The United States is home to more than 32 million small businesses. If you run a small business, you’re always surrounded by willing competition, so you must always be strategic in your approach. Shipping is an area of business that dictates a lot about customer experience, expenditures, workflow, and your entire strategy.
For many small businesses, the game-changing moment is when they find the perfect distribution model. This often means partnering with a national shipper. Here’s what you should learn about national distribution and whether or not it’s right for your company.
What Are the Benefits of National Distribution?
In a study, 62% of consumers prioritize fast shipping on their list of make-or-break shopping experiences. For many customers, this means a shipping time of no more than 2 or 3 days.
Partnering with a private national distributor can help you satisfy these speedy shipping times. Here are some of the benefits:
- Access to fulfillment centers all over the country guarantees the fastest shipping times
- You’ll reduce your company’s shipping costs
- It’s less likely that you’ll deal with business interruptions like you would with local shipping
- Partnering with a company gives you more storage and inventory space
- Access to expert shipping professionals and better brand awareness
Both your company and your customers will benefit from the service that national distributors can provide.
Does Your Company Need National Shipping?
Now that you know the benefits, consider your company and whether or not you need national shipping. Consider how many orders you process and how much revenue you generate.
From there, consider your budget and how much you can afford to invest in national shipping. Do you need a small team of dedicated truck drivers, or would you rather use larger trucking or shipping services?
The biggest indicator that you need national shipping is if it will take a burden off your workforce, while also freeing you up to make more money.
How Can You Find a National Distributor?
If you’re ready to move forward with a national distributor, start asking your business contacts for referrals. Study the track record and ratings of the top national shippers that you find.
Ask them about their shipping times and how many fulfillment centers they have. Learn about their different modes of transportation, how they handle claims, and the volume of orders they’re accustomed to handling. Schedule a consultation with a national business shipping company and let them know your needs. From there, they can provide you with a quote and a list of services.
Handle Your Shipping Needs
National distribution can take your company to new heights. However, you have to go about it with research and strategy. Once you know that your company is ready to partner with a national shipper, come to the table prepared with questions. Get a feel for your company’s needs so that you’re ready to move forward once you find the right fit.
Genex is happy to help you with your logistics and shipping needs and can quickly provide you with a free quote. Reach out using our contact form or by calling (918)600-2500.