The Rising Need for eCommerce Shipping

Shipping is integral to the overall e-commerce experience, customer satisfaction, and business profitability. Nevertheless, e-commerce businesses face shipping challenges that translate to unhappy customers, bad reviews, and decreased profitability. 

This article outlines the most common e-commerce shipping challenges and logistics solutions to optimize shipping. 

The 5 Common Shipping Challenges and Logistics Solutions  

Customers and businesses choose an e-commerce enterprise based on certain selection criteria. 

Even though your business satisfies these criteria, its success depends on overcoming some e-commerce shipping challenges. Below are some common shipping challenges and strategies for overcoming them. 

High Shipping Costs

Studies show that 48% of consumers abandon their purchases due to high shipping costs, which can reduce the margins of e-commerce businesses. 

You can mitigate this shipping challenge by 

• Offering flat-rate shipping for lower costs.
• Negotiating for bulk shipping discounts.
• Minimizing packaging to reduce dimensional weight charges.
• Using real-time carrier comparison tools to choose the most economical carrier.  

Delivery Delays 

Delivery speed is crucial in e-commerce because customers wish to see their orders arrive right on schedule. Delays can frustrate them, leading to negative reviews and loss of repeat business. It is estimated that over 10% of all shipments get delayed. 

• Provide real-time tracking and estimated delivery dates at checkout.
• Use multiple fulfillment centers and reliable carriers. 
• Automation tools, route optimization software, and drop shipping (outsourcing shipping) can minimize delays. 

Lost or Damaged Packages 

Lost or damaged shipments lead to customer dissatisfaction and financial losses. Receiving damaged goods can severely harm customer trust and lead to additional costs. 

To prevent this 

• Offer shipping insurance to protect against lost or damaged goods.
• Use secure and durable packing to reduce damages.
• Provide customers with real-time tracking updates.
• Work with carriers that offer strong claims support for lost packages.

International Shipping Problems 

Shipping internationally involves the complexity of navigating customs, leading to delays or rejected shipments if not handled properly.

To streamline this process, 

• Communicate shipping policies, duties, and taxes to customers.
• Partner with international fulfillment centers to reduce transit times and losses.
• Use global carriers that specialize in international shipping.
• Offer localized return options to ease international returns. 

Inefficient Return to Origin (RTO) Management  

Returns are rather unavoidable in e-commerce, as about 30% of purchases are returned. Poor RTO management further contributes to operational shortcomings and a surge in shipment costs.

• Set a clear and customer-friendly return policy.
• Use RTO management software to streamline returns.
• Partner with reverse logistics companies for efficient RTO management and for managing the returned inventory more efficiently.

Shipping challenges are common causes of customer dissatisfaction. To address these concerns effectively,

• Offer multiple shipping options, such as same-day or next-day shipping 
• Optimize accuracy and shipping fulfillment through automation software.
• Provide proactive and responsive customer support.
• Real-time tracking of order status and delivery updates also help.

Handle Shipping Challenges With Shipyaari

Proper planning, communication, and tools can effectively manage e-commerce shipping challenges. By implementing better logistics solutions, companies can smoothen their shipping processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and become more competitive in the e-commerce marketplace.

Logistics partners like Shipyaari can help manage shipping challenges. With Shipyaari, you can experience better route planning, real-time tracking, reporting, analytics, and easy integration with your existing shipping systems. Connect with us now to empower your business.