The concept of drop-shipping is something that draws a lot of people to the world of e-commerce, to begin with. Being able to sell items online without having to worry about the logistical issues like warehouse management and fleet management seem like a dream come true to many people out there. This hardly comes as a surprise, seeing as how these issues are both complex and intimidating. Still, even with this incredible option, more and more online retailers are starting to handle their own shipping. Why is this so? Let’s find out!

Top dogs are doing it

One of the first reasons why online retailers are starting to handle their own shipping is due to the fact that all the top dogs are doing it. We’re talking about brands like Amazon and Alibaba, as well as Walmart who, as of recently, started taking e-commerce seriously. Nevertheless, what’s possible for these giants of the industry may be slightly out of reach for minor businesses. However, even outsourcing can be done on different levels and taking more control is always a positive thing.

Greater customer satisfaction

Another thing you need to take into consideration is the fact that handling your own shipping increases customer satisfaction. Why? Well, first of all, you, as a business, have control over the delivery. This means that if there’s a delay in delivery, there’s a problem on your end. A problem on your end is something that you can resolve and prevent from ever happening in the future. This means that you can make a promise of when the product will be delivered and keep your word. For the majority of customers, it’s not about having same-day or next-day delivery. It’s about knowing when the product will arrive. 

Superior customer service

The next advantage of handling your own shipping lies in the fact that you get access to far superior customer service. Why? Well, once you start tracking your fleet via a GPS, your customer support gets a direct insight into the current location of the shipment. So, if a customer calls to ask why the product that they’ve ordered hasn’t arrived yet, you can simply check on your fleet management system. This way, you can tell them what was the reason for the delay, as well as update them on the ETA of the product.

It’s cost-effective

The most important reason why all these businesses are rushing to handle their own shipping is due to the fact that it’s the most cost-effective thing to do. In theory, getting your own vehicles, your own drivers (or driver operators), paying for a high-end fleet management system and even buying your own warehouse would save you a fortune in the long run. Still, for small and medium online retailers, such an investment is simply out of question. In their scenario, outsourcing to a specialized shipping company like General Carrying would be the best solution. Needless to say, outsourcing is the most scalable option out there.

Shipping internationally

For a lot of online retailers, borders pose no obstacle. This is partially due to the fact that specialized agencies handle even the most complex shipping-related tasks with ease. We’re talking about things like customs clearance, wharf to warehouse container movements, license exercise bond storing, online consignment notes and pallet label generation organization and much, much more. Not to mention national freight distribution, once the shipment reaches the target destination. All in all, the workload handled is simply gargantuan but the details are of no concern to individual businesses.

It’s eco-friendly

Transportation of goods is one of the world’s most polluting industries and by taking control of your own shipping, you’ll be able to do something about it. For instance, by checking which shipping businesses use safe, clean methods of transportation and collaborating with them, you’ll already make a difference. By handling everything on your own, you get a chance to make an even bigger difference. By optimizing your routes, increasing fuel efficiency and ensuring that every one of your shipments is fully loaded (in order to reduce return trips), you’ll contribute to the environmental struggle. 

A great PR tool

As we’ve already mentioned, controlling your own shipping gives you more control, makes you look better in the eyes of your customers and can even be eco-friendly. The reason why this is so important is due to the fact that you can incorporate it into your digital marketing strategy, as well. Remember that all of these arguments play a great role when it comes to presenting your values to your audience through facts. Saying that you stand behind something is one thing while implementing these ideas into your business model is something else entirely. This is an opportunity that you just can’t miss out on.

In conclusion

With the entirety of the industry taking control of their own shipments, failing to do so yourself means getting left behind. We are not just talking about the logistical inferiority but about the likelihood that your brand image might suffer, as well. The fact that you can’t offer something that everyone else can is something that can put you in a position of weakness when it comes to the perception of your brand by your potential customers. As we’ve already mentioned, staying in control is what matters the most and this is one more way to do so.