Shipping for Small Online Sellers: A No-Nonsense Overview
Shipping is the least glamorous part of online selling and one of the most important. Here's what a small seller needs to know.
Pick a carrier and stick with it (mostly)
Choose a primary carrier — USPS for most small sellers in the U.S. is a good default — and get comfortable with their rates, tracking, and dropoff schedule. Add a secondary carrier for oversize or expedited orders.
Weigh everything
Buy a $30 postal scale. Weigh items packaged. Your quoted shipping rates will be more accurate, your surprise adjustments will drop to near zero, and buyers won't be caught off guard.
Packaging honesty
Reused packaging is fine if it's clean and the shipping label is clear. Custom boxes are nice, not necessary. Bubble mailers work for most soft goods; rigid mailers for anything that can bend; boxes for anything fragile.
Set realistic processing times
Processing time is separate from shipping time. Say what you can do — 'Ships in 2 business days' — and hit it. Consistency matters more than speed.
Tracking is not optional
Ship with tracking, always. It's not just for the buyer's peace of mind; it's your evidence if a dispute happens. On Suliit, tracking must be added within one business day of shipment for buyer protection to apply on that order.
This article is part of the Suliit editorial series on online commerce for independent sellers and buyers. Suliit is a U.S.-based marketplace operated from Prince Frederick, Maryland.