Fulfillment and Shipping

For small businesses, getting started with shipping can be daunting. Maintaining the smooth operations of a small business is no easy feat. Small business owners wear many hats, as they have to oversee the business operations from production, marketing, and shipping to ensuring a satisfactory customer experience. From end to end, e-commerce is a crucial aspect of both small and large businesses.

For small businesses, it carries extra meaning as it provides an opportunity to provide a customized customer experience and retain clients. Small businesses that operate brick-and-mortar businesses should take advantage of mail orders to reach an even larger pool of customers.

There are a few factors to consider before choosing a shipping carrier. Here are some things to consider when it comes to small business shipping:

• Shipping volume: Are you a fully established shop and shipping 100 packages a week? Or are you just starting out and anticipating your shipping volume to be a few packages a month? No matter the frequency of your shipping, mail carriers offer a variety of business plans to make it so you never have to say, “Oh ship,” again.
• Weight: On average, how much do your products typically weigh? Unless you are using a flat-rate box, the weight of the object can affect the price of shipping.
• Shipping priority: Will you be shipping ground, priority, first-class, or something else? Will you offer one option or will you have multiple shipping methods? Take a look at the domestic zoning map by UPS linked here (Page 6 of the Zone Guide) to see how quickly a package will get to its destination.
• Shipping destinations: Planning to ship internationally? Follow this link on the UPS website to learn more about international shipping rates. 
• Packaging: When it comes to shipping for small businesses, the packaging is essential. Flat-rate boxes are an obvious choice because regardless of the three W’s (what, weight, or where your package is shipping to), you pay the predetermined rate listed

Types of shipping packaging

Types of shipping packaging and laws around it!!!

A well-chosen packaging for a product business is very important. From the very moment when the order is placed until it is delivered to the customer, your choice of packaging determines and impacts the journey of the product. Customers naturally have high expectations of how their unboxing experience would be with your product.

Types of Product Packaging:

• Corrugated Boxes: They’re sturdy, versatile, durable and the most commonly used product packaging. At the same time, they’re expensive and often require fillers to save the items from moving and breaking.

• Padded Envelopes: Ideal for shipping smaller items, padded/bubble mailers act as an extra layer of protection with recyclable paper and bubble wrap. These work well for delicate items like jewelry, handicrafts, books, and electronics.

• Polybags: These are lightweight, easy to store, inexpensive, and durable plastic mailing bags. They work great with light but not fragile products like clothing. You can always opt for zero-waste alternatives with compostable mailers from companies like:
  • IceGreen

Sustainable packaging

Sustainable packaging keeping the planet in mind: Here are some Canadian companies offering sustainable and eco-friendly packaging:

• Canada Brown
• Root Tree

Follow this guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations by the Competition Bureau of Canada.

UPS has all these things covered and offers resources at each step to make shipping and fulfillment convenient for your business! Check below:

• Here’s a hack on designing a shipping strategy for your small business by UPS.
• Also check out these amazing Fulfillment & Shipping resources by UPS.