If you have just started your own small business, you might already have an idea as to where you can ship and how you want your order fulfillment process to go. However, there are a lot of things that you need to look at for your shipping alone. Consider the following tips on what you should know about shipping orders.
Shipping Regulations for Every Carrier You Plan to Use
When it comes to shipping carriers, you need to know everything about the ones you plan to use. For example, if you wish to ship your orders via your local postal service, you need to know what kind of items they will allow you to ship. Certain things, such as fragile or flammable materials, are highly discouraged and you might get in trouble for trying to ship them without the proper preparation or postage. You will also need to have the correct shipping label size for each carrier you plan to use readily available so you do not get them mixed up.
If you are shipping internationally, there are a lot of other things that you will need to look for, as your package will be going through customs, and will need to be inspected so it can be cleared. Make sure that any international order is treated with extra caution and care, and try to keep a list of banned products from every country that you are shipping to so your client gets their order without issue.
Any Special Instructions From Your Client
While most clients will place a straightforward order, you will get at least a few orders where the client has included special instructions. Some of the special instructions involve personal preferences, whereas others might mention allergies that your client has, if applicable. Make sure that all special instructions are followed to the letter, especially if you have things like personalization options or allergy concerns.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your client. Make sure that, when you create a space for instructions, it is clearly indicated that the customer needs to be as clear as possible. You will have a harder time making sure any special instructions are fulfilled when the special instructions make no sense. For instance, if a client places an order and has special instructions in a language you do not speak, you will need to translate those instructions to ensure client satisfaction. However, if it is a matter of poor spelling, you may need to seek clarification from the client directly.
How You Can Put Your Brand On Your Packaging
There are a lot of ways that you can make your packaging stand out. One of the easiest ways is to look into packaging that you can put your logo or preferred color combinations on. If you are unsure as to whether you want to fully commit to it, you can start small. First, you will need to come up with a design that people will easily recognize as belonging to your brand. You will get the best results with using a digital program and putting the design on a figure that is shaped like the unfolded version of the box or envelope that you want. That way, you will not have to experience issues with your design not fitting on your chosen box, as you already know that the design works within the required measurements. The next step is to order your packaging from your chosen manufacturer, then test them by sending out orders in your specialized boxes and mailers. If there are positive reviews, and you can afford to order more, you might want to look into switching to personalized packaging on a regular basis.
There are a lot of things that go into just shipping an order, and it can be frustrating to get everything sorted out, especially in the beginning. Keep these tips in mind and you should have no problem fulfilling any order that comes your way.
