How to establish a process for packing and shipping orders

To get your products to customers safely and on time, you need a simple, repeatable process. This involves setting up a dedicated packing area, stocking up on the right packaging materials, and choosing a reliable courier service. A smooth fulfilment process is one of the most important parts of running an online business, as it directly impacts customer satisfaction and your brand's reputation.

Set Up Your Packing Station

You don’t need a huge warehouse to get started; a dedicated corner of a room or a sturdy table will do just fine. The goal is to have everything you need in one place to make packing efficient. This avoids wasting time searching for tape or boxes every time an order comes in.

Your basic packing station should include:

• A clean, flat surface to work on.
• All your packaging materials within easy reach.
• A tape dispenser, scissors, or a craft knife.
• A printer for packing slips and shipping labels.
• A simple scale to weigh your parcels accurately.

Source Your Packaging Materials

The way you package your items says a lot about your brand. Your packaging needs to protect the product, but it can also create a great ‘unboxing’ experience for your customer. For a business selling books, for example, sturdy book mailers are essential.

Consider what you’ll need:

• Outer Packaging: Cardboard boxes, padded envelopes (like Jiffy bags), or mailing bags are the most common options. Choose the size and type based on what you sell.
• Protective Filling: If your items are fragile, you'll need void fill like bubble wrap, packing paper, or air pillows to stop them from moving around in the box.
• Sealing: Strong packing tape is a must to keep everything secure.
• Branding (Optional): You could add a branded touch with custom stickers, thank-you notes, or even branded tissue paper.

Tip: Start by buying small quantities of different packaging types. Once you know what works best for your products, you can buy in bulk from online suppliers like UKPackaging or Kite Packaging to get a better price.

Choose Your Courier Service

Choosing how to ship your orders is a balance of cost, speed, and reliability. In the UK, you have several great options, especially for a small business.

• Royal Mail: A popular choice for small and light items. You can buy postage online and drop parcels at a Post Office or in a postbox. Their ‘Click & Drop’ service can be very efficient.
• Evri (formerly Hermes): Often one of the most cost-effective options, with a huge network of local drop-off points. Good for non-urgent deliveries.
• DPD / Yodel: These couriers are known for their detailed tracking and are great options for larger or more valuable items.

Using a comparison website like Parcel2Go can help you find the best price for each parcel you send, allowing you to mix and match services as you get started.

Create a Simple Fulfilment Process

Once you have your station, materials, and courier, follow the same steps every time an order comes in:

1. Print the customer’s packing slip and shipping label.
2. Pick the correct product(s) from your stock.
3. Carefully pack the item(s), including the packing slip inside the parcel.
4. Seal the package securely and attach the shipping label to the outside.
5. Dispatch the order by taking it to your chosen drop-off point or having it collected.
6. Finally, update the order as ‘shipped’ on your website and send the tracking information to your customer.

Following a consistent process like this will help you fulfil orders quickly, reduce errors, and keep your customers happy.