You’ve got some really good products on sale and it seems
that the business you started few months ago is finally picking up. Now that
the bootstrapping phase has passed, it is time to focus on new challenges ahead.
Many Ecommerce business owners tend to ignore the importance
of safe & cost-effective deliveries of parcels. They are happy to notice that new orders are
being placed every day and even tie up with small, local parcel delivery
companies at first but do not necessarily understand just how important
deliveries are!
Packaging requirements are a function of many factors including
the parcel carrier in UK you choose to work with, where you need to send
parcels, and whether you need next day deliveries and other such
facilities.
From boxes and envelopes to jiffy bags and scores of other
packaging options, you can narrow your search with these 3 main parameters:
1.
How strong is it?
2. Is there enough cushioning
to protect the contents?
3.
Is it durable?
You should, of course, consider the cost involved and consult
the parcel delivery service company you are working with. While you
should consider the ideal order size, you should also take into account the
smallest and largest (likely) order size you may be sending to your customers.
When Parcel Contents Are
Not Ordinary
There may also be some special considerations such as:
·
Contents are in liquid form
·
Valuable contents
·
Hazardous materials, and
·
Perishable
A parcel courier company or end-to-end parcel packaging,
distribution and delivery service provider should be chosen accordingly. Companies
that offer cheap parcel delivery services in UK (there’re exceptions, of
course) may often try to trick you into believing that you’ve chosen an
inexpensive service by recommending poor quality packaging material. Watch out
for that!
How the Parcel Carrier Handles
Packages
Very few first time entrepreneurs know that the choice of
packaging materials for parcels is also a function of how an Ecommerce fulfillment service handles your parcels and conducts deliveries on a daily
basis. If a company is essentially using rollers at its sortation centers in
the UK, for example, do you think you have the option of using plastic bags for
parcels? No, you don’t.
Where Parcels Are
Delivered
If all of parcels are to be delivered in the UK, it’s
important that you consider the standard size of mail box or letter box.
What about Return
Journeys?
Ecommerce businesses almost certainly have return policies and
in case you too have one, choose a packaging material that can withstand two
(possible) rides!
Also, make sure to print clear instructions on how to open
the packing correctly.
Parcel Brand
While large parcel courier services in the UK will
always advise you on making packaging decisions that will help you reinforce
your brand, it is up to you to decide on how exactly the parcel brand and
identity should be designed. Ideally, the packaging should completely embrace
your unique brand identity.
