The holiday season is a time of joy for almost every business, especially during Black Friday. Consumer spending surges with many stores on sale and products at discounted prices. However, this can be both an excellent growth opportunity and a challenge for small businesses, particularly shipping products. Even with the holiday rush, your products should reach customers on time and in ideal condition to maintain their satisfaction. Hence, there is a need for efficient shipping.
This blog will share tips on easing your Black Friday shipping worries. We will discuss everything from inventory management to choosing the right shipping partners so your small business can thrive during the holiday season.
Preparing for the Black Friday Rush
To capitalize on the peak season of shopping, here are some practical steps you can do to prepare your small business for Black Friday:
- Forecast Shipping Needs
Any business should have data on past sales and trends so you can analyze them during peak shopping seasons like the holidays. This way, you can already anticipate your order volumes and prepare accordingly. Analyzing customer behavior, such as average order size and peak shopping hours, can also help you forecast future sales and shipping needs.
These forecasts will help you assess whether your small business has sufficient stock. Make sure that you have enough stock for both popular items and complementary products. Consider having an inventory management system that tracks stock levels in real time and gives you insights on products that need to be reordered.
- Setup Automated Order Processing
Before you get caught up with the holiday rush, an automated order processing system must be set up to speed up the process. Some software can accept and track orders automatically without the risk of manual errors.
- Optimize Packaging
Your small business should optimize packaging to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. You can create a streamlined packing process to help you quickly select which box sizes you need. Although UPS provides many box size options depending on your delivery and product preferences, you must understand which sizes are best for each operation or product. Tools like the dims Calculator can be used to determine the volumetric weight of a package to save costs and make better use of transportation space.
- Develop a Shipping Plan
Before the holiday rush begins, your small business should map out your shipping process. This includes planning how the orders will be received and processed, the packing guidelines, and the list of carrier options. You should factor in potential increases in order volume and how your team will handle these spikes.
Choosing the Right Shipping Partner
Your shipping partner can also influence the success of your small business. A suitable partner helps your business grow by ensuring timely deliveries and smooth operations. Here’s how you can choose a suitable shipping partner:
- Compare Rates
When choosing the right shipping partner, the rates are the first factor you should consider. Different carriers offer different strengths, which means they also have different rates. Two of the biggest shipping carriers in the US are UPS (United Parcel Service) and USPS (United States Postal Service), and knowing their rates can help you decide which is best for your small business. You can also use online tools or calculators these carriers provide to estimate shipping costs based on package size, weight, and destination.
- Evaluate Delivery Speed and Reliability
The rate of the correct shipping partner correlates with their delivery speed and reliability. Ensure that your chosen shipping partner can deliver your items according to your customer’s needs and expectations. You can look at other businesses’ reviews or track records. Here’s a guide for the ideal delivery speed:
- Standard shipping – between 3 to 5 business days
- Expedited Shipping – 1 to 2-day shipping
Always remember that minor changes may occur during peak seasons. In case of any delay, ensure that your shipping partner has established protocols for managing delays or delivery issues.
- Consider Technology Integration
One way to speed up a process is through technology integration. A good shipping partner offers technology solutions to integrate with your e-commerce platform. These can include services such as automated label printing, tracking updates, and order management.
- Take a Look at Service Options and Geographic Coverage
Another indication for a good shipping partner is the variety of services offered. They should provide a range of shipping options, including standard, express, and international shipping. Check if they have tracking capabilities and responsive customer support to address customer needs promptly. Also, confirm if the shipping partner covers your primary shipping regions, both domestically and internationally, if applicable.
- Environmental Considerations
With the increasing environmental damage our world is experiencing, it is best to consider working with a shipping partner that prioritizes eco-friendly practices. Small businesses can reduce their carbon footprint by choosing a carrier with sustainable methods. Working with eco-conscious shipping providers can boost a brand’s reputation, attracting consumers to socially responsible businesses.
Start with Better Shipping Today
Effective shipping ensures a small business’s success during peak and off-peak seasons. Proactive planning and implementation of effective strategies can guarantee time savings, cost-effectiveness, and raised brand image.
Gori Company is here to revolutionize your shipping process through our data-optimized solutions. With our multi-carrier shipping rate solution, shipping is both faster and smarter. You don’t have to worry about your package labels because our Smart Manifest covers it for you. By leveraging AI Data Optimization, we can help you track your business patterns that may go unnoticed when relying on a single data source.
Since we use an all-in-one shipment management platform, you can now manage the delivery status across all your stores in just one platform. Order tracking and delivery status updates are now better managed across multiple locations.
With Gori Company, you can focus on growing your business while we simplify your shipping experience. Contact us today to experience better shipping solutions.
