10 Tips for Choosing the Best Carrier for Your Business

Selecting the right shipping carrier is essential for eCommerce businesses. From pricing to reliability, you need to ensure that your choice of carrier meets both your needs and the needs of your customers.

Here are 10 tips to help you find the best shipping carrier for your business:

1. Assess carrier coverage

Make sure the carrier services the areas where your customers are located. For domestic shipping, ensure they have a strong regional network. For international shipping, check if the carrier has reliable partnerships in key countries to ensure smooth delivery across borders. 

2. Compare pricing structures and service levels

While shipping costs are an important factor, don’t base your decision solely on price. Consider what you are getting for that price along with any volume-based discounts that will help reduce costs as your business grows. It is important to balance cost with the level of service you’ll receive.

3. Prioritise reliability and reputation

A reliable carrier ensures that your customers receive their orders on time and in good condition. Look for carriers that deliver within the estimated delivery time and have a low rate of damaged goods. Researching the carrier’s reputation by reading reviews and testimonials from other businesses will give you some insight into carriers that are more likely to provide a consistent service. Look for carriers that are known for their reliability, customer service and proactive communication.

4. Check tracking capabilities 

Tracking is essential in ensuring your customer is informed about their order from the moment it leaves your business until it arrives on their doorstep. A carrier that provides easily accessible tracking information throughout the package’s journey provides transparency and builds trust.

5. Special handling services

If your business deals with extremely fragile, perishable, or oversized items, ensure your carrier can accommodate those needs. Specialised handling reduces the risk of damage during transit, providing additional security for sensitive products.

6. Evaluate scalability

As your business grows, your shipping needs may change. Ensure the carrier can handle increased order volumes without compromising on service quality. Some carriers offer volumised shipping discounts or contracted rates making it easier to scale while managing costs.

7. Compare shipping carrier speeds

Not every order needs to get to your customer as quickly as possible, but having options is key. Looking for a carrier that offers a range of shipping speeds such as standard, express, same or next day delivery will ensure you are meeting your customers needs.

8. Consider technology integration

Shipping software such as ReadyToShip integrate seamlessly with a number of Australian carriers. Using software simplifies processes like label generation, updating tracking and order management, making your operations more efficient.

9. Consider a multi-carrier approach

Finding the perfect carrier may be a bit out of reach so consider using multiple carriers to meet your needs. This strategy allows you to offer a wider range of shipping speeds and services, ensuring you meet various customer needs.

10. Look for flexible pickup and drop-off options

Depending on your business, you may need a carrier that offers flexible pick-up or drop-off options. Some carriers provide scheduled pickups either for free or with an additional fee while others require parcels to be dropped off at specific locations. Choose a carrier whose pickup schedule aligns with your business operations to streamline your shipping process.

Choosing the best shipping carrier for your business requires careful consideration of several factors. By keeping these 10 tips in mind when evaluating your options, you’ll be able to find a carrier (or carriers) that not only meets your current needs but also supports your business as it grows. You can find a list of carriers ReadyToShip integrates with here.