Strategy and precision around the holidays are as important to ecommerce store owners as lights and ornaments are to the pivotal pine tree. According to a recent study: 

• 50% of all small businesses get more than 25% of their annual sales in the holiday season
• 75% of small-to-medium-size retailers say they rely heavily on holiday shoppers
• 73% of SMBs attribute more than 1/4 of their annual sales to peak season

Clearly, the stakes are high when the holidays come knocking, and that can mean the difference between stunning success and falling flat with profits at the end of the year. Considering all that, ecommerce stores need to have their ducks (or, rather, gifts) in a row come peak season. A HUGE part of that is shipping. Do you have the right, reliable shipping carrier for your needs? Is your 3PL providing an extensive, secure network of shipping options? Ensure your brand is positioned to make customers happy with all their purchases, even the last-minute ones. Our dedicated 3PL team has compiled a quick description of the four major shipping carriers and how we utilize them to benefit ecommerce stores like yours!

USPS® Holiday Shipping Solutions

Did you know USPS is the only shipping carrier permitted to touch every mailbox in the US? That reach means an extensive network of shipping options! This is just one of the many reasons the United States Postal Service is relied on by so many. This is also the right holiday shipping solution if your ecommerce store sells lighter-weight products. USPS is best for sending smaller packages (under 20 pounds) with a maximum weight of 70 pounds. Think ecommerce stores that specialize in clothes, toys, and books for example.

UPS® Holiday Shipping Solutions

UPS (the United Parcel Service) has a maximum shipping weight of 150 pounds. That’s more than double the USPS threshold, which means if your ecommerce store sells heavier goods (televisions, furniture, washing machines), this is likely a better shipping carrier for you. UPS also offers many unique express shipping services, so if you are a savvy ecommerce store anticipating last-minute peak season purchases, UPS could be a reliable way to follow through on your by-the-holiday delivery promise. UPS also offers free tracking so you can monitor a package right to your customer’s door, a peace-of-mind bonus during peak season!

FedEx Holiday Shipping Solutions

It’s true that cost is an epically important aspect of choosing a shipping service. That being said, if your ecommerce store has needs that go past price because of the specific products you carry, FedEx may be for you. FedEx is known for its speed and specialty, providing many expedited options and specialty temperature control versatility for perishable products like food. FedEx also provides a free tracking option and offers a Saturday peak season delivery option with a package surcharge. 

DHL Holiday Shipping Solutions

DHL uses its own worldwide network to deliver packages to their ultimate shipping zones; local post offices handle deliveries from there. This shipping carrier is known for speed, value, and service, so in terms of holiday shipping solutions, it is an awesome shipping option. DHL shipping specialists are dedicated to making every part of the holiday shipping process as quick and efficient as possible—offering simple tracking tools, fast online billing, easy claims processing, and global networks to get ecommerce goods where they need to go as quickly as possible. The unique thing about DHL’s holiday shipping services is that they’re on duty 365 days a year, 24/7. DHL also provides proactive tracking and a notification system to get updates on the progress of your shipments, even on public holidays. 

ShipMonk’s Holiday Shipping Solutions

Expedited delivery and reliable delivery are a must for ecommerce stores in terms of maximizing customer satisfaction and keeping up with holiday demand. That’s why ShipMonk offers an amazing 2-day shipping option for fast and affordable shipping. It’s also why we developed our Virtual Carrier Network, which is a combination of rate shopping and transportation management that we utilize for all our clients. This shipping carrier-agnostic solution involves all the above major shipping carriers in our network. Which means ecommerce stores that work with our 3PL aren’t handcuffed to any one shipping carrier—infusing flexibility and adaptability into your holiday shipping plan while maintaining your costs. 

‘Tis the Season to Extend Your Selling Window!

Want to sell more this season? Three words. Affordable. Express. Delivery. ShipMonk clients take advantage of our budget-friendly express carrier options, adding nine additional days of selling with delivery late into December.

We wish your ecommerce store a merry and stress-free season. If you have any questions about what our 2-day shipping, Virtual Carrier Network, and other holiday shipping solutions can do for you, please contact us today. And if you’ve been good and want your ecommerce store to do even better in the new year, gift yourself the opportunity to work with a new 3PL partner this holiday season. It may be the most wonderful time of year, but ShipMonk is dedicated to helping your ecommerce store grow all year round!