Customers have plenty of shopping options at their fingertips, so you need to make your business stand out from the competition. There are many ways to get your business in front of a larger audience, but a few simple tweaks will make your brand shine. In our study, Protect Your Growth Strategy: 2023 Consumer & Merchant Benchmark Report, we surveyed customers and merchants alike to help your business align with customer expectations. Opening your store to social media sites, providing free returns, and communicating shipping information can be game changers. While they may sound small, these three changes show customers that you value their input and preferences. 

Sell on social media channels  

Social media platforms are becoming increasingly popular with shoppers; Facebook is leading the pack with Instagram not far behind. In our study, we found over 50% of customers stated they purchased products through Facebook and almost 40% purchased through Instagram. While TikTok proved to be the third most popular social media sales channel, Gen Z (those born between 1997-2013) seems to be the main age demographic purchasing from the platform; other age groups are more likely to purchase from Facebook. 

Consumers are buying on social media platforms. Your business has the chance to showcase products to an entirely new audience. Additionally, the benefits of social media platforms are two-fold. Not only can you sell products through Facebook and Instagram, but you can also promote your store by posting reels, stories, and photos. 

Winning strategies for engaging on social media

Social media posts are more impactful than you may think. Remember the last time you scrolled through your Facebook or Instagram account. How many ads and/or posts featured product links? More importantly, how many of those links immediately led you to the product listing or started a cart for you? 

Customers browse social media in the same way. Highlight products in a way that would catch your attention. Create posts with links to your store or the social media platform’s selling channel to make shopping convenient. Encourage shoppers to enable notifications for product releases. When it comes to selling on social media, help your business stand out by keeping your posts eye-catching and the shopping experience as easy as possible.  

The benefits of multichannel selling 

Don’t let the connotation of multichannel selling scare you away from meeting your customers where they’re shopping. Whether it be on social media platforms or marketplaces like Amazon, follow consumer trends. Marketing products on social media is only one piece of the puzzle; it showcases your products to those already following. However, expanding your selling channels to the likes of Amazon and eBay opens your business up to more opportunities. For example, Amazon shoppers are given recommendations based on their buying habits, so your products can be shown to a much larger audience. 

Additionally, both Amazon and eBay can be integrated into your Stamps.com account. Once integrated, orders with payment received will automatically sync into your account where labels can be created. After your label is printed, Stamps.com will post the tracking information back to each marketplace for shipment notification emails, and the orders will be marked in each marketplace as shipped. You can keep track of all of your orders in one place instead of multiple windows, making multichannel selling all the easier. 

This is how the Amazon store will appear in your Stamps.com account. 

Offer easy and free returns 

Return policies are becoming an increasingly important deciding factor for customers. In fact, our study showed that 44% of customers stated they’re less likely to shop from a store with a difficult returns process. If you haven’t revisited your return policy recently, walk through the process from a customer’s perspective. Update any information you find confusing or unclear. Chances are, if something doesn’t make sense to you, it won’t make sense to your customers. 

Customers also prefer carrier drop-off options for returns. One way to include this option is to offer prepaid returns through a QR Code or printable label. This way, your customers can simply package their return and drop it off at their local carrier. 

This is an example of a return QR Code from Stamps.com

Along with a clear returns policy, customers also expect free returns. With 81% of customers in our study stating businesses should offer free returns, it’s worth considering. Stamps.com merchants have access to affordable rates that can help offset the cost of free returns. 

Also, USPS offers free shipping supplies you can order directly from your Stamps.com account. These supplies can then be sent to your customers for returns or used for your shipments. Either way, Stamps.com provides you with options to help offer free returns to customers. With our study showing 66% of merchants not offering free returns, you can rise above the competition by meeting customer expectations. 

“The consumer started expecting free outbound shipping, albeit at a threshold, about a decade ago. Now, free returns are an expectation, and the consumer need for free returns is growing. In some ways, this makes sense – consumers have to do quite a bit more work when returning a shipment, whether it is initiating the return itself with the retailer, printing the shipping label, finding packaging, scheduling the pickup or dropping off the package.” – Krish Iyer, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Industry Relations at Auctane

Tips for crafting a better return policy

• Be clear and concise with all of the information included in your return policy
• Consider how long packages take to arrive when determining the return window 
• Test available support options for functionality to see how easily your customers can ask questions
• Update your return window and policy during the holiday season to accommodate customers

Increase the number of shipping notifications 

When asked in our study, 42% of customers would like to receive daily communication about their shipment moving through transit — regardless of whether or not there are any new updates. If you’re unable to send daily tracking notifications, consider using tracking pages for real-time tracking updates or utilizing shipment notifications for major updates. 37% of customers in our study also reported they’d like to receive updates for major events, including: 

• When their package is shipped 
• When their package is in transit 
• When their package is out for delivery 
• When their package has been delivered 

However, you aren’t limited to traditional shipping notifications. With Stamps.com you have access to customizable branded tracking and branded ship notification emails! Sending customized emails to customers is another way to promote your brand during the shipping process. 

Branded ship notification emails are personalized emails sent to update customers as their order moves through transit. You can choose a color scheme and include your business’s social media platforms, among other options, to create an email that represents your business. A customer’s impression of your business isn’t over when they complete their purchase, so branded ship notifications emails are a great way to continue a positive shopping experience. 

This is an example of a branded ship notification email. 

Branded ship notification emails also include the shipment’s tracking number. Instead of sending customers to a carrier tracking page, you can customize a tracking page with the help of branded tracking. Like branded ship notification emails, the branded tracking page is customizable and provides customers with their tracking information. You can even include new products, so customers can start planning their next purchase. On average, this sees at least three visits per shipment, so it can be a great source of traffic for your store and increase your engagement. 

This is the desktop preview of a branded tracking page. 

Don’t be afraid to let customers influence your communications and policies. For example, customers are more likely to complete their purchase if you offer free returns. Providing updates during the shopping and shipping experiences for your customers will improve the chances of standing out against other stores and marketplaces. An increase in social media marketplaces gives you the opportunity to show products to a larger audience. Sending shipping updates as a package moves through transit establishes trust with your customer base. Our research is giving you the information needed to boost your sales by aligning with customer expectations. All that’s left is to utilize your Stamps.com account to help implement these strategies. 

Start your 30-day free trial to Stamps.com today. 

Acknowledgments

Retail Economics, which includes economic modeling and data-driven insights developed from a nationally representative consumer panel survey comprising over 8,000 households across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

Auctane-driven research, including insight from 1,000 consumers in the U.S. 

Auctane-driven research, including insight from over 300 merchants in the U.S

We’ve all been in a position where we need something shipped in a rush, whether it be a forgotten birthday gift or a last-minute holiday present. This includes your customers. There will be times customers might ask for expedited shipping on an order, so it can arrive in time for a special occasion. Priority Mail Express^® is a great carrier service for customers in need of expedited delivery. Plus, Priority Mail Express^® includes a guaranteed delivery date, so you can request a refund if your package doesn’t arrive within the given delivery window. 

Features of Priority Mail Express^® 

Priority Mail Express^® includes: 

• A next-day to 2-day delivery guarantee (by 6PM)
• Flat rate packaging options and free supplies from USPS 
• Tracking throughout your shipment’s entire transit 
• Up to $100 worth of shipment insurance included 
• The option for holiday and Sunday delivery for an extra cost 

Additionally, Priority Mail Express^® includes a money-back guarantee. However, it’s worth noting that Priority Mail Express^® refund requests do take other factors into consideration like the recipient’s zip code and when your package was dropped off. USPS provides a free Service Commitments tool, so you can see which services are guaranteed as well as estimated delivery dates for each available USPS service. More information about Priority Mail Express^® refund requests can be found on the USPS website. 

Priority Mail Express^® refunds 

If your Priority Mail Express^® shipment doesn’t arrive on time and meets USPS requirements, you can request a refund for the shipping costs of your package. Refund requests can be submitted through the USPS website, and you’ll need to create a free account to start the process.   

Priority Mail Express^® refunds need to be submitted within 2-30 days of the date the package was mailed*, and you’ll need the receipt and tracking number to successfully submit the request. You can find your postage receipt through these steps: 

• Login to Stamps.com 
• Click on the History tab on your dashboard 
• Select Search Print History 
• Locate the tracking number for the order you’re requesting the refund for 
• Click on the info box (i) next to the tracking number 
• Print the physical copy of your receipt*

*Note: For those using the Stamps.com software, you’ll first click Search on the left-hand side of your screen and then click the info box next to the correct tracking number to generate your receipt. 

Priority Mail Express International^® refunds 

Like Priority Mail Express^®, certain Priority Mail Express International^® are eligible for refund requests. One of the biggest differences between the two is that refund requests for Priority Mail Express International^® shipments can only be submitted for the following countries: 

Priority Mail Express International^® shipments will also need to be filed with USPS directly through their website and must be submitted within 3-90 days of when your package was shipped.  

Conclusion 

Priority Mail Express^® gives customers an expedited shipping option, so their packages can arrive quickly. Also, the option to request a refund for eligible shipments provides a safeguard for your business if the package arrives late. If you’re an international shipper, Priority Mail Express International^® can be offered to your customers as an expedited option and includes a similar refund request option for eligible packages. Help your customers receive their packages in the nick of time with Priority Mail Express^® and Priority Mail Express International ^®.  

Start your 30-day free trial with Stamps.com today.

International shipping can feel like a barrier for many businesses, especially when it comes to determining how to pay duties and taxes. If duties and taxes aren’t paid in advance, your customers will be responsible for the cost when their shipment arrives. Additionally, packages with unpaid taxes and duties can be delayed in customs or returned for lack of payment or being left with the carrier for too long. However, we have a solution for you! Stamps.com provides your business with a way to pay Canadian taxes and duties with Canada DDP. 

What is DDP?

DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid. All DDP means is that your business pays the duties and taxes for a shipment, so customers don’t have to pay when their package arrives. 

The Benefits of Canada DDP 

Canada DDP can be used with USPS First Class Mail International®, Priority Mail International®*, and Priority Mail Express International®* shipments. The flat fee for using Canada DDP is $9.95 for USPS First Class Mail International®, Priority Mail International®, and Priority Mail Express International®. This fee will be included with the cost of your label, so there’s no need to worry about adjusting your shipping process. Also, shipments using Canada DDP don’t need printed customs forms, as all of the information needed is included with your label. 

*Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes aren’t eligible for Canada DDP, so other types of packaging will need to be used. 

Value Limits for Canada DDP 

One thing to note is shipments using Canada DDP have a value limit, meaning the total cost of the items in your shipment can’t pass a certain monetary amount. The value limits for each service can be found below. 

• First-Class Mail International® – value up to $400
• Priority Mail International® – value up to $2,500
• Priority Mail Express International® – value up to $2,500

How to use Canada DDP 

Once you’ve filled out the customs information for a Canadian shipment, select the Duties/Taxes drop-down menu. Click Prepay Duties and Taxes and print your label. 

Conclusion

It takes a split second to take the responsibility of paying taxes and duties from your customers. The flat fee for Canada DDP is included with the cost of your shipping label, so you won’t be taken to another payment screen. Canada DDP is available to all Stamps.com customers, so you can start using this feature on your next Canadian shipment. Adding Canada DDP is only a couple of clicks away! 

Simplify international shipping with a 30-day free trial to Stamps.com.

As a business owner, you’re responsible for ensuring orders are shipped to customers without delays or inconveniences. However, as a person, there are situations you can’t control. Sometimes, you won’t make it to the post office before it closes. Other times, you might get held up at your business and have packages in need of shipping. The good news is, USPS offers both pickup and drop-off options to help get your packages out. 

Schedule free USPS pickups 

Did you know you can schedule free USPS pickups directly from your Stamps.com account? Packages shipped using Priority Mail Express®, Priority Mail®, and First Class International services can be picked up from your business or home without additional fees. If you’re using a different USPS service, don’t worry! The service is still free as long as you’re also shipping another package using one of the aforementioned services. You can schedule a USPS pickup through your Stamps.com using these steps: 

1. Go to the History menu on your dashboard and click Schedule Pickup. 

2. Once the Schedule Pickup drop-down menu appears, select either All Eligible Packages or Select Packages, depending on which packages will be included in your pickup. 

3. Confirm your pickup address and the number of packages shown are correct. 

4. Select where at your location the postal carrier will pick up your packages and include any necessary notes/information. 

Note: You don’t have to be at your business or home when your postal carrier arrives. 

5. Verify all of the information on your screen is correct and hit Submit to schedule your pickup. 

Note: You have until 2AM to schedule a pickup for the current day. 

USPS SCAN forms

If you have several packages, you can create a Shipment Confirmation Acceptance Notice or SCAN form. A SCAN form creates one barcode that includes all of the information for a group of packages, so each package doesn’t have to be scanned into the system individually. SCAN forms can be printed after the labels for your daily shipments have been created and printed. 

To create a USPS SCAN form: 

1. Click the History menu on your dashboard. 
2. Locate the Create SCAN Form button. 
3. Choose Eligible Packages or All Eligible Packages, depending on which package you’d like to include in your SCAN form. 
4. Select Print SCAN Form. 

When your postal carrier arrives, hand them the SCAN form. If you plan to drop shipments off at the local post office, you’ll hand the SCAN form to the postal worker at the counter. Speaking of, how do you find the nearest USPS location?

Finding USPS Drop-Off Locations Near Me 

USPS offers a couple of drop-off options, including collection boxes and post offices. Collection boxes are containers with mail/package slots where you can drop-off mail packages. While USPS has several types of collection boxes, you’re probably most familiar with the Standard Collection Box Receptacle (Blue Box) or the blue, metal collection boxes for mail and small packages like the one below. 

Look for the labels on the collection box to see when a postal carrier will retrieve packages and to determine if the collection box accepts Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express shipments. Collection boxes will also have scannable QR codes which send you to a post office locator tool. For more information on collection boxes, visit the USPS website.

Additionally, packages can be dropped off at your local post office. SCAN forms can be accepted by postal workers at the counter. However, if you have a large number of packages, you might be asked to pull around to a loading dock or to drop-off the packages at another location around the post office. You can find your closest USPS collection box or post office using their PO Locator tool.

Conclusion  

Being a business owner still means you’re a human being. Life gets busy, but you still need to get packages to customers. Ship around your schedule with USPS pickup and drop-off options! If you’re stuck at the office or home, let USPS come to you. If you need to drop packages off while you’re out and about, find the nearest collection box or post office. For big shipment days, create and print a SCAN form to save time for your business and postal carrier alike.

How can you reach a wider audience and increase sales? Try shipping internationally! Your products are amazing, and more customers should see what your business has to offer. International shipping may require a slightly different shipping process than domestic shipping. However, international shipping is a way to boost sales, and we’ll show you the steps needed to create an international shipping process. 

1) Check for international shipping restrictions

Much like domestic shipping, international shipping comes with a set of restrictions and guidelines. International shipping restrictions may vary from carrier to carrier and by whether your shipment will be traveling by air or ground-based carrier services. Each carrier’s shipping restrictions can be found on their website. For more information about international shipping restrictions, contact your carrier directly.  

Once you’ve reviewed the international shipping restrictions applicable to the products your business ships, communicate these guidelines with customers. Explaining international shipping limitations to your customers during the checkout process will create a more pleasant shipping experience. Also, knowing international shipping restrictions keeps shipments from being returned and/or your business from receiving penalties. 

2) Decide how taxes and duties will be paid 

Before we talk about paying taxes and duties, let’s discuss the difference between the two. Duties are additional costs given to specific products as they enter specific countries. Duties are imposed on items that can compete with items created within the country. For example, if you’re shipping coffee to a country known for selling coffee, especially at a higher price, the duties added will be greater for this product. Taxes are given to a product based on its overall cost and the amount of taxes on a product will vary from country to country. 

If you’re shipping to the UK or the EU, customs forms will need VAT (Value Added Tax) and IOSS (Import One-Stop-Shop) numbers. VAT is determined by a product’s cost, minus any components of the product that have already been taxed. IOSS is a business-specific number given by your store of marketplace and choice. IOSS gives your business the opportunity to pay VAT instead of having the financial responsibility fall on your customers when their package is delivered. VAT and IOSS numbers are tax ID numbers and help determine: 

• How the taxes and duties will be calculated 
• When the taxes and duties will be paid in the shipping process
• Who will pay or has paid the taxes and duties 

3) Familiarize yourself with customs forms 

Customs forms are additional pieces of documentation attached to your shipments. These forms can be physically or electronically submitted, depending on the carrier used. Customs forms include information about the content of your package and help your shipment move through customs offices faster. 

As we mentioned earlier, packages headed to the UK or the EU will need VAT (Value Added Tax) and IOSS (Import One-Stop-Shop) numbers on the customs forms. Additionally, shipments passing through or going directly to most countries in the EU will be required to have Harmonized or HS codes. HS codes are six-digit codes used to represent a product and its attributes. HS codes are also universal, so assigning them to products helps to bypass potential language barriers.

Note: Shipments to Puerto Rico and military addresses are considered domestic shipments but will need customs forms. 

4) Utilize international carriers like GlobalPost 

Our partner carrier, GlobalPost, provides merchants with an efficient international carrier service. GlobalPost works with carriers across the globe to decrease shipping delays and get packages to your customers safely. When using their GlobalPost Standard International service, you can expect:

• Door-to-door tracking
• Up to $100 in parcel coverage for loss and damages, including the shipping cost
• On Demand HS Classification Tool for up to five daily searches
• Free HS Code Fulfillment Service that allocates the right tariff code to your parcels
• No customs forms to print

5) Create an international shipping label with Stamps.com Online 

Click the Mail tab on your dashboard. 

Select your label/paper size from the Print On drop-down menu. 

Use the Mail To drop-down menu to choose the destination. 

Enter the recipient’s address manually or from your Stamps.com Contacts list. 

Weigh your shipping materials. If using your connected Stamps.com Postal Scale, the package’s weight will show automatically.* Then weigh each individual item within your box. You’ll need these weights for the customs forms later on. 

*Note: Confirm the Auto box next to your item’s displayed weight is checked. 

Pick a USPS international service option from the Service drop-down menu. Only options available to the destination country will be shown. 

Purchase additional insurance, especially for high-value packages. 

Click Edit Form in the Customs section. 

Select the best description for the items you’re shipping from the Package Contents menu.

Click the Non-Delivery Options menu and select your preference. 

Enter an International Transaction # if applicable. 

Select the Add Item option. 

Here, you’ll add your product’s description, the quantity of the item, as well as the item’s weight and value. You’ll repeat this process for each item in the package. If you need to add a description, remember to be specific for shipments traveling through or to the EU. Avoid general descriptions like “clothing” or “electronics.” Shipments through and to the EU will also need HS codes added. A complete list of customs requirements for each USPS mail class can be found in our Learning Center. 

Agree to the USPS Privacy Act Statement and Restrictions and Prohibitions and click Save. 

Edit your international shipment’s mail date if the package will not be shipped on the same day the label is created. 

Leave the Hide Postage Value box checked.

Select Print Receipt if you’d like a printed copy of your receipt when your label is printed. 

Create a Reference Number for the Stamps.com Print History files.

Select or create a cost code as needed. 

For new merchants, we recommend printing a sample first. Once you’ve confirmed the test print is correct, hit Print Postage. 

If you notice incorrect information on your label after printing, click the Reprint button on your screen. One big thing to note is you’ll have one opportunity to reprint. 

For instructions on creating an international label through Stamps.com’s PC Software, visit our Learning Center. 

Conclusion 

You’ve learned how to evade negative shopping experiences for your customers by communicating shipping restrictions. You understand how to complete customs forms and decrease the chance of shipping delays. You’ve found international shipping options with carriers like GlobalPost and walked through creating international labels on Stamps.com. Now, you’re officially ready to open your store to global customers!