A well-implemented shipping policy may seem challenging to implement. Yet, it will save your business countless hours and dollars in the long run.
Shipping policy: What, How, and Why
Due to innovations in both information and transportation technology, the world has gotten smaller. Should a successful business gain access to a vast market, shipping will most likely be its primary commerce vector.
So, what is a shipping policy?
A shipping policy is a dedicated website page or specified file that describes your firm’s shipping process. It should contain all of the relevant information, such as delivery estimates, curriers, costs, and so on.
While it is possible to construct a very detailed page, it can be counter-productive. The Shipping policy page should be clear and concise, with minute details covered in other sections such as FAQ.
As an alternative, a business can present a very detailed page featuring a nested menu. The “ Click here to know more,” with options and layers.
In terms of its usefulness, the shipping policy will codify your practice. The policy spares your customer support representatives from excessive calls and questions.
Overall, setting a policy is a measure of proactivity, regardless of which department it is implemented.
What must be covered by any shipping policy
1. Be clear and brief.
As previously stated, your shipping policy must be clear and concise. Forcing customers to browse endless lines of text can indeed make them move on to another site.
In this case, basic page format and SEO rules apply. Make strategic use of styles, bolding, headers, and subheaders.
2. Processing duration and delays
Another important aspect is the order process duration. You have to make it clear for clients to understand. Are there orders going to be processed during the weekend? Is there a closing time for processing, such as 6 PM? Are orders going to be delays in exceptional cases such as Holidays, freak weather, or COVID restrictions? There are many factors to consider, and it is best to specify them at the start.
3. Don’t overcommit to fast shipping
Of course, fast shipping is the golden standard for any company. However, it is severely damaging to the reputation of your company to promise and not deliver. A sincere analysis of your infrastructure is required and promises made based on your capacity to deliver quickly.
Most clients will require an estimate, so it is best to air on the conservative side.
4. Reserve the right to be delayed
If there are factors outside of your company’s control, your shipping policy should specify that you are not responsible. Explain to customers that there will be a delay and a method to recalculate the arrival time. Transparency is critical, especially during problems or setbacks.
5. Order changes or returns
This system is probably the ripest for abuse. Deterioration, bad advertising, or dozens of other factors cause people to request a refund or a new product. A clear policy should be set out for returns and changes.
It does not matter if you decide to implement a voucher or cash refund, or you only accept returns if the product is damaged. Whatever your company decides, it must be presented directly, in a simple to understand language.
6. Out-of-pocket customer costs
Your shipping policy must detail the added cost of shipping regarding what your customers have to spend. When the package arrives, they should not be surprised at the size of the bill. This specification can demand a bit of research on local shipping taxes or any unforeseen fees.
Learn from the best and update often
Many successful business practices are kept as arcane secrets and closely guarded. However, when it comes to good shipping policies, that is not the case. By definition, they have to show it to you.
The world has many successful companies with great shipping. Simply look at their pages, and learn from the big boys. Maybe they have included details that never crossed your mind.
As a final point, it should be mentioned that shipping policies can have an expiration date. Most businesses invest in theirs and leave them to mold for years. That mentality if flaws, especially given the current volatility.
Markets change, borders close, taxes fluctuate, and governments shut down companies. All of these factors can offset your policy, thus the need for frequent updates.
Conclusion
The best thing about featuring a quality shipping policy is that it can be quite formulaic. In addition, there are countless examples of successfully implemented policies.
Your responsibility is proactivity and attention to detail. Be sure to cover all essential information, mention the minutia, and adapt the policy to changing circumstances.
