There are so many ways to move things around the country but what's the cheapest way to ship a package? Read about your options for affordable shipping here.
Did you know that 73% of American consumers say that they prefer brands contacting them via direct mail because it means they can read it whenever they want?
Whether your business sends a lot of direct mail or you're an e-commerce business that sends a lot of packages to customers, one thing is for sure, you want to find the cheapest way to send a package or a letter.
Keep reading to learn more about the cheapest way to ship something across the country.
Cheapest Way to Send a Package
Reducing your business's costs is always at the forefront of your mind, which is where our cheapest shipping options guide can help you.
Small and large businesses can benefit from implementing a better shipping strategy. There are a number of factors that influence the total cost of your shipping price.
For example, the item you're shipping, the speed at which you want it to be delivered, the type of delivery service, the distance the item is being shipped, and how much your package or letter weighs.
Shipping Item
The type of item you're shipping can influence the price you pay. This is worked out in two ways, the weight of the item and the size of the item.
The weight of your overall package (including the item and package material) can determine how much it'll cost you to ship it. The cheapest way to ship boxes to another state is by ensuring it is within a certain weight limit. For example, different shipping operators allow different weight limits.
Packages that are smaller can be shipped using ground shipping. The best way to find the cheapest ground shipping is to do some research in your local area. Larger packages may need to shipped using air shipping, depending on how far your package is going too.
The size of your parcel can also impact carrier fees. The best way to keep your shipping costs down is by utilizing space within your package. Prices often increase across shipping operators if the parcel takes up more space during transportation.
Speed of Delivery
If you want your parcel to arrive at the recipient's address quicker, this can also increase the price of your shipping. There are a variety of options when it comes to the speed of delivery, with some operators offering standard, express, and next day delivery.
Priority and express services can often be shipped in airplanes and sorted at facilities which are quicker, however, these services cost more. Find out the difference between priority mail vs priority mail express to determine which delivery speed is right for your package.
Delivery Service
Many customers like to be reassured that their parcels will be safely delivered, so special delivery services are a good idea.
52% of consumers prioritized guaranteed delivery dates over free shipping. Choosing a special delivery service, such as a track and manage, can ensure your package arrives safely and on a certain date. However, it can add additional costs to your shipping total.
Shipping Distance
The further you're shipping a package, parcel, or letter, the more it costs. This is because it costs more for fuel, gas, and resources for your package to reach it's the final destination.
The best way to ship small packages is by choosing flat-rate packaging options, which aren't affected by the distance cost. USPS and FedEx offer flat-rate packaging options, so if you're shipping a parcel far away then you might want to consider these options when lowering your shipping costs.
Shipping Rate Calculators
Research is essential for finding the best deal for your business's shipping needs. Luckily, there are shipping rate calculators available that you can use to compare different prices from different providers. This can either be done on the shipping providers' websites, or on comparison websites.
If you're going on the providers' direct website then you'll need some information about your package. The key information you'll be asked is the address of the sender and recipient, the weight and size of the parcel, and the delivery options.
If you use comparison websites, you'll need all the information mentioned above. However, these websites can compare the prices of different providers which will help to save you time. Parcel Monkey, Ship Gooder, and FitShipper are all comparison websites that you can use to get the best price for your parcels.
Shipping Carrier Discounts
You might also be able to lower the cost of your shipping by looking for shipping carrier discounts. Some shipping providers have incentive programs and money off shipping when you sign up for their services.
You might also be able to reduce the shipping cost of your parcels if you negotiate over the phone with some providers.
Another way you might be able to reduce the cost of your packages is if you're shipping them in bulk. Bulk parcels can be costly, so some providers might be able to make a discounted price depending on how much you're sending.
If you aren't sure about getting discounts, you can always contact the provider you've chosen and ask them if they can send the parcel for less than originally quoted on the website.
Follow Our Guide on the Cheapest Way to Ship Something Across the Country
If you want to reduce your business costs then follow our guide on the cheapest way to ship packages across the US. Remember to do your research on the best possible options for your business and to take into consideration special delivery options.
Be sure to check out some of our other articles with useful business tips and tricks on how to improve your business.
