{"id":248223,"date":"2024-05-04T14:47:43","date_gmt":"2024-05-04T14:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stamps.com\/?p=248223"},"modified":"2024-05-29T14:20:32","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T14:20:32","slug":"guide-to-shipping-and-mailing-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stamps.com\/article\/guide-to-shipping-and-mailing-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"The Business Owner\u2019s Guide to Shipping and Mailing in 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The economy is showing some signs of healing. However, things are still fragile. The key is learning to accept the uncertainty of the financial landscape. That also includes understanding that consumers constantly change their expectations. Quite frankly, it\u2019s a lot for businesses to juggle, and adaptation isn\u2019t optional. <\/p>\n\n

A flexible mailing and shipping strategy is your best bet for this year. And, the best foundation for this strategy lies within Stamps.com. ShipStation has also created a 2024 Ecommerce Benchmark Report to help your business succeed. Here are tips for mailing and shipping in 2024 and beyond with the help of ShipStation and Stamps.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

Download the full report<\/a><\/h3>\n\n

Perfect your online presence<\/h2>\n\n

One of the overarching themes for 2024 is to meet your customers where they are. That includes meeting your customers online through your website and social media platforms<\/a>. Taking the time to develop an online presence expands your reach and finds a bigger audience. In fact, 48% of businesses plan to increase their marketing budget this year alone<\/a>. This means an online presence is no longer optional. <\/p>\n\n

However, 9% of businesses say that shortages of labor and materials are the biggest challenge to their growth<\/a>. With a small staff, it may seem impossible to maintain an online presence. The good news is that you can improve your social media game with a few minor tweaks. <\/p>\n\n

For example, check your contact information, logo, bio, and website. Do customers have access to all of the most updated information? Also, confirm that your address is displaying correctly. If customers can\u2019t locate your business, they can\u2019t use your services. <\/p>\n\n

Finally, consider investing in a social media scheduling program or scheduling posts in advance when and where you can. This way, customers will see consistent content when looking through your platforms. You can also set aside specific filming and\/or content creation times during the week. Your staff can then build a backlog of content without keeping them from their daily tasks.  <\/p>\n\n

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Utilize discounted premium delivery options <\/h2>\n\n

Customers can be categorized into two groups: digital natives and digital adopters. Digital natives are those under 45 who grew up with technology. Digital adopters are those who are over 45 and had to learn how to use technology. Within this generational divide comes a difference in delivery preferences. For example, 66% of digital adopters and 33% of digital natives said they would never pay for premium delivery services<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

While these groups have specific expectations, premium delivery options are sometimes the only option when sending important documents. To help combat premium delivery prices, Stamps.com provides our customers with discounted<\/a> rates. You can also compare rates in real time with our rate browser. Get the best rate and premium service every time, so time-sensitive documents arrive exactly when they need to. <\/p>\n\n

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