Published on: 13 November 2018
Last Updated on: 09 October 2020
If you have a business which is engaged in the shipping of various clothing items, whether you have a small online shop or a retail brick-and-mortar store, you need to know how to pack and ship clothing in the appropriate way. Clothes are some of the most common items shipped today, but not everyone knows how to pack and ship clothes properly. You want your customers to open the parcel and be impressed not just with the clothing itself, but with how it’s packed and presented. But more than this, you want to make sure that the parcel doesn’t get damaged during transport, especially if you are planning to ship it overseas. It’s important to lessen the risk of damage to your parcel so that your customers can receive it in tip-top condition. Here, then, is how to pack clothing for shipping properly.
It takes but a few minutes to pack clothing, but it’s essential that you know exactly what you are doing and what materials to use. It also pays to be as quick and efficient as possible.
The materials you need
You don’t need much in terms of packing materials, but you do need the right ones. Most clothes being shipped will be sent in a simple envelope, but sometimes, the clothes can come out wrinkled or crumpled. So aside from making sure you have the right packaging materials (which includes scissors, the envelope or box, and tape), you also have to fold it properly. If you want to be sure that the clothes are packed well and will not be damaged, it’s often better to go for white postal boxes which look sleek and simple. There are postal boxes that are specially designed to be easy to use and to offer ample protection for the items inside, and these postal boxes are made in such a way that they already come with tabs which are self-locking, reducing the need for tape.
Your step-by-step guide to packing clothing for shipping
First, make sure you have ample space in front of you on a flat surface where you can fold the clothing. Never try to roll the piece of clothing up – this will only make it look wrinkled and crumpled, and it doesn’t give the right impression. Fold the clothing as neatly as you possibly can and avoid creases. There are various guides that can tell you how to fold specific pieces of clothing, so it pays to educate yourself as well.
When you have folded the clothes, make use of some extra wrapping (bubble wrap is often a good choice). This will help you make sure that the clothing will not become water-damaged while it is in transit. Also, see if you can place any additional padding in your box or parcel so that you can further reduce the likelihood of damage to the item. You don’t have to worry about the weight of the bubble wrap or other padded materials you use, as they shouldn’t weigh enough to affect your shipping costs.
The next step is to seal the box’s lid; this is where those self-locking tabs can really come in handy because you don’t have to use tape to seal the box. But here’s one more tip for you: avoid attaching the shipping labels after you have already inserted the clothing into the box. The clothing can plump up the parcel, and this can make the shipping label peel off. Simply attach the labels prior to putting the clothes inside the box, so the label is less likely to peel off.
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Are you an eCommerce business looking to address the problem of abandoned carts on your platform?
Do you know how you can ensure that more people close the sales and move cart items into final purchases?
Have you tried using some strategies like offering coupons and discounts to sweeten the deal?
According to a new and very important study made by Feefo, it has been found that there are more than 79% of customers abandoning their carts and not closing purchases on e-commerce platforms. The question, which many eCommerce-based companies are asking is- how can I change this?
In this article, we speak to leading digital marketing specialists and ask them about the various strategies, which can be used to ensure that the items are moved from the cart into the final purchase.
Why Consumers leave Items in the Cart According to the Feefo Study?
The survey is very important to read and understand if you want to improve the sales and revenue generation for your e-commerce business.
According to Feefo, most consumers leave items in the cart because of one specific reason- High Prices! In most cases, the prices displayed on the product pages are exclusive of additional costs like taxes, shipping charges, and in some very weird cases, packaging!
According to the study, it is time for eCommerce businesses to start becoming honest and transparent in showcasing prices to the consumers on the product page itself. This may remove the entire magnet strategy of-
lower pricing,
moving to the cart
seeing the higher pricing
however emotional investments and time
ending up with the purchase
Ecommerce businesses need to realize that digital audiences have started to move beyond just baits and value transparency on digital platforms.
The study pointed out specifically to High Shipping Costs as the primary impediment to abandoned carts. Taxes too are something, which most of us take into consideration. However, additional shipping expenditures are still not acceptable to the vast majority.
How the World’s Best Ecommerce Sites Handle the Abandoned Carts Issue?
According to business experts at the best-performing sites, the need of the hour is to help customers at this stage with a small incentive. In other words, customers are already through 80% of the things a business needs to close a sale. At the cart stage, what you need is a small push, which can be offered by brands to the customers.
Not only will this result in the final sales happening, but it will also boost the image of the brand in the eyes of the customer in a positive fashion.
Some of the best businesses go for the following strategies-
Using promotional codes for both new and existing customers.
Taking away the Shipping Charges for customers and showing the discounted price.
Creating personalized packaging and offering incentives to buy.
Having multiple shipping vendors on the business and comparing prices.
Rewarding the customer in other ways (social media shout outs).
Why Building Positive Business Relationships matter for Ecommerce Businesses?
Building a positive brand and making the customer feel special is critical for the success of your e-commerce business. This means that e-commerce businesses need to invest in their communication. In-app messages, email newsletters, WhatsApp communications, etc. are good ways to ensure that you are always having an open channel of communication.
By valuing your existing customers, you will be able to win repeat purchases for your business. Your existing customers can also spread a positive word about your brand to their family and friends, leading to more sales and revenues.
However, taking care of the costs is the number one thing, eCommerce businesses should look to address at all costs. If eCommerce businesses are able to bring their operational costs down, they will be able to further incentivize sales.
You can view the Full Study and Report of the excellent Feefo Study below:
Source: www.feefo.com
Trade shows are important to any business. It is the most cost-efficient way to market and it is the best way to reach people, and in order to make it successful, it is vital that all the cogs to the wheel work in perfect harmony.
Integral to the success of the company during a trade show is the show booth. However, a lot has already been said about the stands. What is normally overlooked is the people who man them, and the staff that makes the exhibition booth decoration in Las Vegas work. Without these individuals, your booth, no matter how beautiful it looks, it will be a disaster.
On the other hand, staffers should not just be assigned nonchalantly. Serious thought should be put into picking them. Then, there is the question: How should you pick the ones to man the stations?
MIND YOUR LANGUAGE:
Not the words spoken any staff member helping run a business can manage to strike a conversation. Also, most of the time, we are mindful of the words we use in front of clients. What you should look out and be mindful of is your non-verbal communication because this has a huge impact in the performance of your company.
Certain tips that you should remind your staff members:
Always pay attention to visitors, even those who are not stopping by
Have a pleasant mood every time you are in front
Talk to clients and not with your colleagues, unless needed
Listen to your customers
Greet them politely, with enthusiasm, and graciously express gratitude regardless if a deal was struck or not
Avoid showing signs of being lazy i.e. leaning over the exhibition booth decoration in Las Vegas
Smile
These are things that should be instilled in staffers already, but these simple things tend to be overlooked when in a pressure-packed area. So, they may just be reminded every now and then, or, pick those who are already innately doing these to avoid making any accidents.
KNOW YOUR ROLES:
It would not hurt if everyone has their specific roles to cover. At least this way, someone is always there to cover certain topics at any time. Although, all staff members should at least know the most basic answers to any query, but they should also know who the client can talk to if it goes beyond their field. That is why, the stand should always be manned by someone who is an expert about the entire operation.
Being a master with one role is better than knowing everything but knowing all the answer to one.
NOT A TIME TO DINE:
This is not saying that staff members are not allowed to eat or drink. However, showing attendees food and drinks left around the exhibition booth decoration in Las Vegas just appear unprofessional. Eat at your own time, and if it cannot be avoided, do not leave any trace that visitors can see. Showing a professional and serious brand is huge in a trade show, and food visible to the public just makes you a slob.
Staffers are just as important as the booth itself. Every piece of the wheel should turn perfectly to make a well-oiled machine, and ensuring a good staff is adamant to have a successful day.
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Featured Image: xibitsolutions.com
The advent of the internet has transformed how various organizational activities are conducted. In fact, many businesses incorporate IT into their business operations to keep up with the drastic changes caused by the Internet. However, to improve your business operations, you need to choose business IT solutions.
So, how does IT improve business operations? It helps to create different innovations that affect how business operations are conducted. For instance, the various IT processes help improve data storage, aid in broader and more efficient dissemination of information between multiple departments, and faster business operations processing.
Basically, a business with an efficient IT process provides better quality services and has high productivity levels. Moreover, due to the importance of IT in businesses’ smooth functioning, you must get the best services from your IT supplier.
To learn how to choose a good business IT solution, read on to the end of the article.
Factors To Consider Before You Choose Business IT Solutions
Several factors play a part in determining how efficient your IT supplier will be. Looking for better service from your IT supplier? Below is an outline of the significant factors:
1. Understand Your Needs
The IT needs of your businesses determine the type of IT supplier suited for it. There are different types of IT suppliers, each providing a broad range of hardware, software, and IT services. They include:
Manufacturers:These suppliers sell their products and offer essential IT services. Basically, such suppliers are helpful if you are confident that you only need someone to provide you with IT services and support.
Specialist suppliers:These IT professionals have expertise in a specific field, let’s say, management systems or customer relations.
Resellers:These mainly act as agents for hardware manufacturers. Nonetheless, some of them also offer software and a wide range of IT services and support.
System integrators:These IT professionals deliver an integrated working station by selecting appropriate hardware and software depending on your specific needs.
Consultants:These provide consultancy services tailored to meet the IT needs of your business. Consultants also sell services like IT setup and installation.
2. Determine Your Budget For Business IT Solutions
Your IT budget determines the quality of services you get from your supplier. Most IT suppliers provide different types of services, including cloud backup services, monitoring services, maintenance services, data backup and restoration, firewall services, cybersecurity services, and provision of firewalls.
The types of services your IT suppliers provide you will depend on your IT budgetary allocation. If your budget is low, you will likely afford only the essential IT services.
Conversely, if you have sufficient budgetary allocations, you’ll be able to afford vital IT services that will help improve your organizational efficiency and productivity.
3. Consolidate Your IT services With Business IT Solutions
Some organizations have in-house IT personnel. Such organizations mostly rely on the services of this personnel for most of their IT solutions. However, there are IT services that the in-house personnel cannot provide.
In such a case, the organization source for services of outside IT companies. While there is an option of getting these services from many companies, it is better to consolidate these services from a single supplier.
Doing this fosters good relations with the given supplier. It also aids in their quick execution of the IT services, given that they are familiar with your system. Other benefits of consolidating your IT services with one supplier include:
You will save moneyand reduce the need to make repeat procurements.
It gives you better bargaining power when negotiating for prices, given that you deal with one supplier repeatedly.
It minimizes the failure of critical business services.
4. Check The Track Record Of The Service Provider
There are numerous IT suppliers available. However, the quality of services they provide differs. As such, it is vital that you choose a company that offers the best IT services.
Here are some of the factors that determine an IT supplier’s efficiency: the ability to complete IT services in time, the availability of maintenance services, and the ability to provide high-quality services.
You can find such a company through referrals. Also, you must check their reviews on the internet or outrightly research on the internet. This way, you can determine how suitable the supplier is for your IT needs.
5. Check Whether They Can Maintain Good Relationship With You
Like the case with other suppliers, fostering good relationships with your IT supplier plays a massive part. For instance, it helps to determine the quality of services they will offer you. The following are some of the ways you can ensure this:
First, ensure that you pay for their services promptly. Prompt payment reduces the chances of any disagreements with the supplier, leading to them opting to stop working with you.
Likewise, make sure to offerthem reasonable prices for their services. When you pay your IT supplier affordable prices, there is a high probability that they will want to retain you as a client. Moreover, they will strive to provide top-notch services that ensure that your business grows.
When one business IT solutions supplier offers you services, they will understand your needs better. Hence, they will work to ensure your success.
6. Make Sure The Company Offers A Variety Of Business IT Solutions
Working with a single IT company helps you foster a good relationship with the supplier and cut your IT services costs. When you work with a single IT supplier, you reduce costs such as procurement costs.
Moreover, to learn about different types of business IT solutions, check the next section of the article.
7. The Company Must Have Experience Working With Similar Businesses
There are different types of IT suppliers. Generally, each of them has the expertise to provide solutions that are tailored to specific businesses.
Actually, you must work with a company that is averse to business IT solutions similar to yours. This way, you can ensure that you get the best services from proven industry professionals.
Essential Business IT Solutions You Must Know
Generally, an IT service provider offers the following business IT solutions:
1. Managed IT Services
Basically, Managed IT services include handling of remote servers and device and desktop management. These services will ensure that your system works smoothly.
2. Cloud Backup Services
The supplier should know how to store your data on the cloud to be available even when the server has a malfunction.
3. Monitoring Services
Try to keep an eye on the server’s net traffic, security, communication, and any other monitoring services that your system may need.
4. Data Backup and Restoration
The IT service provider must offer data backup with both external data centers and the cloud. You, therefore, won’t have to worry about losing your data in case of any unforeseen problems. Generally, such problems include malicious intrusions, natural occurrences, and hardware failure.
5. Firewall Services
Firewall services are vital in ensuring that your enterprise is insulated from cyber-attacks. Preferably, your IT supplier should have a hybrid network with additional control and network monitoring abilities outside of the normal rulesets.
6. Antivirus Protection
Your supplier should provide you with up-to-date antivirus to protect your IT systems from any malware that may lead to the loss of sensitive data.
7. Remote Services
Your It supplier should be flexible enough to provide you with IT services even from remote locations. This can be beneficial, especially if you are outsourcing services and there is an abrupt IT problem. Some of the services these IT professionals can solve remotely include software repair, IT support services, and software updates.
8. Mobile And Remote Networking
Your supplier should install mobile networking services in your system that enable your employees to work off-site using computers or mobile devices.
9. Data Analytics
Your supplier should install data analysis software or personally analyze the data to help your enterprise process information such that the data can produce usable information.
10. Networking Services
Networking encompasses activities that are geared towards ensuring your business has an efficient network. The supplier should build efficient network infrastructure, setting up devices like LAN, Reuters, Modems, optimization, security, and other factors essential in creating a seamless network.
11. Unified Communication
The supplier should provide you with software that unifies all communications in your enterprise in a single space, such as the UC software.
12. Communication Management
Efficient communication within the various departments is crucial to your business’s smooth flow. As such, your IT supplier should provide you with universal communication software that incorporates messaging from chat, voice calls, video calls, and email.
Basically, such a system will ensure that there is an efficient flow of information between the personnel from different departments. It can also aid in creating efficient communication with outside parties such as suppliers and creditors.
Choosing The Best Business IT Solutions: Way Forward
The recent increase in internet usage and technology demands that every business have an IT department to run smoothly. While there are several IT suppliers to choose from, knowing which supplier is best suited for your company is essential to ensuring that your business gets the best business IT solutions.
The first step to ensuring that you get the best IT services is choosing an IT provider that offers services that meet your needs. Some of the ways you can do this include ensuring that they charge affordable prices for their services, offer a wide range of services, are available whenever you need their services, and offer excellent IT services.
Getting such a company will ensure that your business’s operations run smoothly and that your productivity increases.
Do you have more information to offer about business IT solutions? Please share them in the comments section below.
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