Best shipping methods for small businesses

One of this things you will need to consider as you begin your small business is what type of shipping methods you will choose. You may not think this will make a difference, but there are actually a variety of shipping methods, and you want to make sure you choose the right one for you, your business, and your customers.

Types of shipping methods
There are three major shipping methods that most companies will turn to when shipping products for their small business. These companies, as well as pros and cons of each, include:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
The post office is one type of shipping method you can choose. Some of the pros of going with the USPS include:

• Cost value. The USPS offers a flat rate envelope and in some cases boxes that will allow you to put as much as you can fit in there, regardless of wait. This is a good option if you are mailing anything under 10 pounds. If your business ships things that are lightweight, this is a nice option.
• Delivery time. Transit time for priority mail from the USPS is often faster than other methods.
• Different options. The USPS offers a variety of options for whatever it is you are shipping, such as books, cds, and media, that are the most cost effective.

• Cons
  • No confirmation number. The USPS will only offer delivery confirmation, not tracking your actual package. For customers who want to know exactly where there package is, this can b e frustrating.
  • Loss claims. The USPS is notorious for loss claims. Often, you must wait at least one month to be able to claim the package as lost.

  UPS
  UPS is another popular shipping method for small businesses. Pros include:
  

  • Tracking. UPS has excellent tracking features, which is particularly helpful for both customers and businesses. You can send the tracking number to your customer, who can then track the package themselves.
  
  
  • Cost. UPS is typically more cost effective if you are mailing large items, such as those over 10 pounds.
  
  
  • Convenient. There are over 4,000 UPS stores across the nation, as well as 40,000 UPS drop boxes and 6,300 authorized outlets, making it very convenient.
  
  
  • Cons
    
    • Small packages. If you are sending
    
    
    • Slower. Sometimes, the delivery time for UPS is slower than other methods, for the same price. You should expect to pay much more if you are shipping overnight via UPS than the post office.

    Fed Ex
    FedEx is considered to be UPS' major competitor. Pros and cons include:

    • Pros
      • Detailed tracking. Many customers prefer FedEx's excellent, detailed tracking, including where the package is currently, where it is going next, and what time it was scanned.
      • Good overnight delivery. FedEx is well known for overnight delivery, with over three times the air fleet that competitors have. USPS actually utilizes Fed Ex to send their Express and Priority Mail packages. In addition, FedEx will also do some same-day deliveries.
    • Cons
      • Fewer locations. With less locations than UPS or USPS, in some cases, it can be less convenient to go with FedEx.
      • Cost for faster services. Like UPS, the cost to send things overnight (or faster) is high.

      Choosing the best shipping method for your business depends on the needs of your business. Do you value price, or tracking abilities? Do you need to send it very quickly? The above tips will help you choose the best method for your small business.

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