3 Common Small Business Shipping Errors and How to Avoid Them

Freight shipping can be complex, but a bit of know-how can keep you ahead of the game. The most significant thing you can do as a shipper is to think through potential pitfalls you may encounter during the shipping process and proactively solve them before they impact your freight.

What can go wrong in shipping?

Even the most experienced business owners can make mistakes when it comes to shipping. Unfortunately, these shipping errors can lead to increased damages, delays, and unexpected carrier adjustment fees. If you have questions like, “how do I avoid shipping mistakes?” and “how can my business maximize shipping efficiency?” Read on for 3 common mistakes in freight shipping and some simple strategies to prevent them.

1. Improperly packaged items

Not packing your shipments correctly can result in damaged products, lost packages, and ultimately dissatisfied customers; a scenario that takes away from your profits and your repeat business. It’s critically important to use high quality packing materials, including pallets that can handle the rigors of the shipping process, pallet bands and plenty of shrink wrap for securing your freight. Make sure all boxes and pallets are properly labeled, and make sure you retain your tracking information so you can keep a close eye on your shipment’s progress along its journey. Freightquote makes it easy to properly label your pallets. Simply print pallet labels included in your booking confirmation and attach to each pallet in your shipment.

2. Overlooked shipping costs

Shipping costs can add up. Quickly. The single most effective way to ensure you’re getting the best rate is to compare different quotes from different carriers. This process would have once been time-consuming, but fortunately Freightquote has made it easy to compare options to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Our online quoting tool allows you to compare carriers in one quote, saving you time and money. Freightquote by C.H. Robinson negotiates rates with carriers to give you the best quotes available and estimated transit times. You can also take advantage of extra savings by subscribing and keeping an eye on your email for promotions to save even more off our guaranteed lowest prices. Ship more, save more also provides additional discount opportunities, giving you rewards for the shipments you make.

There are some other strategies that may have money saving potential as well. Consider quoting your raw material shipments and booking these shipments yourself—if your vendors charge you shipping for raw materials, you may be able to set up the shipment yourself at a lower price. You may also want to consider adjusting your pricing strategy to account for shipping costs, so you aren’t absorbing that cost completely. If you need help determining shipping costs, Watch this video for tips to get an accurate shipping quote.

3. Selecting the best LTL carrier

Choosing the right LTL carrier is essential to ensure your shipments arrive on time and at a reasonable cost. When selecting a carrier, consider factors such as transit time, pricing, and reliability. Additionally, consider using a freight broker like Freightquote by C.H. Robinson, who can provide you with a list of carriers that meet your specific needs and negotiate rates on your behalf. This can help you save time and money, and ensure that your shipments are in good hands.

Reducing shipping errors is simple

Though shipping freight can feel complicated, taking a proactive approach can make it simple to reduce shipping errors. By taking these steps, small businesses can ensure that their products are delivered safely, on time, at a reasonable cost, and adhering to freight regulations. This can be an important step on the way to every business owner’s goal—happy customers and repeat business!

To find out more about how Freightquote can help you access the lowest prices on shipping, check out our other videos and blogs for a wealth of helpful information on small business shipping. And when you’re ready to get shipping, Freightquote is here with accurate quotes, simple shipments, and real-time updates about your freight.