If you sell online or ship items from your store to customers, do you offer free shipping?
There is a growing trend for e-Tailers to offer free shipping, not just on special occasions or seasons, but ALL the time. Think about it. How many times do you shop online and put things in your cart only to bail at checkout because the shipping and/or handling costs have added too much to your total order? I know I have!
Think this is only for big companies? Think again. As a small business, we must do everything we can to "keep up" with the way big companies do business. Customers come to expect a certain big store experience whether shopping online or in your store. And they ARE comparing you to the big stores, whether you know it or not. They're walking through your store comparing prices, deciding to buy with you or deciding it's worth the drive to a large retail store to save a few bucks.
While you may not be able to convince all your customers not to shop at bigger stores, try to do what you can to sway their buying decision in your favor.
What ways can you shave costs so that you can affordably offer free shipping?
Can you offer free shipping to your local area? Beyond?
I know an eTail business who offers free shipping worldwide. This particular business ships small items that don't weigh much. So it was an easy decision. They don't sell at retail locations, but occasionally sell at shows. When they see customers who just can't quite pull the trigger to buy something, they are handed a card and are told "you can buy it later for the same price since we offer free shipping". Smart business! LEAVE NO MONEY ON THE TABLE! Brainstorm ways you can offer free shipping, today!
Ciao for now, Paula
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