Shipping policy could be defined as a document or webpage on an eCommerce website in which main information regarding shipping (e.g. details on shipping methods, rates, estimated delivery times, etc.) is shown.
While shipping policies of some big businesses are way longer and much more detailed compared to other small ones, a good shipping policy should be easy to understand, clear and accurate. Some businesses also include return and exchange policies in their shipping policy in order to make their customers get a better glimpse of the whole shipping process when they are shopping.
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1. THE IMPORTANCE OF SHIPPING POLICY
- Protect your company’s rights
Many businesses include further information regarding not only shipping but also returns and exchanges as well as international shipping and estimated delivery times. In fact, it is a wise move that saves both you and your customers from the hassle of asking and answering questions due to the lack of information.
- Shipping methods and rates are shown
A good shipping policy should be able to inform shoppers of different shipping methods available as well as the costs of each of them, depending on where they live. Once again, this could make a better shopping experience for customers as well as ease up the trouble for the support team when they have to keep answering repeated questions from customers regarding shipping policies and receiving complaints about being charged for shipping.
2. WHAT SHOULD BE IN SHIPPING POLICY
- Estimated delivery times
It is true that when you shop online, you expect fast delivery every time. With that taken into account, it is suggested that you should include estimated shipping time in your shipping policies as well as transit times, cutoff times (e.g. holidays and such), and international shipping time.
- Restrictions
Tell your customers beforehand what restrictions are there. In most cases, shipping restrictions are due to state legislations or other unwanted circumstances. Therefore, it is important to note certain countries or PO boxes are restricted.
