5 Shipping and Logistics Mistakes to Avoid During the Holidays

Poor inventory forecasting and ineffective marketing campaigns can have a major impact on holiday sales. But the part of online retail operations that often gets overlooked is shipping and logistics. Even the most carefully planned holiday strategy can fall apart if you don’t have a solid shipping setup—especially when you’re managing complex systems like an industrial remote relay or an electronic relay controller for automated warehouse operations. Getting the flow right from order to doorstep is just as critical as ensuring your industrial relay module keeps your packing line running smoothly.

Using Only One Carrier

Nearly every ecommerce brand has the option of shipping with multiple carriers. The one exception would be any retailer operating out of Antarctica. But for online sellers on any other continent, working with only a single carrier is one of the biggest shipping and logistics mistakes. Especially since all carriers can provide different benefits.

Working with only one postal carrier limits the shipping and delivery options you can offer customers. And in ecommerce (especially during the holidays), this is a major detractor. In fact, 66% of consumers have chosen one retailer over another simply on the availability of delivery options. In addition, if you don’t use multiple carriers, you have no backup plan if something goes wrong and the one carrier you use is out of commission.

Think of it like relying on a single wireless on off switch to control your entire facility—if that one component fails, everything stops. Diversifying your carriers is like having a wireless irrigation controller for your warehouse sprinkler system: redundancy ensures you’re never left high and dry.

Failing to Properly Communicate

A lot of ecommerce companies bring on temporary employees during the holidays because it’s a cost-effective way to manage the order influx. But the problem is, unlike most new hires, seasonal employees don’t get a grace period for mistakes.

So if important information like packaging requirements or shipping cut-off times aren’t properly communicated, orders will get delayed. And if someone’s order with their family’s Christmas presents isn’t delivered until the 27th? You can say goodbye to any future purchases from that shopper.

Pro Tip: Consult your team and make sure they have more than enough packing supplies to get them through the end of January. The holidays are about happy surprises. And discovering you’re out of boxes, envelopes, or packing tape the week of Christmas is definitely not a good surprise.

Communication breakdowns can feel like a zigbee relay controller that loses its signal mid-operation—everything just stops working. Make sure every seasonal worker knows the process inside and out, from how to handle a River Water Intake for Farming order to managing a Landscape Turf Watering System shipment.

Not Offering Free Shipping

It’s one of the most oft-cited statistics in any article about ecommerce: the #1 reason shoppers abandon their carts is unexpected costs. More specifically, the cost of shipping. If you don’t want holiday shoppers jumping ship at the last moment, you need to offer free shipping.

Nearly ⅔ of shoppers claim free shipping is the biggest influencer on where they shop online. And over 90% will take action to qualify for free shipping, including adding more items to their cart.

Undoubtedly, there are plenty of ecommerce brands who don’t have the option to never charge for shipping. But if you don’t provide free shipping under any circumstances, you’re potentially missing out on increased order volumes and a higher average order value.

Consider offering free shipping on all orders over a certain amount. Or make it a special deal for first-time customers. Many shoppers are also willing to sacrifice speed for savings, so feel free to use a cheaper shipping option on these orders. You can also advertise free shipping only during the holidays.

Free shipping is like a Constant Pressure Water Supply system—it keeps the flow steady and customers happy. If you’re shipping heavy items like a Car Wash Water Reclamation unit or an Underground Sewage Pumping Lift system, consider absorbing some of the cost to boost order volume. You can also use a dc 5v wireless relay to automate your shipping zone calculations, making it easier to offer free shipping to select regions without eating into profits.

Overlooking Last-Mile Delivery

Many brands focus so much on getting orders out the door that they forget about the final leg of the journey. Last-mile delivery is often the most expensive and unpredictable part of the shipping process. If you’re using an rf remote control relay to manage your dispatch system, make sure it’s calibrated for peak-season volume.

A single missed delivery can feel like a faulty mhz gate controller that keeps a customer locked out of their package. Consider partnering with local couriers or using a gate rf controller to streamline drop-off points. For businesses dealing with Splash Pad Water Management equipment or other specialized items, having a wireless industrial controller for route optimization can save both time and money.

Ignoring Returns and Exchanges

The holidays are a peak season for returns. If your return policy is buried in fine print or your process is confusing, customers will remember it. A dc garage controller might open your warehouse door, but a smooth return process opens the door to repeat business.

Make your return policy clear, easy to find, and hassle-free. If you’re shipping items like a motor rf remote or an rf inching switch, provide pre-printed return labels and clear instructions. A seamless return experience builds trust—and trust is what turns one-time holiday shoppers into year-round customers.

This is a guest post by Callie Hinman, the Content Marketer & Writer at ShipStation, a leading provider of shipping software for ecommerce fulfillment. Callie is a proud graduate of the University of Texas and is staunchly committed to following Ann Handley’s Rule of FIWTSBS (“Find Interesting Ways to Say Boring Stuff”).