The New Year invites the time-honored tradition of setting resolutions for the coming year. It’s a good excuse to take stock of achievements and shortfalls of the past year and commit to improving in the coming year.
(Pixabay / Meditations)
If your business does a lot of shipping, consider setting some New Year’s resolutions in that arena. Start by analyzing your shipping practices. Are they as efficient and economical as they could be? If not, weigh options for adjusting them in a way that will help your business run more smoothly and improve your bottom line.
The following tips can help your business save on shipping costs:
- Location, location, location – Your company’s physical location will have a big impact on the time and money you spend on shipping. Make sure to go with a carrier located close by. Distance counts. The hubs for major carriers are usually in close proximity to major airports. If your business is close to those hubs, you can usually take advantage of discounted shipping rates and late pickup times.
- Forecast – You can save on shipping costs if you can accurately forecast your shipping needs. Make a projection of how much you expect to ship in a twelve-month period, and bring your estimated output to a local carrier for a quote. By committing to a certain amount of potential business, you might be able to snag better rates. You may then opt to pass the savings on to the customer which could translate into more business.
- Shipping options – There are different shipping options available, which include traditional ground, air, boat, and truck. The main difference is the time required for delivery. Knowing your cargo will help you pick the best options. If the cargo is perishable, spending extra for the fastest option, which is air, is probably the safest bet.
- Paperwork – Cargo shipping entails a lot of paperwork, especially if the shipment requires permits. If you can stay organized and thoroughly complete your shipping documents, you can save valuable time in shipping.
Taking time to assess and streamline your shipping expenses is one great way to get your business off on the right foot in 2017.