Crash Course in Shipping for Online Sellers

Are you new to online selling? If you need a few tips on how to get started shipping your items online, you've found the right place! Not always glamorous but vital to your online reputation, shipping is an ever changing game that you can win with just a little practice.

Be Prepared - Create a mini shipping center

· Invest in a postal scale - you will probably need to weigh packages in order to determine and compare shipping rates.

· Have a flexible tape measure handy. Many carriers use what's called "dimensional weight" and charge by box size instead of weight. Visit USPS.com for a good explanation on just what dimensional weight means.

· Decide what packaging you will use and gather supplies - some examples might include: bubble wrap, tissue paper, foam or packing peanuts. Keep in mind that thousands of pieces of mail go through a variety of delivery systems each day. Pack your parcel securely to insure safe delivery.

· If you know you'll be sending boxes regularly it might pay off to invest in a sturdy tape gun and a package of clear, postal grade packing tape. I stole my husband's out of the garage, but you can find one at an office supply or hardware store.

· Whether you plan to buy boxes, order free ones online from USPS.com or use a form of recycled packaging - be prepared - don't wait until the postman is pulling up outside your house before you start hunting around for a box.

· Is your item fragile? You might want to affix an alert/warning label to your box

· Assemble promotional items such as business cards, thank you notes or care tip sheets you intend to send with your package.

Ok - so now you're ready to prepare a professional package destined to make it around the world safely. But how much will it cost and what should you charge your customer?

· Do your homework and research at least 2 or 3 carriers. Based on price and time in transit, determine which carriers might work out best for your special items. Spend some time playing with shipping calculators - enter random zip codes near and far with different sized boxes and weights.

· It's easy to set up your own account through USPS, UPS or FedEx by visiting their websites. Make sure you clearly understand each carrier's shipping timeframes, if they include delivery confirmation and where you will need to drop off packages or how to schedule a pick up. Don't forget to check out their claims or lost package policies.

· Many sellers save time and money by purchasing and printing shipping labels at home online via PayPal or individual carriers' websites. You will need to buy labels to use with your printer or have packing tape on hand to securely affix labels to your packages. Do not tape over bar codes.

· Shipping companies usually increase rates about once a year. Pay close attention to service updates and announcements. Reputable carriers advise customers at least a month or so in advance of important changes and you'll need that time to update your listings to reflect higher shipping fees.

So now you've got a pretty good idea of what it will cost to send your package from here to there and how long it will take. It's time to set up your shipping profile.
Explain your shipping policies clearly and be sure to let potential customers know:

· How often or quickly you ship

· What carrier (or carriers) you use

· Whether delivery confirmation and or insurance is offered or included

· About how long it will take to receive their purchase

· Whether you offer any "rush" or "overnight" services - especially near holidays

· Don't get caught in an embarrassing predicament where you end up paying more for shipping than proceeds from the total sale.

Do you plan to ship internationally? If so, consider offering service to just a few countries to start with until you're comfortable with procedures. Various countries prohibit certain items and you are responsible for researching import restrictions. The USPS website is an excellent source for detailed restrictions. Pay close attention to customs forms. You may need a telephone number for the recipient. Do not check the box indicating "gift" when sending purchased goods through customs. Shipping internationally gets pretty easy with a bit of experience and it's fun.

Finally - the old saying "it's not what you know, it's who you know" can really help when you're navigating the often bewildering world of shipping. Get to know your mail or delivery person. Most people love to talk about themselves and their work. A little friendliness can go a long way toward learning the tricks of the trade.