Shipping is a critical aspect of any business that deals with physical products. Whether you’re an e-commerce store, a manufacturer or a supplier delivering nationwide or internationally, goods that arrive late invariably upset customers.
One of the key factors in meeting your shipping targets is who you get to handle your logistics, particularly if you deliver to destinations abroad.
The Negative Impacts of Late Shipping
- When customers expect their orders to arrive on a specific date and they are left waiting for days or even weeks beyond that, frustration sets in.
- Negative reviews as well as social media posts about late deliveries can spread quickly, tarnishing your brand’s image. Consistent late deliveries can also put your customer service department under a lot of pressure.
- Customers who experience delays may cancel their purchases altogether and seek refunds. On top of this, failures in logistics can impact the supply chain, causing disruptions in inventory management and affecting the ability to fulfil future orders.
The positive alternative when you choose a reliable freight forwarding company to partner with is improved customer satisfaction, more sales and less pressure on areas such as customer service and supply chains.
The Role of a Freight Forwarding Company
To achieve shipping targets consistently and efficiently, businesses often partner with freight forwarding companies. These companies specialise in managing logistics and the transportation of goods, whether that’s delivering locally or sending goods internationally by land, sea or air.
Freight forwarders offer a range of services to support businesses in meeting their shipping targets:
- They handle the transportation logistics, selecting the most suitable carriers, routes, and modes of transport based on the specific requirements of each shipment.
- Freight forwarders can help with customs documentation and compliance in different countries. This ensures that shipments meet the necessary legal and regulatory requirements for both national and international deliveries.
- Most nowadays provide real-time tracking of shipments, so you know exactly where goods are while they are in transit.
- Freight forwarders offer consolidation services, combining multiple shipments into a single container to optimize efficiency and reduce costs. They may also provide warehousing solutions for storage and inventory management if needed.
Benefits of Partnering with a Freight Forwarding Company
A reputable freight forwarder should have extensive knowledge and experience in managing shipping logistics all around the world. They will understand the complexities and challenges you face as a business and will help you navigate potential obstacles and find efficient solutions.
Working with a freight forward allows your business to focus on its core operations while leaving the complexities of shipping in the hands of experts. This saves time and resources and means your business can streamline its processes and improve overall efficiency.
Unlike most ordinary businesses, freight forwarders have established networks of carriers, agents, and partners worldwide that they can call on when needed. This reach means you can also expand your market reach and efficiently handle international shipments, including customs clearance and compliance if you work with the right partner.
Finally, a good freight forwarder takes the heavy lifting when it comes to risk management and mitigation. That means they take responsibility for delays, lost goods and damages wherever they occur and can provide companies with the appropriate insurance options that protect national and international shipments.