer and incur charges or worse still, your customer incurs charges to collect.
You got mail!
Choose before you send your item or items, what postage you are offering your customers. Next day delivery is ideal for your feedback and customer satisfaction, however this can be costly.
Ask yourself if you have the margins to pay for next day delivery or if you will charge your customers any extra for a quicker service.
Prices can start from £2.30 per box via a courier and you have the added benefit of being able to track your items, sometimes with GPS.
Challenge me!
Shipping your products can be challenging for any business. Research shipping cost and packaging as much as possible before signing up with any couriers or bulk buying any packaging supplies.
Sending orders will need tweaking on occasion and its always worth keeping up to date with Royal Mails regulations to make sure that you are never overcharged for incorrect size packaging or paying an incorrect rate.
Compare what your competitors are charging every 6 months to make sure that you are delivering the best service and cost to your customers.
Contact the Boxed-Up Packaging team on 01942 524 256 for further information on your cardboard packaging requirements.
