5 Shipping Mistakes That Are Costing Your Business Money in Canada (And How to Fix Them)

For Canada’s entrepreneurs, shipping is far more than just a logistical issue; it ties directly into the profitability of their business. In an age marked by high customer expectations and a decline in profitability, an inefficient way of doing this process could affect your bottom line to a greater extent than we think possible.

Whether you’re operating a web storefront or fulfilling orders from your local warehouse, sidestepping common shipping pitfalls can make all the difference between struggling to stay afloat and thriving. The great news is that so many of these costly errors are simple to fix once you know what mistake has been made.

Here are five of the most common mistakes small business owners make when looking for cheapest shipping in Canada, and how to set them straight in order to save time, money, and customer loyalty.

1. Using Only One Carrier for All Shipments

Relying on one courier may seem convenient, but it is likely to result in an increase in costs and a narrowed range of services. The postal rate changes greatly depending on destination, weight, package size, and speed of delivery.

When comparing rates, remember that shipping volume can be as important as any other factor. Many small businesses are now turning to third-party platforms that pull together quotes from different carriers, enabling them to enjoy the cheapest shipping in Canada without signing multiple contracts or managing independent systems.

2. Ignoring Dimensional Weight

Many businesses do not realize that the dimension (or volume) weighting can cause a major increase in shipping costs. When calculating the value of shipping, couriers take into account not only actual shipping weights but also package size. So put a lightweight product inside a large box, and you can end up paying more than was planned.

To fix this, package your products in the right boxes and even invest in custom boxes that suit your products. It can result in substantial savings in shipping costs over a longer time period.

3. Not Offering Multiple Shipping Options at Checkout

Limiting your customers to an expensive shipping method can lead to abandoned shopping carts. Today’s customers expect choice: some want speed above all else, and others are happy to wait if this saves them a few dollars.

By integrating several shipping choices right into the checkout process, you help your clients decide what’s more important- money or time. And by tapping into services that allow you easy access to inexpensive shipping in Canada, competitive rates can be offered without making a big hole in your profits.

4. Manually Managing Labels and Tracking

If you are still copying and pasting addresses into carrier websites to generate shipping labels one at a time, not only will you be wasting precious time, but failures will increase.

Automating label generation and tracking updates isn’t only faster, it also ensures that everything is done accurately. Use shipping automation tools to synchronize your online store with carrier websites, print out labels in bulk, and automatically set up email tracking information for consumers. Less time spent doing admin work means more time can be devoted to the path of growth.

5. Overlooking International Shipping Opportunities

Many Canadian small businesses hesitate from international shipping, worrying that it could be too pricey or complex. Right now, however, cross-border e-commerce is advancing rapidly, and to avoid facing it just means missing a potential revenue stream.

To bring both the cheapest shipping in Canada and tools for going global, one needs a smarter shipping platform. Today, these kinds of platforms no longer require customers to worry about customs documentation but instead carry out that work for them. They also offer discounted international rates and allow you, in other words, get two kinds of help.

Final Thoughts

Identifying these mistakes and rectifying them makes all the difference between shipping that costs you more out of pocket and one that plays to your strategic advantage. With a few changes to your shipping process, you can reduce costs, offer a better customer experience and provide cheapest shipping in Canada.

The post 5 Shipping Mistakes That Are Costing Your Business Money in Canada (And How to Fix Them) appeared first on Entrepreneurship Life.