Shipping is critical in your eCommerce business, so you should always ensure it’s effective and affordable. You don’t want to go for the most expensive options as they can squeeze your profit margin, nor do you want to go for an option that’s cheap but inconvenient.
In comes the big question:
Is economy shipping the way to go? How does it work? We’ll answer these and more questions in this blog post to help you make an informed decision.
That said, if you want to ship affordably, Betachon can help. With Betachon, you can save thousands of dollars on shipping operations. Request a demo today and start saving money!
What is economy shipping?
Economy shipping is the most affordable transportation option. It uses the least expensive transportation methods — water or road.
Economy shipping is also the slowest way to ship items, especially international orders. However, it’s the most convenient option for shipping large and heavy items domestically.
How long does economy shipping take?
The delivery timeframe for economy shipping varies depending on:
- The carrier you choose
- The shipping zone involved
If you use economy shipping services for international shipping, it’ll take longer than if you use the same service to ship within the same state or region. International economy shipping can take 5 to 18 business days, depending on how far the destination is.
If you ship within the US, it can take 2-5 business days for your package to arrive at its destination.
Because of this prolonged delivery time, it’s wise not to make emergency or time-sensitive shipping arrangements using economy shipping services. You don’t want to lose customers because of late order deliveries.
However, economy shipping is an excellent option if you and your customers are not in a hurry. The best way to approach this method is to list economy delivery service as an option on your eCommerce site. This way, customers who want to save a coin and don’t mind receiving their package a little later can choose this option.
How does economy shipping compare to other options?
There’s a difference between the three shipping services; economy, standard and expedited shipping. Here’s how they compare:
Economy shipping vs. standard shipping
Most people interchange economy shipping for standard shipping. But these two are slightly different. Standard is more expensive than economical shipping, but it gets your packages delivered on time.
However, note that it takes roughly the same time to ship domestically. Both methods will have your package delivered in 3 to 5 days. You’ll also have access to tracking services.
The big difference comes when shipping internationally. Economy shipping will take longer than standard shipping.
Economic vs. expedited shipping
Economy and expedited, aka express shipping, are very different services. Express shipping is more expensive and offers a faster delivery timeframe than economical shipping.
Expedited shipping is also more convenient than economic shipping on several occasions. For example, expedited shipping is the best option if you ship perishable items or are behind on delivery schedules, especially during the holidays, like Christmas.
However, if delivery time is not a factor, economy shipping services remain an affordable and cost-effective way to ship your orders.
Economy vs. ground shipping
It’s easy to confuse economy and ground shipping. This is because economy shipping within the same region happens via ground.
However, there is still a difference between the two. Ground shipping refers to shipping through the land. This can be through trucks or trains.
On the other hand, economy shipping refers to shipping using the cheapest rates available. The pricing between the two is what makes the difference.
Which carriers offer economy shipping?
All four major carriers (FedEx, USPS, USP, and DHL) offer economy shipping. Here’s how their services compare.
USPS economy service
USPS economy shipping is ideal for packages below 70 lbs.
They offer a delivery timeframe of 1-3 business days, and their starting cost is $8.70. USPS will give access to tracking services to allow you to see your packages at any given time.
FedEx economy shipping services
FedEx, like USPS, offers economy shipping for all items under 70 lbs. The carrier offers this service through their FedEx ground service, which ensures your packages are delivered within 2 to 7 business days.
It will also give access to its tracking system. So you’ll be able to track your items every step of the way. FedEx charges a starting price of $9.25 for a 3 lbs package.
UPS economy shipping service
UPS, through their Ground service, offers economy shipping services for packages up to 150 lbs. Their delivery time frames are 1 to 5 business days, and they charge a starting cost of $19.02 for a 3 lbs package (depending on distance).
They also offer tracking services for all shipped orders.
DHL economy shipping services
DHL, just like UPS, offers economy shipping for items up to 150 lbs. Their delivery timeframe is 2-5 business days. They also offer tracking services like the rest of the carriers.
Economy international shipping
Shipping internationally differs greatly from shipping domestically. Many factors are involved, like tax, duty, and customs fees, which make shipping more expensive. You may want to explore a shipping method that’s much more affordable; shipping using economy services.
All four carriers offer different service options. Here’s how they compare.
- USPS takes 6 to 10 business days and ships to 190 countries
- UPS has a competitive delivery time, and it ships to 210 countries
- FedEx delivers in 2 to 5 business days and ships to 215 countries
- DHL delivers packages in 7 to 12 business days, and it ships to 200 countries
GDS Freight is an excellent option for anyone who wants to ship internationally at incredibly low rates.
When should you use economy shipping services?
While you may want to offer your customers the fastest delivery timeframes, sometimes extending the time by a few days can save you a lot of money. Shipping operations are already expensive, so it’s a no-brainer that the most affordable method is the way to go.
If you’re a small business, economy shipping services may be an excellent solution for your shipping operations. It will ensure you get a considerable profit margin you can use to expand your business.
Economy service can also be a great option if you’re a high-volume shipper. It can save you thousands of dollars.
However, if you ship perishable items like food, economy shipping may not be the best option.
If you would like someone to look into your shipping operations and give you directions on how to best carry out your business where shipping is involved. Betachon is the brand to consult.
With Betachon, you can get a full audit of your current shipping operations to help you identify where you may be going wrong and what you can do to take advantage of the shipping services in the market.
Good thing you only pay us a percentage of the money you’ll save on shipping. Schedule a demo today, and let’s help your business save money!