Tag Archive: rates

USPS Rates for 2019 are now in Effect

January 23, 2019  Published by

Following in the footsteps of last year’s rate increases from UPS and FedEx, the USPS enacted several rate increases of its own on January 27 this year. To help you estimate the impact on your business, we’ve outlined some of the key changes below: Priority Mail Rates Across the board, Priority Mail services increased by an average of 5.9%. Other changes of note include the elimination of balloon pricing for parcels shipping to Zones 1-4, and an average 3.9% increase for Priority Mail Express rates. First Class Package Services For the first time, First Class Package service rates will now…... View Article

A Recap of UPS Rate Changes for 2019

January 16, 2019  Published by

UPS announced changes to its rates for 2019 in December last year – giving customers a mere 3 weeks before they went into effect. With the holidays in full swing, the entire fulfillment industry was extremely busy at that time – so if you missed the announcement or didn’t have time to process the details, you’re not alone. To help get you up to speed, we’ve highlighted the some of the most important changes in the list below. For full details and pricing information, visit UPS to read the official announcement. The rates for UPS® Ground, UPS Air and International…... View Article

Tips for Accepting International Payments on your Ecommerce Site

November 28, 2018  Published by

The internet, and by extension online shopping, is without borders. Often, fast-growing ecommerce companies are eager to extend their business to the international level, but it’s more challenging than the openness of the internet would have you believe. In addition to logistical considerations, there’s also the matters of foreign exchange and payment processing. If you plan on increasing the number of international transactions on your ecommerce site, be sure to consider the following tips to provide your new customers with a user-friendly billing experience.   Tell everybody Research from Ingenico, an international payment processing company, has shown that 25% of…... View Article

UPS & FedEx’s Seasonal Surcharges for 2017

October 11, 2017  Published by

UPS and FedEx have both announced pricing changes for holiday season 2017. Typically, these two shipping providers adjust their pricing in tandem – when one announces a change to their shipping & handling rates, the other announces a similar strategy soon after. But this year, that’s not the case. Effective 11/20 through 12/24, FedEx’s holiday season rates are pretty straightforward. Essentially, there will be no increased residential holiday season surcharges, except in the case of packages that are oversized (increased to $97.50 per package), unauthorized (increased to $415 per package), or that require additional handling (increased to $14 per package).…... View Article

Shipping Strategies to Improve Customer Satisfaction

April 19, 2017  Published by

“Shipping” is more than just an added cost at the end of the checkout process. Speed, cost, communication, logistics – all of these and more combine to form the shipping experience your business is known for. If you can improve on these areas, you can turn your shipping options into a competitive differentiator that attracts more customers. In order to make effective improvements, be sure to consider the following: Total Cost to Customers It’s no secret that ecommerce customers love free shipping. However, it’s important to remember that the reason customers love free shipping is because it’s a discount. If…... View Article

Tips for Smoother International Shipping

June 29, 2016  Published by

Expanding into international markets is a major milestone for any ecommerce business. But just like any business expansion, international shipping can be full of challenges, setbacks, and important lessons for any size ecommerce company. Use these tips as a guideline to reduce your growing pains and ensure that your international shipping services go smoothly. [more] Firstly, a solid knowledge of customs requirements and restrictions for the countries you will be shipping to will go a long way in an international shipping program. Research the necessary package requirements and regulations to ensure you are prepared for any hiccups that may cause…... View Article

The Advantages of Custom Packaging

September 2, 2015  Published by

For many e-tailers, custom packaging is seen as a sub-optimal use of operating funds. To them, “custom packaging” is just another way of saying “branded packaging,” and since customers already know who is sending the package, what’s the point? In reality, custom packaging is a little more complex than that. And with the current focus on DIM shipping and logistics reevaluation, many e-tailers are learning about the benefits of customized packaging for their products. [more] To start, “custom” doesn’t just mean boxes and poly-bags with your logo printed on them. It also means box sizes and protective packaging that’s customized…... View Article

Why Cheap International Shipping is Important

August 26, 2015  Published by

Nothing kills an ecommerce sale faster high shipping costs. Consumer research studies have proven time and again that, when given a choice, customers will most likely choose cost over convenience and choose a shipping option or e-tailer that offers cheaper (if slower) shipping. This is true for customers all over the world – and since international shipping tends to be more expensive than domestic shipping, it can make it difficult to start shipping your products internationally and see success. [more] Since high shipping costs can drive away international business, it’s critical to do your research and make your international shipping…... View Article

There’s an Upside to Dimensional Weight Pricing

August 19, 2015  Published by

When carriers announced their switch to dimensional weight pricing, there was a near panic in the ecommerce industry, since many e-tailers were facing increased shipping costs with the change. But in the long run, there is an upside to dimensional weight pricing: the revamping of your logistics program. If you want to successfully transfer to DIM pricing, you’ll need to upgrade your logistics operations. Though changes can be difficult in the early stages, it’s a chance to optimize operations, strengthen carrier relationships, please your customers, and become a more efficient, eco-friendly e-tailer. For starters, to keep your shipping rates from…... View Article

Deal Ideas from Around the Web

August 5, 2015  Published by

If you find your ecommerce sales dragging, a new promotion or program is a great way to get your products moving again or stand out from the competition. To come up with a promotion that works for your situation, you should consider the makeup of your customer base, your products, and the logistics of your company. To help you come up with a great promotion, let’s look at some unique programs from a few well-known e-tailers. [more] SwansonVitamins.com This site specializes in nutritional supplements. They are able to offer a very wide selection of products, but they are nearly all…... View Article