Shipping is one of the most important aspects for small businesses, as it impacts their success and profitability by affecting:

• Customer Satisfaction

• Profitability

• Product Deliverability

• Return Rates

With this in mind, every small business should carefully select the best shipping partners.

Factors Small Businesses Should Consider When Selecting a Shipping Provider

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are among the most important factors to consider when selecting a shipping provider, as they directly impact your revenue and net profits over time.

• Shipping costs depend on various factors, such as:

• Package Volume (Dimensions)

• Distance

  When evaluating shipping rates, review the provider’s rate card to see if they offer volume discounts or reduced shipping rates for your sales. Choosing an affordable shipping option should be a priority for small businesses.

  Deliverability

  With the growth of e-commerce, customers increasingly expect quick delivery times and reliable handling of their orders. The quality of a shipping provider’s deliverability can significantly impact customer satisfaction and increase repeat orders. Here are key metrics small businesses should consider when evaluating deliverability:

  • Customer Reviews: Gauge the provider’s reputation and reliability from previous clients.

  • Industry Benchmarks: Compare delivery times and service quality against industry standards.

  • Carrier Performance Metrics: Review metrics like on-time delivery rates and average delivery speed.

  • Product Safety: Assess how well the provider handles and safeguards packages during transit.

  • Return Rates: Higher return rates can indicate handling or delivery quality issues.

  By considering these factors, small businesses can select a provider that meets customer expectations and enhances satisfaction.

Customer Service and Support

The customer service and support offered by your shipping partner is another critical consideration. Often, customers will contact your shipping partner’s tracking support to check on their packages, and if the support is lacking, it can negatively impact customer satisfaction.

Pincodes Delivered

When selecting a shipping service, it’s important to consider the geographic areas your partner can cover, including availability in rural areas and expected shipping times. The more postal codes your partner can serve, the greater your opportunity to expand your business into those regions.

Ease of integration with your current software

The ease of integration with your existing software simplifies the process of running an online store. One of the challenges in shipping is generating shipping labels, but integration with your accounting software, email marketing tools, and CRM systems makes it easier to create labels and send them directly to customers.

Ease of Integration with your website or e-commerce store

Order fulfilment can be one of the most tedious tasks for a small business owner, especially if their e-commerce platform or website builder, like Shopify or WooCommerce, doesn’t integrate with the shipping partner. Before selecting a shipping partner, every small business should consider the technology they use for their e-commerce store and ensure compatibility with the shipping partner's integration options.

Now that we’ve reviewed the factors small businesses should consider when selecting a shipping partner, let’s explore the best and most affordable shipping solutions available for small businesses in Canada.