Shipping can be a challenge for small businesses that don’t have access to the same resources as larger companies. It can be difficult to find providers willing to offer affordable rates, and if you aren’t careful, shipping costs can eat into your profits. Here are five services that will help you save on shipping costs.
[Read more: E-commerce Free Shipping: Pros, Cons, and Strategies]
FedEx
FedEx has many programs designed specifically for small businesses to save on shipping costs. Through the FedEx Advantage® Program, CO— users can access exclusive shipping discounts, including:
- Up to 40% off international parcel services
- Up to 40% off select expedited and standard time‑definite parcel services
- Up to 20% off standard parcel services
- Access to additional surcharge discounts
In addition to these shipping discounts, FedEx also offers valuable resources crafted specifically for small businesses, including online support and shipping automation tools, a loyalty program that rewards business shipping, and access to FedEx Cares, a program that provides educational materials and insights to help entrepreneurs ship smarter and grow stronger. From lowering logistics costs to providing access to learning opportunities, FedEx offers tools that can make day-to-day operations for small businesses more efficient and sustainable.
ShipStation
You can save up to 89% from carriers like UPS and DHL Express when you use ShipStation to ship online orders. The company makes it easy to quickly compare carriers and choose the most cost-effective option. ShipStation will also negotiate discounted shipping rates on behalf of its customers.
The platform can batch-process shipping orders, and you’ll receive detailed reports so you can track your shipping costs over time. ShipStation integrates with popular providers like Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy, which makes it an excellent choice for e-commerce businesses.
ShipStation offers a variety of pricing plans, making it a good option for businesses of all sizes. If you process 25 shipments or fewer per month, you take advantage of the free plan. ShipStation also offers a free 30-day trial so you can see how the service works before committing to it.
ShippingEasy
ShippingEasy is an excellent option for online businesses that sell products from multiple locations. The platform automatically integrates and imports orders from your website and any online marketplaces you use. That way, you can easily track all your online orders on one easy-to-use platform.
ShippingEasy also offers discounted rates from popular shipping services like USPS and UPS. You can also receive exclusive rates that price shipments based on the weight instead of the box size.
The company offers two pricing plans, and the Starter plan is free for businesses that ship fewer than 25 packages per month. The Growth plan costs $19.99 per month, and it’s a good option for small businesses with more complex shipping needs.
[Read more: The Ins and Outs of Shipping Insurance]
Shiptheory is a good choice for businesses that regularly deal with international shipping.
EasyPost
EasyPost's shipping optimization API, SmartRate, helps small businesses save money and improve shipping times. You’ll call the SmartRate API, provide your shipping ID, and choose the best rate for your budget. You’ll then receive an estimated delivery date that accounts for factors like weekends or holidays.
EasyPost also offers shipping insurance, address verification, and free carbon-neutral shipping. The company offers two pricing plans, and the Developer plan lets you ship up to 120,000 shipments per year for free. The Enterprise plans require a custom pricing quote.
Shippo
Shippo helps small businesses find the best shipping rates from over 40 global carriers. The service allows you to print shipping labels, schedule pickups, and track packages. Shippo integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Square, and WooCommerce and lets you import orders, compare shipping rates, and print labels.
The company provides robust analytics and reporting features, and you can track how much you’ve spent on shipping. You’ll also have a complete record of your shipping history, so you can use this data to uncover trends. The company offers three different pricing plans, including a free plan.
[Read more: Highs and Lows of Free Shipping Subscriptions]
Shiptheory
Shiptheory makes it easy to generate and print shipping labels, and you can create flexible shipping rules that control how these orders are sent to shipping carriers. The software is user-friendly, and online customer reviews state that the company was very helpful during the setup process. The platform integrates with dozens of popular sales channels and shipping carriers.
Shiptheory is a good choice for businesses that regularly deal with international shipping. The software integrates with the top global carriers, and you can quickly confirm the product data is correct, reducing the odds that your shipment is delayed or returned.
The company offers five different pricing plans, but there’s no free plan available. Shiptheory seems to be the best option for businesses looking for excellent customer support.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
