Are You Making These 3 Expensive Shipping Mistakes? Small-business owners don't have the time or money to deal with easily avoidable mistakes. Here's how to keep shipping-related headaches away.

As shipping volume among businesses goes up, so do the chances for making costly mistakes. Parcel shipping exceeds 131 billion in volume globally, and it's likely to more than double by 2026, according to a new report from Pitney Bowes.

For small-business owners who are already managing several duties—from operations to marketing, sales, web development, customer service and more—becoming an expert on shipping likely isn't a top priority. At the very least, though, avoiding common mistakes can help small businesses save a significant amount of time and money.

"It is common for many businesses to experience a learning curve with shipping until they figure out their own best tools and workflows," says Clarisa Bossler, Product Marketing Manager at Pitney Bowes.

Between the ongoing supply chain issues this holiday season and trying to stay on top of order fulfillment, shipping products can become complicated. The good news: Tools like SendPro® Online from Pitney Bowes can help.

Here, Bossler highlights three costly shipping mistakes and explains how entrepreneurs can avoid making them.

Mistake #1: Not weighing items properly or inputting incorrect weights and dimensions.

Whether you weigh items without the packaging or simply don't weigh items at all, inputting the wrong weights or dimensions can be a costly mistake. This goes for overpaying and underpaying as well.

"If you underpay for shipping due to inputting a lower than actual weight, the package will either be returned to you or the recipient will be responsible in covering the cost," Bossler says. "This will result in your customers not receiving their order on time or add a demerit to your brand. Neither of which are beneficial to your business."

With SendPro Online, every business customer receives a scale that can weigh items up to 10 lbs. "The scale has various setting so you can weigh items in ounces or pounds. This helps minimize the time and effort to convert weights and help ensure you have the correct inputs to access the best shipping prices for each of your orders," Bossler says.

Mistake #2: Packaging issues and missed branded opportunities.

If a customer receives your product and it's damaged or broken, it costs your business in several ways. Negative customer experiences, customer refund requests, and time spent on customer service mitigation all cost money. So, using the right packaging materials to keep your orders safe in transit is critical. Things like bubble wrap, packing paper, and air bubble sheets can help ensure your orders arrive intact.

"This is your business on the line, so you want to look as professional as possible," Bossler says. She recommends using branded packaging materials like branded tape, labels, and envelopes that have your company logo on it.

"It is not only the products you are sending that matter. The entire unboxing experience can make a positive impression to your customers and build greater brand loyalty," Bossler says. "If costs are a big concern for customizing your packaging, consider branding inside the box while still leveraging carrier flat rate boxes and tubes to save money." SendPro Online customers can request free shipping materials via the USPS Priority Mail kit, which includes Priority Mail boxes and envelopes for Priority Mail sending.

Mistake #3: Overlooking important details when fulfilling orders.

Sending the wrong item to a customer could result in having to provide refunds and work through returns. Small business-owners don't have time to deal with problems like these. The easiest way to avoid this is to double check order details, customer address details, and shipping preferences before the package is sent.

"Make a list and check it twice. Then, keep track," Bossler says. "Ensuring the correct items go in the assigned customer package and are delivered to the right customer will help minimize issues which could cost you time, money, and reputational damage."

To help simplify this process, SendPro Online has features like address verification, delivery service selection, and sharable tracking numbers to help business owners fulfil their orders. Even after orders are fulfilled, it's important to keep tabs on where those orders are until delivery is confirmed.

"SendPro Online provides visibility for every order shipped and allows you to send tracking numbers to your customers via email straight from your mobile device," Bossler says.

Click here to learn more about how SendPro Online can help your business avoid costly shipping mistakes.