(Newswire.net — April 29, 2021) — If you run a business, then making any savings you can is paramount. Other than increasing sales, this is the only way you can boost your profit margins. However, you have to prioritize which costs to cut. Your workforce is invaluable so cutting employee wages should be a last resort. Instead, find other areas where you can make cuts, like shipping costs, which can accumulate fast if you offer your customers free shipping. Here are five ways to bring costs down in this area.
1 – Shop Around for Deals
Many businesses stay loyal to the companies they partner with. Most often it’s a matter of convenience but your loyalty may also come with discounts over time. In the shipping industry, however, this is rarely the case. Head online to compare courier quotes between different service providers in your region. You may find a better deal if you look around.
2 – Check for Deals Online
Look for a courier that focuses on its online presence, rather than renting big buildings downtown. By operating over the internet, they usually have lower overhead costs which are passed on to the customer as lower prices. Booking online is also quick, easy, and cost-effective.
3 – Practice Bulk Shipping
As with all aspects of your business, bulk buying lowers the cost per unit. This is especially true when it comes to shipping. Sending bigger packages are almost always cheaper per kilogram than sending smaller ones. Try to group as many packages together as possible and send them in one bunch. That way, you only pay one fee and, as an added bonus, it’s better for the environment as well.
4 – Use Smaller Shipping Companies
It’s tempting to always send your packages with the big brand names that cover the entire nation as well as shipping internationally. However, don’t assume that this is always the cheapest option. If you ship all your products to one specific area, then you may be able to find a smaller, regional courier service. Being small and local, they often charge less than large, global brands.
5 – Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
Shipping prices aren’t set in stone. As a business, you’re mailing far more items than the typical consumer. Therefore, you have room to negotiate. Don’t be afraid of asking for a discount. If a courier service believes that you’ll stick around for a while, then they’ll be interested in keeping you loyal. Of course, you won’t always be able to strike a deal, but you won’t know until you try it.
With these five tips, you’re bound to see your shipping costs come down. Even if it’s only a small saving per item, this can add up to larger amounts across several years. It takes a bit of work but the long-term rewards are more than worth the effort.
If you are in an industry where the customer typically pays for the price of shipping, it’s still a good idea to look for better deals. After all, lower shipping costs can help you win customers over the competition, and it shows the customer that you care about making sure they don’t overspend.