1) Introduction
We live in a rapidly evolving world where each customer wants their order to be delivered at a time that suits them. Some may need their items urgently, while others are usually fine with the speed at which a product reaches them.
Shipping plays an essential role in the eCommerce industry. Standard and express shipping are the two main variants when discussing shipping in an eCommerce business. Depending upon the type of shipment, delivery time, and other factors, both are crucial for running an eCommerce business.
2) Standard Shipping
2.1) What is Standard Shipping?
Standard or regular shipping is the cheapest shipping service available from a courier. It is a cost-effective shipping option where the shipments reach their destination within seven business days. Though more affordable, standard shipments don't include overnight or special provisions to deliver products faster.
2.2) Pros and Cons of Standard Shipping
Pros:
- Cost-Effective :
Standard shipping is cheaper for the ecommerce business as the shipment is made through surface couriers.
Cons :
- Slow
Though standard shipping is cost-friendly, it is slow and time taking. In the age of Amazon Prime, buyers usually expect the option of a faster and budget-friendly shipment which Standard Shipping fails to fulfill.
2.3) Shipping Options for Standard Shipping
- USPS Standard Shipping:
The USPS (United States Postal Service) offers two services: USPS First Class Mail for shipment of small items and USPS Priority Mail for shipment of heavier items.
Features of USPS First Class Mail:
- Cheapest for small items with delivery in 2-5 business days.
- Insurance of $50 and tracking included.
The breakdown for the heavyweight version of USPS service is given below:
- Cheap for delivery of items under 70 pounds and delivery in 2-5 business days.
- Insurance of $50 and tracking included.
- UPS Standard Shipping :
This shipping service is available to ship items weighing less than 150 pounds.
Features :
- Cheapest UPS service with delivery in 1-5 business days.
- Insurance is available along with tracking.
FedEx Standard Shipping :
Like UPS, FedEx is also available for the shipment of items that weigh up to 150 pounds.
Features :
- Cheapest FedEx service with delivery in 1-5 business days.
- $100 insurance and tracking included.
3) Expedited Shipping
3.1) What is Expedited Shipping?
Expedited shipping is a shipping method that is faster than standard shipping. It is usually delivered by cargo. The whole motive of expedited shipping is to prioritize certain parcels or packages over others. Overnight shipping, 2-day shipping, and express shipping are all expedited shipping options.
3.2) Pros and Cons of Expedited Shipping
Pros :
Faster Shipment :
Expedited shipping is faster than standard shipping. While standard shipping can take anywhere from 4 to 10 business days, most expedited shipping takes between 2 to 3 days.
Fewer risks of damaged goods :
The whole motive is to get your cargo to reach you fast. This means fewer stops and hence less cargo handling.
Cons :
Expensive :
Expedited shipping is very costly as compared to regular delivery. There are people for whom the added speed of expedited delivery outweighs the cons of cost. But there are other customers for whom free or discounted shipping options are more important.
For frugal consumers or buyers who don’t need packages urgently, the trade-off of waiting a few extra days for a package to arrive is well worth the savings.
3.3) Shipping Options for Expedited Shipping
USPS Expedited Shipping
Priority Mail Express is one of the popular and fastest domestic service available under USPS Expedited Shipping. Priority Mail guarantees delivery of packages to most locations within one or two business days.
The starting price of this service is $24.70 for packages under 70 pounds and the cost increases when your package weighs more than 70 pounds. With the exception of alcoholic beverages, USPS can ship almost anything.
UPS Expedited Shipping
The expedited shipping option of UPS can deliver a package to Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East within 3-5 business days and from the US to Canada within two business days. If you send your item domestically, you will see the price range between $15 to $35, no matter what the product or thing is, including online beer and wine sales. The price increases between $200 to $500 or more for heavier items, farther destinations, or both. For shipping internationally, the lighter items range usually comes between $50 to $100 for closer destinations.
FedEx is a shipping giant that made its name by building a larger air fleet than any other shipping service at the time.
Depending upon the destination and urgency, FedEx has several ways to ship expedited orders. Some of which includes : FedEx Expedited Freight Services, FedEx Express Saver and FedEx Express Same Day.
4) Which is best between Standard Shipping and Expedited Shipping?
The best one might be different from business to business. It solely depends on what your business requirements are. The following factors will help you choose which ones will be the best or will suit you the most.
4.1) Delivery Time
Standard shipping is the baseline shipping option where the delivery time ranges from 2-to 8 days. In expedited shipping, the shipment takes a day or two to reach the customer as the product is shipped via air couriers. Sometimes, it is plausible that the shipment reaches the customer on the same day. Expedited shipping is ideal for fast and urgent deliveries. However, if you have or can wait for some more time, then standard shipping is a better choice.
4.2) Dispatch from Warehouse
The average time to leave the warehouse in case of standard delivery is around 2-8 days. In the case of express shipping, the same takes about 1-3 days. In this factor, Express Shipping does have the upper hand over the standard shipment.
4.3) Cost-Effectiveness
Depending upon the delivery timeline and your budget, you need to decide which option will suit you the best. Standard shipping is cheaper than expedited shipping as the shipment is sent via road using surface couriers. As expedited shipping means quick and urgent delivery, the price and rates are also higher due to the use of air couriers.
4.4) Chances Of Damage
There are hardly any intermediaries in case of expedited shipping. Items are shipped directly from source to destination without interruption via air couriers. Since shipment handling scope is lower, the chances of damage to items are also much less.
4.5) Shipping Cost
In the case of expedited shipping, the cost of shipping is usually incurred along with the price of the product. However, for standard shipping, the shipping can be provided free of charge to the customer.
5) Conclusion
As mentioned in this article, the best shipping service for a business entirely depends on the business's requirements, budget, and other factors; We can only give the information; the choice always depends on you.
6) FAQs
6.1) How much does Standard Shipment cost?
Ans - The cost of Standard Shipping depends on various factors like size, weight, and dimensions of the package, the distance between shipper and customer, etc. But, on average, within the USA, it costs $18 for shipping.
6.2) How long does Standard Shipping take?
Ans - Standard Shipment takes 3 to 8 business days of transit time to reach the destination.
6.3) Is priority or expedited shipping faster?
Ans - Expedited and priority shipping are two different terms that describe the same things. Shipping companies use such other terms to differentiate their services from competitors.