Starting a small business can be an overwhelming experience and there are many different factors to consider.
When it comes to a business that ships products to clients, the proper handling of shipping can make a huge difference, financially.
This is especially true for companies that ship internationally, and it is important to keep a few tips in mind in order to be successful.
One important thing that many new business owners do not realize is that there is a huge difference between shipping by land and shipping by sea.
When they ship by sea, the shipper is often responsible for fees such as duties and taxes.
Whenever possible, it is best to ship by land and, if that is not an option, be sure to negotiate these additional fees before sending the products out.
When a business is just starting out, the managers are likely to be very busy and will be looking for any way to save time.
However, saving money is also important and it may be best to spend the time taking items to a shipping terminal rather than shipping from the office.
There are many fees associated with shipping from an office or residence that can be avoided if the packages are dropped off at the terminal.
After awhile, the people in charge of shipping may feel like they have it down and can estimate the cost of shipping for a particular order.
This is never a good idea because shipping costs may change and each package will not be identical in weight.
Avoid a costly mistake by taking the extra time to verify shipping costs before giving clients a quote.
Of course, many small businesses find that an order fulfillment service is the best way to handle their shipping.
These services can store inventory, handle all shipping, and even process returns without ever bothering the company itself.
An extra bonus is that these fulfillment services can often get shipping discounts that are not available to the average company.
Shipping, especially international shipping, can be a confusing part of starting a business and distributing products for the first time.
New business owners should remember that guessing is never a good idea and that they can save significant money by verifying costs in advance.
They can also save money by taking goods to a shipping terminal and avoiding sea shipping when possible, as the costs are significantly higher.