OptimalShip's Helpful Shipping Tips

If you need more business, it’s likely that you’ve thought about offering free shipping to people who buy your merchandise, especially if you don’t have a storefront. It's become an increasingly demanded and popular option for customers. Amazon does it, Walmart does it, and even DollarTree offers it for shipments sent to your closest store.

Shipping costs are determined by numerous complicated factors. We know you probably didn't want to hear that!

While some of the factors can be difficult to predict, with some proper guidance and research, shipping costs can be predicted within reason.

One of the most frustrating things in the shipping process is realizing that you – or a customer – have accidentally shipped a package to the incorrect address, such as an old address. Fortunately, in some circumstances, you can correct this seemingly uncorrectable mistake –if you catch the mistake before the package has been delivered. Depending on what carrier you are using and when you catch the mistake, you do have some options.

If your company is thinking about shipping internationally, you’re probably already shipping domestically. That makes sense; it’s much easier, in almost every country, to start shipping to places within your borders. The rules are consistent within a country and packages get to where they need to go without the hassle of customs and other delays.

How did we ship products without the internet? Before digital media did the work for us, we had to do the work ourselves, and this often involved using our equine companions to assist in our efforts. While we couldn't ship internationally with horses, we certainly made leaps and bounds forward with domestic shipping during the mid-1800's. One of the flagship transportation services, despite its short lifespan, became one of the most recognized mail delivery services in history.

The Pony Express