Choosing the Right Shipping Company for Your Business
A shipping company is a full-service logistics company that manages the entire supply chain from raw materials to the point of delivery. These companies wear many hats and play an integral role in reducing the in-house inventory, decreasing landed costs, and expediting order fulfillment.
Some companies specialize in shipping light parcels, while others offer refrigerated or temperature-controlled shipping. Some companies also provide weekend or same-day delivery service.
Cost-effectiveness
Shipping is one of the final touches for a customer’s purchase journey, and can help build trust and loyalty in your brand. However, it is important to balance price with quality when choosing a shipping company. Using a high-quality logistics solution, you can reduce shipping costs, increase checkout conversions, and grow sales. In the face of rising customer expectations, it’s imperative that you find a shipping partner with competitive rates and exceptional service.
Costs are largely based on the size and weight of the load being transported. Larger loads require a larger container and may need specialized handling or packaging. Additionally, the type of cargo can also affect shipping costs, as some types require special storage and handling.
The type of freight carrier or freight forwarder you choose can also significantly impact shipping costs. Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping can be more cost-effective than full container loads, as you only pay for the space that you use. This can also reduce the risk of cargo damage or loss.
Another factor to consider is the amount of fuel used by your shipping company. This can be a significant expense for some shippers, especially when the price of fossil fuels rises. Moreover, the emissions from shipping can be harmful to ocean ecosystems and wildlife. Considering the impact of climate change, it is critical that companies take steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition to shipping, many shipping companies provide additional logistical services to their customers. Some of these services include inventory management, warehouse services, and customs clearance. Some also offer drayage truck capacity, which can be a valuable resource in the face of today’s transportation talent shortage.
Some shipping companies have also taken innovative approaches to address the challenge of finding drayage drivers. For example, some companies have partnered with air and rail carriers to manage long-distance transport, while focusing on finding drayage trucks for local deliveries. This strategy can be particularly effective for businesses that ship to both near and far-away customers, as it allows them to optimize their operations without compromising on speed or cost.
Time-saving
The shipping industry has experienced a boom in recent years, thanks to the ever-growing number of online shoppers. It has grown hand-in-hand with the growth of ecommerce, and it is important for businesses to know how to best utilize the industry’s services. Choosing the right shipper for your business can help you save money, time, and hassle. It is crucial to choose a shipper that has experience with the kind of cargo you want to transport.
Some companies offer specialized services, such as containerized freight or customs brokerage. These services can be valuable to your company, especially if you plan on growing your business. Other services include air cargo, rail shipping company freight, and ocean freight. Many of these shipping companies have a network of agents that can help you with your logistics needs.
Choosing the right shipper for your business requires careful planning and research. Some of the most important factors are the company’s customer service and price. It is also important to consider the mode of transportation, service level, and freight class. You should also consider the amount of lead time you need for your products to reach customers.
Full-service shipping companies tailor their in-house functions to suit the unique needs of their clients. For instance, they use digitized warehousing systems that identify picking sites and stage the goods for loading. They also employ a number of automated warehouse management systems and electronic logging gadgets to facilitate real-time record keeping and stock rotation.
A shipping company can save you valuable time and effort by negotiating with shipping company carriers to get you the best prices. Moreover, by being transparent about their rates and conditions, they can earn your trust and loyalty. Be sure to clearly state your terms and conditions, including delivery times and return policies. This will ensure that your customers are aware of all the costs and fees associated with their orders. This will prevent them from being shocked by unexpected charges and will build their confidence in your brand.
Reliability
A reliable shipping company can provide peace of mind for business owners, knowing that their products are safe and secure. They will also offer competitive prices and a quick turnaround. In addition, a reliable shipping company will communicate with clients to keep them updated on the status of their orders. They will also ensure that all products arrive at the right destination on time and in good condition. This can help businesses save money and time.
In general, the term reliability refers to how well a system or part works over a long period of time. It is not to be confused with the term validity, which describes how accurately a result can be replicated. For example, if you measure the weight of a cup of rice three times and get the same results each time, the measurement is reliable but not necessarily valid.
Shipping companies face a variety of risks, including market risk, freight fluctuations, and terrorism and piracy. However, these risks can be reduced through effective risk management strategies. These include ensuring a stable IT system, securing skilled sailors, and adhering to environmental regulations on international ships. Moreover, shipping companies should prepare for future challenges by developing dynamic and flexible risk management systems.
The most important shipping risk is market risk, which affects the demand for shipping services. This is because the industry is characterized by inelastic demand and supply. For instance, the demand for sea freight may increase even if the price of oil rises.
Another important shipping risk is the threat of cyber attacks. Cyber attacks can affect the whole shipping process and cause financial loss for the shipping company. For example, in 2011, IRISL, an Iranian shipping company, was hacked by hackers who gained access to its servers. They manipulated rates, cargo-tracking information, and customer data, and it took months for the company to recover from this incident.
To reduce the risk of a cyber attack, a shipping company must conduct regular vulnerability tests and develop a response plan in case of an attack. These plans should address all possible vulnerabilities in the IT infrastructure and identify ways to mitigate them. The shipping company must also consider partnering with a third party that has both IT security expertise and knowledge of shipping.
Flexibility
The global shipping market has undergone a lot of consolidation in recent years and decades. Eight of the largest shipping companies disappeared from the market in 2015 and 2016, and the market share of the five largest players is now over 60 percent. Many shipping companies are also entering into alliances in order to make perfect use of their capacities. These trends, along with digitalization and growing world trade, are making the industry a very exciting one to be in.
Companies are responding to customer demand for flexibility by expanding delivery options. For example, e-commerce companies are offering ship-to-store and home delivery options. This allows them to increase sales, boost customer loyalty, and improve operational efficiency. However, implementing these new services requires a significant investment in infrastructure and technology. This can be a difficult challenge for small and medium-sized businesses, which may not have the resources to do so.
A full-service shipping company can help you manage the complexity of a flexible supply chain by integrating your ERP with warehouse management systems (WMS) to allow for fast, accurate inventory management. This enables you to optimize the order souring and routing process to preserve product margin, reduce labor costs, and minimize overall shipping costs.
Shipping companies can also offer flexible carrier selection, which is essential for eCommerce retailers. For instance, a 3PL can help you select the best shipping service for each item in your order based on its geographic location. They can provide you with a single point of contact for shipment visibility, compliance, supply chain management, and accounting. This will give you a competitive advantage and reduce the number of out-of-stock situations, late deliveries, incorrect orders, and high landed costs.
Another way to increase shipping flexibility is to invest in specialized logistics software. This can help you optimize the sourcing and routing of orders, improve customer satisfaction, and grow your business. In addition, it will ensure that your customers receive their products in the shortest time possible. This is especially important if your customers are located in different countries and regions.
