Looking for the cheapest way to ship your online business? Here is a list of the best and cheapest shipping companies for small businesses. Accelerate your e-Commerce sales by working with these reliable shipping services.
Small businesses seek support for maintaining their operations smoothly. To safeguard clients’ satisfaction, these businesses have to manage all their functions, such as production, marketing, and shipping.
Ecommerce is a very crucial aspect for small as well as large companies. Many companies are helping small businesses ship and deliver goods to their customers on time. These shipping companies maintain good relationships with clients by offering the products at an affordable price and by providing logical assistance.
Many economic firms are solving shipping and delivery issues across the globe. They offer customers effective and budget-friendly shipping of their goods, thus optimizing their shipping strategy.
Table of Contents:
- Cheapest Ways to Ship Packages + Market Trends
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Best and Cheapest Shipping Companies for Small Businesses
- Comparison Between Cheapest Shipping Services
- #1) DHL Express (Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia)
- #2) United States Postal Service (Washington, D.C., USA)
- #3) Sendle (Sydney, Australia)
- #4) UPS (Atlanta, Georgia)
- #5) FedEx (Memphis, Tennessee, USA)
- #6) Spee-Dee (St.Cloud, Minnesota)
- #7) LSO (Austin, Texas)
- #8) LaserShip (Vienna, Virginia)
- #9) ShippingEasy (Austin, Texas)
- #10) ShipBob (Chicago, Illinois)
- Conclusion
Cheapest Ways to Ship Packages + Market Trends
The shipping companies ensure quick delivery services to customers and also help in generating the right amount of profit for small businesses.
We are going to analyze the best and cheapest shipping companies for small businesses. Small businesses can gain popularity by working with shipping companies for the seamless fulfillment of client orders.
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Market Trends: The increase in service mainly runs the shipping market in e-commerce. Many services sectors, such as finance and healthcare, also contribute to the growth in the shipping value market.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government shut many companies down to limit the trading and shipping services across borders of different countries. Also, the continuous lockdown has affected the market.
The international shipment services market was valued at $454.5 billion in 2021, and it is estimated to reach a whopping $736 billion by the end of the year 2025. The CAGR will witness an increase of about 10.1% during the period of revenue forecast. As per reports, within this growth, the freight management system market will contribute $17.45 billion by 2023.
Since global cross-border e-commerce is increasing rapidly, which also grows the number of shipments worldwide, thus boosting the shipping industry.
Expert Advice: As per experts, you can opt for the best shipping options for small businesses to provide excellent delivery services to customers across the world. The shipping of orders is a time-consuming process in most parts of the globe, while it becomes hassle-free and more accessible to some best economically reasonable shipping firms.
As a small business proprietor, one must focus on the essential parts of your shipping requirements that are important for your e-commerce. Experts suggest choosing a shipping company that offers faster delivery services, transparent real-time package tracking options, proper packaging, etc.
However, it is essential to look for an affordable, budget-friendly shipping company that delivers orders on time. Shipping companies benefit small businesses by maintaining satisfactory relations with their customers by providing orders reasonably priced with proper logical assistance.
Tips to reduce Shipping Cost
Shipping charges can become a huge burden when you are a business holder. But that can be reduced if you keep in mind the following tips:
- Don’t overfill the packages. Employ small packaging to reduce waste and cost.
- Contact sales agents for any ongoing business discounts.
- Reuse and recycle old packages to cut down delivery charges.
- Opt for flat-rate shipping.
- Go to the packaging boxes offered by courier service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) Which delivery services are best for small businesses?
Answer: For small businesses, the shipping costs are mainly associated with moving the products from the storehouse to the customer’s doorstep. According to reports, many companies offer the cheapest shipping for small businesses.
However, the listed top best and cheapest shipping companies for small businesses are economically affordable and reliable. The companies are listed as per their services, like the delivery of small packages, large packages, international shipping, e-commerce business, etc.
Q #2) How do small businesses ship products to customers?
Answer: They can choose different packaging options for shipping orders to customers. Small businesses can take the help of corrugated pads or folder mail in case of a few products shipment. Also, they can select a friendly and convenient shipping service that is budget-friendly and time-saving.
Small businesses have the free will to choose from the local shipping carriers or contract shipping based on the cost of items to be shipped.
Q #3) How to calculate shipping costs for your business?
Answer: Customers can calculate the shipping cost of their items based on their weight. They can easily weigh the package and use the shipping calculator to get the price. Many shipping services also allow customers to consider the shipping cost according to the volume of the items.
However, in the case of a small but heavy package, customers can opt for affordable shipping cost options.
Q #4) What is the average shipping cost for small businesses?
Answer: The average shipping cost for small businesses ranges from $8 to $12 for small packages, whereas $17 to $21 for the larger ones. However, this range might alter as per the shipping company you are opting for.
Best and Cheapest Shipping Companies for Small Businesses
Some of the top providers of shipping services for small businesses list will transform your customer service for the better.
- DHL Express
- United States Postal Service
- Sendle
- UPS
- FedEx
- Spee-dee
- LSO
- LaserShip
- ShippingEasy
- ShipBob
Comparison Between Cheapest Shipping Services
Below is a detailed table of the top companies for shipping and every small business’s favorite.
Company | Headquarters | Expertise | Estimated Revenue | Founded in |
---|---|---|---|---|
DHL Express | Bonn, NRW | Express delivery, e-commerce, innovation, SME, Logistics, global trade | €81.7 billion | 1969 |
United States Postal Services | Washington, DC, USA | Logistics, Packaging, Transportation, Mail delivery | $73.133 billion | 1971 |
Sendle | Sydney, Australia | Delivery, Logistics, Small Business, Parcels, Transport | $35 million | 2014 |
UPS | Atlanta, Georgia | Logistics, Distribution, Freight, International Trade, Small & Medium Business | $84.628 billion | 1907 |
FedEx | Memphis, Tennessee, USA | Shipping, Logistics, Delivery services, Freight, Small businesses, Transportation | $83.959 billion | 1973 |
Detailed review:
#1) DHL Express (Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia)
Best for personal usage, small businesses, and enterprises.
DHL Express offers the best shipping for small businesses all across the globe. If you want to increase the efficiency of shipments or expand into new markets, DHL Express will help you. They are the best for international shipping services.
DHL Express has years of expertise in delivering packages around the world. They also provide various resources and tools that can help small businesses’ growth.
The company has headquarters in Germany. They offer customers the basics of international trading, which involves export and import business. The cost of shipments varies based on the package size. The speed of shipping also depends on the customer’s details.
Founded in: 1969
Number of Employees: 10000+
Locations: Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia
Core Services:
- Express delivery
- Innovation
- Logistics & global trade
- SME
- CSR
- Technology
Features of the Company:
- They always help clients to boost their small businesses.
- Small businesses can expand and increase their shipping efficiency by connecting with customers more quickly.
- The DHL Express network is spread across more than 220 countries to provide shipping, logistics, and e-commerce services.
Pros:
- DHL Express has expertise in international shipping services.
- They have widespread resources to help various businesses ship easily internationally.
- They also provide a rate catalog with the details of their services.
Cons:
- However, they charge many optional service fees.
Pricing: Contact their sales agent for all costs and pricing details.
#2) United States Postal Service (Washington, D.C., USA)
Best for small businesses, large-scale enterprises, personal usage, and military diplomats.
USPS serves as a fantastic shipping service and is the obvious best shipping company for small businesses. It is a forward-thinking and fast-acting company that offers high-quality shipping services to customers. USPS delivers packages from all over the nation to every region.
They deliver mail both domestically as well as internationally. The packages also reach customers within 2-8 days. Postal Services even makes shipments during major holidays and Sundays in the U.S.
The shipping cost also varies according to the package size, delivery location, and speed of delivery. It is a beneficial shipping service for small businesses. You can also receive discounts on the cost of shipping and receive loyalty credits. People residing in any part of the U.S. have access to Postal Services.
Further Reading => Most Popular Shipping and Receiving Software of the Year
Founded in: 1971
Number of Employees: 10000+
Locations: Washington, D.C.
Core Services:
- Logistics
- Packaging
- Transportation
- Direct Mail
- Mail Delivery
Features of the Company:
- It is a fast-acting company capable of delivering quality commodities and services to its consumers.
- They deliver mail to more addresses within a vast geographical location than any other postal service globally. (Approx. 157 million addresses in every state, city, and town)
- They don’t impose taxes on operating expenses and rely on the sale of products to fund the operations.
Pros:
- It provides reasonable shipping prices.
- They have access to mail and P.O. boxes.
- It automatically verifies customer addresses to ensure safe package delivery.
Cons:
- It is an expensive international mode of shipping.
- Has no clear or transparent tracking services.
Pricing:
The pricing depends on the priority of the package.
- 1 to 2 Days: $26.95
- 1 to 3 Business Days: $8.50
- Media Mail: $3.19
Website: United States Postal Service
#3) Sendle (Sydney, Australia)
Best for personal usage, small businesses, and enterprises.
Sendle has been helping small businesses make their shipment services simple and reliable within an affordable price range. It ensures to beat the price charged by major carriers for the shipment of packages weighing 20 pounds.
It also offers shipping services throughout the United States. The standard price range for shipping any product is $8.29 at Sendle. They also provide volume-based discounts on the prices of products.
Sendle is a multi-award-winning startup that aims to provide customers with excellent modes of package delivery. They usually take 1-4 business days to deliver orders. Shipping with Sendle is 100% environment-friendly and carbon neutral.
Founded in: 2014
Number of Employees: 51-200
Locations: Sydney, New South Wales
Core Services:
- Delivery
- Logistics
- Small Business
- Parcels
- E-commerce
- Transport
Features of the Company:
- It helps small businesses to make delivery reliable and affordable.
- They are a rapidly growing startup providing seamless delivery services to customers.
- They aim to increase the growth of small businesses with creative ideas for shipping customers’ orders.
Pros:
- Sendle doesn’t charge any subscription fees or compel customers to sign any contracts before making shipments.
- The shipping services are 100% carbon neutral.
- The guarantee of prices is available.
- The firm is certified and provides seamless shipping services to inaccessible locations.
Cons:
- International shipping services are not available at Sendle.
- Packages to be delivered should not weigh more than 20 pounds.
Pricing:
Their pricing depends on the area (same city or domestic), weight, and the number of parcels as per package.
- Sendle Standard: $7.05 to $12.19 for the same city and $8.65 to $30.01 for domestic.
- Sendle Premium: $6.05 to $9.54 for the same city and $7.65 to $29.01 for domestic.
- Sendle Pro: $3.58 to $6.89 for the same city and $4.85 to $23.86 for domestic.
Website: Sendle
#4) UPS (Atlanta, Georgia)
Best for small businesses and enterprises.
UPS is active in more than 220 countries and territories around the world. They are dedicated to providing shipping services to small businesses. UPS is one of the leading logistics and transportation companies that offers ingenious delivery solutions to various types of companies.
It has headquarters in Atlanta. It also gives equal competition with other companies in the cost of shipping charges. They help clients in preparing goods for shipment with proper instructions.
UPS consists of various tools that can help businesses comprehend the cost of delivery. UPS generally takes about 1-5 days for package delivery within domestic grounds. They also offer next-day and same-day delivery services.
Founded in: 1907
Number of Employees: 10000+
Locations: Eindhoven, Neuss, Singapore, Tremblay-en-France, Atlanta, Alpharetta, Southern Finland
Core Services:
- International Trade Management
- Delivery & Tracking
- Express Package Pick up
- Small & Medium Business
- Logistics
Features of the Company:
- They are performing operations in over 200 countries and territories.
- Customers can send and receive packages without any complications.
- UPSers have become global transportation and logistics leaders, providing innovative solutions to small businesses.
Pros:
- Customers can quickly ship heavier items using this delivery service.
- Has exceptional email communication.
- Provides a wide range of tools necessary for small businesses.
Cons:
- Charges high fees.
- Shows potential lags at the time of delivery.
Pricing: Their pricing depends on the package you are opting for, which is divided into Daily, Retail, Domestic, and Air Freight.
Website: UPS
#5) FedEx (Memphis, Tennessee, USA)
Best for personal usage and small businesses.
FedEx connects people worldwide through its portfolio of shipping, transportation, and e-commerce services. They are the world’s most renowned and trusted employers who offer integrated business applications.
They maintain safety and ethical standards while providing shipping services. FedEx team has over 5 lakh members globally who deliver a great customer experience.
FedEx is best for small businesses as it makes quick shipping on weekdays as well as weekends without any hassle. It ships packages internationally as well as to all 50 states in the United States. FedEx domestic ground delivery usually takes 1-5 business days.
Founded in: 1973
Number of Employees: 10000+
Locations: Memphis, Tennessee
Core Services:
- Shipping & Logistics
- Ecommerce
- Delivery Services & Global Trade
- Small Business
- Supply Chain & Package Delivery
- Transportation
- Aviation
Features of the Company:
- They provide various business applications by cooperating through operating companies.
- FedEx is continuously involved in delivering quality and extraordinary shipping services to customers.
- They have a team of over 500000 members who offer outstanding customer satisfaction.
Pros:
- Reasonable shipping services across the globe.
- It prints the shipping labels.
- FedEx is a fully automated mode for shipping your precious orders.
Cons:
- Shipments are expensive when they are compact and are of small size.
Pricing: Depending on the item and its weight, the shipping charges range from $10.80 to $39.10.
Website: FedEx
#6) Spee-Dee (St.Cloud, Minnesota)
Best for small businesses and enterprises.
Spee-Dee provides an economically affordable and reliable delivery platform providing shipping services to more than 10000 shippers in the Upper Midwest. Customers get two pricing options when opting for Spee-Dee Walk-in shipping locations.
They offer shipping calculators to check the cost of shipping. It also becomes easier to track your shipment with Spee-Dee.
Founded in: 1978
Number of Employees: 1000-5000
Locations: St.Cloud, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Bloomington, Rockford, Bemidji, Duluth, Fergus Falls, Mankato, Marshall, Virginia MN, Rochester, Thief River Falls, Bismarck, Minot, North Platte, Omaha, Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City, Dodgeville, Eau Claire, Green Bay, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Rhinelander
Core Services:
- Standard Account
- On-call pickup services
- Shipping
- EZR returns
- Pickup Tag service
Features of the Company:
- They offer reliable, economical, and overnight delivery services to customers.
- They have approximately 35 company locations, which have around 1800 employees.
- Many small businesses serve as public shopping locations for Spee-Dee and provide shipping services in some specific areas.
Pricing: Their shipping charges depend on the pick-up service you opt for.
- Next-Day PickUp: $8.00
- Same-Day PickUp: $10.00
Website: Spee-dee
#7) LSO (Austin, Texas)
Best for personal usage, small businesses, and enterprises.
LSO (Lone Star Overnight) is a well-known local shipping delivery company which is situated in the Southwest. They provide time-definite small business shipping solutions. LSO has early overnight/next business day delivery by 8:30 am.
It has a priority next day and economy next day business delivery services by 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. They offer 1-3 days domestic shipping solutions.
Founded in: 1991
Number of Employees: 500-1000
Locations: Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio
Core Services:
- Overnight Shipping
- Regional Shipping
- Unique Operational Network
- Ship with Credit Card
- Package Tracking
- International Shipping
- Delivery Services
Features of the Company:
- They provide shipping services in the regional locations in the Country.
- They have 30 years of experience in shipping and delivering parcels.
- Our customer service team is dedicated to delivering your essential packages on time without hassle.
Pricing: Contact their sales agent for all costs and pricing details.
Website: LSO
#8) LaserShip (Vienna, Virginia)
Best for small businesses and enterprises.
LaserShip offers delivery services that develop significant competitive advantages. They provide small businesses and retailers with reliable and quick last-mile shipping services to save money as well as build the trust of customers. They offer custom delivery solutions, critical delivery across the globe, and residential e-commerce.
They are a proven industry-leading shipment platform that helps customers acquire faster delivery and flexibility within the supply chain. LaserShip has experience of more than three decades of serving customers in times of their need.
Founded in: 1986
Number of Employees: 1000-5000
Locations: Woodford Road, Vienna, Virginia
Core Services:
- Supply Chain
- Ecommerce
- Freight & Logistics
- Delivery & Shipping Services
Features of the Company:
- They are constantly involved in meeting customers’ requirements with the best delivery services.
- LaserShip has an experience of about 30 years of delivery and shipping services.
- They are evolving and expanding their e-commerce by making investments through technology and automation of services.
Pricing: Their pricing depends on the baseline volume of the package, which ranges from $1.15 to $5.15 per package.
Website: LaserShip
#9) ShippingEasy (Austin, Texas)
Best for small businesses and enterprises.
ShippingEasy is one of the leading online delivery platforms that offers shipping solutions to small businesses. You can access shipping rates and print labels for other postal services, such as USPS and UPS, within seconds.
ShippingEasy has made it possible for customers to ship their orders faster, whether from a website or marketplace. ShippingEasy provides an easy-to-use platform for seamless integration of products.
You can automate workflows that don’t require any technical support. Our shipping experts can also assist you in setting up and offering unlimited support to grow your business.
Founded in: 2011
Number of Employees: 50-200
Locations: Austin, Texas
Core Services:
- Ecommerce merchant shipping software
- Multi-carrier shipping
- Email marketing
- Shipping automation
- Best USPS shipping rates
Features of the Company:
- It is an online platform that provides excellent shipping services to clients.
- They fully support other delivery platforms such as USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.
- ShippingEasy also offers complete automation along with robust tools for enhanced customer support.
Pricing:
Their rates vary based on the monthly quotes you are opting for.
- Starter Pack: Free Delivery (25 shipments/month).
- Basic Pack: $29/month (500 shipments)
- Plus Pack: $49/month (1,500 shipments)
- Select Pack: $69/month (3,000 shipments)
- Premium Pack: $99/month (6,000 shipments)
- Enterprise Pack: $159/month (10,000 shipments)
Website: ShippingEasy
#10) ShipBob (Chicago, Illinois)
Best for personal usage, small businesses, and enterprises.
ShipBob is a shipping startup platform that aims to provide practical eCommerce and inventory management, consisting of storing, picking, packaging, and shipping products online. Proudly, they have been considered one of the best and most convenient companies on the list of small business shipping options.
ShipBob works with businesses of all sizes. They offer transparent and pocket-friendly order fulfillment services. They help small, growing companies compete with global retailers by simplifying e-commerce delivery services.
Founded in: 2014
Number of Employees: 500-1000
Locations: Chicago, Connaught Place
Core Services:
- Packaging
- Shipping & Logistics
- Ecommerce
- Technology
- Fulfillment
Features of the Company:
- They offer a simple and quick delivery network across the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
- They provide effective eCommerce solutions and also inventory management.
- ShipBob is known to work with every kind of business, irrespective of size.
Pricing: Contact their sales agent for all costs and pricing details.
Website: ShipBob
Conclusion
Our article explained the best and cheapest shipping companies for small businesses, which are beneficial for customers across the world. There are various services provided by these shipping companies, such as same-day delivery, next-day delivery, package tracking, shipping, transportation, and international business trading.
The following article shall be helpful for clients who are looking for some economically affordable and reliable shipping for small business companies. We have also mentioned the best choices of shipping companies according to their expertise in providing services. The comparison will be beneficial for clients as well as their customers.
We collected information from various sites on the internet to arrange the data in an orderly manner for the client’s preference. They can opt for any best shipping company for proceeding with their small businesses.
Different companies have different schemes for delivering orders. The market value of shipping companies for small businesses is also gaining popularity, as they ensure on-time delivery services. The list of the cheapest shipping companies provided will assist many people to export their packages, couriers, etc., anywhere in the world quickly.
Our Review Process:
- Total time is taken to research the article: 20-24 hours
- Total companies searched online: 20
- Total companies shortlisted for review: 10