If you want to improve your eCommerce business, going beyond your borders might be a smart next step, but you’ll need to figure out how to ship internationally first. To execute international shipping properly, you’ll need a strategy that works for both you and your business. You don’t need to know everything about shipping, but you do need to understand your options and choose a method that works consistently. Here are the best strategies that you can do if you are planning to start shipping internationally with eCommerce order fulfillment.
Creating an effective eCommerce shipping strategy is one of the most critical actions you can take to develop your online business. While many companies begin in eCommerce with an integral approach to shipping, such as giving free delivery on all orders, the most successful merchants employ smart shipping choices to differentiate themselves from their competition and boost margins.
BEST PRACTICES FOR ECOMMERCE ORDER FULFILLMENT WHEN SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY
1. Build the right team.
The first step is to identify the right people to help in making this decision for your business. It requires including the stakeholders within your business in the discussion. Every department in your company has a role to play in making shipping work for your online business.
2. Set specific objectives.
Once you’ve identified the key teams in your business who will be involved in developing your strategy, you’ll need to outline what you want to achieve with your eCommerce shipping fulfillment strategy. Do you wish to enhance your profit margins? Are you ready to go global? Define your objectives and track your progress against them.
3. Identify your shipping coverage.
Another critical step in your international shipping strategy is sitting down and identifying which parts of the world you are looking to ship. Be specific with the countries and places where you want to export. In choosing the locations, you need to consider the distance, cost, and shipping duration.
4. Choose a shipping strategy.
Once you’ve chosen the right team and goals for your business, it’s time to get to work on developing a plan that will help your team achieve the objectives you’ve set. There are many options, like free in-store pickup, LTL freight carriers, same-day delivery, and free shipping. The latter isn’t always the best option. If you’re shipping huge items or do many large B2B shipments, using an LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight carrier becomes a necessity.
5. Get familiar with country rules and regulations which you plan to ship.
After you’ve decided where you want to ship, it’s necessary to look into the government laws. Some nations may restrict your products, others may charge taxes, and yet others may limit supply; understanding your country’s rules can guarantee easy delivery with minimal complications.
6. Ensure there’s a product-market fit for your target country..
Investigate the customer trends and preferences. Are there specific markets across the world that you believe might be more suited to your business than others? Some research may be necessary in this case. Researching eCommerce penetration may be a good beginning step.
7. Consider partnering with an eCommerce fulfillment provider.
International shipping management may be a hassle, or it can be effortless and efficient. Booking a shipment with one of the eCommerce fulfillment providers is the first step in the shipping process. That is, you pay them to pick up your orders and transport them to your customer’s destination address. They also offer other eCommerce fulfillment services like fulfillment warehousing services packing and shipping.
PARTNER WITH THE RIGHT ECOMMERCE FULFILLMENT PROVIDER TO MAKE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING A BREEZE!
Given the massive opportunity for business growth that international shipping can provide, many order fulfillment companies have difficulties profiting from this opportunity. You must do a lot of planning before entering a worldwide market due to a lack of reliable global fulfillment suppliers, complex shipping rules, currency fluctuation, and other factors.
However, when international shipping is done correctly, it may value your customers while also being highly profitable for your business! That is why it is critical to select a fulfillment provider who can provide rapid, dependable international delivery and meet the shipment timeframes of your customers’ demands.
It takes time to develop an international shipping strategy. Still, when done correctly, it will save you and your business countless hours of stress, money, and time, resources that it can use to establish your brand further and expand your business.
What is your strategy for global shipping? If you don’t have one or are unsatisfied with your existing fulfillment provider, contact Fulfillplex.
