More and more people have a side hustle – which is, if you didn’t already know, a side job or business in addition to their occupation. In fact, more than a third of people do. According to Survey Monkey, 37% of workers in the US have a side hustle. Even those who don’t are considering one (35%). This is a large portion of the working population.
For some, success is just round the corner – if it hasn’t already occurred. More sales. Most customers. More profits. What’s not to like in this scenario? But, of course, with this success comes higher expectations. A big expectation for customers is the option of delivery, and even side hustles cannot escape this one, so it might be time to offer this.
If you are considering a delivery option, then you need to set up shipping. Three tips have been outlined below to help you do just that.
Weigh and Measure Items
Data – particularly accurate data – is crucial. No one wants to ship an order only for the business – or worse, the customer – to receive surprise fees. Not only would this erode thin profit margins, but it could also reflect poorly on your business. This is why you must weigh and measure products prior to shipping.
It is advised to weigh and measure items when they are packed. This will take into account the additional size and weight of packaging. You’ll need a pair of scales and a measuring tape for this. The weight should be calculated in grams and kilograms, while the dimensions must be in centimeters.
Select a Courier
Your primary occupation will be priority. This means your side hustle will have limited time and tight margins. When it comes to shipping, this is important. You must choose the right courier for you. They should allow you to balance price, speed, and reliability. They shouldn’t be adding more work to your plate.
A good courier will help you build a professional reputation. They’ll offer door-to-door convenience – collecting the parcels from your home or office and delivering them to your customers’ doorsteps. It is crucial to do your research and ensure you are satisfied with the offered service. Think of the courier as an extension of your business – if the customer is unhappy with them, they’ll be unhappy with you.
In some cases, side hustles will start small with shipping. You might stick to the local area before branching out. If this is your preferred move, then look for a courier in your location. Indianapolis Couriers, for example, cater to areas like Evansville, Bloomington, South Bend, and Gary, as well as Indianapolis.
Optimize Packaging
Right-sizing is vital here. This is proper packaging optimization. It ensures you avoid paying for “air” in over-sized boxes, all the while ensuring items arrive safe and sound. As a side hustle, cutting costs where you can is a smart move, so do not skip this step, especially when the price is calculated with items packaged.
Not only is this important for costs, but it will also affect the item’s safety. Well-fitted packaging secures the product. Movement and damaged during transit are prevented, meaning the item should arrive in perfect condition. As a result, return requests due to damaged items will be less likely. Returns and replacements are much more expensive than the original shipping, too.
You must have the correct packaging for this, though – and buy it in bulk. Materials like boxes, padding, and tape are necessities. Buying them in bulk will lower the cost per unit.
To conclude, a successful side hustle is half the battle. The other half… Well, that’s meeting customer expectations – and shipping is a big part of that. Fortunately, this post should help you ship products in a cost-effective and safe manner.
