July 2024 USPS Shipping Changes: What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that shipping costs can eat into your bottom line as a brand. However, with some strategic planning and optimization, you can significantly reduce shipping expenses while still delivering a polished customer experience. In this article, we'll explore 3 simple tips to reduce shipping costs without compromising on quality.

Optimize Packing

One of the easiest ways to reduce shipping costs is to optimize packing, and there’s a variety of simple ways to get started:

• Right-size Packaging: Choose packaging that fits your products snugly to minimize wasted space and avoid dimensional weight charges. Using smaller boxes or envelopes can often result in lower shipping costs. Not to mention, correctly packaging products helps to reduce the risk of damage in transit, further reducing the costs, and time, associated with damage claims.
• Lightweight Materials: Use lightweight packing materials such as bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard or air pillows to protect items without adding unnecessary weight to packages. This helps to lower shipping costs for shipments priced by weight.
• Eliminate Excess Packaging: Avoid overpacking by using just enough cushioning to protect items during transit. Removing excess packaging materials can reduce package dimensions and weight, leading to lower shipping costs. However, while minimizing packaging, it’s important to still use a sufficient amount to reduce the risk of damages during transit.

Rate Shop

Just as you would compare the costs of products in the supermarket, shipping costs are no different. 

• Use Shipping Software: Instead of having to manually compare rates and shipping speeds across various carriers, leverage shipping software that does it all for you. VESYL serves up the most competitive shipping rates in real time across multiple carriers so you can make the best informed choice. The software also allows you to pre-define frequently used package dimensions, to not only save on costs, but also time. 
• Negotiate Carrier Rates: If you have a high shipping volume, consider negotiating discounted rates directly with carriers. Many carriers offer volume-based discounts or incentives for loyal customers, which can help lower your overall shipping costs. However, it’s important to note that this option does limit flexibility in case of shipping disruptions. 

Learn more about VESYL's automations to reduce costs and time.

Utilize Discounted Supplies

Shipping supplies can add up quickly, but there are ways to save on packaging materials:

• Bulk Ordering: By analyzing order history, you can identify the most used package sizes and types and look at bulk ordering to reduce costs. This includes boxes, envelopes, tape, and labels in bulk to fully take advantage of volume discounts, helping you save on packaging costs in the long run.
• Utilize Carrier Supplies: Take advantage of free or discounted shipping supplies offered by carriers. Many carriers provide free packaging materials, such as boxes and envelopes, to their customers. By using these supplies, you can save on packaging costs and ensure compatibility with carrier specifications.
• Consider Eco-Friendly Options: Look for environmentally friendly packaging materials that are not only cost-effective but also sustainable. Recycled cardboard boxes, biodegradable packaging peanuts, and compostable mailers are eco-friendly alternatives that can help reduce shipping costs, improve brand reputation all while minimizing environmental impact.

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By implementing these three simple tips, you can effectively reduce shipping costs for your e-commerce business. Remember to regularly review and adjust your shipping strategies to ensure ongoing cost savings and optimal efficiency. With a little planning and optimization, you can streamline your shipping process and boost your bottom line while providing excellent service to your customers.

Within the world of e-commerce, customer expectations are far from slowing down. In fact, customers expect their orders faster than ever, putting increasing pressure on businesses to optimize their fulfillment processes. 

One strategy to help streamline operations and meet customer demands more effectively is order splitting. In this article, we will explore what order splitting is, why it is used, the challenges, and how businesses can implement it successfully.

What is Order Splitting?

Ever had an order arrive in 2 separate boxes? Or only had half of your order arrive to have the other half delivered the following day? 

That’s order splitting.

Order splitting (split shipping) is the process of dividing a customer's order into multiple shipments. Instead of sending all items in one package, items are shipped from different locations or at different times, depending on their availability and the logistics involved. This can mean splitting an order between multiple warehouses or even sending part of the order immediately while waiting for other items to become available.

Why is Order Splitting Used?

Faster Delivery Times

One of the primary reasons for order splitting is to reduce delivery times. If a customer orders multiple items, and one of them is out of stock at the nearest warehouse, the entire order might be delayed if shipped together. By splitting the order, available items can be shipped immediately, ensuring faster delivery for part of the order. However, to avoid customer frustration, be sure to communicate this so customers are not left wondering if the other part of their order has been lost or forgotten.

Inventory Optimization

Order splitting allows businesses to optimize their inventory management. By shipping items from multiple locations, companies can balance stock levels across warehouses, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts in any single location. This leads to more efficient use of inventory and storage space.

Cost Efficiency

Shipping costs can be a significant expense for e-commerce businesses. Order splitting can help reduce these costs by allowing items to be shipped from the closest warehouse, minimizing shipping distances and costs. Additionally, it can help avoid expedited shipping fees that might be necessary if waiting for all items to be available at a single location.

Use the VESYL USPS Zone Map for a clear breakdown of shipping zones and costs. 

Improved Customer Satisfaction

By splitting orders and shipping available items immediately, businesses can improve customer satisfaction. This demonstrates a commitment from the brand to deliver orders to their customers as quickly as possible and when communicated well, can foster further trust and brand loyalty. This partial fulfillment can be especially beneficial during peak shopping seasons when delays are more common.

Challenges of Order Splitting in E-commerce

Increased Complexity

Order splitting can add a layer of complexity to the fulfillment process. Businesses must have systems in place to manage multiple shipments, track inventory across various locations, and ensure accurate order processing. This can require robust order management software and efficient coordination between warehouses.

In VESYL, you can view these split orders in the Orders tab. They will show the same order number but will show different tracking numbers and shipping information.

Higher Shipping Costs

While order splitting can reduce shipping costs in some cases, it can also lead to higher costs if not managed properly. Multiple shipments mean multiple shipping fees, which can add up if not carefully monitored. Businesses need to analyze zones and shipping costs and determine the most cost-effective way to split orders.

Customer Communication

Effective communication with customers is crucial when splitting orders. Customers need to be informed about the multiple shipments, expected delivery times, and any additional tracking information. Failure to communicate clearly can lead to confusion, dissatisfaction and reduced brand loyalty.

Inventory Management

Order splitting requires precise inventory management to ensure that items are shipped from the correct locations. Inaccurate inventory data can result in delays, stockouts, or shipping errors which can make or break a customer relationship. By leveraging inventory management software and ensuring it is up to date, brands can mitigate these risks. 

Simplified Order Splitting with VESYL

With VESYL, it’s simple to split orders and view shipping information in one place. Simply navigate to orders, select edit and split. From here, shippers are able to move items between the order split and can ship the split orders using different rates and carriers. This is particularly useful for stores who have one item of the order out of stock, or if one item is particularly large or heavy and it is cost effective to use a different carrier to the rest of the order. 

For a step-by-step guide to order splitting on VESYL, head on over to our Help Desk. For a complete demo of order splitting with VESYL, schedule a call and we’ll show you the ropes. For any questions, feel free to email us at hello@vesyl.com.

Conclusion

By enabling faster delivery times, optimizing inventory management, and potentially reducing shipping costs, order splitting offers significant advantages. However, businesses must also carefully navigate the challenges.

With the right systems and strategies in place, order splitting can become an effective tool in e-commerce operations, helping businesses stay competitive in an incredibly fast-paced environment. 

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A complete guide to order splitting on VESYL.

From the moment a customer places an order, their post-purchase experience can only be as good as the efficiency of your fulfillment operations.

Enter VESYL.

Designed for both casual shippers and businesses with more complex shipping needs, VESYL streamlines the shipping process to get more packages out the door in less time, with reduced costs. In this article, we’re diving into how you can leverage automations with VESYL for more efficient fulfillment operations.

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The Importance Of Efficient Fulfillment Operations

As mentioned above, efficient fulfillment operations are the backbone of a successful e-commerce business and brand. It not only contributes to a heightened customer experience, but also plays a pivotal role in building brand loyalty. With the rise of fast-paced consumer expectations, businesses that prioritize and invest in efficient fulfillment operations not only meet their customer demands, but also reduce operational costs, enhance scalability, and ultimately position themselves for sustainable growth,

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Common Challenges in Fulfillment Operations

Fulfillment, done well, runs like a well oiled machine. However, it’s made up of a number of moving parts and this is where some of the challenges lie. From inventory discrepancies and order inaccuracies to the complexities of managing multiple sales channels, these hurdles can impact customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Not to mention the increasing demand for quick shipping and real-time tracking adds another layer of complexity. Some other challenges include:

• Shipping errors
• Slow delivery times
• International shipping
• Disorganized returns
• Customer service issues

If the above leaves you feeling deflated, keep reading. 

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Leveraging VESYL For More Efficient Fulfillment Operations

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Store Automations

VESYL connects to all major e-commerce platforms including Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, Etsy and more. This allows you to easily import and manage orders from one or multiple platforms, allowing management of orders all in one place.

With all orders now in one place, you can automate your shipping processes working top down. Setting automation rules speeds up the process by reducing the need to select and fill information on individual orders. Brands can use product SKU’s and pre-selected shipping to trigger automation rules to preset shipping speeds, carriers and rates. A few examples of this are:

• Wooden Coffee Set - Select Large Box
• SKU TY9921 - Priority
• Orders + $1000 - Set Insurance

These pre-set automation triggers allow you to save time associated with having to process each order manually, and still enjoy cost savings. 

Alternatively, you can upload orders from a CSV and save your mappings as a preset. Then, next time you upload, the leg work is already done. 

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Quick Ship

It’s all in the name. For those with a smaller parcel volume or looking to create labels one at a time, there’s Quick Ship.

Quick Ship allows you to paste the customer address and quickly verifies that address to ensure no errors. This automated address verification process reduces the risk of any delays due to an incorrect address and cuts the costs otherwise associated with address correction fees and shipment returns. 

Once the address is filled out and verified, VESYL has the option of manually filling out package dimensions and other options, or you can pre-define box and package types and sizes. In the boxes tab, you can “Add Box” to add your custom box or package dimensions and name them. Once saved, these options will show in the “box” drop down menu. By pre-defining your box sizes, this saves the groundwork and time of having to fill out frequently used box dimensions every single time.

With the above completed, click “Get Rates” for the most competitive shipping rates in real-time, across multiple carriers and services. This enables you to compare costs and make informed decisions for every shipment within seconds.

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Batch Shipping

Designed for businesses shipping multiple packages, Batch Shipping purchases and prints multiple labels, whether it’s 1 or 500 labels, all at once. Additionally, Batch Shipping generates the packing list and label for the fulfillment team to easily pick, pack and ship the orders. The tracking number and information is then sent back to the e-commerce platform which, depending on how the store has email automations set up, will trigger an email to the end customer communicating the shipping information. This feature combined with VESYL’s integrations automates and streamlines the fulfillment process while still providing discounted shipping rates, reducing time, costs and minimizing the risk of errors. 

Shipping more than 500 pieces a day? Our team is dedicated to delivering concrete results as not only a service provider, but also your strategic partner. Enjoy a VESYL shipping evaluation on the house.

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Customized Reporting

It’s no secret that clear reporting and analyzing is key to success and sustained business growth. With VESYL, the reporting tab provides a variety of reporting options from different time periods and report types such as shipment, payment log, tracking etc. The ability to refine the report to the information you need, saves time and, analyzed correctly, can help to further reduce costs. 

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In Summary

Every VESYL feature has been meticulously designed to save shippers both time and money, from pre-defining frequently used boxes, pre-set automation triggers, easy integrations with major e-commerce platforms and partners, Batch Shipping and more. Not to mention, with our outcome-focused and expert team, we are constantly adding more features and integrations to shake up your shipping. 

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Need an integration we don’t currently have? Just let us know!