The most commonly used shipping company is the United States Postal Services, also known as USPS, for parcel post. They tend to have cheaper prices, but fewer options on quicker delivery. You can drop mail off in a drop box, or wait in line to mail. In order to track your package through the USPS is an added fee and not as efficient as package services (many aren’t offered for day-to-day tracking location information). Most shipping companies today offer the convenience of printing labels online, as does the USPS.

Largest and most commonly shipping companies for package services are FedEx and UPS, but there are also other smaller courier services that offer similar options. They are not parcel pickup like USPS, they offer ground shipping courier service. This means you provide the packaging, but they provide more shipping options. There are different options to set up as a business, you can open an account and have the courier pick up packages daily for a charge, you can drop ship the package by dropping it off at an onsite or offsite location (office location or drop box), or there are other complimentary options such as occasional pick up for air shipping, etc. They offer tracking services for step-by-step pickup, processing, and delivery. Courier services tend to have higher costs, but more options and services.

If you are shipping large packages, a freight company may be a better choice. If shipping multiple large packages to one location it would probably be best to choose a freight company or shipping option. Location is important as cost increases. Cargo, or freight, transports products and goods via aircraft, train, van, truck, and ship.

One other option is seeking out a 3PL, a 3^rd party logistics company, such as Express 1 Warehousing. When it comes to quoting transportation, whether it ships to or from us, we still want to quote your Less Than Truckload Freight (LTL, represents a category of most freight shipments) or Truckload (TL) Freight transportation.  What this does for you, is allow you to utilize our buying power by extending you our pricing and we handle the logistics of pick up and bill of lading preparation.  Almost 99% of the time we can provide better rates than any small business would have the buying power to negotiate. USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL are the main choices in shipping, however the customer is still usually better off by using a warehousing and order fulfillment company, such as Express 1, because you utilize our central location (which is a centralized location- 1-3 days from 85% of US-and cheaper to ship from than most any location) and our buying power for negotiated rates with these companies.

In choosing what options, come up with a budget or idea of weekly needs and call and get quotes from the different services and different companies. If you have larger volume or turnout, you may be able to land some discounts. Also, don’t shy away from making negotiations, which is not uncommon and is a practice that should be explored for you or your business. Location, delivery time desired, packaging size, kind, and weight are also important to know.

1. How is all merchandise stored? In pallets, in skids, racks, shelves that are in good condition? How do they organize the products in storage; by customer, by product number, by weight, by value, by type?
2. How do they store vulnerable goods? Do they put cages around high-risk products, where are the doors and public areas such as restrooms located in relation to the warehouse storage (how accessible to the public is the stored products)? Are their extra costs for extra security?
3. Can you track your products throughout the process; is there an inventory tracking system such as Warehouse Management System (WMS)?
4. Is the facility FDA approved?
5. Are the loading docks protected against bad weather, are they covered? Are they in good safe condition?
6. What kind of products are they storing in the facility; is there any hazardous or flammable material that could contaminate your cargo?
7. Is the facility climate/temperature-controlled? Climate/temperature controlled storage. Rain and wind resistant. Know the climate that you are shipping your items to be stored in. Check to make sure that the facility is constructed for weather-resistant to protect your products throughout the entire process.
8. Is the trucking and delivery safe and secure? How reliable are the services you or your outsourced facility is using?
9. What kind of security measures are currently in use? Security system, alarms, cameras, security guards, is there a fence around the facility, how safe and maintained is the parking lot, is there perimeter security.
10.  Is the warehouse/order fulfillment facility clean on the inside and outside? Are the grounds well taken care of?

If you are looking for a safe and secure Warehouse, call Express 1 Warehouse and Fulfillment for a tour of our facility today (1-270-725-8887)!

By outsourcing your online store to an order fulfillment center, you save time, increase space capacity, cut overhead costs, and achieve your organizational solution. These 3rd party order fulfillment experts handle logistics, inventory control, shipping, pick-packs, customer service, etc. Order tracking and delivery confirmation can be automated to your customers with a WMS (Warehouse Management System) that includes real time reporting. Many warehouse management systems offer integration via CSV. File format, shopping carts, and companies with EDI requirements.

Outsourcing saves you money on packaging, shipping, inventory management, and additional overhead costs. The key is to have an order fulfillment center that delivers to your customers in a timely fashion. Unless your customer base is solely located in one region, a centralized location makes the most sense. This allows unlimited flexibility as your customer base grows nationally.

A complete and professional order fulfillment service solves the logistic puzzle. Consider outsourcing these puzzle pieces and use the extra time and money to focus on expanding and growing your online store or business. It’s also the most efficient way to get your garage back!!!

Many customers view shipping promotions, rates, and delivery times as key factors in choosing where to shop and what to buy. Online Retail and Internet accessibility allows customers to be very selective, as they’ll be shopping smart, feasible, and early. Businesses are concerned with keeping customers happing, staying competitive, and increasing sales and profit margins. Below are five essential order fulfillment methods Ecommerce companies should implement with their holiday shipping strategies that will help attract and retain customers:

1. Fast & Free Shipping: The best way to attract and retain customers is by developing holiday shipping promotions that include FREE or discounted freight options. If a free shipping option is not sustainable financially for your company, consider a discounted shipping promotion for a limited time (short-term). Other options include offers based on purchase size or special discounts for buyers in certain locations. These promotions should be offered and promoted before the season peaks. Primary dates include Black Friday, Free Shipping Day, and Cyber Monday.

2. Viewable Rates & Prices: Your shipping rates and prices should be easy to identify and accurate. You have to manage and meet customer expectations. In order to keep customers happy, they need to believe they’re getting a good deal (discount) or value for their purchase.

3. Timely & Transparent Shipping: Customers want to the ability to track their orders and expect delivery as promised. Re-evaluate your strategies and results of previous holiday seasons to identify areas of improvement. If you’re shipping direct and cannot keep up with holiday demand or shipping promises, consider outsourcing to a warehouse or order fulfillment facility in other locations. There are tremendous benefits with outsourcing your order fulfillment that includes cost savings (overhead), efficient shipping/delivery times, and critical time saved from daily operation demand. Going 3rd party allows additional time for improving marketing strategies and increasing sales.

4. Win Repeat Business: Make shipping personal and include package inserts, such as messages about their package. Add extra complementary items, coupons, or information to the package. Encourage their affection for your product and company. Always remind customers where they can buy more of your product or services.

5. Order Fulfillment & Inventory Management: Whether shipping direct or outsourcing your order fulfillment, your shipping process should be automated to eliminate errors and maximize productivity. Explore WMS (Warehouse Management Systems) options that fit your company needs. Most WMS options include Freight Reporting, Inventory Updates, and Order Data. There are also WMS options that customize to fit your company needs.

Express 1 Warehousing & Fulfillment, LLC was established in 2000 and offers complete warehousing and distribution services for manufacturing, industrial, retail, freight, international, and start-up industries. Headquartered in Russellville, KY, Express 1 is centrally located to ensure cost efficient delivery options. Established in 2000 with 5000 square feet of warehouse space, Express 1 has grown to exceed 175,000 square feet of FDA approved warehouse space. Express 1 specializes in a variety of services that include E-commerce order fulfillment, distribution, storage/warehousing, inventory management, call center services, assembly/kitting, 3rd party logistics, etc. Our Warehouse Management Software (WMS) allows Real-Time inventory analysis with shipping reports, order tracking, inventory volumes, shelf life tracking, and custom data to fit your every need.

With over 50 years of service and management experience in the warehousing/distribution industry, our personal and reachable staff is committed to saving our clients time and money in shipping, handling, storing, customer service, and distributing products. We allow our customers to focus on increasing sales and business growth. We value our clients as family and work hard to enable them to be as competitive and successful as possible. When you call Express 1, you’ll talk directly with one of our valued staff members (no automated messaging).

We’re starting a blog to share authentic and reliable content that applies to all areas of our industry, and the industries of our clients. Express 1 seeks to provide answers, tips, advice, discussion, insights, and first hand experiences that can help readers in becoming more successful and efficient in their business and business practices.

This is a platform to engage and share among all businesses. We welcome and encourage any constructive feedback, questions, or personal insight of success and failure in response to our blog posts. Please feel free to comment on each posting so we can create productive dialogue between you, other businesses, and even your potential clients.