The Value of Diversifying Shipping Carriers
By Rob Glover, Sept. 12, 2024
In the ever-changing landscape of eCommerce shipping, being prepared is crucial. From natural evolution to unexpected events, maintaining smooth operations and customer satisfaction is essential.
Developing a multi-carrier strategy is one of the best ways your eCommerce business can navigate changes that impact your ability to ship packages.
This approach not only enhances flexibility and reliability in your shipping processes but also safeguards your operations against disruptions. Consider these key benefits:
1. Leverage individual strengths of multiple carriers
Customers have varying needs and carriers offer different services to meet those needs. By selecting the right mix of carriers, you can focus on factors that matter most to your business, including package sizes and quantities, delivery speeds and budget.
2. Mitigate risk
Never rely solely on one shipping partner—diversify your options. Whether there’s a global pandemic, national weather conditions or a local emergency, having multiple carriers can ensure your shipments continue without disruption.
3. Increase negotiating power
When you have multiple carriers, you gain greater leverage in negotiations, allowing you to secure more favorable terms for pricing, pick-ups and delivery times. This flexibility can lead to cost savings and improved service levels for your business.
4. Improve customers satisfaction
If your current carrier is missing the mark on delivery times and other requirements, look for carriers who will work with you—as your advocate—to develop solutions that meet your needs. This includes offering a range of delivery options for consumers to choose from at checkout.
5. Prevent interruptions during business growth
Don’t let your successes hold you back. Be sure to have carriers that can adapt to your growth and evolving requirements, including changes in infrastructure, systems and capacity. This proactive approach helps maintain seamless operations as your business expands.
Diversifying your shipping carriers not only prepares your business for unexpected challenges but also enhances overall efficiency and customer satisfaction. By implementing a multi-carrier strategy, you build resilience, ensuring reliable and flexible shipping solutions that can adapt to your business’s changing needs in a dynamic eCommerce environment.
If you found this article helpful, check out more of our blog content. You can learn about topics such as leveraging business intelligence in shipping, navigating social commerce to grow sales and practical tips to make eCommerce shipping more sustainable.
OSM Worldwide’s data-driven approach can determine the right domestic shipping and international shipping strategy to implement for your business. Contact us today to discuss your shipping needs.
About the Author
Rob Glover, vice president of sales, joined OSM Worldwide in 2019. Active in the small parcel/postal workshare industry for over 25 years, Rob thrives on helping eCommerce companies find new and innovative ways to improve results through technology, fulfillment and delivery solutions that best fit their businesses.