If you're running an online store, you know how important it is to find reliable suppliers for your products. But how do you find them? And what criteria should you use to evaluate them? In this article, we'll share some tips and best practices for finding and working with quality suppliers for online selling.
Before you start looking for suppliers, you need to have a clear idea of what you need from them. What kind of products are you selling? How much inventory do you need? How often do you need to reorder? What are your quality standards and expectations? How much are you willing to pay for shipping and handling? These are some of the questions you should ask yourself to define your needs and narrow down your options.
The preceding paragraph talks about suppliers (e.g. product manufacturers and distributors), but the title of the article refers to shipping methods for online orders. I will assume this article is supposed to be about choosing a shipping method from the perspective of the store. You must consider choosing a shipping method in context of your product (size, weight, and fragility), your geo-distribution, and customer base. LinkedIn has a 750 character limit, so I will submit the other paragraphs separately.
1. Does shipping speed matter? If you sell a subscription, you can ship earlier in order to hit your target date. If your warehouse is near your customers, even the "slowest" shipping option will probably get to them within 1-2 days. But if neither of these apply, you should plan to deliver to your customers within 3 business days of order placement, or sooner. Beyond that and you will see higher cart-abandonment because they don't want to (or can't) wait. 2. Is your product heavy? Heavy shipments need to travel by ground to find economical delivery options. If your product is heavy, you should store your inventory in multiple locations around the country so that you are always within range for 1-2 days ground delivery.
3. Is your product expensive to produce, or can you write off lost shipments? UPS SurePost, DHL SmartMail, and Fedex SmartPost are probably your cheapest options to ship to residences. They use the parcel carriers' networks for most of the journey and then hand off to the USPS for the last leg ("last mile"). The hand off adds 1-2 days vs. alternate options. During peak periods (e.g. Nov-Dec & holidays), if USPS falls behind, they prioritize their own parcels over their partners' and the hand off could take 2-7 days. There's also a higher rate of package loss with these programs due to the handoff by 2-3%, so if that negates your cost savings, avoid them.
4. Can you fit into a USPS First Class Letter or a Large Envelope (aka "Flat")? 4a. USPS First Class Letters are letter-sized envelopes up to 1/4" thick (strict maximum that is inconsistently enforced based on the local post office or sort center) - but these envelopes can be rigid (if you pay the small non-machinable surcharge). So if you can fit into the USPS First Class Letter constraints, you can deliver to your customers for under $1 anywhere in the USA. This doesn't have tracking, though, and some customers will get antsy without a tracking number. That said, the cost savings may be worth the awkward messaging and occasional customer service inquiry.
4b. If your item can fit into a large envelope (up to 12"x15") and is less than 3/4" thick, you can fit into a USPS Flat which costs about $1.00 plus some cents per ounce. These must be bendable in the center (see the very specific requirements in sections 4-6 here: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/201.htm#ep1096318), but Dollar Shave Club fit into its constraints with a die-cut foam insert to meet the uniform thickness requirement and to hold its razors at the end of the envelope where it's allowed to be rigid.
Once you have a clear picture of your needs, you can start researching potential suppliers. There are many ways to find suppliers, such as online directories, trade shows, referrals, social media, and online reviews. You can also use tools like Google Trends, Amazon Best Sellers, and AliExpress to find popular and trending products and suppliers. However, don't rely on these sources alone. You should always do your own due diligence and verify the credibility and reputation of any supplier you're interested in.
Choosing the right shipping method for your online orders is a crucial decision for e-commerce businesses. The choice can impact customer satisfaction, shipping costs, and overall efficiency. Here are some key factors to consider: Speed Cost Destination Reliability Tracking Customer Preferences Returns Insurance Sustainability Integration Ultimately, the choice of a shipping method should align with your business goals, customer expectations, and budget. It may also require periodic review and adjustment as your business grows and evolves.
After you have a list of potential suppliers, you need to contact them and negotiate the terms of your partnership. You should ask them about their product details, prices, minimum order quantities, payment methods, shipping options, return policies, and customer service. You should also request samples or product catalogues to check the quality and consistency of their products. Don't be afraid to negotiate for better prices or terms, but also be respectful and realistic. Remember, you're looking for a long-term relationship, not a one-time deal.
Before you commit to a supplier, you should test and evaluate their performance and reliability. You can do this by placing a small test order and tracking the delivery time, quality, and customer service. You can also ask for feedback from other customers who have worked with them or check online reviews and ratings. You should also monitor their communication and responsiveness throughout the process. If you're satisfied with the test order, you can proceed to place larger orders and establish a regular working relationship.
Finding reliable suppliers is only the first step. You also need to maintain and improve the relationship over time. You should communicate regularly with your suppliers and update them on your needs, expectations, and feedback. You should also pay them on time and respect their policies and procedures. You should also look for ways to improve the efficiency and quality of your supply chain, such as using automation tools, streamlining processes, and optimizing inventory management.
Finding reliable suppliers for online selling is not easy, but it's not impossible either. By following these tips and best practices, you can find and work with quality suppliers that can help you grow your online store and satisfy your customers.
- Giving customer the flexibility to choose, pickup the order or ship to their home. - Giving real time tracking updates. - Partnering with Various delivery partners such as post mates, uber e.t.c