Selecting the Right Shipping Company

Choosing a suitable shipping company for your business is like choosing a life partner, they will be there for you when you need them most, they will have a solution for you when you require it andevery now and again they will do something that you never expected, in a good way of course! But choose a wrong one and there is only one way that ship is going to sail.In our experience, more often than not, customers complain about various carrier related issues and so we decided we need to put an end to this. So with the power vested on us we have put together a short checklist to help you with this daunting task of selecting the most appropriate shipping company, (you may read now):*.Do they have a website?I am sure you'll agree that in this day and age it is unusual to have a business and not have a web presence therefore it is important that the courier you choose to ship with, have a full functioning website with clear information on the services theyoffer, their rates, customer service and tracking. A company with just a phone number and an email address is a complete no no.*.Will they answer my phone and/or emails?Whilst most reputed shipping companies deliver you package without you having to blink twice, there are times things don't quite go as planned and it is then when you need a customer service operator. Nothing is more frustrating than to stay on the line for 30 mins or not having your emails answered in a timely manner therefore make sure you choose a shipping company that offer a prompt customer service option. In our experiencecustomer service chat functions work the best!*.Can I see where my package is at all times?Frankly speaking, a shipping company must have a tracking option. You do not want to ship a Christmas stocking and for it to arrive in the New Year and not know why that happened. Choose a shipping company that can offer a prompt, clear and detailed shipment tracking information. This way you are aware where your package is at all times in case you need to make other arrangements.*.Do they have a suitable service for me?Every business shipping requirement is different (time sensitive, degradable, etc.) therefore it is critical that you choose a shipping company that can offer a service that is suitable to your needs. Attimes choosing a company that specialise in a particular kind of service can offer tremendous cost benefits.*.Will this cost me an arm and a leg?Sometimes it all comes down to the rate a shipping company can offer and rightly so! Different shipping companies charge different rates for the same package. This could be becauseof a number of reasons, and you need to be aware of this. It is worth looking into third-party logisticsproviders, for a quick rate comparison and most times subsidised shipping rates.*.What else do I look for?Well, we have covered most of the critical aspects to consider above but it is worth looking in to:1.Experience and the reputation of the shipping company2.The different insurance schemes they offer3.Pick up facilities4.The delivery services offered i.e. next day, weekends, etcIf you're interested in engaging a 3PL to fulfill your shipments, go for a platform that's completely automated so you can save time while you cut costs. Check outhttp://www.eShipper.comIt's a simple yet powerful cloud-based tool that allows you to streamline your shipping process and compare rates and options from the most reputable carriers worldwide, all in one place.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mo_Datoo/2242149