Are you a new small business owner or entrepreneur with a new e-commerce start-up venture? Want to scale your business but unsure how to coordinate your logistics? Discover the ways freight forwarding can help in each of the major growth stages of your e-commerce business.
FREIGHT FORWARDING AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Almost every business, especially those focused on consumer markets, is required to import or export goods at one point in time. Due to this, the importing and exporting process can be extremely difficult and confusing to those who don’t perform these tasks daily or are new to the business world. This is why it is a good idea to use a freight forwarder to assist with the transportation of your goods. They can help you package your shipment for domestic or international movements, prepare required documentation and ensure it reaches the destination in a timely manner, in many cases the destination is your customer.
Small businesses in particular can benefit from using the services of a freight forwarder as they provide a network of suppliers that can offer cost-effective services and their operators understand the ‘logistics lingo’ which will improve the efficiency of your shipment. These benefits will allow you to gain a competitive advantage, as your goods arrive and are distributed to the market much faster than your competition.
The key to a successful e-commerce business is the speed of getting the product to market. It’s impossible for companies to sell large quantities of their products, deliver them undamaged to the correct place at the specified time if you don’t have a good system of transport, warehousing, inventory control and logistics management in place. This is where freight forwarders come in and manage the entire process of delivering goods from the origin of production to the destination before reaching the customer. It is crucial to ensure you have engaged a freight forwarder at every major growth stage for your e-commerce start-up or small business.
THE START-UP STAGE
The start-up stage of an e-commerce business is the best time to figure out what your logistics needs are and what services would solve them and be the most beneficial for your business. Setting up the right foundations for your business will ensure the next growth stages will be as effective and efficient as possible.
Freight forwarders can help with air freight services right at the initial sampling and design phases of your start-up. Once your product is confirmed, they can also help you with either sea freight for international shipping or domestic freight to move bulk inventory from the supplier. Freight forwarders can also manage the customs clearance for approving goods travelling through international borders which is especially important when selling consumable goods such as food or drinks. Freight forwarders can additionally provide 3PL warehousing to help you store your product and conduct inventory management.
As consumers are becomingly increasingly accustomed to extremely quick delivery, e-commerce businesses must be prepared to meet these consumer expectations and preferences to retain service satisfaction. While much of the attention tends to be focused on the last stretch of the delivery process – from the distribution centre or warehouse facility to the consumer – all transportation stages must be efficiently managed to reduce the overall shipping time and costs. Online consumers are always searching for the most attractive pricing and hassle-free delivery of products. An exceptional product delivery experience is critical in not just winning but retaining your customers.
THE GROWTH STAGE
The growth stage of e-commerce or small businesses is an essential time to solidify your logistics processes. You may need to tweak or add to your supply chain and logistics arrangements to meet increased demand.
As you grow your presence locally and internationally, freight forwarders can help you access a wide variety of transportation services and extend your network. They can help arrange services such as sea freight or air freight to get your products where they need to be.
Freight forwarders also have extensive knowledge of international trading rules and regulations and can help with potential issues such as customs clearance documentation and taxes and duties. Changes can occur daily and cause a real headache for small business owners who already have a lot on their plate.
This stage can also involve a greater investment into 3PL warehousing solutions. Allowing freight forwarders to serve as your “shipping department” will maximise its impact and manage the transportation of your product, every step of the way. That is why it’s crucial to find a freight forwarder that offers a streamlined process when communicating with them and an individual account manager. Finding a freight forwarder partnership you can trust is important for a small business owner as it is crucial for the scalability and sustainability of a business.
THE MATURITY STAGE
The way logistics activities, and the warehousing and handling activities are performed, may contribute to extend the maturity stage of the business life cycle. By creating the right foundations in the earlier stages, your logistics and supply chain will be at its most efficient by the maturity stage.
While you’re still in full control of your products, freight forwarders will save you the headache and time-consuming task of managing the logistics. By allowing freight forwarders to look after your shipping needs and follow your development through all stages of business growth, a solid relationship will be built. They will know your business, your products, your consumer markets and the best solutions to your logistics needs. This will allow you to focus more on other aspects of your business.
CONCLUSION
Developing a relationship with a freight forwarder can be beneficial to all stages of an e-commerce small business or start-up. Whether it be assisting in delivering samples and initial inventory in the start-up stage, handling the shipment of products internationally in the growth stage or managing the entire logistics process in the maturity stage of your business.
Freight forwarders can assist your business with their detailed knowledge and extensive network to offer cost-effective solutions to your logistics problems.
Still unsure whether your business requires freight forwarding services? Read more about how freight forwarding can help your small business here.
YOUR TRUSTED LOGISTICS PARTNER
At TGL, our dedicated solutions specialists can guide you through the process from start to finish through one point of contact. We provide services to cater to all your freight forwarding needs such as air freight, sea freight, domestic freight, customs clearance and 3PL warehousing. Learn more here.
Advice and assistance from experts are invaluable to your business. Contact us today at 1800 845 845 or [email protected] for all your freight forwarding and logistics needs.
