4 Fulfillment Services For Your Ecommerce Business

There is so much more to launching an online business than just a good e-commerce website. Online stores are a dime-a-dozen today. But successful e-commerce businesses are defined by their order fulfillment. 

The success of your e-commerce business hinges on the delivery of the physical goods you sell. This is why order fulfillment plays such a critical role in your business planning. 

Here are some of the top fulfillment services you should consider for your online business.


What Exactly Does a Fulfillment Service Offer?

Other than the speedy and reliable delivery of the goods you sell, a fulfillment service allows you to scale your business.

Successful packaging and order fulfillment means happy customers. They are more likely to return to your site and boost your business growth. 

In short, this is what a good quality fulfillment service should offer: 

• Adequate warehousing, inventory, and shipping services
• Order processing and order management
• Manage order returns
• Other services such a production logistics and recycling methods

A fulfillment service should also offer integrated services with e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Squarespace, and Volusion. 


Popular Fulfillment Services Worth Considering 

There is a myriad of top fulfillment businesses on the market today. But here are some of the top 4 fulfillment services worth considering for your e-commerce business: 


1. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

Naturally, if you sell your products via Amazon's platform, then FBA fulfillment is your obvious choice. But, you don't actually have to sell on Amazon in order to use this fulfillment service. 

FBA allows you to store your goods at Amazon's fulfillment centers. Their staff are responsible for selecting, packing, and shipping all your orders. 

Amazon FBA offer some of the fastest shipping on the market today, with a 1-day turnaround. While Amazon Prime members qualify for free 2-day shipping. 

FBA is ideal for e-commerce businesses looking to sell via Amazon but can be used by other platforms. 


2. FedEx Fulfillment

If you sell goods across a number of different platforms, then FedEx fulfillment is perfect for you. They support popular platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and others. 

This fulfillment service selects, packs, and ships all customer orders. They also manage all your inventory. FedEx integrates with the platforms you sell on. This means they receive automated notifications about every single new order. 

They also facilitate the shipping of your products from the manufacturing warehouse to the FedEx warehouse. This is the definition of a multi-channel fulfillment service.  


3. ShipBob Fulfillment 

ShipBob fulfillment has become very popular in recent years. This is thanks to their 2-day shipping policy that states that you don't have to sell your goods on one specific marketplace. 

Essentially, their services are integrated with all major e-commerce platforms. Including Squarespace, Shopify, WooCommerce, Magneto, BigCommerce, and others. 

They also provide shipping and inventory management and a vast storage network that spans the U.S. This is one of the best fulfillment services for multi-platform sellers.


4. Ships-a-Lot 

This is a fulfillment service that has partnered with Shopify. They offer a lightning-fast turnaround time on shipping, standing by the promise of delivering goods in less than 24-hours. 

Ships-a-Lot has a great track record, with a 99% accuracy rate when it comes to order fulfillment. However, their focus is on small-medium packages and products. 

So, this is a great option for merchants who sell small-medium sized goods on Shopify, looking for fast and efficient delivery time. 


Become an E-Commerce Business Management Guru 

We hope this blog on top fulfillment services leads you in the right direction when establishing your e-commerce business. 

If you are looking for a wealth of knowledge on business management, financial management, investing, loans, and marketing, explore this site for more! Visit the Business section of the Frugal Finance Blog for more information on fulfillment, e-commerce, shipping, and much more!

Opportunities In The Fleet Management Market Industry

Fleet management is the mechanism by which the company manages both fleet and asset records, from purchase to disposal. This allows the company to cut costs, increase productivity, and ensure enforcement through an entire fleet service. 

The worldwide fleet management market is expected to expand during the projected timeline. Fleet management is the management of all facets of a vehicle in a company. Fleet vehicles are those that are important in the industry or have a significant impact on the business. 

Maintaining a fleet of passenger vehicles can be difficult under the best of circumstances. Add to that some external forces over which a fleet manager has no authority, such as regulation, car demand volatility, and spiraling costs, and the challenge will quickly become daunting. The right tools will play a critical role in managing fleet management operations. 

The operation's mission would be to monitor the entire lifecycle of commercial vehicles while reducing associated harm, optimizing performance, increasing competitiveness, and maintaining regulatory compliance. Employee cars used at jobs, referred to as the grey fleet, must also be considered in this process. 

Fleet companies are many. Fleet management is required for haulers, couriers, sales, delivery, telecommunications, public transportation, and emergency services. Understanding the processes needed to operate a fleet would allow the business to manage related costs, stay competitive in the industry, and help satisfy the customers' needs. 

Fleet maintenance can be done in-house, usually by appointing a fleet manager, or outsourced to an independent fleet solutions company. 

Fleet management software provides the company with up-to-date reports on the fleet's efficiency anytime users need it. In essence, it is a complex database with various apps that help document and track critical features that will improve efficiencies and bring prices down by considerably reducing and enhancing performance. 

Place and inventory control, development monitoring and equipment placement, and optimization are the three fundamental fleet management components. Driver action, technical diagnostics, and vehicle monitoring are all part of fleet management. 

It covers fuel control, risk assessment, targeted marketing, fleet vehicle finance, and other resources. Fleet management has applications in the service industry, gas and oil chemicals, refining, manufacturing, distribution, banking, telecommunications, public transit, government, and environmental services, etc. 

Fleet management includes all types of vehicles, including trucks and vans, buses and trams, cargo ships, etc. Due to increased demand for storage and transportation, many opportunities in the fleet management industry have arisen. 

A rise in fuel prices, an increase in emissions problems, access costs, a need for operating performance, and a decrease in management system components are key market factors. 

Fleet management offers benefits such as routine maintenance, equipment efficiency, increased driver safety, fleet routing scheduling, which results in cost-effective operations for owners and operators, a quick procurement process, fleet safety, and customer loyalty. 

Fleet Management Market Overview

The fleet management solutions market was estimated at USD 7.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise at a CAGR of 20.07 percent over the forecast period to hit 22.08 billion US dollars by 2026. Businesses are gradually adding transit into their offerings. As a result, commercial fleets have grown significantly in recent years. 

According to statistics, deliveries of vehicles to commercial fleets from eight significant manufacturers in the United States rose by 2.1 percent, to 69,145, in February 2024, relative to the previous year. Increasing maintenance costs, resulting from increased demography, have had a significant impact on the fleet management industry. 

Increasing operating costs arising from growing demand for utility vehicles, rising maintenance spending, and persistent increases in enforcement costs have all had a substantial effect on the fleet management industry. 

Big and medium-sized fleet owners are constantly using fleet management tools to streamline activities. Adoption has been sluggish among small fleet owners due to a lack of knowledge, a reduced operational size, smaller budgets, and an increase in running costs. 

Fleet injuries result in the most costly damage claims for companies, at an estimated loss of about USD 70,000 per wreck, which has stressed the importance of commercial fleet maintenance. 

The demand for fleet management solutions is characterized by increased fragmentation, the growing involvement of original equipment manufacturers, low levels of product differentiation, and falling hardware and connection costs. 

The level of competition has gradually risen due to high market penetration by market leaders and expanded R&D initiatives, which have resulted in developments in telematics and analytes. Furthermore, due to the growing amount of data in the fleet management market, businesses have been engaging in cloud technology.

Stock Packaging vs Custom Packaging Differences

Stock packaging and custom boxes are two of the options available, especially if you are running an eCommerce store. However, some may be confused about the differences between the two and which ones are ideal for their business. 

A stock package is basically a ready-made box where you just have to affix your company name or sticker label. This is mass-produced, inexpensive, and is available in large quantities. The downside is that stock packages have a limited flexibility style, and they come with a standardized side. 

Some companies may exclusively use the stock packages to translate more into savings. Overall, this makes better financial sense than choosing the custom and tailored packaging. You will see various examples of these on beverages, vitamin jars, sauce bottles, canned foods, and protein powders. The labels may be custom printed, but they are made up of stock wrappings. 

About The Custom Packaging 

Other businesses may want to go the extra mile and go with the custom-made packaging with their parcels. If you are interested in making your product stand, you might want to visit customboxworks.com for more information about these boxes and see how you can get started with them. These are all the wraps that are tailored to your customers’ needs, and they come with bells and whistles. 

The unique sizes are made explicitly so the products would perfectly fit. For this to work, you need a structural engineer and an expert that will create the “DNA” or the blueprint of the packaging according to your brand and company needs. They use various printing plates and cutting dies as tools to ensure a more professional finish. 

Overall, the process of getting tailored boxes will be costly, and they need a significant amount of designing and planning. Prototypes are usually required, and they are tested before mass production begins. They are approved by the owners, and the tools get started to work. The customer service and communication level involved in the process is higher than buying stock boxes. 

Some of these companies will require a minimum to start the project. Costs and fees are used for machinery, and there is a minimum volume required before you can work with them. The whole process involved several parties, especially if this is the first time that you are trying this. Units of packaging may require a minimum of 100, so it is going to be worth it for everyone involved. 

Various types are available for business owners, like poly bags, stand-up pouches, rigid boxes, and folding cartons. Aside from containers, bottles, tins, and jars, all the boxes are excellent for retail stores, and they are generally used as an alternative to packaging to get the job done. 

Why Do Other Entrepreneurs Use Stock Boxes? 

There are many of reasons why entrepreneurs or small businesses opt to use stock boxes including:

• Many of the start-ups don’t have the budget to fund this venture yet 

• Some are testing the current situation in the market and see if this is going to be worth it 

• Shortage in production, primarily if the manufacturer caters to others 

• May require trade show samples before they order 

• Subscription boxes are often the trend, and they don’t require many details 

When buying only a small quantity, know that the stock packages will be better and more cost-effective than their other counterparts. You can also acquire them faster whenever you run out and want to place an order. This is going to be a more viable packaging strategy if you are just starting your customers’ reactions to your products. 

On the other hand, the custom-made packaging is eye-catching, and this is important if you want to get an edge over your competitors. They will give your customers the right message and communicate to them that they are special. This may mean an increase in sales and revenue, and you will also have a better fit for your products. 

Most of the excel material will involve the packaging itself. You can compensate for this with the help of colored paper that’s cut into pieces resembling a nest to have a more presentable product. The better fit will keep your product safe, and they are also going to mean that you’ll have to pay lower costs for shipping. 

Usually, the custom packaging is not for people who have light wallets for shipments or are faint of heart. The entire process requires a lot of resources, focus, and planning. This is a project that business owners need to get involved in every step of the way, and a more significant commitment is needed to be successful. 

After all the hard work and resources, the custom boxes will give your brand a more professional appearance during merchandising,  shipment, and unboxing. This will make a difference in store shelves, and they will actually look more appealing. When you have made a massive return on investment, this is something that you should consider purchasing in high volumes. It communicates to others that you care about the details in your business and take pride in your products.

Top 5 Small Business Shipping Tips

Did you know that the way you ship your products could have an effect on your business? 

At every step of their interaction with you, your customers are judging your services and creating an image of your brand in their mind. That definitely includes your shipping services. 

But, it can be tough to know how best to ship your products as a business. What do your customers want, and what do they definitely not want with product shipments? 

Take a look at our small business shipping tips to find out more. 

1. Offer Various Delivery Options 

Most people want a choice when paying for shipping services. If you can offer super fast delivery, definitely do - most people want their purchases very quickly - but don't make it the only option. Add a regular delivery too for a little cheaper, and basic delivery services that might take a while but are budget-friendly. Even if you think you can get all of your packages out super fast, not everybody wants to pay for that, so keep your options open. 

2. Take into Account the Destination 

If you're wondering how to save on shipping, remember to change your prices based on the destination! It's a good idea to not offer prices until customers have entered their delivery address. An automated system will then calculate their delivery costs based on their postcode, making sure you're not losing money when you ship across the country. 

3. Stick to a Budget 

Small business shipping costs can be reduced by sticking to a budget and knowing some little tricks. For example, you can buy boxes for wholesale shipping if you have the room to spare in your home or studio. You should also make sure to keep your packages as flat and small as possible to cut down on costs and check places like Facebook marketplace for cheap reusable materials, like bubble wrap. 

4. Choose Eco-Friendly Materials 

It's not all about how to save on shipping, but also how to make sure your brand comes across in the best way when your customers receive their items. One tip is to pack in eco-friendly shipping materials, like cardboard or a biodegradable, plastic-alternative. Consumers are becoming more eco-conscious every year, and offering packaging that's good for the planet could be a big selling point! 

5. Hire Help 

If you've got tons of shipping boxes and you're struggling to get them out quick enough, be sure to hire help. Making sure your packages get where they need to be on time is worth the extra cost! You can even ask friends or family to help every now and then in return for a meal at your home or a drink! 

Use These Small Business Shipping Tips As Inspiration 

These small business shipping tips won't work for every brand, but use them as inspiration to organize your own system. Once you've got an efficient shipment system set up, you'll be good to go! 

If you enjoyed this article on smart small business shipping tips, be sure to find more money-saving tips on our website. We publish a wide variety of helpful articles on shipping, packaging, logistics, supply chains, warehousing, ecommerce, retail, and much more.

5 Ideas for a Used Cargo Shipping Container

Perhaps your Uncle Shippy has bequeathed his shipping yard to you in his will. Or your massive logistics company was no longer financially viable. Whatever the case, you've got a lot of shipping containers that you don't know what to do with. 

Don't let this opportunity set sail. There's more to a cargo shipping container than exporting and importing. Check out these 5 alternative business ideas for your armada of cargo containers.


1. Life in a Cargo Shipping Container

People are downsizing. In this day in age, not many want or need a 4 bedroom house with an equal number of bathrooms. Maybe it's just no longer affordable.

There's a huge market for "tiny houses." A tiny house isn't much bigger than 300-600 square feet. That's big enough for a small kitchen, a queen bed, and a bathroom with a shower in it. 

Conveniently, a large shipping container is roughly 300 square feet. For bigger homes, two containers can be soldered together for an extra large tiny house. 

Fabricating the containers into a livable space doesn't require a lot of modification. Some cargo shipping containers are already insulated to weather the elements of different environments.


2. Go Swimming

Scientists say it's getting hotter. It certainly feels that way during the summer. 

Just about everyone fantasizes about having a pool on those sweaty days. Cheap, easily installed pools is a niche easily fulfilled with cargo containers. 

Shipping containers are durable to face harsh conditions. Their seams are impermeable to avoid damages. The only thing missing to make for a great pool business is the water. 


3. Movable Restaurants 

Yeah, food trucks are a thing. But you don't have a cargo yard full of old trucks.

The restaurant business is one of the most cutthroat markets to break into. People have great ideas (and some terrible) that they'd like to test before committing to a brick and mortar. 

A fabricated kitchen with a service window doesn't need a lease or mortgage. Its property rent would be tiny, too.

Entrepreneurial chefs need a feasible way to test the market for their vegan-butterless-gluten-free cinnamon roll doughnuts. Cue your portable kitchen idea. 


4. Let It Grow!

An amateur gardener's pipedream is their own greenhouse. They can be expensive and hard to maintain, especially in areas with hardy winds. 

The tops of shipping containers can be trimmed off to allow for sunlight. A structurally sound door is, also, easily installable. 

The insides of a greenhouse need to be resilient. They're often damp and humid; the frame of a container is impervious to this. 

Shipping containers can revolutionize the at-home gardening world. 


5. Office Escapes

Homeowners face this a lot: no escape from their partners. It sounds cruel, but it's true. Sometimes you gotta get away. 

A cargo container is a perfect escape for those that work at home. Insulation and wiring (and maybe plumbing) are possible. There's a market for those at-home workers that need their own place with a cargo shipping container workplace, office, or workspace. 


Don't Ship It 'Til You've Tried It

There's a lot of new life to be breathed into a permanently docked cargo shipping container. 

Cargo shipping containers can be converted easily into just about anything imaginable. And that diversity is exactly what makes for great business ventures. 

Cargo containers can be altered into homes, pools, pop-up cafes, greenhouses, offices, and practically any edifice. Few business owners have used choices like these—it's an untapped market. 

Creative Cargo Container Conclusion

Cargo containers are clearly a creative option with personal and professional potential. It's time you started seriously considering their use.

Want some more creative input on business ideas? Invest in reading our other articles, you'll surely get a worthwhile return. Visit the DIY and Frugal Finance sections to learn more.

How to Send a Package: 8 Simple Tips to Avoid Shipping Damage

The United Parcel Service (UPS) will hit 7 billion packages deliveries by the year 2025. This projection is an indicator of the growing confidence in package delivery services among Americans. 

While package delivery is useful, there's always the risk of damages to the package during shipping.

You certainly hope that your parcel will get to the intended destination in the original condition. However, shipping entities such as UPS, USPS, DHL, and FedEx insist that your package needs to be packaged appropriately to avoid unnecessary claims.

Shipping damages can cost your business or personal finances unprecedented losses. These eight simple steps on how to send a package safely are all you need to ensure that you avoid damages to your parcel during shipment. 


1. Use Sturdy Outer Material

This is a no-brainer, but your parcels’ safety depends on the kind of outer material you use. 

Remember that UPS and other shipping companies will often dismiss your claims for damages if your packaging material does not meet the safety threshold. Whether you’re mailing a valuable item or a highly brittle parcel, the outer material should be a critical consideration. 

Ensuring that your outer packaging material is sturdy enough reduces the risk of impact due to external pressure. Such secure external covering also reduces the risk of damage caused by weather elements during the delivery process. 

You may opt to use new double-walled boxes to ensure that the outer package can withstand any potential external force.  


2. Consider Fragility When Separating Your Items

Before you send your products, you may need to consider how delicate they might be as a precursor to settling for the best shipping option. Items made from glassware and porcelain are highly fragile and stand a high risk of damage.

You might need to consider using smaller but solid boxes to ensure the safety of such items remains intact. You also need to pack fragile items individually to avoid damage due to collision. 


3. Use Bubble Wrap to Reduce Impact 

Most of the damages to packages occur due to impact. If you’re looking to ensure total protection during the process of shipping, it would help to consider bubble wrap. Packages that are adequately wrapped with bubble wrap rarely get damaged due to minor impacts. 

The only downside to the use of bubble wrap is in the cost. These materials are pretty expensive, and therefore, adding an extra layer of bubble wrap to your package may cost you more. This one tip for how to send a package securely could save dozens or hundreds of package contents.


4. Consider Kraft Paper for Brittle or Sharp-Cornered Items

Parcels come in all shapes and sizes. If you are looking to package and ship your products with relative ease and safety, then you might consider packing papers. Packing papers are made from high-quality kraft paper. 

Most packing papers are counter-sized rolls that are designed to enhance customers’ convenience when packaging highly breakable products. Compared to most other wrapping options, kraft papers offer one the safest and most secure product packaging options. 


5. Ensure Proper Labeling of Packages

The failure to properly label your products can lead to unprecedented damages. Most times, fragile products require a precise description when marking to reduce the underlying handling risks. Even the most secure packages may be prone to damages if the handling is devoid of care.

You need to properly label fragile products clearly to ensure that anyone handling such a package understands the nature of the items. Further, if you have a product with a definite shape, it would be critical to ensure that there is clear labeling of the up-side and the down-side. Using labeling options such as "this side up" would be a vital step to save your products from probable mishandling. 


6. Fill Any Empty Spaces

Void spaces can pose unprecedented risks during shipping. Having empty spaces when moving your products is simply courting disaster. This is because even when you have bubble wraps around the item, such void space may lead to notable rattling, which may shatter your item(s). 

Filling all the void spaces inside the box would be the first critical step towards enhancing safety. Both bubble wrap and kraft paper can help you in filling such void spaces. However, given the cost implication of bubble wraps, you can always opt for packing papers. 


7. Consider Parcel Insurance

Anything can happen during the parcel delivery process. Damages are often unseen, which makes contingency planning hard when the worst happens. Parcel insurance may help you in such cases.

While having parcel insurance does not cushion you from probable damages, at least you have the guarantee that financial reimbursement will be timely. This is especially critical if you’re delivering high-value products.


8. Find a Secure Shipment Service Provider

Are you wondering how to send a package safely across states or abroad? Well, finding a reliable service provider would be a critical first step to ensure that your package gets to the desired destination safely. Finding a trucking company that has a good reputation is vital towards enhancing your parcel’s safety. 

UPS Pack and Ship are among the popular shipping options you may consider. Once you consider these eight tips and then source for a reputable shipping company, you’ll no longer have to worry about your parcel’s safety.


Follow These Worry-Free Tips on How to Send a Package

Shipping has gained notable traction over the years as more Americans gain trust in online transactions. When preparing for shipment, there's always an underlying concern on how to send a package safely to the desired destination.  In such cases, achieving secure package delivery may seem like a far-fetched expectation. 

Are you wondering how to ship something safely to a specific destination? You need to consider using a sturdy wrapping option such as craft packing paper to reduce the risk of shattering. Product packaging is important! That's how to send a package without risk of damage during shipment!

How to Make a Postcard: A Step-By-Step Guide

Postcards will always be special. Yes, you can post or tweet your vacation photos from wherever you are. It's much easier than buying, writing, stamping, and mailing a postcard. These messages are quickly deleted and forgotten, though.

We're going to explain how to make a postcard that will wow all your friends and family. It will be your unique creation that can be displayed on the fridge or placed on a bookshelf to enjoy.

There are different ways to make your own postcard. We'll go through several of them, and you can decide which you prefer.


First, Pick an Engaging Subject

If you can't get your recipient's attention with your postcard, you might as well just send an e-mail or post to social media. What you send needs to capture both your surroundings and your mood.

Vacation Postcards

Wherever you are, try to get a photo of something unique to that place. It could be a funny sign, an odd-looking animal, or a dramatic symbol of the area. If at all possible, you should be in the picture.

Postcards Announcing an Event

These could be party invitations, birth or adoption announcements, or other postcards with identical images and messages.  (Note that personal postcards don't qualify as business rate or bulk mail, though.)

You could have some fun with cards like these, so muster all your creativity. Maybe try a photo of an irritable or hyper-exuberant person wearing a party hat. Or, maybe get a shot (or stock photo) of a baby with a cute or funny expression.

Anytime Postcards

You send these types of postcards to brighten someone's day. Perhaps it's someone you've been out of touch with or who hasn't been feeling well lately. Maybe it's someone you like and want to know better.

Another fun type of personal postcard is a scanned reproduction of a vintage postcard—maybe one that shows your town as it existed 50-75 years ago. Make sure it's not copyrighted. Very few true vintage postcards are, though.

Whatever you choose for your postcard subject, it has to make you feel good too.

Postcards for Your Business or Organization

Every once in a while, you'll get a funny or creative appointment reminder or fundraising postcard in the mail. Usually, though, these cards are ready for the recycling bin the minute they arrive.

What if you were to create something memorable that would make your patients, clients, or customers truly consider what you have to offer them? Maybe some of them will stop forgetting their appointments too.


How to Make a Postcard with a Graphics Program and Template

Lots of free or inexpensive graphics programs come with postcard templates—not so much to help you be creative as to show off your creativity. These will make suggestions for design elements like framing the picture and adding text.

Some programs to consider are Adobe Spark, Canva, and Edraw. There are also programs more specific to making postcards and other types of cards. These include Vistaprint.com, Hallmark Card Studio Special Edition, and Postcard Services.


Design Your Own Postcard With a Graphics or Word-Processing Program

It isn't hard to create your postcard using a graphics program like Adobe InDesign or even a word-processing program like Microsoft Word. All that's needed to start your project is changing the default page dimensions to those of a postcard.

Standard Postcard Size and Dimensions

According to the U.S. Postal Service, a postcard must be:

• Rectangular
• At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inches thick
• No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick

If you live in or are visiting the U.S., you can see that there's some flexibility with both size and dimensions, though you'll probably want to print in a standard size.

Design and Layout

A single photo is terrific, especially if it's one you like a lot. Still, you shouldn't hesitate to mix it up a little in terms of design and layout. Maybe try a split-frame or a collage? What about integrating some of your written message into the image(s) on the front?

Printing Options

Have you ever had problems getting your printer to print on something other than 8.5 x 11 paper—especially when you want to bleed the edges for a card with no border? At least for some of us, specialized printing jobs can be kind of a headache!

You can have the cards printed for you, though—with your original design or a template available from the printer. One online printer to try is VistaPrint. You can also go to a local print shop if you need help.


Have a Photo Printed as a Postcard

Many printing and photo-processing businesses (including drugstores and discount stores) will print your postcard directly onto the appropriate weight card stock, the back of which is pre-printed with the familiar address and message sections.

If your postcards somehow end up being printed with blank backs, it's easy enough to sketch out the different boxes yourself. It gives it a more personalized look anyway. Just be sure not to make the address area so small that you can't write in it clearly and legibly.


Don't Forget the Postage

If the dimensions of your postcard are within the measurements listed above, you can mail the card for $.035. If it's larger, though, but still legal to mail (i.e., a "double postcard"), it must have a regular first-class stamp.


And Now It's in the Mail!

Can you believe how easy making your own postcards can be? The most significant challenge could well be finding your creative inspiration. If you're having fun doing it, though, the creativity should come on its own.

Now that you know how to make a postcard, you might find yourself trying some other design projects, such as greeting cards and brochures. You also might enjoy more graphics and page-formatting software.

In the meantime, keep sending out those postcards! And, don't forget to come back to our blog from time to time since we're always posting new and interest pieces, including packaging, direct mailer marketing, and shipping articles.

Warehouse Equipment List: 5 Things Every Warehouse Needs

How many times have you walked into a large warehouse space and asked yourself, "Now where in the world did I put that?".

If that sounds familiar, it's time to get organized with our essential warehouse equipment list. Whether you're first setting up an industrial warehouse, or you're looking to refresh an older one, these must-have warehouse tools and equipment will ensure streamlined processes and professional level organization. 

You'll find thousands if not millions of options for each of these, so keep in mind that everything will need to be specific to the goals of your warehouse. 

Keep reading for these five must-have items for your business warehouse. 


1. Storage Racks

Storage racks and shelves are probably one of the first items to come to mind when thinking about your warehouse equipment list. 

Racks are essential for storing large materials for easy access. Warehouse rack installation for industrial size shelves is a big process, but if it's done properly, they'll last you ages. 


2. Storage Bins

The next thing on your warehouse equipment list should be storage bins. Ideally, purchase several sizes in order to accommodate various materials. Not only are storage bins ideal for storage, but they're also useful for transportation and shipping.


3. Lift Equipment

If you're managing an industrial size warehouse, lift equipment is a must-have warehouse item.

There are several types of lifts to consider, from narrow aisle trucks to rough terrain or electric-powered vehicles. Consider the work you expect the lift to be doing. You might need several narrow aisle lifts but only one pallet lift.


4. Dock Equipment 

If you're sending or receiving large or heavy items (basically anything you can't pick up and lift yourself) a dock will make transportation to and from the warehouse much more manageable. 

Consider purchasing a movable dock ramp that will fit over a set of stairs and another that will make truck loading doable.

Again, the type of dock completely depends on how you are moving items in and out of your warehouse.


5. Conveyer

If you're frequently moving smaller items in and out of your facility, a conveyor can significantly speed up the process. Flexible conveyors are a great investment as you won't need a single run of straight space in which to put it.


Bonus: Packing Materials

Most of us have been in a situation where we run around looking for a box or a roll of tape. Stay on top of your packing materials to be prepared for any shipments.

Tape, boxes, scales, protectants for fragile items, and even a designated packing table and shelf will make processes more streamlined in your warehouse. 


Supply Your Warehouse Equipment List Today

Ready to put together a more efficient warehouse? Use our complete equipment list above and you'll be well on your way toward running an efficient warehouse. 

7 Things to Know Before Buying Shipping Containers

Are you interested in purchasing a shipping container and converting it into a home? Or would you like to get your hands on a shipping container that you can turn into a storage unit?

Regardless of why you want to go through the process of buying shipping containers, it's easy enough to do it these days. There are companies that sell both new and used shipping containers for a lot less than you might think.

But before you begin looking around at the different shipping containers that are on the market, there are some key things you'll need to know. Check out seven of these shipping container considerations below.


1. What Are You Going to Use a Shipping Container for?

Prior to purchasing a shipping container, the first thing you'll need to do is figure out what you're going to use it for. These days, people are using shipping containers for all kinds of different reasons.

As we alluded to earlier, some people use them to create homes or storage units. Others use them to build garages, sheds, and even office spaces.

You should have a clear goal for your shipping container in mind before you go through the trouble of buying it. It'll prevent it from sitting on your property and it rusting away.


2. Are There Any Restrictions on Shipping Containers in Your City?

You may be in love with the idea of buying shipping containers and using them to build a home for yourself and your family. This has turned into a trend in many parts of the country with people living inside of beautifully decorated shipping containers that don't even look like shipping containers anymore.

Your city might have something to say about it, though. There are some that won't allow people to use shipping containers to create homes or other structures.

It's a good idea to check in with your city to see if there are any restrictions in place that might prevent you from using a shipping container to create a home, a storage unit, a garage, an office space, or another structure.


3. How Big Do You Need a Shipping Container to Be?

Shipping containers come in many different sizes. You'll find some that are just 20 feet long and others that are well over 50 feet long.

What size do you need your shipping container to be?

If you're only going to be using a shipping container to create a small shed, you may be able to get away with buying one that's 20 feet long. But if you're going to be using several shipping containers to build a house, you're probably going to need shipping containers that are on the longer side.


4. What Do You Want a Shipping Container to Be Made Out of?

There are a bunch of different materials that can be used to make shipping containers. Steel and aluminum are two of the most popular materials among shipping container manufacturers.

There are also other options, too. Something like weathering steel might be an ideal choice for those who want to make sure their shipping containers don't rust too much after they buy them.

The good news is that almost all shipping containers are designed to be durable. They are, after all, created to be able to stand up to corrosive salt air while positioned on ships.

But even with that being said, there are some materials that will stand the test of time better than others. Keep this in mind when you're looking around for storage containers for sale.


5. Would You Like to Buy a New or Used Shipping Container?

More often than not, those who are investing in shipping containers and planning to turn them into homes, garages, sheds, and more look for used containers. They want to give these containers a second life.

But you're welcome to buy either a new or used shipping container depending on what you plan on doing with it. You might not love the idea of living in a used shipping container that may have been used to carry things that you would rather not think about. 


6. What Is Your Budget for Buying a Shipping Container?

When buying shipping containers, you can spend anywhere from around $1,800 to $5,000 on them. The final price will depend on everything from the size of a container to the materials that were used to make it.

You should go in with a budget in mind so that you don't overspend on a shipping container. There are plenty of shipping containers for sale out there, so it shouldn't be too hard to stick to your budget as long as you put one into place ahead of time.


7. How Are You Going to Get a Shipping Container to Your Preferred Destination?

Buying shipping containers is fairly simple. But getting them to wherever it is you need them to be is another story.

In a perfect world, you'll find a shipping container for sale in your general area and be able to have it delivered directly to you. But you may have to do more work than that to take a shipping container home.

You might be able to convince whoever is selling you a shipping container to deliver it for you. But you might also have to either rent a truck and pick up a shipping container yourself or hire someone else to do it.

Whatever the case, it's good to look into how you plan to get a shipping container to your preferred destination before buying it. You don't want to pay someone for a shipping container and then realize you have no way of transporting it to where it needs to go.


See How Simple Buying Shipping Containers Is

Have you been thinking about buying shipping containers? You should be able to track down a bunch of containers for sale in your city.

But you shouldn't agree to buy it before answering all the questions found here. They'll help you determine if a shipping container is really right for you.

They'll also prevent you from having buyer's remorse with regards to a shipping container later. You'll know that you purchased the perfect shipping container for your specific purposes.

Read our blog to find out how to organize a shipping container if you plan on using it for storage. We have a wide variety of articles on storage, shipping, logistics and other business topics.

How to Start a Courier Business

The great thing about starting a courier business is that people will always need to ship things.

That doesn't mean running a courier business is going to be easy, though. Because there are so many of them out there, the competition is fierce and the established brands are always going to be more reputable among the public.

In this post, we are going to tell you how to start a courier business that will make you money and have longevity. The first steps are always the most important, so if you get them right, you will be booking clients and growing steadily right out of the gate. 

If you are still feeling overwhelmed, keep reading this courier startup guide and we'll show you how to do shipping the right way.


Why Starting a Courier Business Is the Right Move

You might wonder how there are so many existing courier businesses out there. In a day and age where everything is bought and sold online, the need for shipping companies to get products from point A to point B as quickly as possible is paramount.

Companies like Amazon employ local couriers as part of their unfathomably fast turnaround times, so with the e-commerce boom, we've got a courier boom. In other industries, this type of saturated market would scare off young entrepreneurs.

The difference here is that the internet is still developing at a rapid pace and now that we're used to the convenience of door-to-door, sometimes same-day shipping, there is almost no way we are going back to a pre-e-commerce world.

So, why not start a courier company? As you will find out, it is a relatively simple business model and as long as you are willing to invest in yourself and put the work in, there's no reason that you won't succeed.


How to Start a Courier Business

Starting a courier business that will stand out among the haystack of other ones requires a little bit of startup capital and a lot of creativity. Here, we're going to give you a quick rundown of how to get started.

Find Your Niche

Your niche is basically the thing that makes your courier business different from the next one. 

Finding it requires you to do some very important research on your competitors, your desired customers, and the market you're operating in.

You will want to look for a hole in the market. Doing something that no other courier company in your area is doing allows you to push your company as being different. It might be same day guarantees or it could be that you only use energy-efficient methods to make deliveries.

Get the Equipment You Need

To start a courier company, you need to have your fleet of vehicles and the necessary equipment for your employees to operate efficiently and safely. You may need to take out a business loan to purchase these things, as they're necessary to run your business. You should read more about business funding for a courier company before taking out loans.

A cargo van is the most suitable vehicle for a courier. Most courier startups would begin with one van, then build their fleet as the company grows. You'll also need dollies, cargo straps, and moving blankets to get your parcels to their destinations safely.

Name and Register Your Business

Once you've got a plan in place and begun buying the necessary equipment, you can officially launch your courier business. Coming up with a great name is important, so give it some serious thought. 

Finding the perfect name might not happen right away. Make sure to check with your secretary of state to find out if your name is taken, then register your website and social media accounts. You'll also want to legally register your company as an LLC before you start operating.

Get Insurance

Courier companies handle a wide range of items, from cheap to expensive. Don't take any chances while these parcels are under your care and get the right insurance plan in place to protect your vehicle and the things inside of it.

Not only do you need to be protected in the event of a collision, but you won't be able to find customers without parcel insurance. One of the first things prospective clients will ask about is your insurance policy, so get a good one and they won't have anything to worry about.


Building a Brand That Gets Ahead

Finding those first clients is always a big hurdle for a young company. A lot of it comes down to marketing and a lot of courier marketing comes down to branding. Unless you want to spend all of your time cold calling new clients, you have to create a recognizable brand for your company.

Logo and Voice

How you look and the way you speak to your customers should always be consistent so that they know what they're getting. Create a great logo and color scheme for your business. If you do this, eventually, your customers (new and old) will recognize it and associate it with you.

Similarly, your on and offline voice should be professional and courteous. New customers won't want to work with a courier that appears aloof and unconcerned, so you've got to make customer service the main priority.

Social Media

Brands are built on social media platforms. Even for a courier company, the way you portray yourself online should represent your core values. Engaging with your followers will also give you another channel to pursue and convert leads.

It's really important to stay active on social media, even if it feels like it's getting in the way of doing business. You never know who's paying attention to what you're doing and that next big contract could come from something you posted online.

Content

The other big online brand-building tool is content. When you post something to your blog or put out a promotional video, it should always be with a specific purpose in mind.

Blog posts, for instance, are great for driving traffic and boosting your SEO numbers. For young courier companies that operate in a specific region, local SEO and geo-targeting are crucial to getting off the ground. Putting a local spin on your blog posts, therefore, can have a positive effect on your search rankings.


Ship and Earn

As you find those first customers and start to build your company's online and offline profile, you'll learn what works and what doesn't. Finding out how to start a courier business can be taught to an extent, but the best way is to just get out there and start doing it.

Follow these tips we've given you today, however, it's also important to follow your gut. Find your niche, buy your equipment, register your business, and start building your courier brand today.

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