In the fast-moving world of ecommerce and logistics, few topics spark more debate than shipping cost vs. speed. As brands compete for customer attention and loyalty, the way you ship packages, and the shipping options you offer at checkout, can either convert a sale or lose it entirely.

Today’s online shoppers expect more. They want orders to arrive quickly, fees to be transparent (or nonexistent), and they want the power to choose how their shipments are delivered. For operations leaders navigating this landscape, knowing when to prioritize delivery speed and when to cut shipping costs is key to building a smart, scalable strategy.

Let’s break down what really drives customer decisions and how your business can respond.

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Why Shipping Speed Matters (But Not Every Time)

The rise of same day delivery, Priority Mail Express, and next-day guarantees has shifted expectations. In North America especially, many consumers expect fast delivery, even if their purchase isn’t urgent.

According to a recent study, over 60% of shoppers expect their packages to be delivered within three business days. That’s especially true for urgent shipments, like health products, electronics, or last-minute gifts. When customers buy items they need right away, shipping speed is everything.

But speed isn’t always the deciding factor.

For lightweight packages, subscription orders, or repeat purchases, many customers will choose a slower shipping service, if it means they don’t have to pay extra. A 2023 survey found that nearly 80% of consumers would opt for free shipping over faster transit times. This reinforces what smart brands already know: customers don’t always want the fastest option, they want the best value.

Why Shipping Cost Drives Conversions and Loyalty

While speed may win in some scenarios, shipping cost is a major factor in purchase decisions across industries. It influences conversion rates, brand trust, and even repeat business.

• Nearly half of online shoppers abandon carts because of high shipping fees or unexpected costs.
• 9 out of 10 say that free shipping is their top incentive when deciding where to buy.

But “free” is only part of the story. What customers really care about is transparency. They want to know upfront what they’ll pay, when their package will arrive, and what their shipping options are. If slower delivery is positioned as eco-friendly or more affordable, many will select that route.

Especially when you’re shipping across the country, to Alaska, Hawaii, or international destinations, flat rate or discounted shipping services can go a long way toward retaining customers and protecting margins.

Shipping Services by Industry: What Customers Expect

Each industry has unique shipping needs. Here’s how expectations differ:

• Health & Wellness (DTC): These buyers often choose faster shipping solutions to support routines or health concerns. Delivery speed builds confidence.
• Apparel & Accessories: Many shoppers prefer low-cost or free shipping and flexible return options over express delivery.
• Electronics: Big-ticket items like phones or laptops often require fast, tracked delivery, while accessories are more price-sensitive.
• Subscription Box Services: Timing is predictable. Here, optimizing costs and using regional transportation methods can improve margins.
• Wholesale & B2B: For bulk pallets or large shipments, affordability and reliability are critical. Shipping labels, scheduling, and transit predictability take priority.
• 3PLs and Fulfillment Providers: These businesses need the ability to flex, offering clients both express and economical shipping options across many locations.

Operational Strategy: Balancing Cost and Delivery Speed

For fulfillment and logistics leaders, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every order, destination, and customer presents a new decision point. You may be:

• Managing multi-carrier systems to cover more ground
• Adjusting for international shipping complexities and transit delays
• Finding ways to reduce delivery costs without sacrificing speed
• Balancing warehouse workloads across regions and zones

Success comes from flexibility, data visibility, and having the right tools to create, track, and optimize shipping labels and shipping services across carriers, whether you’re shipping to a domestic recipient or across the globe.

The VESYL Advantage: Simplifying the Trade-Off

At VESYL, we help ecommerce and logistics teams stop choosing between shipping charges and delivery speed, and start optimizing for both.

• Smart Rate Shopping: Automatically compare shipping prices and delivery times for each order in one-click.
• Batch Labeling & Automation: Streamline decisions for high-volume shipments, including same day delivery or international shipping workflows.
• Shipping Analytics: Gain insight into what’s working, where you're overspending, and how your shipping options are impacting customer satisfaction.

One wellness brand used VESYL to segment urgent shipments from routine deliveries, resulting in a significant drop in delivery charges with no dip in delivery ratings.

3 Smart Takeaways for Operations Teams

Let data guide your shipping plan

Use performance reports and customer insights to determine the right combination of speed, price, and location coverage.

Empower your customers with shipping options

At checkout, give them choices. Offering “Free,” “Fast,” and “Flexible” delivery options can increase conversions and reduce abandoned carts.

Automate where it counts

From rate comparisons to label generation, using smart tools helps you manage thousands of orders without sacrificing service.

Final Thought: Find the Right Balance

The debate over cost vs. speed isn’t going away, but the smartest brands aren’t picking one over the other. They’re building strategies that offer both.

Whether you're delivering light packages in 1–2 business days or managing bulk shipments to remote regions, your ability to adapt, and offer meaningful choice, will define your success in today’s increasingly demanding ecommerce space.

Stop guessing. Start optimizing.
Visit VESYL to see how smart shipping helps brands scale without complexity.

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In today’s ecommerce landscape, where customer expectations are high and margins are tight, efficient return shipping is more than just a support function—it’s a strategic lever. How you handle returns can significantly impact your bottom line, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

For ecommerce, logistics, and supply chain leaders managing high return volumes, optimizing the AfterShip returns experience with VESYL offers a practical and immediate way to lower costs, improve label generation, and simplify workflows, without sacrificing shopper satisfaction.

The Real Cost of Return Shipping at Scale

Returns are one of the few guaranteed costs in ecommerce. Research shows that 20% to 30% of online purchases are returned, and the return shipping label often costs as much (or more) than the original shipment.

At scale, this creates challenges such as:

• Manual rate comparison across carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx)
• Inconsistent returns policy across SKUs or geographic locations
• Higher-than-necessary return shipping label and shipment costs
• Fragmented tools with no automation for label generation or status updates
• Operational delays that reduce customer satisfaction and impact your business

If your team is still:

• Creating return labels outside your core platforms
• Managing returns manually via email or spreadsheets
• Using basic refunds or one-size-fits-all routing rules

You're likely experiencing lost revenue, wasted time, and unnecessary complexity.

An Automated Returns Solution: The AfterShip + VESYL Advantage

To help brands streamline the return process and control return shipping costs, AfterShip now offers a seamless integration with VESYL. Together, they deliver an automated returns solution that enables:

• Access to discounted USPS and UPS return labels
• Real-time rate shopping and shipping service comparison
• One-click return label creation directly in AfterShip
• Full access to VESYL's Basic Plan, including outbound shipping features, at no cost

This means you can generate a return shipping label with minimal setup, reduce costs automatically, and offer a more convenient return experience.

How It Works: Simplify Label Generation and Save Time

Within just 4 steps and a few minutes, you can save time and money on returns with VESYL and AfterShip.

1. Create a free VESYL account: Sign up here
2. In AfterShip, go to Carriers > Add Carrier
3. Search for VESYL, enter your API credentials
4. Once connected, VESYL automatically selects the cheapest USPS or UPS shipping label based on your rules, destination, and package weight, within the AfterShip app. No more toggling between pages.

Customers receive the return shipping label via email or can simply print it from the returns portal—no extra steps required. Merchants can also offer QR codes for printer-free drop-offs at the post office or UPS locations.

How You Can Reduce Costs, Save Time, and Simplify With AfterShip Returns

With VESYL powering AfterShip returns, you unlock new levels of efficiency:

Reduce Costs

VESYL's pre-negotiated USPS and UPS rates help you lower costs on every return shipment, whether you're handling apparel, accessories, health products, or electronics. Stop overpaying for flat-rate or custom-return contracts.

Save Time with Automation

Automate label creation, shipping rules, and refund workflows to save time and reduce manual errors. Use pre-built integrations and basic routing rules to match carriers with the most cost-effective shipping service.

Enhance the Return Experience

Offer branded portals, email notifications, and scheduled pickups so your customers can start a return request, print or scan their label, and drop off the package—on their own time. No support ticket or additional fee required.

Capture More Revenue with Better Visibility

With real-time status updates and tracking for each return shipment, your team stays in control. Minimize lost revenue due to delayed refunds, and offer fast replacement or exchange workflows with confidence.

Who Should Use This Return Shipping Label Integration?

This integration is ideal for:

Roles:

• Operations Managers and Logistics Directors
• Fulfillment Teams and 3PL Coordinators
• eCommerce Directors and VPs of Operations

Industries:

• Apparel & Accessories, Subscription Boxes, Electronics
• Health & Wellness (DTC), Wholesale and Retail Distribution
• Multi-location Brands and 3PLs managing client return policies

If you're shipping high volume and need a more convenient, cost-effective way to manage returns and label creation, AfterShip + VESYL is built for you.

More Than Returns: Unlock VESYL’s Free Basic Plan

When you activate the integration, you also get access to VESYL’s full Basic Plan, which includes:

• Outbound multi-carrier rate shopping (USPS, UPS, FedEx)
• Batch shipping label creation
• Package automation and allocation tools
• Order editing and adjustment workflows
• Dashboard reports to track shipping costs and revenue impact

Use these tools alongside AfterShip to optimize both the original shipment and any return shipment.

Returns Are Inevitable. Overpaying For Return Labels Isn’t.

Returns will always be part of ecommerce. But thanks to VESYL’s integration with AfterShip, you no longer have to accept high return costs, manual work, or disconnected systems as the norm.

With this automated returns solution, you can:

• Lower costs with optimized return labels
• Save time through automation
• Improve customer satisfaction and protect revenue
• Enable more control across the return lifecycle

Ready to unlock smarter returns for your business? Start with VESYL + AfterShip today.

Create your free VESYL account and start generating low-cost, automated return labels in minutes.

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Cross-border shipping has gone from a growth lever to a competitive necessity. As eCommerce businesses expand globally, shipping operations are under more scrutiny—especially when international logistics can account for up to 20–40% of total landed cost per order.

Yet most teams still rely on outdated or overly simplistic methods to compare shipping rates—like toggling between carrier portals, reusing old rate cards, or choosing what’s “worked in the past.” This makes it difficult to consistently find affordable options when shopping for rates.

In 2025, that’s not smart shipping. That’s margin leakage.

This article breaks down how to compare international rates in a way that’s data-driven, scalable, and rooted in operational efficiency—so you can reduce expenses, avoid delivery risks, gain full visibility into your global fulfillment footprint, and identify the best shipping rates.

Why Calculating Shipping Costs Internationally Is So Complex

Domestic rate comparison is relatively straightforward. But international? It’s layered with variables that change by region, product type, and even time of year.

Key complexities include:

• Volatility in fuel surcharges and currency exchange rates
• Customs duties and tax structure differences by country
• Dimensional vs actual weight pricing models
• International rates are often calculated using the size and weight of the box or parcel, with carriers considering how much space a package occupies when determining price.
• Cross-border service levels (DDP vs DDU)
• Regional delivery partners (e.g., local postal handoffs)

For example, the price to ship a 2 lb package from Los Angeles to Toronto via FedEx International Priority might be $35, while the same package via USPS First-Class International is $16, but with a 6–10 day delay. If that order is worth $100, the margin impact is significant. To calculate shipping costs, measure the longest side of the box, record all dimensions, and consider both the weight and how much space the parcel takes up, as rates are often calculated based on these factors.

This complexity is why many businesses fall into the trap of using default carriers, even when cheaper, faster, or more reliable options exist. Accurately measuring packages and parcels ensures that shipping rates are calculated correctly and helps avoid unexpected costs.

Where Most Go Wrong in Calculating Shipping Costs

In conversations with 3PLs and fulfillment directors, one consistent issue emerges: most teams don’t track total landed price on a per-shipment level. They only look at upfront carrier pricing—and even that’s often pulled manually. Without obtaining accurate shipping quotes and understanding the full range of shipping prices, including postage and any available discounts, teams risk missing key money-saving opportunities.

This lack of structured rate comparison leads to:

• Overspending on express services for low-value goods
• Underpricing international shipping at checkout
• Inconsistent delivery experiences across regions
• Inefficiencies in courier invoice reconciliation
• Missing out on insurance options, which can impact overall costs and risk management

When you zoom out, this affects CAC-to-LTV ratios, NPS scores, and cash flow predictability—especially during peak seasons. Using a shipping calculator to compare rates and obtain multiple shipping quotes can help businesses secure the best shipping rate, take advantage of discounts, and ensure all factors like insurance and postage are considered.

Understanding Customs Forms and Documentation

When shipping internationally, understanding destination customs requirements is essential to avoid delays, extra fees, or returns. Each country has its own rules that affect shipping prices and available options.

To stay compliant, research the customs regulations for your destination—factors like item type, declared value, and origin all influence your options. A shipping calculator can help estimate price based on package details and carrier rates.

Don’t forget to factor in duties, taxes, and required documents, as these can significantly affect your total cost. Planning ahead ensures smoother, more price-effective international deliveries.

Customs Documents: Staying Compliant and Cost-Efficient

Successfully navigating customs starts with accurate, complete documentation. Key forms like commercial invoices and certificates of origin must clearly state the item’s description, value, weight, and country of origin to avoid delays or penalties.

Use a shipping calculator to compare carrier rates and account for customs fees, handling needs, and both actual and dimensional weight—since carriers may charge based on either. Special packaging, like rigid or custom boxes, can also affect cost.

To save time and money, explore discounted rates or priority mail options that simplify customs processing. Staying organized and precise with paperwork ensures smoother deliveries and a better customer experience worldwide.

How to Compare International Shipping Services (The Right Way)

Here’s a tactical breakdown of how high-volume shippers should approach international rate comparison today:

Shipping rates are calculated based on factors such as package weight, dimensions, destination, and service type. Businesses can calculate the best options for their needs by using shipping calculators to compare rates and delivery times across USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and more.

1. Centralizing Rate Data to Compare International Shipping Rates

Modern shipping platforms integrate directly with multiple carriers and dynamically pull real-time international rates, including:

• Transit times
• Duties & taxes (DDP/DDU breakdowns)
• Surcharges (remote area, fuel, residential)
• Customs documentation requirements

This eliminates guesswork and ensures consistent quoting at checkout or within WMS/OMS environments.

Use case: A beauty brand using Vesyl’s batch shipping and rate engine automated DDP quoting for EU and AU orders, cutting manual quoting time by 93% and reducing international cart abandonment by 14%.

2. Build Geo-Specific Rules to Unlock the Best Shipping Rates

Every region has different winners.

• Canada: USPS + Canada Post or SF Express (low cost, slower)
• UK/EU: DHL eCommerce or Passport (fast customs clearance)
• LATAM: SkyPostal or UPS (reliable tracking, fewer handoffs)
• APAC: SF Express, Aramex, or DHL Global Mail

Build logic into your rate shopping engine that selects optimal carriers by country, weight, and service level. This also prevents overuse of expensive default options like FedEx or UPS International Economy.

3. Cost-to-Margin Models to Identify the Cheapest Way to Ship

Not all products should ship via the cheapest route. You need to factor:

• Gross margin of the SKU
• Cart value thresholds (free shipping breakpoints)
• Return rates and reshipment costs
• Customer expectations by country (2-day delivery in the UK is baseline, not premium)

Example: A DTC electronics brand realized it was losing money on low-margin accessories shipped internationally with UPS. By setting margin thresholds and rerouting those SKUs via USPS International, they saved $4.30 per shipment without impacting delivery SLAs.

4. Invoice Audits to Control Spend

One of the biggest hidden leaks is invoice creep—surcharges or incorrect DIM weights causing real costs to spike post-fulfillment.

To solve this:

• Audit weekly carrier invoices vs expected costs
• Flag shipments with discrepancies >10%
• Feed learnings back into your pricing and routing rules

Platforms with shipping analytics dashboards can help you build a closed-loop feedback system that improves rate comparison accuracy over time.

How VESYL Streamlines Shopping for International Shipping Rates

VESYL simplifies the process of comparing international shipping rates by giving businesses access to real-time data from top carriers around the world—all in one dashboard.

With VESYL, you can:

• Instantly compare shipping options based on destination, weight, and delivery speed
• Automatically factor in duties, taxes, and customs documents using DDP/DDU logic
• Apply geo-specific carrier rules to always choose the best shipping method
• Take advantage of discounted international rates through bulk purchasing
• Monitor shipment performance and costs with analytics dashboards

By combining powerful automation with deep carrier integrations, VESYL helps ecommerce businesses reduce manual steps, lower international shipping costs, and deliver globally with confidence.

Final Thoughts: Compare International Shipping Rates with Strategy

If you’re shipping internationally at scale, comparing rates manually or using legacy pricing contracts is no longer sustainable. The cost deltas are too large, the variables too complex, and the market too competitive.

Instead, brands that use modern shipping technology, geo-specific routing logic, and closed-loop feedback mechanisms will win—both on margin and customer experience.

When your ecommerce business is processing hundreds, or thousands, of orders a day, every step in the shipping process matters. From packaging to printing shipping labels, even small inefficiencies can lead to higher shipping costs, missed deadlines, and team burnout. That’s where batch shipping comes in.

By automating key parts of your fulfillment workflow, batch shipping helps you transport large quantities of packages more efficiently, optimize your supply chain, and save both time and money.

What Is Batch Shipping?

Batch shipping lets sellers process and fulfill multiple orders at once, rather than handling each individually. With the right shipping software, you can print hundreds of labels, apply carrier rules, and send tracking updates to customers—all in just a few clicks.

When your store is integrated with a bulk shipping tool, you can seamlessly import orders and manage them from a single platform. Instead of switching between tabs and carrier sites, batching consolidates the entire process into one streamlined workflow.

Why Batch Shipping Matters for High-Volume Operations

For ecommerce businesses managing multiple SKUs, carriers, and warehouse locations, batch shipping can significantly reduce operational costs through automation and efficiency:

• Reduce Manual Labor: Eliminate repetitive tasks like opening each order, selecting services, and printing labels individually.
• Accelerate Fulfillment: Faster processing improves delivery speed and customer satisfaction.
• Minimize Human Error: Shipping automation helps avoid incorrect shipping methods, missed pickups, and misapplied rates.
• Smart Carrier Decisions: Automatically choose the best option based on speed, price, or destination.
• Scale Efficiently: Whether you ship 50 or 5,000 orders, batching enables growth without increasing headcount.

Real-World Example: From Chaos to Control

Imagine an apparel brand shipping 2,000+ orders a week during a seasonal sale. The fulfillment team spends hours sorting orders, switching between carrier portals, and printing labels one by one.

With VESYL’s Batch Shipping, that same team can:

• Filter and group orders by destination, weight, or service level
• Apply shipping automation rules
• Print hundreds of labels in a single action
• Trigger tracking emails —all from one dashboard

This streamlines fulfillment, reduces overtime, and ensures faster, more reliable delivery, especially during peak seasons.

When Should You Consider Batch Shipping?

Batch shipping is ideal if your operations include:

• More than 20 daily orders
• Multiple warehouses or fulfillment centers
• Regular promotions or flash sales
• Manual shipping service selection for each order

Even if you're using a warehouse management system (WMS), batch shipping can fill the gap between order intake and delivery, making fulfillment more efficient from the start.

Strengthen Your Supply Chain with Efficiency

Slow shipping affects your entire logistics network—inventory sits longer, deliveries are delayed, and customer expectations go unmet. Batching compresses order-to-ship time, giving your supply chain more room to operate efficiently.

By automating label generation, carrier selection, and fulfillment workflows, batch shipping supports a faster, more resilient supply chain. That means:

• Improved inventory turnover and reduced storage costs
• Better coordination with suppliers and manufacturing partners
• More predictable delivery windows, building trust with your customers

For operations teams looking to scale efficiently, batch shipping is a strategic performance lever—not just a fulfillment upgrade.

Reducing Shipping Costs with Automated Shipping

Batch shipping helps businesses save money through a streamlined shipping process. Grouping multiple orders allows you to access bulk shipping rates and reduce the total number of individual shipments. For ecommerce brands shipping large quantities, this can significantly cut shipping costs.

Shipping automations ensure each batch is assigned the most cost-effective shipping method, minimizing manual labor and per-package fees. By consolidating shipments and simplifying workflows, businesses save time, reduce labor costs, and direct resources to revenue-generating activities.

In short: you optimize the process, transport packages more efficiently, and keep costs in check.

Improving Customer Satisfaction Through Batch Shipping

Faster, more reliable fulfillment leads to happier customers—and batch shipping delivers on both fronts. Processing orders in bulk shortens turnaround time, ensuring quicker deliveries and fewer delays.

Automated systems play a critical role by printing labels in bulk and sending tracking updates automatically. This minimizes errors like incorrect addresses and keeps customers informed throughout the shipping process.

The result: a more efficient, transparent workflow that builds trust, reduces support tickets, and improves satisfaction across the board.

Batch Shipping + Automation = A Game-Changing Combo

Batch shipping alone improves efficiency—but paired with shipping automation logic, it becomes a force multiplier. Rules-based automation can:

• Assign the lowest-cost carrier in real time
• Apply branded packing slips and labels
• Consolidate orders going to the same location
• Trigger alerts or handling rules for flagged shipments

This level of control helps maintain accuracy and consistency at scale. Investing in shipping automations pays off in the long run through increased efficiency and sustainable growth.

Best Practices for Batch Shipping Labels

To get the most from batch shipping, follow these best practices:

• Automate as much of the process as possible using advanced shipping software
• Monitor inventory and stock levels to avoid delays or stockouts
• Verify shipping documents and location before processing
• Add insurance for high-value or sensitive shipments
• Use technology to track packages in real-time and resolve issues quickly

Following these steps builds a fulfillment process that’s efficient, cost-effective, and customer-friendly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these pitfalls to ensure smooth operations:

• Failing to verify addresses or documents before shipping
• Underestimating the labor required for large batch shipments
• Overloading equipment or conveyor belts, which risks damage and downtime
• Poor planning, leading to fulfillment bottlenecks and missed deadlines

Preventing these issues helps protect your workflow, equipment, and customer relationships.

Measuring Success: Key Metrics

Track performance using these key indicators:

• Shipping costs per order
• Order-to-delivery turnaround times
• Rate of fulfillment errors
• Customer satisfaction and feedback
• Inventory and stock-level accuracy

Monitoring these metrics helps you optimize operations and continuously improve your shipping strategy.

Final Thoughts: A Smarter Way to Ship at Scale

For mid-sized to enterprise-level brands, batch shipping bridges the gap between high order volumes and efficient fulfillment. It reduces friction, improves delivery speed, and creates operational leverage—without needing to expand your team.

At VESYL, we’ve helped ecommerce businesses across DTC, subscription, and wholesale use batch shipping to improve efficiency and scale smarter. No matter your tech stack, batch shipping is one of the fastest ways to modernize your shipping strategy.

If your team is still weighed down by manual steps, batch shipping is the place to start.

If you’re an ecommerce seller shipping dozens—or thousands—of orders a day, it’s tempting to stick with what’s familiar. Maybe you’ve always used USPS, UPS Ground, or have a default FedEx account baked into your process. But if you don’t compare carrier rates in real time, you’re likely overpaying—and missing key opportunities to reduce shipping costs and boost customer satisfaction.

Today’s ecommerce landscape is too competitive to leave fulfillment up to guesswork. What you need is visibility—not just into shipping prices, but into which shipping services, carriers, and applicable discounts make sense for each and every shipment.

Why Comparing Shipping Rates Matters

Every shipment has variables: weight, dimensions, destination, delivery window, and carrier zone. Yet many businesses still:

• Default to one carrier for all orders
• Pay retail rates without knowing better options exist
• Manually estimate or guess the cheapest or fastest service

The result? You lose money on some shipments, delay others, and make decisions without real data.

Comparing rates in real time allows you to balance speed, cost, and reliability—without guesswork.

Estimate Shipping Costs with Confidence

Every package you send involves variables: package weight, dimensional weight, origin and destination, ZIP codes, and delivery speed. Yet many ecommerce stores still:

• Default to a single carrier without evaluating other shipping options
• Pay retail rates without realizing discounted rates are available
• Manually estimate or guess the final price of a shipping quote

The result? You lose money on some shipments, delay others, and make decisions without accurate data.

With real-time rate visibility, you can estimate shipping costs precisely, balance speed with affordability, and serve customers better—especially for international shipments.

Calculating Shipping Costs Pays Off—Literally

Let’s say you ship 500 packages daily. Saving just $0.60 per label by selecting a smarter option equates to $300/day—or over $9,000/month. It adds up fast.

But it's not just about reducing shipping costs. Smart shipping rate comparison also:

• Prevents overpaying for additional services like next day air when it’s not needed
• Speeds up your operation by automating choices with a shipping calculator
• Delivers more accurate delivery estimates to your customers

You’ll also better understand how shipment details, such as how much space a package occupies, affect pricing based on volumetric weight and actual weight.

What to Look for in a Shipping Rate Calculator

Not all shipping calculators are built the same. If you're serious about saving time and money, prioritize tools that offer:

Real-Time Rate Comparison Across Multiple Carriers

The right tool should instantly compare rates across UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, USPS, and even regional or hybrid shipping services like OSM Worldwide. That way, you can calculate shipping with just a few clicks—no manual lookup required.

Discounted Rates Without the Contracts

Don’t have high-volume contracts? No problem. Look for a tool that offers shipping discounts through pre-negotiated agreements. You’ll unlock UPS daily rates, avoid FedEx retail rates, and access USPS shipping deals—no strings attached.

Seamless Platform Integration

Your shipping rate calculator or software should connect directly with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. This lets you compare rates, generate a shipping label, or print in bulk without toggling between apps.

Speed and Simplicity

The goal isn’t just to calculate shipping costs, it’s to do so instantly without slowing down your team. The best platforms surface the best shipping rates for every shipment, factoring in package dimensions, postal codes, special handling, and rigid packaging.

International Shipping Made Easier

Shipping internationally? You face even more complexity: international zones, customs documentation, dimensional weight, and different shipping vehicles across borders.

A smart platform:

• Auto-calculates cross-border shipping prices based on zip codes, package type (e.g., cylindrical item or fully encased box), and freight method
• Surfaces the cheapest way to ship globally—whether through USPS Priority Mail International, DHL Express, or regional cross-border solutions
• Helps you get an accurate quote upfront based on your shipment details

The Cheapest Way to Ship Isn’t Always Obvious

The cheapest way to ship depends on more than just weight. It includes your origin and destination, the size of the custom box, and how the package weight is calculated (actual vs. dimensional weight).

Some shipments may be cheaper via UPS Ground, others with a regional carrier or flat-rate option. A smart tool makes the cheapest way to ship obvious—no calculator required.

How High-Growth Brands Compare Shipping

Growing ecommerce stores are ditching fixed shipping setups for flexible, automated solutions. They're not flipping between carrier websites. They’re using platforms that:

• Pull real-time shipping quotes based on destination and package specs
• Auto-select the cheapest, most reliable option from multiple carriers
• Avoid overpaying and reduce fulfillment friction with shipping experts backing their setup

One small business using VESYL reported saving over $1 per shipping label simply by leveraging smarter routing and discounted rates.

How VESYL Helps You Compare Shipping Rates Instantly

VESYL was built to help ecommerce teams streamline fulfillment, cut shipping costs, and reduce manual effort—without needing their own carrier contracts.

With VESYL, you can:

• Instantly compare rates across UPS, FedEx, USPS, and others
• Tap into UPS daily rates, USPS shipping discounts (including First Class and Priority Mail), and hybrid carriers like OSM
• Find the cheapest way to ship every package based on actual weight, dimensional weight, and destination ZIP codes
• Manage international shipping, track shipments, and generate shipping labels in just a few clicks
• Automatically shop discounted shipping rates and avoid retail rates

Final Thoughts: The Best Shipping Rates Are the Ones You Choose

If you’re not comparing rates in real time, you're not truly managing your shipping—you’re reacting to it.

But with the right tools, you don’t need to rely on guesswork, spreadsheets, or manual rate checks. Instead, you can automate smarter decisions, offer better customer experiences, and save on every shipment.

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Ready to get full control over your shipping strategy? Explore how VESYL helps ecommerce stores compare rates, access competitive rates, and find the best shipping rates—without the hassle.

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On June 17, 2025, DHL Express announced it will suspend all shipments to and from Canada until further notice. The shutdown of DHL Express operations in the country will go into full effect at 00:00 local time on Friday, June 20. The decision stems from ongoing labor action and the implementation of Bill C-58, a new Canadian law that limits contingency measures during work stoppages.

For ecommerce businesses that rely on international shipping services, this is more than just a carrier notice, it’s a significant operational disruption. Whether you’re a DTC brand scaling in North America, a 3PL managing multi-client logistics, or an enterprise retailer shipping across global markets, DHL’s exit from Canada puts pressure on your supply chain.

Carrier reliability is never guaranteed. And when one of the world’s most trusted international services halts operations in an entire region, businesses without flexible systems are left scrambling. This is a critical reminder: resilience in fulfillment isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Why the DHL Suspension Matters to Ecommerce Shippers

DHL Express has long played a central role in cross-border ecommerce, particularly for brands seeking fast, cost-effective delivery to and from Canada. Known for its international reach and reliable courier service, DHL Express is often a preferred carrier for time-sensitive packages and high-value shipments.

This disruption is substantial. Canada is not a fringe market, it’s a key geography for North American fulfillment. Losing DHL Express impacts:

• Delivery timelines, as other carriers like FedEx and UPS absorb displaced volume
• Shipping costs, as businesses compete for available freight capacity
• Operational bandwidth, as support teams manage delays and customer communications
• The ability to fill orders quickly, especially those requiring customs forms or international documents

If your systems are tightly integrated with DHL, the fallout can be severe. This is not just DHL’s issue, it’s a visibility and agility issue for your ecommerce fulfillment.

How the DHL Express Suspension Impacts Your International Shipping Services

Starting June 17 at 9:00 PM ET, DHL Express will cease collections from Canadian locations, affecting:

• All express shipments originating in or destined for Canada
• Packages picked up from Canadian fulfillment centers or warehouses
• Cross-border returns, reverse logistics, and time-sensitive international shipments
• Freight routed through Canadian 3PL hubs serving international customers

DHL Express service suspension impacts ecommerce brands shipping to regions like Europe, Mexico, and Asia-Pacific, especially those using Canadian facilities as an origin point.

What remains operational:

• DHL eCommerce
• DHL Global Forwarding
• DHL Supply Chain
• Post & Parcel Germany

However, DHL Express is the business unit that most ecommerce brands depend on for international shipping services, robust tracking, customs forms, billing, and seamless cross-border delivery.

What Your Business Should Do Now to Navigate the DHL Suspension

The suspension isn’t a temporary hiccup, it’s a sign to reassess your logistics strategy. If your ecommerce operations are heavily dependent on one delivery partner, market, or warehouse, now is the time to build agility.

1. Reassess Your Canadian Supply Chain, Fulfillment Line and International Services

Audit your current shipment routes, address database, and fulfillment flows. Are international packages being processed through Canadian 3PLs? Does your logistics team rely on DHL Express for express international services?

Map out areas at risk and:

• Identify alternate delivery services
• Reroute inventory if necessary
• Review tariff and customs documentation for new shipping routes

2. Leverage Real-Time Rate Shopping Tools

Carrier agility starts with visibility. Use rate shopping solutions to compare UPS, FedEx, and regional courier services in real time. This ensures you're not overpaying or delaying shipments.

Tools like VESYL’s Rate Shop automatically surface the most cost-effective and timely carrier based on live data—including delivery status, origin point, destination, and taxes.

3. Avoid Over-Reliance on a Single Carrier

The DHL suspension shows why a diversified carrier network is essential. If your software or operations are tied to one delivery service, disruptions become bottlenecks.

Multi-carrier platforms like VESYL enable you to:

• Instantly switch routing logic
• Create contingency shipping rules
• Maintain delivery timelines during unexpected changes

4. Communicate Proactively with Customers

Customers understand delays, if they’re informed. Use shipping alerts, post-purchase notifications, and checkout messages to set clear expectations, especially for orders impacted by the suspension.

Consider:

• Offering expedited shipping upgrades
• Sending alerts when shipments are rerouted
• Including packing tips in your email communications to ensure boxes arrive intact

5. Temporarily Reroute Through U.S. Fulfillment Centers

If your Canadian operations are compromised, shift shipments through U.S. fulfillment hubs. This may involve:

• Updating customs forms and origin documentation
• Reevaluating delivery taxes and tariffs for international routes
• Checking compatibility of UPS or FedEx services from your new fulfillment location

6. Automate Contingency Measures

Manual shipping decisions increase during disruptions. With VESYL, you can automate fallback rules, like:

“If DHL Express is unavailable in Canada, reroute via FedEx International Economy.”

This approach reduces team workload and ensures uninterrupted delivery performance across global markets.

How VESYL Helps You Adapt During Carrier Disruptions

Disruptions like the DHL Express shutdown in Canada reveal the fragility of rigid shipping systems. VESYL is built for flexibility. We help businesses:

• Access discounted rates across USPS, UPS, FedEx, OSM, and more
• Automatically shift shipments based on performance, cost, or geographic rules
• Complete labels, customs forms, and international documents quickly and accurately
• Create a consistent post-purchase experience with integrated tracking and returns

Our platform gives ecommerce brands the ability to ship smarter, scale faster, and maintain customer satisfaction—even when a major delivery service halts service.

Need help adapting your international services? Our team is ready to guide you through it.

Final Takeaway: Build Flexibility Into Your Supply Chain

DHL Express handles over 1.7 billion parcels annually. When a global courier of that size stops service in a major region, the ripple effects are felt instantly. But with the right strategy and partners, your business can steer though even the toughest disruptions.

Use this week as a sign to future-proof your logistics. Build a shipping operation that’s flexible and data-driven. VESYL helps companies complete that transformation, without missing a beat.

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Ready to build a more resilient shipping operation? Book a demo with VESYL and see how we can help you adapt faster, ship smarter, and stay ahead of the next disruption.

In today’s ecommerce landscape, where customer expectations are rising and margins are under pressure, shipping is no longer just a backend function—it’s a strategic driver for growth.

For fast-scaling brands and small businesses alike, the ability to fulfill orders quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively has become a competitive advantage. And at the center of that transformation is ecommerce shipping software.

What was once seen as a utility to print labels has evolved into a comprehensive shipping solution that unlocks revenue, reduces shipping costs, and enables scalability. In this article, we’ll explore how modern shipping software helps online sellers simplify fulfillment, save time, and boost customer experience—all without overburdening your team.

Ecommerce Shipping Is a Growth Engine

Shipping has become a core part of the customer experience, not just a line item in operations. Today’s consumers expect speed, transparency, and flexibility—and their expectations directly influence where they shop and what they buy.

Consider this:

• 62% of online shoppers expect orders to arrive in under 3 business days
• 83% say order tracking is critical when deciding where to shop
• Nearly 70% of cart abandonments are tied to unexpected shipping costs or delivery concerns

The takeaway? Your shipping strategy isn’t just about logistics—it’s about conversions, repeat purchases, and brand loyalty. Ecommerce shipping software helps turn potential friction points into opportunities to grow your ecommerce business.

Faster Fulfillment Through Streamlined Ecommerce Shipping

Manual tasks like copy-pasting addresses, toggling between carrier websites, or printing shipping labels one-by-one don’t scale—and they increase the likelihood of manual errors.

With the right shipping app, you can automate label creation, import orders from multiple sales channels, and instantly compare carrier rates—all in just a few clicks.

This results in:

• Same-day or next-day fulfillment—even during peak season
• Fewer errors and fewer returned packages
• A more reliable, consistent shipping process

By automating the shipping process, sellers can fulfill orders faster with fewer resources—and save time for more strategic work.

Multi Carrier Shipping Means More Flexibility and Instant Savings

Modern ecommerce shipping software connects directly with multiple carriers, allowing you to access real-time shipping rates, delivery times, and shipping methods per order.

Why this matters:

• Automatically select the best shipping rates for every shipment
• Diversify your shipping options and avoid peak season surcharges
• Offer flexible delivery to meet customer expectations without increasing complexity

Brands that use multi carrier shipping tools not only reduce shipping costs, they also deliver a better experience—especially when managing international services.

Centralized Carrier Rates Help You Save Money and Make Smarter Decisions

Without the right shipping software, data is fragmented across spreadsheets, carrier dashboards, or your ERP. A good ecommerce shipping platform consolidates this information, giving you actionable insights into:

• Delivery times by region and carrier
• Carrier performance and shipping costs by SKU
• Return reasons and rates

This visibility supports better forecasting, fewer errors, and more efficient operations. For any growing business, smarter decisions lead to faster fulfillment and lower costs.

Automation Rules That Scale With Your Ecommerce Business

As your business grows, manual processes break down. Whether you're shipping more orders or expanding to new markets, scaling fulfillment without hiring more staff is critical.

Ecommerce shipping software enables scale with automations like:

• Batch label generation
• Auto-importing orders from marketplaces and ecommerce platforms
• Smart routing based on location or service level
• Scheduling carrier pickups automatically

These features let you ship orders efficiently and with less time, keeping your team focused and your customers informed.

Label Printing and Packing Made Easy

Shipping software simplifies the day-to-day tasks that slow teams down. From packing slips to shipping labels, everything can be generated, printed, and managed in just a few clicks.

Features like:

• One-click label printing
• Branded packing slips
• Auto-print rules

Let your team move faster and reduce errors, helping you fulfill more orders and save on labor costs.

International Shipping Made Simple

Cross-border fulfillment comes with its own challenges: customs forms, carrier compliance, and managing delivery expectations. Ecommerce shipping software simplifies international shipping with tools that:

• Simplify customs documentation
• Support multiple carriers with international services
• Ensure regulatory compliance
• Deliver transparency and tracking across borders

For online sellers expanding globally, this is critical to meet expected delivery and customer expectations.

The Role of Customer Experience in Shipping

The post-purchase experience matters more than ever. Great shipping isn’t just about delivery—it’s about trust, transparency, and repeat business.

The best ecommerce shipping software helps deliver that experience by offering:

• Branded tracking pages
• Real-time shipping notifications
• Self-service return portals

These tools help keep customers informed, reduce WISMO (“where is my order?”) tickets, and drive long-term loyalty.

A Quick Look at VESYL: Built Fast-Growing Ecommerce Brands

VESYL is a powerful ecommerce shipping platform designed for fast-scaling ecommerce businesses. From discounted rates to automation rules, VESYL helps retailers streamline fulfillment and reduce costs without increasing overhead.

Key features include:

• Rate shopping across carriers like USPS, FedEx, UPS, and more
• Batch processing and bulk label generation
• Automation rules to eliminate manual steps
• Easy integrations with Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and top ERPs
• Built-in tools for returns, international shipping, and tracking

Whether you’re a new seller or a growing business, VESYL makes it easy to start shipping smarter—with a free plan to help you save from day one.

Final Thoughts on Ecommerce Shipping Software

Shipping software is no longer a "nice-to-have"—it’s a must for any ecommerce business looking to ship faster, save money, and deliver better experiences.

Whether you’re managing inventory, handling more shipments, or optimizing your delivery speed, the right shipping solution helps you reduce shipping costs, simplify operations, and win customer loyalty.

Because when you streamline your fulfillment, you don’t just move packages faster.

You fulfill more orders. You scale more efficiently. And you win more customers.


Ready to streamline your fulfillment? Talk to our shipping experts today.

As your business scales, so do the challenges inside your warehouse. Missed SLAs, rising fulfillment and shipping costs, inefficient processes, and disconnected systems can quickly become bottlenecks. That’s where warehouse consulting comes in.

Whether you're managing a distribution center, overseeing eCommerce warehouse operations, or evaluating a new warehouse management system, working with expert warehouse consultants can help you reduce costs, increase efficiency, and unlock long-term competitive advantage.

In this article, we’ll break down when it’s time to bring in warehouse consultants, why consulting services matter, and how they can help you scale with confidence.

Warehouse Consulting Services: When to Hire a Consultant

Not every company needs warehouse consulting, but if you're experiencing any of the following, it might be time to call in experts who’ve helped hundreds of warehouse managers and brands across various industries.

1. Your fulfillment costs are rising faster than your revenue

Escalating labor, packaging, and carrier costs are common operational challenges. A warehouse consultant can help identify overspending and provide solutions—from warehouse automation and retrieval systems to optimizing your carrier mix—for immediate cost savings.

2. You’re scaling, but your processes aren’t keeping up

Fast growth often reveals gaps in your warehouse layout, inventory workflows, and order throughput. If your warehouse operations are struggling under growing order volume, consultants can design smarter layouts, align technologies with business requirements, and future-proof your operations.

3. You’re opening a new warehouse or implementing new systems

Transitioning to a different warehouse or selecting from WMS vendors? Moving to a new WMS is a high-stakes decision. Warehouse consultants help align your warehouse software with your broader supply chain goals and ensure smooth implementation.

4. Your team is constantly putting out fires

If your warehouse management feels reactive, not proactive, outside consulting can create structure, documentation, and staff training—improving day-to-day execution and customer satisfaction.

Warehouse Consultants: What Services Typically Include

Warehouse consulting goes far beyond advice. They deliver actionable strategies, optimized systems, and measurable results.

Common deliverables include:

Facility and Warehouse Layout Optimization

Streamline pick paths, reduce travel time, and make better use of your warehouse space—all key for a productive warehouse.

Process Audits & Redesign

Uncover inefficiencies and re-engineer receiving, inventory management, and fulfillment processes to achieve maximum efficiency.

Technology and WMS Recommendations

Select and implement the right WMS or automation tools to support your growth. Many clients see immediate gains with the right technologies in place.

Labor & Staffing Strategy

Right-size your team, improve training, and ensure your operations run smoothly—even during peak seasons.

Shipping & Carrier Optimization

Reduce costs through better carrier mix, smarter packaging, and routing strategies tailored to your network and distribution center operations.

Supply Chain: Why Warehouse Consultants Deliver ROI

Working with warehouse consultants offers more than just a second opinion. You gain:

• Fresh perspective on ingrained issues
• Benchmarking from across industries and distribution models
• Strategic planning tied to your specific needs
• Tools and processes that drive real cost savings

Rather than trial-and-error changes, you get tested strategies built for scalable, efficient growth.

New Warehouse Management System: Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Whether you're launching a new warehouse, upgrading your current WMS, or expanding to a second facility, it's critical to ensure your WMS, warehouse layout, and inventory workflows are aligned.

Warehouse consultants help you choose the right WMS vendors, manage complex implementations, and design systems that adapt as your business grows.

Consulting Services from VESYL: Built for Operational Excellence

Before we became a leader in shipping software, VESYL was one of the top warehouse consulting firms in North America. We've helped eCommerce brands, enterprise warehouse operators, and global retailers achieve operational excellence by optimizing every aspect of their warehouse operations.

Today, our consulting combines real-world experience with data-driven insights to help you:

• Cut shipping costs
• Improve delivery speeds
• Increase productivity
• Scale with less complexity

No two warehouses are the same. VESYL’s team delivers customized strategies aligned with your business requirements, infrastructure, and inventory accuracy goals.

Warehouse Automation & Inventory Management: Scale Without the Stress

From choosing the right automation tools to fine-tuning your inventory management system, VESYL helps clients move from reactive to proactive. We support managers and operators in building smarter, faster, more efficient warehouse operations—all while enhancing customer satisfaction and keeping costs in check.

Distribution Center: Ready to Maximize Efficiencies?

If you’re planning for growth or wondering whether your current setup is really built for scale, now might be the right time to bring in expert help.

Warehouse consulting can help you unlock hidden opportunities in your distribution center, streamline warehouse workflows, and ensure you're positioned for long-term success.

Competitive Advantage Through Smarter Warehouse Management

In today’s logistics environment, the smartest warehouse isn’t always the biggest—it’s the most adaptable. With the right consulting, you can improve every element of your operations—from layout to systems—to gain the competitive lead your company needs to thrive.

Improve Efficiency with VESYL

Whether you're tackling inefficiencies, expanding to a new warehouse, or implementing a new WMS, VESYL is here to help.

Let’s talk about how our warehouse consulting services can help you maximize efficiencies, reduce costs, and future-proof your supply chain.

Ready to improve your warehouse operations?
Connect with VESYL’s expert consultants today.

For mid-sized and enterprise-level businesses, controlling shipping costs at scale is a constant battle. Whether you're shipping direct-to-consumer or fulfilling wholesale orders, the challenge remains: how do you unlock discounted shipping rates without the commitment, complexity, or volume thresholds required by traditional shipping account contracts?

The good news? You don’t need to sign carrier agreements or commit to minimum volumes to unlock shipping discounts. A growing number of fast-scaling brands are choosing smarter, tech-enabled shipping solutions that eliminate the red tape.

Here’s how operations and logistics leaders are saving money with discounted shipping—no contracts required.

Why Traditional Carrier Contracts Don’t Work for Everyone

Carrier agreements were built for a different era—when businesses had the time and leverage to negotiate directly with FedEx, UPS, the United States Postal Service, or regional couriers. These contracts often come with:

• Long-term commitments
• Minimum shipping volumes
• Complex pricing structures and hidden fees
• Dedicated account management hassles

For fast-growing businesses or those dealing with seasonal spikes and shifting shipment destinations, these contracts are often more pain than they’re worth. What you really need is flexibility and agility—not more paperwork.

3 Proven Ways to Access Discounted Shipping Rates Without a Contract

1. Tap Into Pre-Negotiated Discounted Shipping Rates Through a Platform

Modern shipping platforms like VESYL give you immediate access to pre-negotiated discounted rates, without the need for a customaccount or direct negotiations with carriers.

These platforms aggregate the shipping volume of thousands of shippers, unlocking volume discounts and rates far below standard retail prices—including up to 60–80% off USPS shipping, UPS, and regional services.

This is ideal for eCommerce, small businesses, and 3PLs looking to save on shipping without committing to long-term contracts.

You’ll also be able to:

• Create labels instantly
• Print shipping labels in bulk
• Pay only for what you ship—no minimums required

Whether you're shipping first class mail, priority mail, or managing return labels, tapping into these shipping discounts can cut shipping costs fast.

2. Use Multi-Carrier Rate Shopping to Compare the Best Shipping Rates

Not sure if you’re overpaying? You probably are.

Multi-carrier rate shopping tools let you compare shipping rates, delivery speeds, and services in real time—across major and regional carriers like FedEx, UPS, USPS, and even DHL Express.

This lets fulfillment teams:

• Save time by skipping manual checks
• Dynamically choose between speed and cost
• Ensure every shipment uses the cheapest shipping rates available

From shipping small packages across the U.S. to handling international orders to the UK or Canada, rate comparison tools give you better shipping options, without overpaying.

3. Use Regional and Hybrid Services Strategically

You don’t always need a national courier to get packages delivered quickly and affordably.

Hybrid carriers like UPS SurePost, OSM, or regional services like OnTrac or Canada Post offer competitive rates—often the cheapest way to get packages to customers in specific zones.

When combined with a centralized shipping solution, you can:

• Route shipments based on destination, weight, or delivery window
• Choose from different shipping options per order
• Avoid the complexity of managing multiple carriers manually

Without the right tech, this complexity can be hard to manage. That’s where smarter shipping platforms shine.

The Smart Way to Save on Shipping with VESYL

VESYL helps brands unlock discounted shipping rates and streamline fulfillment—no contracts, no complexity.

With VESYL, you can:

• Access pre-negotiated discounted rates from national, regional and international shipping services
• Compare shipping rates, delivery times, and services side-by-side
• Create labels, print multiple labels, and manage tracking all in one platform

Need to ship with DHL Express or leverage USPS discounts for first class mail and priority mail? No problem. VESYL gives you access to a wide range of shipping options so you can find the cheapest, most efficient solution for every package.

And the results speak for themselves:
One brand saved over $1 on every shipping label after switching to VESYL—thanks to smarter rate shopping, discounted carrier rates, and automation that eliminates manual guesswork.

In Summary: Save Time and Cut Costs Without Carrier Contracts

Today’s logistics landscape favors flexibility. You no longer need to negotiate contracts to get the lowest shipping rates.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Use a tech-driven shipping solution with pre-negotiated rates
• Let automation handle rate comparisons
• Choose the cheapest shipping rates across multiple carriers

Whether you’re shipping within the U.S., to Canada, or to the UK, you deserve smarter, more scalable shipping services.

Ready to unlock discounted shipping without the contracts?
See how VESYL helps growing businesses save money, save time, and ship with confidence.

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Shopify is one of the most powerful ecommerce platforms for growing online stores, but as your business scales, your shipping operations can quickly become a bottleneck.

What works when you're shipping 100 packages a week may collapse under the pressure of fulfilling 10,000 shipments. Without the right shipping software, growing Shopify merchants can often face:

• Delayed order processing
• Overwhelmed customer service teams
• Escalating shipping and packaging costs
• Inefficient warehouse and shipping processes
• Chaos across multiple shipping carriers and warehouse locations

To grow your store without breaking your backend (or the bank), your Shopify shipping operations must evolve. That means rethinking how you ship orders, manage shipping labels, and handle real-time tracking, all while keeping the customer experience seamless.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to prepare for high-volume shipping with a focus on operational efficiency, automation, and powerful integrations to help your business scale, without the chaos.

Why Shopify Ecommerce Businesses Struggle at Scale

If you’re fulfilling in-house or working with 3PLs, scaling order volume usually exposes gaps in your supply chain workflows. Common issues include:

Manual Workflows: Still printing labels one by one? Manually selecting shipping services for each shipment? These manual practices burn hours, increase risk of error and slow your ability to ship orders efficiently, especially as your store grows.

Disconnected Systems: Without a centralized shipping software solution, syncing Shopify orders with your warehouse, ERP, or carrier systems becomes unreliable. This lack of integration leads to errors, delays, and poor customer experience.

Rising Costs: Relying on default shipping rates from top carriers like FedEx, UPS, or USPS, without comparing options, means you could be overpaying. High shipping costs quickly eat into your margins, especially when you're shipping packages of different sizes or to destinations like Canada.

Returns Bottlenecks: Manually processing returns frustrates customers, slows down your CX team, and adds unnecessary overhead. A lack of automation here can severely impact satisfaction and repeat sales.

5 Essentials for Shipping Success as You Scale on Shopify

1. Centralize Your Order Fulfillment and Shipping Management

As your brand scales, managing shipping operations across multiple channels and locations becomes critical. Use shipping software that consolidates Shopify orders, carrier integrations, shipping labels, and real-time tracking into one unified platform. Bonus points if it supports multi-location inventory and multiple sales channels for a fully scalable solution.

2. Use Batch Shipping and Automation Rules to Ship Orders

Manually managing hundreds of shipments is time-consuming and error-prone. Automate your fulfillment with rules that choose the right shipping service, packaging type, and carrier based on order weight, size, and destination. Batch printing allows you to print the labels and packing slips for hundreds of shipments at onces, further saving time and reducing mistakes, helping your business to grow faster.

3. Shop Smart with Real-Time Shipping Rates

Don't overpay for shipping. Use tools that compare real-time shipping rates from top carriers—including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, and regional options—to find the best price and delivery time for every package. Real-time rate shopping can lower your costs by 10–30%, especially when shipping different sizes or internationally.

4. Simplify Returns for You and Your Customers

A seamless return process can improve the customer experience and ease the burden on your support team. Offer easy-to-use return portals, QR-code labels, and return tracking to make the process painless for your customers, and efficient for your team. This not only builds brand trust but also helps save time and money.

5. Prioritize Seamless Integration with Your Tech Stack

The right shipping solution should integrate directly with your Shopify store and sync with your ERP, WMS, 3PL, and analytics tools. Choosing shipping tools with seamless integration improves accuracy, supports automation, and frees your team to focus on scaling your online store, not chasing down labels, errors, or delays.

What VESYL Offers for Shopify Merchants Scaling Their Fulfillment Process

If you’re ready to grow your ecommerce business and streamline fulfillment, VESYL’s seamless Shopify integration helps you scale shipping, without the complexity.

Here’s what sets VESYL apart for Shopify merchants:

• Seamless Shopify Integration: Automatically sync orders, tracking, and fulfillment status. VESYL connects directly to your ecommerce platform, so you can start shipping fast, with no manual work.

• Batch Shipping Tools: Ship hundreds of orders with just a few clicks. Print shipping labels and packing slips in bulk from one user-friendly dashboard.

• Discounted Rates Carrier Rates: Compare real-time shipping rates and access discounted pricing to save on label costs. Automatically select the best service level for every package, based on weight, dimensions, and delivery window.

• Simplified, Customer-Friendly Returns: Offer QR-code return labels that don’t require a printer. Keep your customers happy with easy returns and full tracking, while reducing support workload.

• Advanced Order Management: Filter, sort, and prioritize orders across locations and rules. Whether you're shipping from a single warehouse or managing multiple channels, VESYL keeps your fulfillment organized in one place.

• Flexible Open API for Custom Integrations: Connect VESYL to your ERP, WMS, 3PL, or custom system. Our open API ensures smooth data flow and operational flexibility as your business grows.

• Unmatched Customer Support and Simplicity: VESYL is known for responsive, hands-on customer support. It's also incredibly easy to use, with setup in under 10 minutes. You don’t need a developer or onboarding team to start shipping.

From managing shipping labels and returns to lowering shipping costs and improving the customer experience, VESYL gives you a serious advantage as you scale your online store.

Final Thoughts

As your Shopify store grows, shipping can either be your competitive edge, or the bottleneck that holds you back.

By centralizing operations, embracing automation, and using a flexible, fully integrated shipping system, you can scale your fulfillment with complete control.

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Your store is growing—make sure your shipping can keep up. Talk to a VESYL expert about building a smarter, more scalable shipping operation.

Ecommerce businesses know that an order being placed is just the beginning in the customer journey. In an ideal world, the customer would receive the "package shipped" notification the same day, and then "delivered" the next. But fulfillment isn't always so straightforward. Whether shipping times stretch too long, or tracking information is unclear, customer disappointment doesn’t just hurt your brand image. It can cost you sales, repeat business, and loyal customers.

That’s why efficient shipping operations are essential to ecommerce businesses. Manual shipping processes may work early on, but automation technologies can make a significant impact as your daily number of orders increase.

Using software solutions that offer shipping automation tools are the smart and efficient way to ship products—and keep customers coming. Below, learn how automations can transform warehouse efficiency by generating shipping labels, tracking shipments, selecting the best carriers, updating inventory records, managing package dimensions and more.

What Are Shipping Automations?

Shipping automations are rule-based processes that streamline and simplify order fulfillment by reducing the need for manual decision-making. Instead of having staff evaluate each order individually, automation tools apply predefined logic to handle repetitive shipping tasks behind the scenes—improving speed, accuracy, and scalability.

Examples of shipping automations include:

• Automatically selecting the most cost-effective carrier or service level based on destination, package size, and inventory location
• Bulk-printing shipping labels to accelerate fulfillment and reduce downtime in the packing station
• Applying custom shipping presets according to criteria like order weight, value, customer location, or SKU type
• Auto-generating tracking numbers and sending real-time updates to customers through email or SMS
• Setting international incoterms automatically to simplify global compliance and customs documentation

Rather than having staff manually handle each order, automated shipping processes handle the decision-making behind the scenes, based on logic you define. This not only reduces human error, but also boosts efficiency, shortens fulfillment times, and allows your team to repurpose resources toward more strategic, revenue-generating activities.

Why Automated Shipping Matters (Especially as You Scale)

Whether you're fulfilling from a single warehouse or coordinating with multiple 3PLs, shipping automation becomes essential as your ecommerce business grows. Here’s why:

1. Time Savings In Your Fulfillment Process That Add Up

Automating tasks like label printing, rate selection, and packing slip generation can cut fulfillment time by 70% or more, freeing your team for revenue-generating activities.

2. Reduced Human Error, Happier Customers

Automation minimizes human error in selecting shipping services, filling customs forms, and entering tracking information, leading to fewer reships, fewer complaints, and higher customer satisfaction.

3. Consistency Across Ecommerce Platforms and Warehouses

Automations apply uniformly across ecommerce platforms and warehouses, whether orders come from Shopify, Amazon, or Walmart, keeping your shipping process consistent and efficient.

4. Fully Automated Carrier Selection

Shipping automation can select the best carrier and service level based on the package size, weight, shipping speed, and destination, helping you save money without compromising delivery expectations.

5. Scalability Without Complexity

As your order volume grows, automation handles the complexity—streamlining your fulfillment process, maintaining inventory accuracy, and improving output without adding overhead.

Common Use Cases for Ecommerce Brands

Shipping automation software can adapt to your unique fulfillment process, no matter your ecommerce business type. Here are a few real-world applications:

• Subscription Box Services: Automate recurring label generation and order fulfillment every billing cycle—saving time and improving efficiency.
• Apparel Brands: Apply custom packing rules for bundles vs. single items to ensure accurate shipping and better customer satisfaction.
• Health & Wellness DTC: Auto-select cold chain shipping solutions, add shipping insurance, or trigger signature confirmation for high-value or sensitive orders—boosting order accuracy and reducing risk.
• 3PLs and Wholesale Operations: Use advanced automation rules to route orders to the optimal warehouse based on inventory levels, region, or stock availability, ensuring fast, cost-effective fulfillment.

How to Get Started with Shipping Automation Technology

You don’t need to rebuild your entire tech stack to start seeing the benefits of shipping automation. Here’s a simple roadmap to improve your shipping step by step:

• Audit Your Shipping Workflow: Identify repetitive tasks, like choosing carriers, printing shipping labels, or updating inventory, that can be automated to save time and reduce errors.
• Choose the Right Shipping Software: Look for shipping automation software that integrates with your current ecommerce platform, marketplaces, warehouse systems, and fulfillment services for seamless operations.
• Build Basic Automation Rules: Start with simple triggers like order weight, destination, or shipping method to automate label selection, packaging, or tracking information updates.
• Test, Monitor, and Optimize: Track and measure your shipping process performance, refine your automation rules, and scale your setup as your order volume and business grow.

What Shipping Automation Looks Like with VESYL

At VESYL, our powerful shipping automations are purpose-built to help ecommerce stores streamline fulfillment, reduce manual labor, and boost shipping efficiency across the board. By combining smart shipping logic with warehouse automation and real-time inventory management, VESYL enables a more scalable, error-free fulfillment process.

With VESYL, you can:

• Automatically rate shop the most cost-effective shipping service across multiple carriers based on shipment dimensions, weight, delivery time, and destination
• Trigger custom workflows based on SKU, order type, warehouse location, or inventory levels—ideal for managing multi-channel, 3PL, or distributed warehouse operations
• Set international Incoterms automatically when generating labels, ensuring compliance and minimizing cross-border delays
• Sync seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and WarehouseOS, connecting your shipping and inventory management systems for end-to-end fulfillment visibility

A Customer Satisfaction Story: Saranoni Luxury Blankets

After implementing VESYL’s shipping automations, Saranoni Luxury Blankets cut warehouse fulfillment time by over 50% and significantly reduced shipping costs by automatically assigning shipments to the optimal carrier with zero manual input.

With automatic carrier selection and zero manual input, their team was able to ship faster, more affordably, and with fewer errors.

This success story highlights the power of VESYL’s shipping software as a full-stack automation platform. By integrating intelligent workflows, real-time inventory data, and warehouse logic, VESYL enables ecommerce brands like Saranoni to transform fulfillment from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.

Whether you're shipping from one location or juggling a complex supply chain, VESYL gives you the tools to save time, cut costs, and scale your ecommerce operations with confidence.

Final Thoughts: Automations in Ecommerce Shipping

For any growing ecommerce business, shipping automations are no longer a nice-to-have—they’re a must-have. Automating tasks like carrier selection, label creation, and package routing doesn’t just reduce errors—it improves accuracy, speeds up fulfillment, and frees your team to focus on what really drives growth.

In a market where speed, precision, and scalability define success, automated shipping isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about delivering the kind of experience your customers expect and your brand deserves.

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Ready to streamline your fulfillment? Learn what VESYL can do for your ecommerce store today!

As your ecommerce store grows, shipping can quickly switch from a back-office task to a major operational challenge. More orders mean more labels, more tracking requests, and higher customer expectations. This is when your manual processes can become a bottleneck as you scale.

That’s where ecommerce shipping software comes in. It helps streamline fulfillment, reduce shipping costs, and scale your operations efficiently. However, not all platforms are built the same. In this guide, we’ll break down the key features to look for and how to find the right fit for your growing ecommerce business.

Why Growing Ecommerce Businesses Need Smarter Shipping Tools

As your ecommerce business grows, so does the complexity of your shipping process. If you’re a growing business trying to fulfill more orders across multiple sales platforms, it might be time to upgrade. Here are some common signs that it's time:

• You’re spending hours manually printing shipping labels instead of using a shipping app that can automate label creation with just a few clicks
• You're overpaying on shipping costs because you can’t easily compare and find the best shipping rates
• Your team is overwhelmed with tracking and delivery questions, and it’s hard to keep your customers informed
• You want to offer international shipping, but completing customs forms and keeping up with international regulations is too time consuming
• You’re juggling orders from multiple sales channels like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay, and struggling to fulfill orders faster

The right shipping software helps ecommerce businesses save money, time and scale with fewer resources.

Key Features to Look For in Ecommerce Shipping Software

Not every shipping app is built the same. For growing ecommerce businesses, the right shipping software should streamline your shipping process, reduce shipping costs, and scale with your growth. Here are the top features to prioritize:

1. Offer Multi-Carrier Rate Shopping

Compare real-time shipping rates across carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL to get the best rate for every shipment, whether you're prioritizing speed or savings. An ideal shipping software should let you compare shipping services (like Ground vs. 2-Day) and offer discounted rates on shipping labels for instant savings.

2. Enable Batch Label Printing

Save time by printing shipping labels in bulk for dozens—or even hundreds—of orders. Look for features like batch editing, automations, and a clean, intuitive dashboard to manage label generation, packing slips, and more with ease. This is especially helpful when you're handling more orders with fewer resources.

3. Support Shipping Automations

Speed up fulfillment and reduce manual work with shipping automations. Apply rules and tags based on shipping methods, order weight, sales channels, destination and more. For example, automatically assign USPS Priority Mail shipping labels for domestic packages under 1 lb. With smart automation rules, you’ll minimize errors, fulfill orders faster and increase output without increasing headcount.

4. Simplify International Shipping

Planning to ship globally? Look for tools that simplify the shipping process for international orders with easy-to-fill customs forms, DDP/DDU options, and access to international services. Comparing shipping rates globally helps you find the most cost-effective options, while automated workflows eliminate the groundwork. In today's online shopping landscape, fast, affordable and reliable delivery times are crucial to boosting the customer experience across borders.

5. Integrate with Your Sales Channels

Wherever you sell, whether it's on one platform or multiple, great shipping software should sync easily with multiple online stores like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay. Real-time order syncing helps you import orders, manage inventory levels, and ship orders without delays. Integrated systems also help retailers avoid costly mistakes and keep operations running smooth.

6. Scale with Your Growth

As your business expands, so should your shipping strategy. Your platform should support multiple warehouses, new sales channels and partners, and increasing volumes without adding complexity. Whether you're a startup or an established amazon seller, your shipping app should help you scale efficiently—while continuing to save money and time.

Top Ecommerce Shipping Software Options for Growing Stores

Here are some of the top contenders worth considering:

VESYL is built for fast-growing ecommerce businesses scaling across multiple sales channels. It simplifies fulfillment with features like batch shipping, multi-carrier rate shopping, advanced shipping automations, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and Amazon Seller Central. With built-in tools for shipping internationally, returns, and order management, VESYL helps you save time, reduce shipping costs, and deliver a better customer experience. Plus, their responsive support team is just a call away when you need help. You can start with a free plan that includes essential features, perfect for getting started without the commitment.

ShipStation is a popular shipping solution for multi-channel sellers with large volumes and higher budgets. It offers robust integrations with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy, along with features such as batch label printing, automation rules, and inventory management. The flexible interface makes it easy to manage complex shipping workflows across multiple sales channels. However, the platform can become expensive at higher tiers, and many users report that customer support can be slow or difficult to reach, something to consider if responsive service is a priority.

Easyship is a good option for ecommerce brands focused on international shipping. It supports customs forms, international rate comparisons, and global carriers. However, its automation features may be limited for high-volume sellers, and some users report issues with billing transparency and slow customer support.

Pirate Ship is a budget-friendly option for small businesses with simple shipping needs. It offers free access to USPS commercial rates and an easy-to-use interface. However, it lacks multi-carrier support, advanced automation, and integrations that growing ecommerce stores typically require to scale efficiently.

How to Choose the Right Shipping Software for Your Store

The right shipping solution needs to align with your business needs, volume, and growth plans. As you compare options, ask yourself the following:

• What’s my monthly shipping volume? Some platforms price based on order count or label generation. Choose one that offers scalable pricing and can handle higher volumes without slowing you down.
• Which carriers do I rely on? Make sure your most-used shipping carriers (like USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL) are supported and you can tap into discounted rates. If you have pre-negotiated rates, check that you can easily connect them to the software.
• Do I ship internationally? Look for built-in support for customs forms and international shipping rate comparisons to simplify cross-border shipping.
• What features will save me the most time and increase my output? Tools like shipping automation, batch shipping, instant rate shopping, and auto-generated packing slips help streamline your shipping process and get more packages out the door—fast.
• Does it integrate with my existing platforms and tech? Look for seamless integrations with Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, eBay, and other sales channels, as well as your warehouse tech, post-purchase tools, or inventory systems.
• Is the pricing structure clear? Look for transparent and clear pricing—and be cautious of per-label fees, carrier markups, or unexpected shipping costs that can add up quickly.
• How responsive is the customer support team? Reliable support can make a huge difference—especially during high-volume periods. Look for a provider with a strong reputation for service and an easy to reach team for live help when you need it.

Why VESYL is a Smart Choice for Growing Stores

VESYL is purpose-built for ecommerce businesses that have outgrown basic shipping tools and need a platform that can scale with them. With VESYL, you get a robust, all-in-one shipping solution designed to streamline fulfillment, boost efficiency, and cut costs, without the hassle of carrier contracts or complex setup.

Key benefits include:

• A one-of-a-kind Rate Shop that compares rates and service levels in real time to ensure you always get the best shipping rate
• Batch label printing for faster, more efficient order processing
• Powerful automation rules to reduce manual work and eliminate costly errors
• Seamless integrations with major sales channels like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay
• Built-in tools for returns, tracking, and international shipping
• Access to discounted carrier rates with top providers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx

But VESYL offers much more than just shipping:

• Full order, shipping, and inventory management in one easy-to-use platform
• An open, developer-friendly API for custom workflows and system integrations
• Expert support from a team with over 72 years of collective industry experience
• Deep fulfillment expertise—our team has fine-tuned every step of the shipping process to help you fulfill orders faster, save money, and scale

Whether you're shipping hundreds or thousands of orders, VESYL is the shipping software built to grow with you, backed by real people who understand the challenges of ecommerce logistics.

Create your free VESYL account, access our essential features and start shipping for less today!

Final Thoughts

The right ecommerce shipping software should make your life easier, not harder. For growing stores, it’s about more than just printing labels, it’s about building a foundation to scale. Whether you’re shipping 100 or 10,000 orders a month, investing in the right tool now can reduce time, labor, money, and headaches later.

The global ecommerce market is growing, but with opportunity comes complexity—especially when it comes to international shipping. In 2025, shifting regulations, climate-related disruptions, and changing carrier strategies are transforming how ecommerce businesses manage cross-border shipping and supply chain operations.

For online retailers, staying ahead of these trends is crucial—not just to control costs, but to deliver a seamless online shopping experience for more consumers across the globe.

In this article, we explore the key international shipping services trends shaping the ecommerce industry in 2025, and share actionable insights to help your online business adapt, stay competitive, and support continued global growth.

Carriers Are Scaling Back International Shipping Services on Risky Routes

The Trend:

Some major carriers are scaling back international shipping services to regions facing heightened risk, tighter regulations, and costly import/export friction. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, tariff disputes, and evolving trade alliances are reshaping the ecommerce landscape and disrupting cross-border shipping operations.

For example, in early 2025, select carriers suspended inbound shipments from Southeast Asia due to increased customs forms scrutiny and escalating tariffs—signaling broader challenges for ecommerce stores reliant on global markets.

What It Means for Ecommerce:

Your previously reliable international shipping lane may no longer be accessible—or may now come with longer delivery times, higher costs, and reduced services. This shift directly impacts ecommerce platforms, and online businesses that depend on fast, affordable cross-border fulfillment to serve online shoppers and meet the expectations of many customers.

How to Adapt:

• Monitor carrier updates monthly to make more informed decisions and adjust routes as needed.
• Use multi-carrier platforms like VESYL to reroute packages, maintain delivery speed, and protect your customer experience.
• Diversify your carrier network to improve resilience and reduce disruptions to your supply chain.
• Review inventory and adjust product offerings based on affected regions.
• Explore regional alternatives to support ongoing global growth.

2. De Minimis Threshold Changes Are Impacting Cross-Border Orders

The Trend:

De minimis thresholds, the minimum value under which goods can enter a country duty-free, are tightening, impacting international shipping services and reshaping the ecommerce landscape.

In the U.S., discussions are heating up around reducing the current $800 de minimis limit. Meanwhile, some countries have already enforced stricter tax collection policies at lower thresholds, affecting cross-border online shopping and increasing the complexity of customs documents and shipping procedures.

What It Means for Ecommerce:

For ecommerce stores, these changes can lead to online shoppers encountering unexpected duties and taxes at checkout, causing abandoned carts, disrupted customer journeys, and negative customer experiences.

How to Adapt:

• Clearly communicate whether duties and taxes are included in the total cost at checkout to reduce surprises.
• Offer Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) options to simplify the payment process for customers.
• Leverage shipping software like VESYL to simplify customs and duties forms, and provide full shipment transparency.
• Tailor products and shipping strategies based on destination-specific regulations to protect your bottom line and meet the expectations of consumers.

3. Green Shipping Initiatives Are Becoming Mandatory for Online Stores

The Trend:

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword in ecommerce, it's becoming a requirement. In regions like the EU, carbon emission disclosures for cross-border shipments are now required for cross-border shipments. Many carriers are rolling out greener delivery methods, while some governments are offering incentives to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain.

For ecommerce businesses, adapting to these policies is essential as eco-conscious consumers reshape the global commerce conversation. As the ecommerce market experiences significant growth, the pressure to integrate sustainable practices into shipping and supply chain management continues to increase.

What It Means for Ecommerce:

Brands may incur added costs, fines, or regulatory pushback for non-compliant packaging or unsustainable shipping practices. However, green initiatives also present a competitive opportunity to enhance the customer experience, and align with the values of Gen Z and more consumers who prefer to shop online with brands that care about the planet.

Sustainability can become a powerful differentiator in a crowded ecommerce space, especially when clearly communicated across your online store, and checkout pages.

How to Adapt:

• Audit your packaging for recyclability, minimal waste, and eco-friendly materials.
• Choose carriers offering carbon-neutral options for both domestic and international shipping.
• Prominently feature green shipping options on your ecommerce platform, product detail pages, and throughout the shopping experience to influence purchasing decisions.
• Stay up to date on compliance requirements across regions like Canada, Australia, and South and North America, especially when managing customs documentation.

4. Regional Warehousing Is Accelerating for Faster Cross-Border Fulfillment

The Trend:

To reduce shipping costs and speed up delivery, more ecommerce businesses are adopting regional warehousing strategies. By storing inventory closer to international shoppers, retailers can improve international shipping services while reducing shipping costs, minimizing customs delays.

This shift supports the growing demands of the ecommerce market, where fast, affordable shipment options are now expected by customers who shop online globally.

What It Means for Ecommerce:

If your store is fulfilling all international orders from a single location, you’re likely facing higher costs, longer transit times, and reduced flexibility in your supply chain. This setup can also hurt the customer experience, especially for buyers who prioritize speed and transparency when making a purchase.

How to Adapt:

• Partner with 3PLs or fulfillment providers that offer strategically located warehouses to serve key international regions.
• Use data-driven demand forecasting to allocate inventory levels abroad and meet online sales demand efficiently.
• Work with software like VESYL to streamline international shipping, customs forms, and cross-border fulfillment services.

5. AI-Driven Rate Shopping Is the New Norm In Online Retail

The Trend:

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way ecommerce businesses approach shipping. Modern, AI-powered tools are optimizing international shipping in real time—factoring in customs documentation, transit times, carrier fees and geopolitical risks. These emerging technologies are transforming the ecommerce landscape, helping brands operate more efficiently in a complex global market.

What It Means for Ecommerce:

Relying on static shipping rules or sticking to a single carrier is no longer viable. Online shoppers expect fast, affordable delivery, and many customers will abandon carts if better options aren’t available. As international shipping grows more complex, brands must make informed decisions—not just fast ones.

How to Adapt:

• Use intelligent shipping software like VESYL, which leverages real-time data to select the best carriers and routes for each shipment.
• Continuously A/B test regional shipping strategies to optimize for cost, delivery time, and shopping experience.
• Align rate shopping strategies with your supply chain, inventory, and evolving purchasing triggers of global shoppers.

Final Thoughts: International Shipping in 2025's Ecommerce Market

As global ecommerce grows, the logistics behind it are evolving rapidly. Carrier pullbacks, changing tax rules, sustainability mandates, and shifting consumer expectations all require an increasingly proactive approach.

By staying informed and using advanced tools like VESYL, ecommerce brands can navigate these changes with confidence—and turn global complexity into their competitive advantage.

Ready to future-proof your cross-border shipping strategy? Let’s talk.

International ecommerce offers massive growth potential—but it also comes with complex logistics, higher customer expectations, and a much smaller margin for error. A single misstep in your international shipping strategy can mean delayed orders, surprise fees, or worse: lost customers.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most common international shipping mistakes that ecommerce businesses make, why they happen, and most importantly—how to fix them.

1. Ignoring Country-Specific Shipping Regulations

The Mistake:

Assuming all countries follow the same import rules is a costly mistake in international shipping. Regulations around customs forms, prohibited items, and documentation requirements vary widely depending on the destination, which directly impacts shipping costs, delivery times, and even whether your package reaches the customer at all. Missing a required document or shipping a restricted item can cause your shipment to be delayed, returned, or destroyed—resulting in wasted money, lost products, and frustrated customers.

For example, while some countries accept digital customs documents, others require printed copies to accompany the parcel. These differences in customs processes can affect estimated delivery time and may require specific international shipping services or carriers like FedEx, UPS, or the local post office.

How to Fix It:

Research Before You Ship

Before shipping to a new international market, research:

• Prohibited or restricted items
• Duties, taxes, and de minimis thresholds
• Labeling and packaging standards

Use Shipping Tools

By using advanced shipping software that supports country-specific compliance and offers access to international services, you can save time, reduce shipping expenses, and protect your brand’s reputation while expanding into new global markets. Leverage shipping software like VESYL to ensure proper documentation per country, discounted international shipping rates and increased efficiency.

2. Underestimating Duties, Taxes, and Fees

The Mistake:

Failing to calculate or clearly communicate duties and taxes at checkout can result in costly surprises for your customers. When buyers are unexpectedly asked to pay customs fees upon delivery, it often leads to the loss of a loyal customer and damage to your brand. These negative experiences don’t just affect one shipment; they can impact long-term business growth.

To avoid sticker shock, make sure your checkout process accounts for import duties, customs documents, and accurate shipping costs.

How to Fix It:

Be Transparent at Checkout

Be transparent with customers about duties and taxes before they complete a purchase. Let them know upfront whether these fees are included in the total shipping costs. If they’re not, provide a clear breakdown of any applicable import charges so buyers aren’t hit with unexpected fees upon delivery.

To improve the customer experience, consider offering DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping services. With this option, buyers pay all fees—including duties and taxes—at checkout. Not only does this simplify the process, but it can also help shorten transit times, avoid customs delays, and ensure smoother international shipments.

Integrate Landed Cost Calculators

A landed cost calculator gives customers full visibility into extra costs and can estimate all fees—including tariffs, duties, and brokerage charges—based on:

• HS codes
• Product value
• Destination country

Pro Tip: Tools like VESYL make it easy to choose between Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) and Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) options while you're filling out customs documents and purchasing your international shipping rates—ensuring the right duties and taxes are applied upfront.

3. Poor Packaging for International Transit

The Mistake:

International shipments often face longer transit times, multiple carrier handoffs, and exposure to varying temperatures and handling conditions across borders. Using flimsy or inadequate packaging increases the risk of damage, leading to higher return rates, lost revenue, and dissatisfied customers.

How to Fix It:

Use Durable Materials

Choose packaging that protects against crushing, moisture, and rough handling during international shipping. Avoid reusing boxes or relying on single-layer protection, especially for long transit times.

Optimize Package Size and Weight

Smaller, well-padded parcels reduce dimensional weight charges and help lower overall shipping costs—without compromising the safety of your shipment.

Include Proper Labeling

Always include:

• A clear return address
• Legible shipping labels
• Visible customs declarations (in a visible sleeve or pouch)

4. Using the Wrong Shipping Companies or International Shipping Service

The Mistake:

Choosing the wrong shipping company or international shipping service can lead to longer delivery times, higher shipping costs, and limited tracking. A carrier that works well for domestic orders may fall short when it comes to international shipments.

How to Fix It:

Compare Carrier Rates and Transit Times

Use multi-carrier shipping software to compare:

• International service levels
• Delivery speed
• Real-time discounted rates
• Insurance and tracking options

Optimize for Each Destination

What’s best for Canada may not be ideal for Australia. Use data to choose the most reliable and cost-effective carrier for each region.

Negotiate International Rates

Work with a fulfillment partner like VESYL to negotiate bulk international shipping discounts, improve margins and simplify workflows for enhanced global growth.

5. Failing to Provide End-to-End Tracking

The Mistake:

International customers expect transparency. If your package goes dark after it leaves the country, it erodes trust, increases support tickets for your CX team, and reduces repeat purchases.

How to Fix It:

Offer Door-to-Door Tracking

Choose carriers that support full international tracking, not just within the origin country. Integrate tracking into your post-purchase experience via email and customer portals.

Use Shipping Software for Updates

VESYL aggregates tracking data across multiple carriers in one dashboard, keeping your customers informed and reducing WISMO (Where Is My Order) support volume.

6. Inaccurate or Incomplete Customs Documents

The Mistake:

Missing or inaccurate customs forms delay shipments and increase the risk of packages being returned to sender. It can also lead to costly fines or penalties.

How to Fix It:

Automate Form Generation

Use a shipping platform that auto-generates customs documentation (e.g., commercial invoices, CN22/CN23 forms) based on SKU data.

Double-Check Key Fields:

• Product descriptions: Be clear and accurate
• HS codes: Use the correct 6–10 digit classification
• Declared value: Must match the invoice

Reminder: Always review the destination country’s requirements—if digital customs forms aren’t accepted, print and securely attach them to the outside of the package in a visible sleeve.

7. Not Localizing the Delivery Experience

The Mistake:

A generic shipping experience that doesn’t account for local language, currency, or delivery preferences creates friction and reduces conversions.

How to Fix It:

Localize Checkout Options

Let customers shop and check out in their local language and currency. Show shipping quotes and delivery timelines that reflect regional realities.

Offer Region-Specific Carriers or Pickup Options

In some countries, local carriers or pickup points are preferred over global couriers. Providing these options boosts trust and satisfaction.

8. Inflexible Return Policies for International Orders

The Mistake:

Ecommerce returns are inevitable—especially in certain industries. Restrictive return policies can discourage international buyers from completing a purchase, while complicated or costly return processes can hurt your brand reputation and reduce customer loyalty.

How to Fix It:

Offer Simplified Returns

Make returns easy by:

• Providing return labels
• Offering local return addresses (via 3PLs or return consolidators)
• Clearly communicating return windows and conditions

Consider Refund Alternatives

For lower-cost items, it may be more economical to issue a refund without requiring a return, depending on the destination and product value.

Top tip: VESYL simplifies returns by offering discounted return labels and QR codes, allowing customers to drop off their package directly with the carrier—no printing required.

9. Not Leveraging Fulfillment Partners with Global Expertise

The Mistake:

Trying to manage international shipping in-house can quickly become overwhelming, especially as order volume grows.

How to Fix It:

Partner with Global Fulfillment Experts

A fulfillment partner like VESYL helps streamline international operations with:

• Automated rate shopping
• Compliance support
• Carrier selection per country
• Warehouse and inventory optimization

Use Centralized Software for Visibility

Having a single platform to manage global orders, tracking, and support creates a more seamless customer experience and streamlined managment for you.

Conclusion: International Shipping Can Be a Growth Driver—If You Avoid These Mistakes

International customers are ready to buy—but only if you deliver a seamless, transparent, and affordable shipping experience. By avoiding the common mistakes above and implementing smart fixes, your ecommerce business can:

• Increase global sales
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Reduce operational headaches

VESYL helps ecommerce brands scale internationally with smart shipping software, rate comparison tools, and expert fulfillment support. Ready to stop losing international sales? Talk to our team today.

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As the festive season kicks into gear, the holiday hustle is officially underway. To make sure your packages arrive on time and to keep your customers happy, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to the UPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines. UPS Domestic Shipments

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25th.

UPS Domestic Shipments

• UPS® Ground - Check latest schedule
• UPS 3 Day Select® - December 19th
• UPS 2nd Day Air® - December 20th
• UPS Next Day Air® - December 23rd

UPS International Shipments

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. 

US to Canada

• UPS® Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only) - Check latest schedule
• UPS Worldwide Expedited® - December 20th
• UPS Worldwide Express® - December 23rd

US to Mexico

• UPS® Standard (From the 48 contiguous states only) - Check latest schedule
• UPS Worldwide Expedited® - December 19th
• UPS Worldwide Express® - December 20th

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Click here for the USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines.

The holiday season is here, bringing with it the hustle and bustle that keeps shippers busy right through to the New Year. While we can't prepare your holiday feast or wrap presents, we’re here to make shipping easy. To help you plan ahead and ensure timely deliveries, we’ve put together a complete list of the USPS 2024 holiday shipping deadlines. With these dates in mind, you can keep your customers happy and stress-free this holiday season!

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. (Excludes Alaska & Hawaii).

• USPS Ground Advantage® Service - December 18th
• First Class Mail® Service - December 18th
• Priority Mail® Service - December 18th
• Priority Mail Express® Service - December 21st

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. 

USPS Ground Advantage® Service

• Alaska - December 16th
• Hawaii - December 16th

First-Class Mail® Service

• Alaska - December 18th
• Hawaii - December 18th

Priority Mail® Service

• Alaska - December 19th
• Hawaii - December 19th

Priority Mail Express® Service

• Alaska - December 20th
• Hawaii - December 20th

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2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for International Mail

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25.

Africa

• First Class Package International Service® - December 2nd
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 2nd
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 9th

Asia/Pacific Rim

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

Australia/New Zealand

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

Canada

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

Caribbean

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

Central & South America

• First Class Package International Service® - December 2nd
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 2nd
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 9th

Europe

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

Mexico

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

Middle East

• First Class Package International Service® - December 9th
• Priority Mail International® Service - December 9th
• Priority Mail Express International® Service - December 16th

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Military Mail

Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. 

USPS Ground Advantage® Service

• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - November 4th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - November 4th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - November 4th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - November 4th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - November 4th

First-Class Mail® Service

• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - December 9th

Priority Mail® Service

• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - December 9th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - December 9th

Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS)

• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 090-092 - December 16th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093 - N/A
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099 - December 16th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340 - December 16th
• APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966 - December 16th

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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Click here for the UPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s important for shippers to plan ahead to ensure timely deliveries for their customers. To help you plan ahead, we’ve compiled all of the essential details regarding OSM's 2024 holiday schedules and shipping deadlines.

Holiday Schedule

OSM Worldwide will observe closures at its primary processing hubs during the following dates:

• Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 2024
• Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2024

These closures will affect processing times, so it’s crucial to plan accordingly to avoid any delays during this peak period.

Holiday Shipping Deadlines

Domestic 

• APO/FPO/OPO Mail - December 7th
• Domestic Mail (National Delivery) - December 16th
• Domestic Mail (Regional Delivery) - December 19th

International

• Africa - November 27th
• Central & South America - November 27th
• Asia/Pacific Rim - December 4th
• Australia & New Zealand - December 4th
• Canada - December 4th
• Caribbean - December 4th
• Mexico - December 4th
• Europe - December 4th
• Middle East - December 4th

For further questions, please feel free to reach out to our team!

With Black Friday and the holiday season just around the corner, businesses can expect a surge of shoppers eager to get in the gifting spirit and take advantage of seasonal deals. This influx brings a great opportunity for increased sales, but it also comes with the complexities of increased shipping demands.

To keep up with the growing volume of orders, carriers like USPS have announced temporary price adjustments for the 2024 peak holiday season. Effective from October 6, 2024, through January 19, 2025, these rate changes will impact Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage shipments.

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What Are Peak Season Surcharges?

These holiday surcharges help USPS cover additional costs associated with labor, fuel, and supplies during the peak shipping months to ensure they can maintain service standards while managing higher volumes. Staying informed about these changes is key to plan accordingly and maintain a seamless delivery experience for customers, so we’ve packaged them up for you below.

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Commercial Increases

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

• $0.30 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $0.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $3.00 increase for 26-70 lbs. 

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

• $0.70 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $2.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $7.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

• $0.35 increase for 0-3 lbs.
• $0.75 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $1.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $5.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4

• $1.00 increase for 0-3 lbs. 
• $1.50 increase for 4-10 lbs.
• $3.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.
• $8.95 increase for 26-70 lbs

Priority Mail Express: Zone 5-9

$1.75 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$3.95 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$7.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$13.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

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Retail Increases

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4

$0.40 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$0.55 increase for 4-10 lbs

$0.95 increase for 11-25 lbs. 

$4.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail: Zones 5-9

$0.90 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$1.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$3.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$8.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9

$0.50 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$1.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$2.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$5.85 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4

$1.10 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$2.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$3.90 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$9.75 increase for 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Express: Zones 5-9

$2.00 increase for 0-3 lbs.

$4.85 increase for 4-10 lbs.

$9.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.

$16.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.

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How Can Businesses Still Save On Shipping?

Despite the USPS price increases during the holiday season, merchants still have opportunities to save on shipping costs. By using VESYL, brands can shop the best-in-class rates across multiple carriers, streamline operations, reduce labor costs, and minimize errors through automation, further maximizing efficiency and cutting down unnecessary expenses. By streamlining shipping operations, merchants can offset the impact of seasonal surcharges while still delivering an exceptional customer experience during the busiest time of the year.

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Schedule a quick 15-minute call with us and we’ll show you how!

The busy seasons are both a blessing and a challenge for e-commerce businesses. Whether it's the holiday rush, back-to-school season, Black Friday or any other peak period, increased demand brings with it the potential for significant revenue, but only if your shipping operations can keep up.

In this article, we'll explore key strategies for effectively scaling your shipping operations during busy seasons, ensuring your business can handle the increased volume without compromising on service quality.

Forecasting Demand Accurately

The foundation of scaling your shipping operations lies in demand forecasting. By analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and customer behavior, you can best predict the volume of orders and products you'll need to fulfill during peak periods. This information allows you to plan your inventory, staffing, and logistics accordingly.

Optimizing Inventory Management

Efficient inventory management is critical during busy seasons. Overstocking can lead to unnecessary storage costs, while understocking can result in missed sales opportunities, delayed shipments and unhappy customers. The key is to find the right balance. To stay ahead of inventory needs, work closely with suppliers to ensure timely restocking and leverage inventory management for clear and real-time insights to stock levels. With any management system, implement regular inventory checks to reduce the risk of any mistakes. 

Streamlining Fulfillment Processes

As order volumes increase, your fulfillment processes need to be as efficient as possible. Streamlining and automating these processes helps reduce the time it takes to pick, pack, and ship orders, minimizing the risk of delays and errors. For example, batch processing orders significantly speeds up order fulfillment, allowing you to get more orders out of the warehouse, in less time. 

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Learn how VESYL automations are improving fulfillment efficiency for businesses.

Enhancing Warehouse Operations

Your warehouse is the heart of your shipping operations, and its efficiency can make or break your ability to scale. During busy seasons, optimizing your warehouse layout, staff training, and workflow processes is essential. For example, you can create a "Golden Zone," where the top 20% of SKUs that account for 80% of your orders are stored. This zone should be located near the packing and shipping stations to minimize the distance these items travel.

Leveraging Multiple Carriers

Relying on a single carrier during busy seasons can be risky. Carrier delays or capacity issues can disrupt your fulfillment. By working with multiple carriers, you can mitigate these risks, ensure timely deliveries and save on costs.

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With VESYL, we deliver the best-in-class shipping rates across multiple carriers in just a few clicks, allowing you to make the most informed decisions for your shipments, without sacrificing flexibility.

Implementing Flexible Shipping Options

Customers expect fast and reliable delivery, especially during busy seasons. By offering flexible shipping options such as expedited shipping, same-day delivery, or in-store pickup, you can meet customer’s expectations and improve their experience. It’s important to clearly communicate shipping options and cut-off dates for guaranteed delivery on your website. 

Outsourcing Fulfillment and Logistics

For many e-commerce businesses, outsourcing fulfillment and logistics to third-party providers (3PLs) is a scalable solution during peak seasons. 3PLs can offer additional storage space, advanced technology, and expertise in managing high volumes, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business. However, 3PL’s can come with their own set of challenges such as a large initial investment and limited visibility. 

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Alternatively, businesses can leverage shipping software. At VESYL, brands can simply connect their stores, import orders, run shipping automations, such as assigning particular products to certain package sizes or shipping rates, batch purchase up to 500 shipping labels at once at the best rates, and print labels with their corresponding packing list. This allows businesses to manage their fulfillment internally while still saving time and money on shipping. 

Enhancing Customer Communication

During busy seasons, clear communication with customers is vital. Be sure to keep them informed about order status, shipping timelines, and any potential delays. This transparency can help manage expectations and reduce customer frustration. You can utilize automated email notifications and SMS alerts to keep customers updated throughout the fulfillment process.

Preparing for Returns and Exchanges

Both brands and customers would prefer to get it right the first time but as we know, it doesn’t always go that way. Busy seasons can often lead to increased returns and exchanges, especially during the gifting season. Preparing for this influx is crucial to maintaining customer satisfaction and minimizing operational disruptions.

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Streamline your returns process by providing clear instructions and offering easy-to-print return labels or QR codes. You can also consider using a returns management software that automates the process and provides customers with instant refunds or exchanges.

Conclusion

The key to a successful busy season is ensuring your fulfillment can keep up. By forecasting demand, optimizing inventory and warehouse management, leveraging multiple carriers, and enhancing customer communication, you can ensure a smooth and successful peak season. Finally, be sure to track, record and analyze for continuous improvement and business success.

Black Friday has become one of the biggest days of the year for e-commerce businesses. The surge in online shopping presents an immense opportunity for brands to boost sales, attract new customers, and build long-term loyalty.

However, the key to making Black Friday a raving success, is to prepare, plan and implement well in advance. In this article, we outline the best preparation steps, the most effective strategies, the timeline for starting these initiatives, and examples of brands leading the way.

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Preparation Steps for Black Friday Success

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1. Inventory Management

You can’t fulfill an increase in sales if you have no stock! Proper inventory management is crucial to avoid stockouts or overstocking. Begin by analyzing sales data from previous Black Fridays to predict demand for various products. Also analyze most and least popular products over the past year. Order additional stock of popular items and ensure your supply chain is robust enough to handle the increased demand.

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With this increased demand, leverage VESYL's shipping automations to do the fulfillment leg work for you.

2. Website Performance

Imagine you have an influx of new customers trying to checkout, but the page won’t load. A slow or crashing website can be disastrous on Black Friday. Conduct load testing to ensure your site can handle high traffic volumes. Optimize your site speed by compressing images, simplifying checkout processes and minimizing the use of heavy scripts.

3. Mobile Optimization

With a significant portion of shoppers using mobile devices, a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. Ensure your site is responsive, with fast load times and easy navigation on mobile devices. Simplify the checkout process, including implementing one-tap payment options like Apple Pay and Paypal to reduce cart abandonment rates.

4. Customer Service Readiness

Expect an influx of customer inquiries and issues. Prepare your customer service team to handle a substantial increase in tickets and processes to handle them efficiently. Implement chatbots, FAQ’s and automated responses to assist with basic queries and provide quick responses. It’s important to ensure customers can easily bypass these options and speak to a representative when needed.

5. Security Measures

Cybersecurity is critical during high-traffic periods. Ensure your site has up-to-date security measures, such as SSL certificates and secure payment gateways. Monitor for any suspicious activities and have protocols in place to address potential breaches.

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Effective Strategies for Black Friday

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1. Early Promotions and Teasers

Start building anticipation weeks before Black Friday by releasing teasers and early promotions. Use email marketing, social media, and your website to create a buzz around your upcoming deals. To reward your loyal customers, offer exclusive early-bird discounts and access to help them feel valued.

2. Personalized Marketing

Leverage customer data to send personalized offers and recommendations. Use segmentation to target specific customer groups with tailored promotions that resonate with their past purchasing behavior and preferences. For example, you can highlight products that compliment their original purchase.

3. Bundling and Upselling

By creating product bundles that offer value, brands can encourage higher spending and it’s a great way to move older and less popular products. With upselling, brands can suggest complementary products, a higher value item and bundles. This not only increases average order value but also enhances the customer shopping experience.

4. Limited-Time Offers

When offers run for long periods of time, customers lose interest. By creating a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and flash sales, FOMO motivates customers to take more immediate action. Scarcity is a powerful motivator for shoppers.

6. Retargeting Campaigns

Ever viewed a product, not purchased and seemingly had the ads follow you everywhere. Retargeting ads are an excellent way to reach customers who have previously visited your site but did not make a purchase. Personalized retargeting ads can remind them of the products they were interested in and offer special discounts to entice them back.

7. Enhanced User Experience

From start to checkout, ensure your user experience is pleasant. From having a clean and user-friendly layout and navigation, to informative product listings with complete size guides, pop up chatboxes providing any assistance to features like one-click checkout, guest checkout options, and multiple payment methods, a smooth experience is key to ensuring customers reach the checkout.

8. Post-Sale Engagement

Black Friday isn’t the end of the customer journey, it’s just the beginning. Follow up with personalized thank-you emails, request feedback, and offer exclusive post-sale discounts to encourage repeat purchases.

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Brands Leading the Way

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Amazon

Amazon sets the standard for Black Friday with extensive planning, early promotions, and efficient logistics. Their use of personalized marketing, and limited-time offers drives significant sales and customer engagement.

Walmart

Walmart excels in both online and offline for Black Friday. They seamlessly integrate e-commerce and in-store promotions, coupled with effective retargeting campaigns, ensuring they capture a large share of Black Friday customers.

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Conclusion

Black Friday presents a tremendous opportunity for e-commerce businesses, but strategic planning is the key. By focusing on inventory management, website performance, customer service readiness, and cybersecurity, businesses can lay a strong foundation. Implementing effective strategies like early promotions, personalized marketing, bundling, and limited-time offers will drive sales and customer loyalty. Finally, by learning from industry leaders, e-commerce businesses can maximize their Black Friday success and build a loyal customer base for the future.

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Streamline your e-commerce fulfillment ahead of the Black Friday rush with VESYL. Learn more or book a call with us today!

Starting an e-commerce brand from scratch is both exciting and overwhelming. It offers immense opportunities, but the competition is fierce, and the landscape is ever-evolving. So to help you kick things off with a bang, here are essential tips and strategies to help you build a successful e-commerce brand.

Starting an E-commerce Brand From Scratch

Identify Your Niche and Audience

1. Focus on a Niche: One of the first steps in creating a successful e-commerce brand is identifying a niche. A niche allows you to target a specific audience and cater to their unique needs or pain points, making it easier to stand out in a crowded market. Research various niches, assess the competition, and identify gaps where you can offer unique value.

2. Understand Your Audience: Develop a clear understanding of your target audience. Conduct surveys, analyze market data, and create detailed customer personas. The more detail the better, as it will give you a better understanding of your audience's preferences, pain points, and shopping behaviors which will help you tailor your products, marketing, and customer service to meet their needs.

Build a Strong Brand Identity

3. Craft a Compelling Brand Story: Your brand story is a powerful tool to connect with customers on an emotional level. Share the inspiration behind your brand, your mission, and the values that drive your business. A compelling brand story can evoke emotion, inspiration and differentiate you from competitors.

4. Design a Memorable Visual Identity: Invest in professional design services to create a logo and visual identity that reflect your brand's personality and story. Consistent branding across your website, social media, and packaging helps build brand recognition and trust.

Nike is an excellent example. Every time you see their logo, you immediately associate it with quality fitness and sportswear. And more than the products they're selling, they're selling a lifestyle, all recognizable by one small tick.

Optimize Your Website for User Experience

5. Choose the Right E-commerce Platform: Selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for your success. Popular options include Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, customization options, and integration with other tools when making your choice.

6. Ensure Mobile Responsiveness: With a significant portion of online shopping occurring on mobile devices, it's essential that your website is mobile-friendly. Ensure your site is responsive, loads quickly, and offers a seamless shopping experience on all devices. It's important to note that just resizing your website for mobile isn't enough. It's important to focus on a seamless mobile friendly layout involving resizing images, adjusting the layout and ensuring customers can checkout or find relevant information on a smaller screen, without feeling overwhelmed.

7. Simplify Navigation and Checkout: A user-friendly website with intuitive navigation and a streamlined checkout process reduces friction and increases conversion rates. Minimize the number of steps in the checkout process and offer multiple payment options to cater to different preferences. For example, with Apple Pay, customers can checkout within seconds on their phone without having to fill out multiple information boxes.

Develop a Robust Marketing Strategy

8. Leverage Social Media: Social media platforms are invaluable for building brand awareness and engaging with your audience. Identify the platforms where your target audience spends the most time and develop a content strategy to share valuable and engaging content. Many brands are now leveraging social commerce where customers can purchase products directly through social media platforms like Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. This is another consideration when choosing both your social media platforms and your e-commerce platform, as not all platforms integrate. Brands can also utilize paid advertising to reach a broader audience.

9. Invest in SEO: Search engine optimization (SEO) is critical for driving organic traffic to your website. Conduct keyword research to identify terms your potential customers are searching for, and optimize your website content accordingly. Create high-quality blog posts, product descriptions, and meta tags to improve your search engine rankings.

10. Utilize Email Marketing: Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to nurture leads and retain customers. Build an email list by offering incentives such as discounts or exclusive content. By segmenting your audience, you can send more personalized emails to promote products, share updates, and offer special promotions.

Provide Exceptional Customer Service

11. Offer Multiple Support Channels: Provide customers with various ways to reach you, such as live chat, email, and phone support. Prompt and helpful customer service can significantly enhance the shopping experience and build customer loyalty.

12. Implement a Hassle-Free Return Policy: A transparent and easy return policy can boost customer confidence and encourage purchases. Make sure your return process is straightforward and clearly communicated on your website. Many brands include their return policy, or a link to their return policy, on the product listing so customers have all the information they need at their fingertips.

Monitor Performance and Adapt

13. Track Key Metrics: Regularly monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as conversion rates, average order value, and customer acquisition costs. Use analytics tools to gain insights into your website traffic, customer behavior, and sales performance.

14. A/B Test and Optimize: Continuously test different elements of your website and marketing campaigns to identify what works best. A/B testing allows you to compare variations and make informed data-driven decisions to optimize your strategies.

15. Stay Updated on Trends: The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving. Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and changing consumer behaviors. Adapt your strategies to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of your customers.

Build Strong Relationships with Suppliers

16. Source Reliable Suppliers: Your suppliers play a crucial role in your e-commerce success. Build strong relationships with reliable suppliers who can consistently provide high-quality products. Consider factors such as lead times, minimum order quantities, and shipping options when selecting suppliers.

17. Negotiate Favorable Terms: Negotiate terms with your suppliers to secure better pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules. Building a good rapport with your suppliers can lead to long-term partnerships that benefit both parties.

Focus On Streamlined Logistics

18. Invest in Efficient Inventory Management: Effective inventory management is crucial for preventing stockouts and overstock situations, both of which can harm your business. Utilize inventory management software to keep track of stock levels, predict demand, and automate reordering processes. This ensures that you always have the right amount of inventory on hand, reducing storage costs and increasing customer satisfaction.

19. Optimize Your Shipping Process: Fast and reliable shipping is a key factor in customer satisfaction. Partner with reputable shipping carriers and consider using a fulfillment center to handle logistics. Offer multiple shipping options, including express delivery, to cater to different customer needs. Additionally, provide clear tracking information to keep customers informed about the status of their orders.

With VESYL, brands can enjoy smooth streamlined shipping from start to delivery with seamless integrations with major e-commerce platforms and tech partners, the best-in-class shipping rates for cost savings, with powerful automations and batch shipping for hands-free and faster savings. Learn more about VESYLs smooth shipping software.

Foster a Community Around Your Brand

20. Engage with Your Community: Build a community around your brand by engaging with customers on social media, hosting events, and encouraging user-generated content. Create a sense of belonging and loyalty by making your customers feel valued and heard. Referring back to our Nike example, they make every customer feel a part of their athletic community, from the casual jogger to the triathlete.

21. Encourage Customer Feedback: Actively seek and act on customer feedback to improve your products and services. Encourage reviews and testimonials, and use the feedback to make necessary adjustments and show your commitment to customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Starting an e-commerce brand from scratch requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a customer-centric approach. By focusing on these essential tips and strategies, you can build a strong foundation for your e-commerce business, stand out in a competitive market, and create lasting relationships with your customers. Embrace innovation, prioritize customer satisfaction, and continuously adapt to the evolving e-commerce landscape to achieve long-term success.

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. 

Starting July 1st, 2024, USPS is implementing new shipping rates for various services and packages. Here’s a detailed look at what’s changing:

USPS Shipping Changes: What You Need to Know

Ground Advantage

• Price Increases for Packages Over 1 Pound: Rates will rise by up to $2.11, particularly affecting packages in the 1-5 pound range.
• Price Increases for Packages Under 1 Pound: Rates will increase by up to 33 cents for zones 6-8.
• Cubic Pricing: Ground Advantage Cubic rates are increasing by up to $1.67.

Priority Mail

• Weight-Based Rates: Prices will increase by up to $3.10.
• Cubic Rates: Expect an increase of up to $2.97.
• Flat Rate Prices: These will go up by as much as $1.18.

Discount Adjustments

• The maximum discounts available for USPS compared to Retail Pricing will drop from 89% to 88%.

Additional Changes Effective July 14th

• Media Mail Rates: These will increase by up to 56 cents.
• Signature Confirmation: The cost is going up by 20 cents, bringing the total to $3.70.

These changes are universal across all platforms where you can buy postage online.

Best-In-Class Rates with VESYL

‍Despite these increases, VESYL continues to offer the best-in-class shipping rates through its partnership with USPS and other carriers. Our goal is to streamline your shipping operations, providing discounted rates for a silky smooth fulfillment process.

Navigating the Changes

By staying ahead, you can make the best informed decisions for your shipping needs. Utilize VESYL’s simple rate shopping feature to compare rates and make informed decisions on the best options for your shipping needs, whether you're shipping 1 or 1000's of packages a day.

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Want to learn more about VESYL's smooth shipping software? Book a demo with us or read more.

More than half of the world’s population are now on social media. That’s over 5 billion people! On the subway, in restaurants, anywhere, you can witness people on their favorite social media platforms, amounting to 1 out of every 3 minutes spent online. 

With such a vast number of potential customers at just a click away, this provides an unparalleled opportunity for brands to engage customers, drive sales, and build brand loyalty. In this article, we explore the most effective strategies for leveraging social commerce to boost e-commerce sales.

The Rise of Social Commerce

With the introduction of Facebook Shop back in 2020, the ability to shop within a social media platform is still relatively fresh. However, its convenience and immediacy has transformed social media platforms into a one stop shop with 47% of Americans having made a purchase through it.

The rise and continued growth of social commerce is not slowing either, with social commerce sales in the U.S. projected to reach $79.64 billion by 2025, according to eMarketer. Another report by Accenture estimates that global social commerce could grow three times faster than traditional e-commerce, reaching $1.2 trillion by 2025. 

This explosive growth is driven by the increasing time spent on social media, especially by younger demographics, and the continuous improvement in platform features facilitating more convenient shopping.

Why Brands Should Leverage Social Commerce

The blend of social interaction and convenient purchasing meets modern consumer expectations and offers unique opportunities to build relationships, increase visibility, and boost revenue. Here's why leveraging social commerce is essential for brands aiming to stay ahead in the competitive e-commerce landscape:

• Increased Reach and Visibility: As highlighted above, social media platforms have billions of active users.
• Enhanced Customer Engagement: Social commerce allows for direct interaction with consumers, fostering stronger relationships and brand loyalty.
• Streamlined Purchase Journey: By reducing the steps between discovery and purchase, social commerce minimizes drop-offs and enhances the customer experience.
• Data-Driven Insights: Social media platforms provide detailed analytics, helping brands understand customer behavior and preferences to tailor their strategies.

Key Strategies for Boosting E-commerce Sales through Social Commerce

Leverage Shoppable Posts and Stories

Shoppable posts and stories allow users to click on a product within a post and be directed to a purchase page without leaving the social media app. Platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram and Facebook have integrated shopping features that enable brands to tag products in posts and stories, making it easy for consumers to shop directly from their feeds. Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce seamlessly integrate with Facebook and Instagram. A study by Instagram found that 70% of shopping enthusiasts turn to the platform for product discovery.

VESYL seamlessly integrates with major e-commerce platforms, so whether someone is shopping through a social media platform or your website, you can simply import all orders into VESYL for fast, simple and cost-competitive batch shipping.

Engage with Influencers

Influencer marketing is a powerful tool in social commerce. Collaborating with influencers who resonate with your target audience can amplify your reach and drive sales. Influencers can create authentic content showcasing your products, which can significantly impact purchasing decisions.

Utilize User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content, such as customer reviews, photos, and videos, serves as authentic social proof. Encouraging your customers to share their experiences with your products on social media can enhance credibility and attract new customers. Nielsen reports that 92% of consumers trust UGC more than traditional advertising, making it a crucial element of social commerce.

Implement Social Media Ads with Precision Targeting

Social media platforms offer advanced targeting options that enable brands to reach specific demographics based on interests, behaviors, and past interactions. Crafting compelling ad campaigns that resonate with your audience significantly enhance engagement and sales. Facebook and Instagram ads, for instance, allow for retargeting users who have previously interacted with your brand, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Host Live Shopping Events

Live shopping combines the immediacy of live streaming with the convenience of online shopping. These events allow brands to showcase products in real-time, answer questions, and engage with viewers, creating an interactive shopping experience. Platforms like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and TikTok Live are ideal for hosting live shopping events.

Optimize for Mobile Shopping

Given that a significant portion of social media usage occurs on mobile devices, it’s crucial for brands to ensure their e-commerce sites are mobile-friendly. Fast load times, intuitive navigation, and a seamless checkout process on mobile devices are essential for capturing sales from social media referrals. Statista reports that mobile commerce accounted for 72.9% of total e-commerce sales in 2021, highlighting the importance of mobile optimization.

Measuring the Impact of Social Commerce

By effectively measuring the impact of your social commerce strategies, you can continuously improve and refine your social commerce strategies. To do this, track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as:

• Engagement Rates: Likes, comments, shares, and views on social media content.
• Click-Through Rates (CTR): The number of clicks your social media posts and ads receive.
• Conversion Rates: The percentage of social media users who make a purchase after clicking on your content.
• Average Order Value (AOV): The average amount spent by customers in a single transaction.
• Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): The revenue generated for every dollar spent on social media advertising.

Tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and Instagram Analytics provide detailed data to help you understand the effectiveness of your social commerce efforts and where adjustments may be needed.

In Summary

Social commerce offers brands a unique opportunity to drive sales and build lasting customer relationships. By leveraging shoppable posts, influencer partnerships, user-generated content, targeted ads, live shopping events, and mobile optimization, brands can harness the full potential of social commerce. As consumer behavior continues to evolve, staying ahead of these trends will be crucial for brands looking to thrive in the competitive e-commerce landscape.

With an estimated 356 billion packages shipped worldwide in 2023, it’s no surprise that with this increase in online shopping, there has also been a rise in damaged, lost and stolen packages. However, it’s not the be all end all as there are a variety of steps brands can take to protect their packages and ensure they reach their customers in one piece. We’ve packaged these up with some real-life examples for you below.

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Common Challenges with Shipping Damages

Shipping damages are a challenge for e-commerce businesses, manifesting in various forms such as physical damage to products, broken seals, and moisture-related issues. These damages can arise from inadequate packaging, mishandling during transit, or environmental factors. It all sounds straightforward however, when it comes to deciphering who is liable for the damages, that is when the headache can start. For damages associated with insufficient packaging, it often falls on the business, leading to financial losses, increased return rates, and the necessity for refunds or replacements. For damages due to mishandling, the liability can fall into the carriers hands, but it’s important to note this can be timely and not always successful. Moreover, shipping damages can severely impact a brand’s reputation, reducing customer trust and satisfaction. Frequent occurrences of damaged goods not only escalate operational costs but also diminish customer loyalty, making it crucial for businesses to adopt the tips outlined below.

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Tips for Brands to Protect Packages and Minimize Damage

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Invest in High-Quality Packaging Materials

There’s many areas where businesses cut costs, however, effective and robust packaging should not be one of them. Brands should invest in high-quality materials that provide adequate protection. This includes:

• Sturdy Boxes: Use corrugated cardboard boxes that are correctly sized for the items being shipped. Oversized boxes can lead to shifting and damage, while undersized boxes may burst open.
• Protective Padding: Incorporate bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or air pillows to cushion products and absorb shocks.
• Durable Tape: Secure boxes with strong, adhesive tape designed for shipping. Reinforce edges and seams to prevent accidental openings.

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Properly Cushion and Pack Items

Effective cushioning and packing techniques are crucial to preventing damage. Follow these steps to ensure your products are well-protected:

• Wrap Each Item Individually: For fragile or breakable items, wrap each piece separately with bubble wrap, foam sheets or tissue paper.
• Fill Void Spaces: Use packing materials to fill any empty spaces in the box, preventing movement during transit.
• Double-Boxing: For highly fragile items, consider double-boxing. Place the item in a smaller box with padding, then place that box inside a larger, well-cushioned box.

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Label Packages Correctly

Clear and accurate labeling can significantly reduce the risk of damage. Ensure your packages are labeled with the following information:

• Fragile Stickers: Use “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” stickers for delicate items.
• Up Arrows: Indicate the correct orientation of the package with “This Side Up” arrows.
• Shipping Information: Clearly display the recipient’s address and contact information. Include a return address as well.

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Choose Reliable Shipping Partners

The choice of a shipping carrier can influence the safety of your packages. Choose carriers known for their reliability and careful handling of parcels in addition to:

• Insurance: Opt for shipping insurance to cover the cost of potential damages.
• Tracking: Use carriers that provide tracking information to monitor the shipment’s progress and address issues promptly.

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Leverage Package Protection

Leveraging extra package protection allows brands to protect their revenue and reduce the load for the CX team. Customers are able to add or remove the package protection from their cart at the checkout. If purchased and a package is stolen, lost or damaged in transit, the customer can contact the protection provider directly who will process the claim and issue a reorder or refund, without any extra cost to the brand or customer. This not only protects revenue, but also enhances customer trust and confidence, knowing if any issues arise, it will be resolved quickly and hassle-free.

For example, our friends over at Corso have a simple to use claims portal for customers and pride themselves on resolving shipping issues within 24 hours. 

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Collect and Analyze Data

It’s tough to improve if you’re not measuring. By gathering data on damages such as certain items are damaged more than others or certain package sizes are being frequently damaged, brands can effectively adjust packaging methods. Not to mention, for new products or packaging, you can conduct test runs or even drop tests in house, to ensure they will reach your customer in one piece. 

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In Summary

Securing shipments and minimizing damage requires attention to detail, investment in quality materials, and collaboration with reliable shipping carriers. By implementing these strategies above, brands can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce financial losses, and build a reputation for reliability and care. Not to mention, the key to successful shipping lies in the preparation and continuous improvement of your packaging and shipping practices.

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As businesses grow and order volumes increase, the need for streamlined shipping processes becomes critical. Not to mention, with e-commerce behemoths like Amazon shifting consumers’ expectations, brands can no longer afford to overlook their fulfillment operations. 

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Introducing VESYL’s Batch Ship feature, a shipping game-changer designed to help businesses save time and enhance productivity by allowing the printing of multiple shipping labels at once, all while enjoying the most competitive shipping rates. Here’s how Batch Ship can revolutionize your shipping operations.

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The Challenge of Standard Shipping Processes

Standard shipping processes often involve manually printing shipping labels one by one, which is not only time-consuming, but also prone to errors. This method is not sustainable for businesses handling large volumes of orders, especially during peak seasons. The repetitive nature of this task can lead to significant time wastage and operational inefficiencies.

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Introducing Batch Ship on VESYL

VESYL’s Batch Ship feature addresses these challenges head-on. By enabling users to print multiple shipping labels simultaneously, Batch Ship significantly reduces the time and effort required in the shipping process. This feature is designed with the shipper in mind, offering a seamless and intuitive experience.

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Key Benefits of Batch Ship

1. Time Savings: Batch Ship allows you to print hundreds of labels in a fraction of the time it would take to print them individually. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with high order volumes.
2. Increased Efficiency: With Batch Ship, the entire shipping process becomes more streamlined. Orders can be processed faster, leading to quicker turnaround times and improved customer satisfaction.
3. Error Reduction: Automating the label printing process minimizes the risk of errors that can occur with manual entry. This ensures that each package is accurately labeled, reducing the chances of mis-shipments.
4. Cost-Effective: By saving time and reducing errors, Batch Ship helps lower operational costs. Employees can focus on more critical tasks instead of spending hours on label printing. Not to mention, Batch Ship still allows you to shop the best-in-class shipping rates, further reducing shipping costs.

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How Batch Ship Works

Implementing Batch Ship on VESYL’s Shipping Software is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started:

1. Upload Orders: Start by uploading your order list to the VESYL’s platform. This can be done via integration with your e-commerce platform or by importing a CSV file.
2. Select Orders: Choose the orders you wish to buy labels for. VESYL allows for easy selection, whether you’re printing labels for all orders or a specific subset. Once you’ve selected the orders, above the orders list, click “Buy xxx Labels”. Immediately after, an alert screen will appear with the shipping and cost information and a “Purchase” button. Once you have verified the information, click “Purchase”. 
3. Generate Labels: You will then see the batch page showing how many labels were purchased, the status, along with tracking numbers for each order. On the right hand side you will see a dollar sign ($) allowing you to refund the label and an eye button allowing you to view the shipment. At the top right you will see a Print Labels button allowing you to print the shipments.
4. Print Labels: Print all the generated labels at once using a compatible printer. VESYL supports various printer types and label formats, ensuring compatibility with your existing setup.
5. Ship Orders: Once labels are printed, affix them to the respective packages and proceed with shipping. The streamlined process ensures that your orders are ready for dispatch in no time with the best-in-class rates.

Real-World Impact

Businesses using VESYLs Shipping Software’s Batch Ship feature have reported significant improvements in their shipping operations. For instance, an online retailer handling hundreds of orders daily reduced their label printing time drastically, allowing their staff to focus on other critical areas such as customer service and inventory management.

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Conclusion

In the increasingly demanding world of e-commerce, efficiency can make or break a business. VESYLs Shipping Software’s Batch Ship feature offers a practical solution to the challenges of traditional shipping processes. By enabling the printing of multiple shipping labels at once, Batch Ship saves time, increases efficiency, reduces errors, and ultimately enhances overall productivity. 

Let us help you to level-up your shipping game. Book a demo with us today! 

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In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, efficiency is a necessity for brands of all types and sizes. From streamlining the shopping experience to optimizing logistics, every aspect of e-commerce hinges on the ability to do more with less. 

Enter QR codes.

The unassuming squares of black and white pixels that are quietly transforming the landscape of online shopping.

What are QR Codes?

QR codes, short for Quick Response codes, have been around for decades. However, their potential in e-commerce has only recently been fully realized. These two-dimensional barcodes encode information that can be quickly and easily scanned and processed by smartphones.

How Are QR Codes Revolutionizing E-commerce Efficiency?

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Providing Seamless Shopping Experiences

One of the most significant ways QR codes are improving e-commerce efficiency is by streamlining the shopping experience for customers. Traditionally, online shoppers faced long checkout processes, especially when it came to entering shipping and payment details manually, resulting in a high number of abandoned carts. However, with QR codes, these steps can be simplified significantly. By scanning a QR code at checkout, customers can instantly access their account information, eliminating the need for tedious data entry and reducing the risk of errors.

Moreover, QR codes are being integrated into product packaging to provide shoppers with instant access to additional information. Whether it's product specifications, user reviews, or instructional videos, scanning a QR code allows customers to make more informed purchasing decisions without having to search for information manually. This allows costumers to have all of the information at their fingertips to make a fully informed decision. This also fosters customer trust, especially in industries where counterfeit products are an issue.

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Optimizing Logistics

Beyond improving the shopping experience, QR codes are also revolutionizing the logistics of e-commerce. For inventory management, QR codes have become an invaluable tool for quick and simple real-time inventory information such as stock levels, restocking requirements and warehouse locations. This reduces the risk of both over and under stocking allowing brands to better prepare for customer demands.

Another area where they are making a significant impact is in shipping and delivery processes. Traditionally, shipping labels had to be printed and affixed to packages manually, consuming time and resources. However, with QR codes, this task becomes as simple as a scan.

Many e-commerce platforms now offer QR code-based shipping labels, allowing merchants to generate labels digitally and attach them to packages with ease. This not only saves time and reduces costs but also minimizes the risk of errors associated with manual data entry. With this, customers can now track their orders at every step of the way allowing shoppers to know exactly when to expect their package, as opposed to the 5 hour delivery windows often given. 

QR Codes are also proving their value when it comes to returns. Instead of having to ask customers to print labels and deal with printers, brands can send return labels directly to customers via QR codes. Removing the need for printers, customers can then take the package to the local drop off where the QR code is scanned on their phone, and the label is correctly printed and attached by the carrier.

VESYL provides the option for shippers to print their labels or download them as QR codes. This is not only a great option for streamlining returns, but also eliminates the time associated with printing and attaching labels to packages. Learn more about our shipping software or book a quick demo with us.

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Enhanced Marketing Opportunities

In addition to their operational benefits, QR codes also present exciting marketing opportunities for e-commerce businesses. By incorporating QR codes into materials, such as advertisements, flyers, or product packaging, brands can engage customers in interactive experiences.

For example, scanning a QR code might lead customers to exclusive discounts, promotional offers, or interactive content, fostering brand loyalty and driving conversions. Moreover, QR codes can be used to gather valuable data about customer behavior and preferences, enabling brands to tailor their marketing strategies more effectively.

Once customers have received their order, QR codes are an effective way to encourage customers to share their feedback and product reviews. 

Looking Ahead

From simplifying checkout processes to optimizing logistics and enhancing marketing efforts, QR codes offer a vast range of benefits for both stores and customers alike. By embracing this technology, e-commerce businesses can stay ahead of demands and deliver exceptional shopping experiences in an increasingly competitive landscape.

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With the average return rates for e-commerce stores between 20-30%, according to Shopify,  return logistics can no longer be overlooked. Not only does smooth returns enhance the customer experience, but also removes costly and timely bottlenecks for brands. In this guide, we'll dive into the world of return logistics, exploring best practices and strategies.

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The Importance of Return Logistics

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Return logistics are the processes involved in handling product returns, exchanges, and refunds in the e-commerce ecosystem. The inability to touch, try and see items in person first, make returns an inevitable part of e-commerce. Whether it’s due to sizing or fit issues, a defective or faulty item, or a number of other potential reasons, providing a smooth returns process can enhance your brand reputation, customer loyalty and give you the competitive edge. Think of it as the brand's opportunity to shift a negative experience into a positive and memorable one. 

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Best Practices in Return Logistics

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Clear and Transparent Return Policies

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A clear and transparent return policy removes the guesswork and lets your customers know exactly what to expect if they need to return or exchange an item. This increased transparency builds trust with customers and leads to loyal customers. 

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The return policy should be easily accessible on your website. Some brands choose to include it in a drop down menu on the product listing itself along with sizing and product information. This enables customers to make informed decisions without needing to search the website or contact the CX team. 

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A clear and transparent returns policy needs to include:

• The time frame for returns and exchanges period. Most customers expect a 30 day return policy.
• The conditions required for all returned products.
• If you have different policies and requirements for different products, make sure these are clearly outlined and communicated. 
• Clearly outline any return costs. Free returns are a big draw for online shoppers. Brands can also outline different costs for different return reasons, such as the customer is required to pay the return fees if the reason for return is that they changed their mind. However, for a faulty or damaged product, the brand covers the return fees. 
• Give clear step-by-step instructions on how customers can initiate a return. Include key information about whether they need to return the item in the original packaging, where they can locate the return label and once again the condition the item needs to be returned in. (For more straightforward returns, leverage VESYL’s QR codes, allowing customers to download the QR code and take it to their local drop off point, without needing to print any labels.)

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Simplified Return Processes

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Streamline the returns process by providing multiple return options like online returns, in-store returns, or drop-off locations. This accommodates varying customer preferences and situations, ensuring convenience and flexibility. For example, Amazon's "Online Returns Center" simplifies returns with a user-friendly interface, allowing customers to initiate returns swiftly and effortlessly. By diversifying return channels and leveraging user-friendly platforms, businesses can optimize the returns experience, reduce friction, and ultimately foster stronger customer relationships. Brands can also leverage returns software to centralize return tickets in one place, provide a simple user interface for customers to use and provide detailed information on the progress of the return. 

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Within shipments on VESYL, under actions, you can create a return label on a shipment, allowing you to quickly and easily get return labels over to your customer to return an item.

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Efficient Return Handling

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To optimize efficiency in return handling, it's essential to invest in streamlined procedures that minimize processing time and costs. Automation tools and dedicated teams play a crucial role in managing returns promptly and accurately. By leveraging automated return processing systems, like ASOS does, businesses can efficiently handle high volumes of returns, mitigating manual workload and reducing processing time. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures timely resolution for customers, leading to improved satisfaction and retention. Embracing technology and implementing efficient workflows are key strategies to increase efficiency in return management, ultimately driving better outcomes for both businesses and customers.

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Encouraging Exchanges Over Returns

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By offering incentives such as free return shipping labels for exchanges or store credits, businesses can incentivize customers to opt for exchanges, retaining revenue and fostering positive relationships. For example, brands can offer a gift card for a slightly higher value than the original purchase to encourage customers to continue their journey with the brand. Finally, by leveraging easy-to-use exchanges software allows customers to quickly pick the product size, color or type they wanted to exchange for. This streamlines the process by reducing the need to speak to a CX representative and providing the customer with the options at their fingertips.

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In Conclusion

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With the increase in online shopping, the demand for excellent customer service and quicker resolutions, mastering return logistics can set your brand ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. By implementing best practices such as clear return policies, simplified processes, and encouraging exchanges, businesses can streamline their return logistics while providing exceptional customer experiences. Remember, prioritizing exchanges over returns not only reduces the strain on your team but also strengthens customer relationships, ultimately driving long-term success.

Black Friday, Christmas, summer and winter all provide peak sales opportunities for businesses of all kinds and sizes. But what happens when those seasons and events are over?

Businesses face unique challenges due to fluctuations in demand during off-peak periods. However, by implementing effective off-season strategies and adapting to these fluctuations, businesses can maintain sales and drive growth year round. In this article, we'll explore five effective strategies to help businesses navigate the peaks and troughs of demand.

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5 Strategies to Tackle Business Seasonality

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Collaborate with Other Brands

Collaborating with complementary brands can be a fun and effective way to expand your customer base and offerings to generate revenue during the off-season. By partnering with other businesses that target a similar audience but operate in different seasons or industries, you can cross-promote each other's products. For example, a sunglasses brand could partner with a ski or snowboard apparel brand to offer a complete winter bundle. This not only increases exposure but also provides added value to customers.

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Stay in Touch With Customers

Maintaining communication with your customers is key to keeping your brand top-of-mind. By leveraging social media and email, brands can provide relevant and valuable content, along with exclusive offers to keep them engaged and interested in your brand, even when they're not actively purchasing. Combine this with the other 4 strategies in this article, and you’re well on your way to year-round success.

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Create a Loyalty Program

Loyalty programs are a powerful tool for retaining customers and encouraging repeat business. Brands can offer rewards, discounts, or exclusive perks to incentivize loyalty and keep customers coming back. For already loyal customers, implement tiered loyalty programs with special benefits and privileges to help them feel valued. Not to mention, it’s an effective way to increase customer lifetime value and average order value. 

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Offer Special Promotions and Discounts

During the off-season, brands can use special promotions such as free shipping, discounts, bundles or limited-time offers to incentivize sales. Create a sense of urgency by highlighting the savings and emphasizing the limited time on the offer. This not only helps to boost sales, but also helps to clear excess inventory ahead of the next season. However, it's important to offer limited time offers that do not affect the perceived value of the brand.

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VESYL serves up the best-in-class rates year round so you can pass those savings on to your customers, or offer free shipping without it eating into your revenue. 

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Diversify Product Offerings

Expanding your product offerings can help to reduce the impact of seasonal fluctuations on your business. For example, a womens footwear brand could focus on sandals in the summer, and boots and slippers in the winter. By diversifying your offerings, you can attract customers and generate revenue even when demand for your primary products is low.

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Conclusion

Seasonal fluctuations in business are inevitable, but with the right strategies in place, these off-peak periods can become excellent opportunities for growth. By collaborating with other brands, staying in touch with customers, creating loyalty programs, offering special promotions and discounts, and diversifying product offerings, businesses can thrive year-round. 

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Looking to lock in the most competitive shipping rates year round? Book a demo with VESYL today.

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.

In a world where convenience is priority, subscription models are becoming increasingly popular for consumers. Offering products or services on a recurring basis not only provides a steady stream of revenue but also fosters long-term customer relationships. In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of subscription models for both brands and consumers, common challenges associated with subscription models, and key steps to start a successful subscription model for your store.

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Benefits of Subscriptions to Brands

• Predictable Revenue Streams: Subscriptions provide brands with a steady and predictable source of revenue, allowing for better financial planning and stability.
• Increased Customer Loyalty: Subscribers are more likely to remain loyal to a brand over time, leading to higher customer lifetime value and reduced churn rates.
• Enhanced Customer Insights: Subscription models enable brands to gather valuable data on customer preferences, purchasing behavior, and demographics, helping targeted marketing efforts and product development.
• Opportunities for Upselling and Cross-selling: Brands can leverage subscription models to introduce new products or services and upsell or cross-sell to existing subscribers, driving additional revenue.
• Improved Inventory Management: With a subscription model, brands can better forecast demand and manage inventory levels, reducing the risk of overstocking or understocking.

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Benefits of Subscriptions to Consumers

• Convenience and Simplified Purchasing: Subscriptions offer consumers a convenient way to receive products or services regularly without the need to repeatedly place orders.
• Cost Savings: Many subscription models offer discounts or savings compared to one-time purchases, providing value for money to consumers.
• Personalization and Customization: Subscription services often allow consumers to customize their orders based on their preferences and needs, leading to a more personalized experience and in turn, inc
• Discovery and Exploration: Subscriptions introduce consumers to new products or services they may not have discovered otherwise.
• Consistency and Reliability: Subscribers can rely on consistent delivery schedules, ensuring they always have access to the products or services they need.

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Examples of Different Types of Subscription Models

• Product Subscription: Subscription boxes can be used for products for beauty products, clothing, meal kits, health supplements, etc.
• Service Subscription: Subscription-based streaming services like Netflix and Spotify, as well as software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Membership Subscription: Memberships include Amazon Prime, which offers various benefits such as free shipping, streaming, and exclusive deals for members.
• Access Subscription: Subscription-based access to digital content libraries, such as Kindle Unlimited for e-books and Audible for audiobooks.

Netflix is the most popular subscription service in the world with over 260.28 million global paid memberships in 2023.

Common Challenges Associated with Subscription Models

• Customer Churn: Keeping subscribers engaged and preventing them from canceling their subscriptions can be a significant challenge.
• Acquisition Costs: Acquiring new subscribers can be costly, requiring effective marketing and promotional strategies.
• Content or Product Quality: Ensuring high-quality content or products is essential to maintaining subscriber satisfaction and retention.
• Logistics and Fulfillment: Managing inventory, shipping, and fulfillment processes can be complex, especially as the subscriber base grows.
• Competition and Differentiation: Standing out in a crowded market and offering unique value propositions can be challenging.

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Key Steps to Start a Successful Subscription Model

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Market Research and Analysis

Identify your target audience, understand their needs and preferences, and analyze competitors' subscription offerings.

Product Selection

Choose products or services suitable for a subscription model, ensuring they provide ongoing value to subscribers. We outlined a few popular ideas above for you.

Pricing and Tiers

Determine different subscription tiers based on features, frequency, and pricing, balancing value for subscribers with profitability for the business. These different tiers also allow brands to upsell customers to better value subscriptions.

Technology

Leverage an e-commerce platform that supports subscription billing and management, as well as customer relationship management (CRM) tools for personalized communication. Shopify provides its own Shopify Subscriptions feature, or there are a variety of integrations such as Recharge Payments, that will streamline and simplify the process.

VESYL integrates with all major e-commerce platforms so you can easily import orders, purchase discounted shipping labels and get those packages out the door.

Marketing and Promotion

Develop targeted marketing strategies to promote your subscription offering, leveraging channels such as social media, email marketing, and influencer partnerships. Clearly narrate the cost savings, convenience and other benefits to customers.

Customer Experience Optimization

Streamline the subscription sign-up process, provide excellent customer support, and continuously monitor and improve the subscriber experience to reduce churn rate.

Continuous Optimization and Analysis

Monitor key metrics such as churn rate, retention rate, and lifetime value, collect feedback from subscribers, and optimize your subscription offering to address customer needs and preferences.

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In Summary

Starting a successful subscription model requires careful planning, execution, and a customer-centric approach. By understanding the benefits and challenges associated with subscription models and following the key steps outlined in this guide, e-commerce brands can build lasting relationships with subscribers and drive sustainable business growth.

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.

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.

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.

Leveraging VESYL For More Efficient Fulfillment Operations

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. 

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.

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. Let's chat!

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.

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.

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

With the increase in online shopping and the convenience associated with it, consumers expect seamless and timely delivery of their orders. Therefore, streamlining e-commerce logistics has become a crucial aspect for businesses looking to meet these expectations while reducing costs and time. In this article, we delve into the importance of streamlined logistics for e-commerce businesses and discuss five top strategies to help businesses streamline their logistics operations.

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The Importance of Streamlined Logistics for E-commerce Businesses

A well-oiled ecommerce logistics machine is the backbone of any successful e-commerce business. Firstly, it ensures the delivery of an exceptional customer experience, where the efficient handling of transactions, order processing, inventory updates, and timely deliveries increases customer satisfaction and boosts the likelihood of repeat purchases.

Along with satisfied customers, streamlined ecommerce operations also contribute to organized growth for companies. By optimizing workflows and removing bottlenecks, businesses can manage higher order volumes without compromising on quality or productivity.

In addition, well-organized operations lead to cost reductions and increased profit margins. Through error prevention, labor savings, and enhanced stock management, companies can save money and increase their profits.

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Top Strategies for Streamlining E-commerce Logistics

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Optimize Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is key to streamlined logistics. Adopting just-in-time inventory practices, employing demand forecasting tools, and utilizing SKU rationalization can help businesses maintain optimal stock levels, reduce holding costs, and minimize the risk of stockouts or overstock situations. However, it is important to note that in the case of any supply chain disruptions, for example during COVID-19, just-in-time inventory practices can negatively impact a business and the customers. Therefore it is crucial with these practices to take the correct precautions.

Additionally, utilizing inventory management software allows businesses to maintain a live, up-to-date monitoring of their stock levels while automating tasks such as order tracking and restocking alerts. This not only reduces errors but also improves efficiency by simplifying processes related to inventory management.

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Implement a Flexible Fulfillment Strategy

Flexibility in fulfillment is vital to meet varying customer demands. Implementing multiple fulfillment options such as dropshipping, third-party fulfillment centers, or a hybrid approach allows businesses to adapt to changing market conditions and scale their operations efficiently. This flexibility ensures that orders can be fulfilled quickly and cost-effectively, even during peak seasons.

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Prioritize Last-Mile Delivery Optimization

The last mile of delivery is often the most critical and expensive part of the logistics process. Optimizing last-mile delivery through route optimization, real-time tracking, and leveraging alternative delivery methods like lockers or local pickup points can significantly improve delivery efficiency. Additionally, exploring sustainable and eco-friendly last-mile delivery options can align with growing consumer preferences for environmentally responsible practices.

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Utilize Integrated Shipping Solutions

Integrated shipping solutions involve the incorporation of logistics components, such as order processing, inventory management, and transportation, into a unified system. By leveraging shipping solutions, companies can automate and streamline processes, reducing manual errors and operational inefficiencies, helping them to better manage their logistics. This approach not only enhances overall efficiency but also results in faster order fulfillment, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced shipping costs. The integration of shipping carriers, real-time tracking, and analytics further empower businesses to make data-driven decisions, enhancing visibility and control over their logistics operations

With carrier, speed, shipment size and cost comparisons in one place, VESYL allows shippers to quickly define their needs and shop the best-in-class rates. Learn more about Quick Ship and its capabilities.

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Forecast And Plan Demand

Forecasting and planning demand is a key for streamlining e-commerce logistics. By employing advanced analytics, data modeling, and historical sales data, businesses can accurately anticipate future product demand. This enables them to make informed decisions about inventory levels, procurement, and distribution.This helps to minimize the risk of stockouts or excess inventory, optimizing warehouse space and reducing carrying costs. Additionally, it allows for better coordination with suppliers and logistics partners, ensuring timely and cost-effective replenishment of stock.

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Conclusion

Mastering logistics is a must for sustained growth and success in the e-commerce landscape. Streamlining logistics not only enhances operational efficiency but also directly influences customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. By embracing advanced technologies, optimizing inventory management, fostering strong partnerships, implementing flexible fulfillment strategies, and prioritizing last-mile delivery optimization, e-commerce businesses can position themselves for long-term growth and success.

As we kick off 2024, driven by technological advancements, consumer expectations, and global market dynamics, the logistics side of e-commerce is set to witness some exciting advancements . This article dives into e-commerce logistics trends to know for 2024, offering insights into the innovations and strategies shaping the logistics landscape in the coming year. From sustainability initiatives and advancements in artificial intelligence to the enhancement of last-mile delivery, this article aims to equip businesses with the knowledge they need to navigate and streamline logistics for both small shippers, to 100MM + companies. 

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Sustainability Is Key in Logistics Operations

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it’s a demand. In 2024, e-commerce stores are integrating more eco-friendly practices into their supply chains, from adopting sustainable or reusable packaging, offsetting the equivalent carbon emissions associated with shipping, to optimizing transportation routes for reduced carbon footprint. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing environmentally conscious brands, making sustainable logistics a key element for both customer loyalty and corporate responsibility.

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Diversify Suppliers With Increased Supply Chain Risks

Since the impact of COVID disrupted the just-in-time inventory model, retailers have become more cautious about inventory levels and sourcing. A significant trend is the rise of nearshoring, the practice of moving business operations to a nearby country. Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, have seen increased manufacturing, attracting notable foreign direct investment. The region is expected to experience further growth, with a poll indicating that 50% of US companies not currently manufacturing in Latin America plan to do so in the next five years.

Additionally, manufacturing in Asia is diversifying. While China remains a major global manufacturer, other Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand are gaining ground and reducing China's dominance in exports post-pandemic.

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AI-Driven Efficiency Enhancements

This year, Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize logistics operations. E-commerce stores are strategically leveraging AI for precise demand forecasting, efficient inventory management, and optimized route planning. These machine learning algorithms analyze datasets to predict consumer trends, allowing for better inventory management and minimizing instances of stockouts. For route optimization, these algorithms collect data to help to streamline delivery routes, enhance overall efficiency in transportation processes, and in turn, cut costs. Finally, AI is becoming an increasingly valuable tool in customer service, with e-commerce stores utilizing it to provide personalized assistance and seamless and responsive experience for consumers. 

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Cybersecurity in the Supply Chain

With the digitalization of logistics operations, and the rise in cyber crimes, the need for robust cybersecurity measures is crucial. E-commerce stores in 2024 are prioritizing cybersecurity to safeguard sensitive data and protect against potential threats. Secure data transmission, encryption protocols, and multi-layered authentication systems are becoming standard practices in the e-commerce supply chain. It's recommended for businesses to run a complete security audit at least once a year to identify both the strengths and any weaknesses.

53.35 million US citizens were affected by cyber crime in the first half of 2022 alone, making cybersecurity crucial for businesses.
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Statistics From aag-it.com

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Quick and Efficient Last-Mile Shipping Solutions

Last-mile delivery remains a focal point in e-commerce logistics, and 2024 is witnessing solutions aimed at making it faster, more efficient and more secure. Companies and couriers are exploring more options including autonomous delivery vehicles and smart delivery lockers to expedite the final leg of the shipping journey. Real-time tracking, dynamic route optimization, and strategic partnerships with local delivery services are becoming important components of last-mile logistics strategies, ensuring fast and reliable deliveries that meet customer expectations.

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Elevating Customer-Centric Experiences

The importance of the customer experience continues to lead the way in the e-commerce landscape, and logistics play a pivotal role in shaping it. From prioritizing personalized and convenient delivery experiences to delightful unboxing experiences, the customer experience stands firmly at the forefront of creating a loyal and repeat customer base. To stay competitive, it’s crucial for brands to provide real-time communication on delivery status and flexible delivery options. Additionally, statistics show the total return rate for 2023 was 14.5% as a percentage of sales, which doesn’t sound like much, but still equates to $743 billion in merchandise. As customers increasingly seek hassle-free return experiences, e-commerce retailers are exploring ways to simplify this process to enhance customer retention. These simplified processes include third-party services that can pick up returns directly from customers and initiatives like Amazon’s no-label no-box returns are particularly appealing to consumers without access to a printer.

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In Conclusion

In conclusion, the e-commerce logistics landscape in 2024 is marked by a blend of sustainability, AI-driven efficiency, robust cybersecurity measures, innovations in last-mile shipping, and a commitment to customer-centric experiences. By embracing these trends, brands can position themselves as industry leaders, driving growth and maintaining a competitive edge in the years to come.

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It’s no secret that expanding across borders presents a vast opportunity for business growth. In this article, we offer a complete roadmap for brands getting started with international shipping operations, emphasizing the importance it plays in reaching a global customer base and the significance of a streamlined process from start to delivery.

Understanding the Significance of International Shipping

With internet users forecast to hit 5.17 billion in 2024, international shipping allows eCommerce businesses to tap into this growing market. This expansion beyond domestic borders opens the doors to more customers, increased revenue streams, market diversification, and enhanced brand visibility. It’s an opportunity that competitive brands can no longer afford to miss.

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Internet users are expected to hit 5.17 billion in 2024, meaning brands can no longer limit themselves by international borders.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Starting International Shipping Operations

Market Research and Targeting

Successful international shipping starts with comprehensive market research. This involves a thorough analysis of potential target markets, considering key factors like demand, competition, and cultural nuances that influence consumer behavior. In addition to identifying geographical locations, look into demographics to recognize which regions align best with specific products or services, optimizing and refining your market entry strategy.

Partnering with Global Carriers

Selecting the right international carriers is crucial for successful global shipping operations. Choose carriers with a proven track record of timely and secure deliveries, as this not only enhances customer satisfaction but also helps build increased loyalty and trust in your brand. A partnership with reliable carriers is essential to a seamless international shipping experience, for both you and your customers. 

Pricing and Currency Considerations

Build competitive pricing strategies tailored to international markets. Factor in currency exchange rates to provide transparent pricing, building customer trust and avoiding surprises during checkout. Additionally, establish any free shipping thresholds for international shoppers, helping to boost average order value and contributing to a positive shopping experience.

Cross-Border Shipping Solutions

Explore tools and technologies that streamline the shipping process, including automated duties and taxes calculation. This not only facilitates a seamless experience for customers but also optimizes operational efficiency for your brand, allowing your team to focus on other important areas.

Offering Multiple Shipping Options

As with payment options, products, etc, customers like to have choice and shipping is no different. This includes standard, expedited, and express shipping, each with clear delivery timeframes. Studies indicate that 22% of customers abandon their shopping carts because of slow delivery options. Providing multiple options ensures that customers can choose the shipping method that aligns with their urgency and budget constraints,

Importance of Customer Communication

Communication is key, especially with international customers. Clear communication helps set expectations regarding shipping times, potential delays, and any associated costs like taxes or duties. Additionally, providing customers with real-time tracking information and updates helps to foster brand trust and improve customer satisfaction. However, it’s important to not go overboard. Make sure updates are relevant, helpful and do not come across as spam.

With so many variables at play with international shipping, sometimes things don’t go to plan. By addressing potential concerns beforehand is crucial, or communicating them as soon an issue arises, helps to position the business as customer-centric. In fact, studies show that effective communication can lead to increased customer loyalty and positive reviews.

Implementing Technology for International Operations

E-commerce Platforms and Integrations

The rapid growth of eCommerce has also spurred the development of cutting-edge integrations to help automate, streamline and simplify operations, including international shipping. These advanced solutions go beyond traditional functionalities by automating intricate shipping processes, ensuring accuracy and efficiency all while seamlessly integrating with a diverse range of global carriers. By utilizing such integrations, businesses can effectively navigate the complexities of global commerce, optimizing operational workflows and reducing manual errors.

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Tracking and Visibility

Customers want to know where their package is at every step of the way, making robust tracking and visibility tools invaluable to the international shipping experience. Providing customers with real-time updates on the status and location of their shipments adds a layer of transparency that is a must for customer satisfaction. These tools not only provide customers with accurate information, but also enable businesses to quickly and efficiently manage and address any potential issues that may arise during transit. This visibility helps to foster trust, and strengthen the brand-customer relationship.

Evaluating Performance and Iterative Improvements

How can you improve if you’re not measuring? By delving into key metrics such as shipping times and customer satisfaction, businesses can gain invaluable insights into their logistical efficiency and identify any challenges or bottlenecks faced during the shipping process. This allows businesses to make data informed decisions to steer future improvements. Adopting an iterative strategy is equally crucial – it involves a continuous cycle of assessment. Utilize customer feedback to ensure a smooth customer experience. This not only helps you to identify any issues, but also positions you as a brand who listens to and values their customers, fostering a stronger customer relationship

Conclusion

In conclusion, starting international shipping operations is a key strategy for brands aspiring to reach a global audience and expand on their market presence. By following this guide, brands can navigate the complexities of international shipping, optimize their supply chain, and provide customers with a seamless cross-border experience.