We all know about the seven deadly sins – lust, envy, gluttony, sloth, greed, anger and pride. In the eCommerce world, there are also seven big no no’s to dodge when it comes to your eCommerce business and shipping solutions. One of Australia’s leaders in streamlined premium shipping solutions, Smart Send, is urging Australian businesses to get a firm grip on the seven-common eCommerce transporting traps and transform them to winning formulas for shipping success.

 

    One platform, multiple issues


According to Steve Visic, Director of Sales, Smart Send, it is fundamental that you don’t get stuck selling on one platform or marketplace only.

 

“Be sure you have a multi-channel model for your business.  By having only one platform, you may do reasonably well, but you won’t take advantage of the full opportunities available to you and the exceptional growth potential for your business that multi-channel offers,” Steve said.

 

“The multi-channel models promote an effective diversification strategy that will be catalyst to not only maximise reach but also cast a wider net for sales opportunities.”

 

    Align your brand with the right carrier


Another deadly sin when it comes to shipping is NOT doing enough research in finding the ideal carrier.  Be diligent and thorough in your research in the industry and don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions.   The carriers want your business, so you need to nut out the finite detail so there is transparency from the outset.

 

Steve says, “Align yourself with providers that project the same standards as your business and also use a variety of carriers to ship your products.  That way, you get the best bang for your buck and a broader range of services you can offer your customers. The old saying, ‘never put all your eggs in the one basket,’ never rings truer.”

 

    Get to know the basics of shipping in Australia


Your business is bound for challenges if you don’t have a good understanding of the three basics of shipping – expectations, methods in calculating shipping costs and packaging.  They all lay the foundation to ensure you save on shipping in many different areas.  Not having that basic shipping knowledge is simply a recipe for disaster!

 

“Our top tip would be to spend some time evaluating your product profile and assess how to ship easier, faster and at a lower cost by reviewing the shipping costs, possible surcharges and cubic charging.” Steve says.

 

    Packing for success


Another expensive shipping faux par is getting the wrong product and having it packaged incorrectly.

 

“Over the years, we’ve come across so many customers that have sourced the wrong products as well as not spending time researching how they could ship the goods easily or cost effectively before starting.  If we could invent a time machine we would go back in time to these customers before they placed the first order with their supplier and spend some time investigating all the avenues that would allow them to become successful shippers.”

 

“Knowing about the size and deadweight of your products, how fragile they are during transit and if they contain dangerous goods are all topics which need to be explored and discussed.  Knowledge is power and with knowledge it gives you the capacity to make more sound and considered decisions around your product lines and be able to ship more successfully and cost effectively.” Chris Madden co-founder and Director at Smart Send adds.

 

    The game changers


Those who avoid or ignore the suite of technology available is also another significant mistake businesses get trapped in, which often leads to dire consequences.

 

Steven believes there are two game changing areas of a logistic operation when shipping.

 

“Using shipping apps and an eCommerce platform which are suitable for eCommerce businesses is fundamental.  Without either, you will forever be working in the business and not on your business. Your ability to scale and become a high growth success story is limited and also unlikely.”

 

    Getting ready to ship

 

Coming down to basics, businesses often don’t see what is right in the front of them as obvious obstacles to overcome.  The importance of the pickup address, for example, should never be overlooked or undervalued.

 

“This leads to so many problems from our experience with either missed or late pickups with so many couriers. If you’re at a point where you’re sending decent volumes out each day, considering a 3PL solution is also a smart move in removing high fixed costs from your business and allowing you more time to work on your business and grow faster.” Chris adds.

 

    Customer service is king

 

This may seem obvious for some, but for others, having a delivery arrive in bad shape and late is one of the worst sins to commit.

 

“It all starts and ends with customer service,” says Chris.

 

“Spend the time to find a provider that can become an experienced partner for your business, that will assist you during the ongoing shipping issues you will experience during your shipping journey. Your shipping success story depends on it.”

 

“On average, dissatisfied customers tell 22 people about their negative experience, with the average business never hearing from 96 per cent of its unhappy customers.

 

“Acquiring a new customer can cost up to 10 times as much as supporting an existing customer.”

 

“It’s all about being reliable, authentic and transparent with your customers.  By investing time in quashing the seven deadly sins of shipping, you will have a greater chance of success and longevity.”