The USPS has announced that they are discontinuing Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes A and B effective January 22, 2023. These boxes will no longer be produced by the USPS and the current Priority Mail Regional Rate pricing will no longer apply. The discontinued boxes include:
Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A1 – 10-1/8” x 7-1/8” x 5”
Priority Mail Regional Rate Box A2 – 13-1/16” x 11-1/16” x 2-1/2”
Priority Mail Regional Rate Box B1 – 12-1/4” x 10-1/2” x 5-1/2”
Priority Mail Regional Rate Box B2 – 15” x 12” x 3”
The maximum weight for Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes A1 and A2 is 15 pounds for domestic shipping and 10 pounds for international shipping. The maximum weight for Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes B1 and B2 is 20 pounds for both domestic and international shipping.
This change is part of the USPS effort to simplify the Priority Mail products it offers. The USPS recommends the Priority Mail Cubic as an alternative. Priority Mail Cubic offers similar cost savings as Regional Rate boxes. Priority Mail Cubic has zone pricing with five price tiers up to 0.5 cubic feet.
When shipping Priority Mail Cubic, the commercial customer uses their own packaging. Priority Mail Cubic packages must measure 0.5 cubic feet or less, weigh 20 pounds or less, and the longest dimension may not exceed 18 inches. The pricing for Priority Mail Cubic is based on the outer dimensions of the package rather than weight.
Customers with these Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes in their inventory may still use them to ship, but they will be treated as weight and rate packages.
Also, during the holiday season, commercial shippers should be aware that the USPS has announced an adjustment to the postage refund policy for Priority Mail Express™ sent from December 22 until December 25. Postage will be refunded if the first delivery attempt or delivery occurs more than two delivery days after the Acceptance scan event.
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Manage Choxi Inventory and Ship Automatically with Teapplix
The integration with Choxi and Teapplix allows e-commerce businesses to ship Choxi orders, upload tracking numbers, and manage inventory and quantity automatically, creating a stress-free business experience.
Improve Choxi sales
At Choxi, their philosophy is simple: everything your customers love, for less. They’re passionate about finding the best products, the best deals, and making sure your customers find everything they need at a price that fits their budget. Everything Choxi sells is straight from the manufacturer or a licensed agent, so buyers know that it’s 100% authentic. They guarantee it!
With Choxi’s integration with Teapplix shipping software, sellers can automate their order fulfillment process and send Choxi orders as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. The Teapplix integration offers a wide range of features that can make the entire order fulfillment process easier and more cost effective than manual processing.
Simplify Choxi Order Processing
Teapplix saves Choxi sellers time by downloading orders and uploading tracking numbers using the Choxi web service API. Order payment and cancellation status are tracked and reflected in Teapplix. Orders marked as shipped in Choxi are also automatically marked as shipped in Teapplix.
Order synchronization happens with the click of a button, or it can be set up to occur periodically every 15 minutes.
Automate Choxi Inventory Management
Choxi inventory management is a breeze with Teapplix software that helps sellers manage their inventory across multiple channels. Teapplix downloads product and listing information from Choxi, including pictures, SKU, UPC, etc. Teapplix can synchronize quantity back to Choxi every 15 minutes to eliminate over-sells. In addition, Teapplix can be used to update prices for listings in bulk.
Improve the Efficiency of your Choxi Business with Teapplix
With Teapplix, you can get the benefits of selling on Choxi without the headache of having to handle each order manually. Teapplix can improve the efficiency of your Choxi business, lower your shipping costs using the most efficient shipping methods, and make sure that your orders go out on time, which also helps to ensure that you maintain a high Choxi seller rating.
USPS announced a new pricing promotion for Teapplix Customers effective December 11, 2022. This promotion is a further reduction from the October 2022 Commerce Platform Pricing.
This new pricing is effective until further notice. Please note that the 2023 USPS pricing change will occur on January 22, 2023, and that may affect these prices.
The pricing reductions are for Priority Mail, Zones 1-4
Weight Not Over (Pounds)
Zone L, 1 & 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
1
-0.16
-0.16
-0.20
2
-0.24
-0.18
-0.22
3
-0.14
-0.18
-0.21
4
-0.18
-0.19
-0.21
5
-0.14
-0.14
-0.14
And Cubic Pricing, Zones 1-4
Cubic Ft. Range Up To
Zone L, 1 & 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
0.1
-0.14
-0.14
-0.18
0.2
-0.25
-0.20
-0.25
0.3
-0.18
-0.17
-0.20
0.4
-0.16
-0.18
-0.23
0.5*
0.04
0.05
0.04
* There is a small increase in price for packages in the 0.5 Cubic Ft. Range.
Update 10/5/2022 at: 2pm - we finally activated our platform discount rates. You should see the new rates if you print on or after 2pm or so.
USPS has gracefully approved Teapplix as a Commerce Platform. As a result, we are now able to offer all our customers discounted USPS rates that are below CPP. For more details about USPS pricing rules, please visit this help page.
For this holiday period, Teapplix USPS rate will have no 'holiday increase' for the following shipping classes:
Priority Mail, 0.5-2 lbs, Zones 1-6
Priority Mail, 3 lbs, Zones 1-5
Priority Mail, 4-10 lbs, Zones 1-4
All Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelopes or Boxes, All Zones
Flat Rate Regional Box A, Zones 1-6
Flat Rate Regional Box B, Zones 1-4
Cubic: 0.1 & 0.2, Zones 1-6
Cubis 0.3, Zones 1-5
Cubic 0.4 & 0.5, Zones 1-4
The following zip codes (3-digit prefixes) are excluded from our discounted USPS rate.
006
007
008
009
090
091
092
093
094
095
096
097
098
099
340
962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
995
996
997
998
999
These zip codes are special and discounts do not apply. They are all priced at CPP.
Additional discounts may be offered from time to time and we will announce them as they come.
Notice that for other mail classes, there will be a normal holiday increase as announced by USPS.
Our eCommerce platform rates start on Oct 4th, 2022. Starting this Sunday, Oct 2nd, your Teapplix USPS rate will have a holiday increase, this will last until October 3rd, 11:59 pm central time.
So please plan your shipping accordingly for the next few days. You may be able to save money by delaying USPS shipment next Monday to Tuesday.
Also as part of this change that Teapplix is approved as a USPS Commerce Platform, we will not be able to support Endicia as a PC postage provider. We allowed printing labels using Endicia account from our old user interface currently. Starting Nov 1st, 2022 you will not be able to do so anymore because we cannot build commerce platform support into Endicia.
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Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. You can also expect an increase in sales starting on the Monday before Black Friday and extending to Cyber Monday. This is known as Black Week or Cyber Week. Online shopping has been consistently increasing in the past few years. Over 100 million consumers do their holiday shopping online during Black Week. Is your eCommerce store ready to handle this increase in sales?
Here are 3 areas you will want to make sure are ready for the holiday shopping season.
Payment Options
Shipping Methods
Inventory Management
Payment Options
Offering multiple payment options is a great way to boost sales. Buyers may cancel their purchase if they can’t pay in the way they want to. If you sell internationally, you will want to consider what payment methods are popular in other countries. PayPal is one of the most popular mobile payment platforms with 429 million users. Teapplix ActionShip integrates with PayPal giving you Instant Payment Notifications. Be sure to check that your payment platform is running smoothly. With so many stores offering sales, buyers will leave if your checkout process has any issues.
Shipping Methods
It’s important to meet customer expectations with shipping and delivery. With so many stores offering two-day or next-day shipping, buyers won’t tolerate any delays. Teapplix ActionShip can help you speed up your shipping. Avoid costly shipping errors with Address Validation and Print & Scan. Teapplix integrates with multiple domestic and international carriers. Ensure fast delivery by automating your shipping with Teapplix ActionShip.
Teapplix customers can save even more money this year! This holiday season, there will be no holiday price increase on the most popular weight and zone ranges for Teapplix USPS Priority Mail shipping.
Inventory Management
Inventory management is especially important during the busy sales season. Knowing how much product you have available lets you be strategic when ordering more products. It’s also a good idea to track what your most popular items and top sellers are. That way you can stock up before the increase in sales. This helps you maximize profit. Teapplix ActionShip lets you manage multiple internal and external warehouses. With QuickBooks integration, you can easily track your inventory and get the latest quantity data.
Summary
Now is the time to prepare for Black Friday and all of Cyber Week Each year, millions of consumers turn to online shopping for their holiday shopping needs. Is your eCommerce store ready to handle this increase in business? Take a look at your payment options and checkout process. Make sure you can meet customer delivery expectations. Automating your shipping with Teapplix ActionShip can help you ship faster and more accurately. Carefully track and monitor your inventory. Don’t run out of popular products and lose out on sales. By preparing for Black Friday now, you can maximize profits this holiday season.
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International Amazon Sellers need to meet Extended Producer Responsibility requirements by January 1, 2023.
Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR is an environmental policy that sellers in France and Germany must comply with. Under this policy, sellers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of a product and need to meet specific packaging and waste management requirements.
Products Under the EPR Regulations in Germany:
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)
Batteries and Accumulators
Packaging
Timeline
If you are an Amazon seller and sell to Germany or import products from Germany, you must be compliant by January 1, 2023. If you are not compliant by January 1, 2023, Amazon will be legally obligated to terminate your seller account.
Process
You must provide your registration number(s) to Amazon or any marketplace you sell on.
If you are a producer, you must work with a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to receive your EPR Registration Number(s). You can visit WEEEFull Service (Which stands for Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment) to find Producer Responsibility Organisations. Visit them here! Registration is a one-time process and you will receive one or more registration numbers per product category.
If you are not a producer but you sell products that are subject to EPR requirements, you must still provide Amazon or any marketplace you sell on with EPR Registration Numbers. You need to obtain the registration number(s) from your supplier. If you cannot obtain the registration number(s) from your supplier, you will have to register and provide Amazon with your own EPR registration numbers.
Starting your own eCommerce business can seem daunting, especially when it comes to accounting and expense tracking. Many eCommerce business owners overlook some important eCommerce expenses. Business owners need to prepare for any possibility. Don’t neglect these expenses when managing your own eCommerce business.
Why Should You Track eCommerce Expenses?
Tracking eCommerce expenses lets you manage your cash flow better and prepare for unexpected expenses. Carefully tracking your business expenses can help you identify areas where you can save money and cut costs. This could mean the difference between success and failure for your business.
Many business expenses are tax-deductible. Tax deductions are applied to your taxable income and can potentially lower the amount you have to pay in taxes. Tracking business expenses can result in significant cost savings during tax season.
How Can You Track Business Expenses?
Tracking business expenses doesn’t have to be painful or time-consuming. The first step is to separate personal expenses from business expenses. It’s important to set up a dedicated business bank account. After that, it’s just a matter of finding the right tool for financial tracking.
The right tools can make tracking expenses quick and easy. ActionShip by Teapplix integrates with QuickBooks and can help you track your business expenses. When tracking business expenses, opt for cloud-based software rather than spreadsheets or paper receipts. This makes it easy to find and manage your business records.
What eCommerce Expenses should you track?
Customer Acquisition Cost
Shipping and Returns
Storage and Inventory Management
Platform Payments and Marketplace Fees
Customer Acquisition Cost
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is the cost of marketing divided by the total number of new purchases. This is an important key performance indicator to track. This includes any money spent on marketing, advertising, sales, marketing staff, and technology. Remember that it costs more to get new customers than it does to retain existing customers. One of the best ways to keep existing customers happy is by limiting mistakes and ensuring fast delivery.
Shipping and Returns
Tracking your shipping expenses is important for eCommerce store owners. Shipping costs are likely to be one of your biggest expenses. It’s important to know how much shipping costs are for your business so you can create an accurate idea of your profits and losses.
The best way to save money on shipping is through automation. Teapplix ActionShip uses Automatic Rate Shop to help sellers compare multiple carriers for the best shipping price. Sellers can Batch Ship and Bulk Print Labels with ActionShip. This offers significant time and cost savings to eCommerce business owners. Teapplix ActionShip can also help you manage returns and replacements.
Storage and Inventory Management
Storage costs include rent and product insurance. Inventory costs can include lost products due to damage, misplacement, or theft. One way to avoid losing products is to invest in inventory management software. Moving product quickly from storage to buyers is the best way to reduce inventory costs due to lost products.
Platform Fees
Platform fees are the expenses you pay to list your products on a third-party eCommerce site. This expense varies based on which platform you chose to sell on. Some charge a flat monthly subscription and others charge a percentage of each sale.
Marketplace Fees
Most marketplaces charge selling fees. These fees be a flat monthly rate, or they can be based on a percentage of the shipment. All marketplaces have their own fees and fee system so it’s important to do some research on what marketplace best matches your budget.
Tracking expenses is important for the success of your eCommerce business. The first step is to create a business bank account and the next step is to find the best software to track your expenses. Remember to keep your business and personal bank accounts separate.
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Shipping hazardous materials through USPS requires that they are properly packaged and declared. A hazardous material is considered to be any substance that could harm the public, environment, handlers, or carriers during transportation. As the shipper, it is your responsibility to make sure that all hazardous materials are packaged, labeled, and shipped properly. Failing to properly package, label and ship hazardous materials can result in serious civil and/or criminal liability.
USPS Proposed Changes to Publication 52
The USPS plans to amend Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail. Due to the expansion of eCommerce, more hazardous materials are being shipped. The proposed amendments are intended to reduce the instances of improper labeling and shipping of hazardous materials which according to the USPS have "increased risks to Postal Service employees, customers, and business suppliers, especially risks related to personal safety/property damage, and have resulted in millions of dollars of loss."
The proposed changes are designed to better inform mail carriers of shipments containing hazardous materials. This will allow postal carriers to properly assess and transport those packages. These changes include:
Require mailers to transmit a Shipping Service File (SSF) or a Shipping Partner Event File to the postal service before or concurrent with the shipment of hazardous materials. Mailers are also required to use USPS-generated labels and indicate the shipment includes hazardous materials at the time of requesting a label.
Require the use of unique Service Type Codes (STCs) for hazardous materials shipped or returned domestically.
Insurance and Adult Signature will be the only domestic Extra Services available for a package containing hazardous materials.
Encourage the adoption of 2 supplemental GS1-DataMatrix (2D) IMpbs to shipping labels to improve package visibility.
Used, damaged, or defective electronic devices (cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc.) must be mailed by surface transportation.
Certified new or refurbished electronic devices and certain new personal electronic devices (certain cell phones, glucose monitor devices, tablets, etc) in original packaging may be exempt from separation and marking requirements.
Currently, compliance with these new guidelines is optional, however, the USPS intends to implement these rules in 2023 with mandatory compliance beginning April 30, 2023. As such, mailers should be aware of these upcoming changes and check regularly for updates. It is recommended that mailers familiarize themselves with these proposed changes and prepare for the adoption of these proposed changes.
How to Ship Hazardous Material with USPS
The USPS has strict guidelines on how to properly package and label hazardous materials. Proper packaging of hazardous materials is important for the health and safety of you, USPS handlers and carriers, the environment, and the person receiving the package. Read this page carefully before shipping any hazardous materials. This page covers the packaging of hazardous materials, the types of hazard classes, the product safety data sheet, and hazardous material labels
When creating a new product in Teapplix, you are able to list the dangerous good type. Navigate to the Inventory menu found on the left-hand sidebar. Select the first option "Products". On the products screen, select the "+ Add One" button in the top right-hand corner. Select the drop-down menu "DG Type".
The options available are:
0 Turn Off Dangerous Goods
The package does not contain hazardous materials or dangerous goods
1 Lithium Metal Contained in Equipment
Mailable via Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage
2 Package contains Primary Lithium Batteries
If installed in the equipment they operate or packed with the equipment they operate, this is mailable via Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, or Ground Advantage.
If the Lithium batteries are being mailed as individual batteries in their original sealed packages but without the equipment they operate, then this belong to category 3 below and only mailable via USPS Ground Advantage.
3 Lithium Metal Stand-Alone
Mailable via USPS Ground Advantage only.
4 Lithium-Ion Contained in Equipment
Mailable via Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail or USPS Ground Advantage.
5 Lithium-Ion Packed with Equipment
Mailable via Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail or USPS Ground Advantage.
6 Lithium-Ion Stand-Alone
Mailable via USPS Ground Advantage only
7 Lithium* Ground Only (*<=5) lbs
This classification is obsolete. You must re-classify your product using the other categories listed here. You cannot print any USPS labels with products classified as 7.
8 Limited Quantity
This is now referred to as HAZMAT Limited Quantity by the USPS. Depending on the hazardous material being shipped, the package may be eligible for ground only or for air and ground transport. More information regarding the packaging and shipping of this category is detailed below.
9 Small Quantity Provision
The package contains an amount of hazardous material that is small enough that the package is not subject to DOT packaging, marking, and labeling requirements. This category is only eligible for domestic transport and can only be shipped via Standard Mail, USPS Retail Ground, Parcel Select, First-Class Mail, or First-Class Package Service.
USPS Lithium Battery Label
Packages containing Lithium batteries must display this label in addition to the proper DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity Label.
Packaging must be strong enough to prevent crushing and exposure of the contents during normal transport. Outer package must have a complete delivery and return address and
When mailing lithium batteries, the package label must include a telephone number for those who need to obtain additional information regarding the package and the materials contained.
Packaging Hazardous Materials
In addition to being clearly and properly labeled, hazardous materials must be packaged carefully. The USPS will not accept any package containing hazardous materials that are leaking, damaged, or open. Considering using "performance packaging" or HAZMAT packaging. This type of packaging is more absorbent, cushioning, and protective than regular packaging. Hazardous materials must be labeled and packaged separately from all other items. The full guidelines for USPS requirements of each Hazard class can be found here. Each hazard class must be packaged according to the specific USPS guidelines for that class.
Hazard Classes
All hazardous materials belong to one of nine hazard classes. The Hazard Classes are as follows:
Class 1: Explosives - Prohibited for all Domestic and International Mail
Class 2: Gases - Only Limited Quantity Surface Transport
Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquids - Only Limited Quantity Surface Transport
Class 4: Flammable Solids - Only Limited Quantity Surface Transport
Class 5: Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides - Limited Quantity Air and Surface Eligible
Class 6: Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances - Mostly Prohibited
Class 7: Radioactive Materials - Mostly Prohibited
Class 8: Corrosives - Limited Quantity Air and Surface Eligible
Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials - Limited Quantity Air and Surface Eligible
The USPS has strict guidelines for all hazardous materials in each of the nine classes. Certain classes, like Class 1, are prohibited from all USPS shipping options, and others, like Class 6 and 7, have strict guidelines regarding which substances can be shipped and how. This is why it's very important that you are familiar with your product's Safety Data Sheet.
Safety Data Sheet
The first step to shipping any hazardous material is finding your product's Safety Data Sheet. This sheet is a standardized document that contains all occupational safety and health data of a substance or product. You will use this document to find the transport instructions for your product. You can find your product's safety data sheet by doing a web search of [Manufacturer + Name of Product + "SDS"]
Hazardous Material Labels
When shipping any type of hazardous material, you need to ensure that the package contains the proper labeling. The proper labeling for your package depends on what type of hazardous material you intend to ship. Hazardous material labels diamond shape with the number indicating which class the material belongs to at the bottom of the diamond. Remember that certain Hazard Classes are non-mailable and that many have specific transport options.
Non-Mailable Hazardous Materials
Certain items are always prohibited from being shipped by USPS. If your package requires one of the labels shown below, it cannot be sent through USPS mail.
Packages containing these labels will not be accepted by USPS Mail Carriers
The exception to this list are items belonging to:
Category 5 (Oxidizing Agents and Organic Peroxides)
Category 8 (Corrosives- liquids and solids),
Category 9 (Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials)
These packages can be mailed so long as they have the proper DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity Label.
DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity Labels
Please note that the USPS has made a change to its hazardous materials labels. The DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity Labels replaced the Consumer Commodity ORM-D Label on January 1, 2021. These DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity labels alert the mail carrier that your package contains hazardous materials within the legally allowed quantity.
The USPS no longer uses the ORM-D Consumer Commodity label
Hazardous materials are now to be packaged with the DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity Labels. Marks. There is one label for Ground/Surface transport and one for Air and Ground Eligible transport. See below.
USPS Limited Quantity Labels. The correct label must be used for your shipping method.
Your package must display the correct Limited Quantity Label. Please note that packages with DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity labels are not eligible for international transport.
If you are entering a new product into Teapplix and it belongs to DG Types 1-8 follow the instructions for Air and Ground Eligible or Ground/Surface Only
Air and Ground Eligible
DG Types 1, 2, 4, and 8 can be shipped via air or ground transport. Follow these instructions:
Packages with the Air and Ground Eligible label can be mailed through USPS air and surface transportation.
When using this label it is required that the package also be marked with the proper shipping name and identification number. The package must also display the appropriate DOT-associated marking.
These packages must be labeled properly and packaged
A package with this label can be shipped:
Priority Mail Express
Priority Mail
First-Class Mail
First-Class Package Service
Standard Mail
USPS Retail Ground
Parcel Select
Package Services
Remember that hazardous materials belonging to Hazard Classes 5, 8, and 9 must be shipped with the proper DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity label.
This means that the labels shown below can NOT be shipped without the proper DOT HAZMAT Limited Quantity Label.
DOT Hazard Class Labels
This is an example of a package that is marked with the proper Limited Quantity Air and Ground Eligible label and the proper Class 8 (Corrosives- Liquid and Solid) Hazard label.
In the top right corner, you can see a Shipping Paper attached. This paper contains a description of the hazmat and includes the UN identification number, proper shipping name, and other information as required. Remember that this additional information is required when shipping a package with the Air and Ground Limited Quantity Label.
When creating a product in Teapplix that contains or is a hazardous material, make sure that you fill out this page. This information will allow you to create an accurate label for your package.
Ground and Surface Only Limited Quantity Label
DG Types 3, 5, 6, and 7 can only be shipped via ground transport and only require the Ground/Surface Only label.
Packages with this label can only be shipped through USPS ground transportation. These shipping options include:
Standard Mail
USPS Retail Ground
Parcel Select
Package Services
Limited Quantity Ground/Surface labeled packages can NOT be shipped through
Priority
Priority Mail Express
First-Class Mail
First-Class Packages Service
Properly Ground/Surface Only Labeled Package
This is properly labeled for ground transport. This package is for Parcel Select Ground.
Packages with the Ground/Surface Limited Quantity label are not required to have a shipping paper with the proper shipping name and identification number.
Final Notes
Both Ground/Surface Limited Quantity and Air and Ground Limited Quantity labels must be clearly visible on the side with the shipping address. The labels must be durable, legible, and readily visible. USPS will not accept packages with damaged, missing, or unreadable labels. Your package must also be free from damage and leaks. USPS will not accept damaged, leaking, or opened packages.
Remember that it is your responsibility as a shipper to ensure all hazardous materials are properly packaged and labeled. Review your specific product's safety data sheet and make sure it is securely packaged with clear and proper labels. Shippers can check USPS Publication 52 for more information about shipping hazardous materials.
Any questions or comments contact your local Homeland Security Coordinator or send an email to HAZMAT@uspis.gov.
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Brand awareness is how memorable a brand is to its target audience. Think of some big-name brands like Starbucks or Microsoft. Can you think of their logo? What do they sell? Where can you find their products or services? Brand awareness is important for eCommerce businesses. You want your target audience to be able to easily recognize your logo. You want your target audience to be easily able to find your business.
One great way to improve brand awareness is to post regularly on social media. Being active on social media is a great way to get your business in front of your target audience. Post regular content and interact with other accounts on social media.
Use Email Marketing
Email marketing is a great way to stay connected with your customers. Building quality email campaigns and managing contacts is a great way to grow your business. Email marketing lets you directly contact current or potential new customers with new offers, product releases, or deals. Email marketing can encourage customers to repeat purchases or reach out to customers who have abandoned their online shopping carts.
Not only is email marketing a great way to communicate with your customers, but it is also one of the most efficient marketing tools. Email marketing has a return on investment of $36 for every $1 spent. If you’re looking to grow your business on a budget, email marketing is your best option.
To keep customers happy, make sure that your contact info is easy to find. Respond to any customer questions, complaints, or concerns as soon as possible. The longer you take to respond to a potential customer, the more likely they are to purchase from your competitors. Have a simple, return policy outlined on your website. Having a clear return policy in place helps customers feel more confident in their purchases.
Sell in More Marketplaces
Don’t overlook the potential growth of selling in more marketplaces. Did you know many traditional big-box retailers like Target, Home Depot, Sears and others allow 3rd party dropship retailers? Teapplix can integrate with many of these retailers via EDI connections and supports the full order and inventory lifecycle. Teapplix ActionShip integrates with over 50 marketplaces. Sell on Walmart, Sears, Amazon, and others. Teapplix makes it easy to expand your business.
Another way to grow your eCommerce business is to sell internationally. Many eCommerce platforms have translation plugins and add-ons to allow you to sell your products around the globe. You can also sell your product on international marketplaces like Etsy or eBay. One of the advantages of an eCommerce store over a traditional brick-and-mortar business is the ability to sell to a wider audience. And shipping globally is easy with Teapplix’s shipping automation. Teapplix works with many shipping carriers and offers global shipping options.
Invest in Automation
Market automation software is a great way to increase sales. You can use marketing automation software to send sequences of emails to new customers. These emails can offer product information, explain your return policy, or include special discounts on related products. You can also use this software to send messages about customer events, such as special deals on their birthday or seasonal sales for holidays.
Automated customer service means your customers can access support any time of the day and any day of the year. Automating your customer service could include using chatbots to respond to customer questions. Customer service automation can also provide simple troubleshooting instructions. Support automation can enhance your customer service and improve response time and availability.
Shipping is one of the biggest expenses for an eCommerce business. Not only does shipping make up one of the biggest financial expenses for an eCommerce business, but it is also one of the biggest time expenses. Automating your shipping process can save you time and money which can help you grow your business. Choosing a good shipping automation platform is important for the success of your business. When looking for a shipping automation platform, consider the software interface, tracking support, carrier options, and what eCommerce platforms it can integrate with. ActionShip by Teapplix offers multiple carriers with global shipping options and it can be easily integrated with major eCommerce platforms.
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