Scoprite i segreti del successo delle attività dirette al consumatore

Taking flight on the huge e-commerce scene can seem scary. But if you want to take the plunge without taking too many risks, there is a solution: dropshipping. 

This e-commerce practice, which has been very widespread in recent years, consists of commercial transactions involving 3 service providers:

• The customer
• The e-merchant (you)
• The wholesaler, or dropshipping supplier

But how does it work? Who are the players in the dropshipping market?

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1. Creating a dropshipping shop to sell your products: a good idea, or a big mistake?

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Dropshipping is a simplified online sales system which involves the e-commerce merchant acting as an intermediary between the customer and the e-commerce wholesaler.  

Thus, thanks to the development of merchant CMS and numerous marketplaces, dropshipping makes it possible to develop online commerce in its commercial dimension, without having to manage the production or logistics often involved in running an e-commerce business.

Today, between 22% and 33% of online stores practice dropshipping. Perhaps this is an opportunity not to be missed? Focus on dropshipping and its practical application!

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2. Using dropshipping for your webshop: how does it work? 

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The interest of dropshipping starts by understanding how it works and how it is implemented in the heart of the commercial system.

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How dropshipping works?

A dropshipping circuit is divided into 3 phases:

• Phase 1: a customer orders a product, for example a fancy mouse pad on an e-commerce site. The site manager is informed and notified of the purchase, and when the customer pays for the order, the e-merchant takes a commission.
• Phase 2: the e-merchant orders the mousepad from his supplier, who is at the origin of his production.
• Phase 3: the dropshipping supplier takes care of the logistics and delivery of the package, directly to the customer.

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The most obvious advantage of using dropshipping is that it fully delegates the logistical dimension of e-commerce.

As an e-merchant, you can then concentrate exclusively on the central part of your business - distance selling! You don't have to organize logistics, create packaging, choose a carrier, check the address, organize the tour, take care of stock management...

The only things you have to worry about are the transmission of the order, and the marketing and promotional dimension of the products you choose.

Quite simply, you don't create and deliver your products yourself - you simply promote the products made by the supplier of your choice. This may not be as simple as it sounds, but it helps you to not get lost when you're just starting out in e-commerce!

Basically, dropshipping allows you to dip your toe in the water before you dive in. And for longer than it seems!

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An on-point e-commerce solution, to create a store without managing products.

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In fact, dropshipping is a business model that has been used for a long time, by TV shows like Tele Shopping for example. The presenters promote certain products, and the TV channel gets a commission each time they manage to sell a product.

More recently, many marketplaces such as Rue du Commerce, Amazon, and eBay have exploited dropshipping without the general public necessarily realizing it. These platforms sell products offered by suppliers, and they take a commission for each sale made.

For young e-merchants who don't know where to start, dropshipping is a good solution. All you have to do is invest in a good CMS (content management system) to create a dropshipping site or an account on a marketplace, and that's it!

And to be able to start slowly is far from negligible. Indeed, it's not because you start on the e-commerce scene that you necessarily succeed. Fevad has counted more than 200,000 merchant sites in France in early 2019, and among these 200,000 sites, nearly 66% of them had a turnover of less than €3000 per month.

So dropshipping is positive for suppliers who multiply their sales channels without doing anything. But also for e-merchants, who can earn a commission on purchases without investing a penny!

Having said that, going into dropshipping implies having a certain knowledge of the market and the players present, in order to know the full extent of this activity.

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3. The dropshipping market: product suppliers and marketplaces

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Between product manufacturers and dropshippers, the dropshipping market is a vast playground. And the more players there are, the more the market expands. That's why over the years its access has been facilitated by the creation of platforms.

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Dropshipping suppliers

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The dropshipping market is fueled by suppliers and wholesalers - manufacturers who offer their own product catalogues. There are different types of wholesalers, depending on their field of activity and the quality of the products. 

Most of suppliers are, for example, generalists - they offer products of all categories, to ensure that the cyber buyer finds what he is looking for on their platform (pet shop, hygiene products, IT, etc.).

One of the many giants of international dropshipping is AliExpress, and you can find absolutely everything on its e-commerce sites. Webdrop is also a generalist marketplace, exclusively in French. 

Other platforms are specialized in particular fields. For example, Nova Engel only deals with the production of cosmetics, and Emuca Online deals only with accessories and furniture hardware. 

This way, dropshippers have a wide range of choices. A choice that is often summed up by: quantity of products, or quality?

In any case, if you decide to become a dropshipper, it is important to find an e-commerce supplier with whom you have good communication. Indeed, the dropshipper depends on the wholesaler, and vice versa. This means that your supplier's actions and decisions can have a significant impact on your dropshipping activity (for example, change in sales price, production stop, stock availability, etc.). 

To avoid wasting time working on the product sheets of an article that is no longer available, communication is key!

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Platforms to create your online shop

The more suppliers and dropshippers there are on the market, the better the dropshipping is. Its access is therefore increasingly facilitated by the development of ApplicationProgramming Interface (API), which allows certain affiliates to take over a supplier's entire catalogue.

Once you have selected the supplier and the products you are interested in, dropshipping is just a few clicks away.

To avoid investing in the creation of merchant websites, you can create your own e-commerce shop on specialized platforms such as the French marketplace, Dropizi, which has the particularity of working with major suppliers in the dropshipping market.

These established dropshipping platforms help you in your choice of the ideal supplier. They calculate different proposals and give you a result based on the reputation of the supplier according to reviews, the number of orders placed, the delivery times, etc.

To get a wider view and play immediately in the big league, you can register on larger platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce. They have very competent plugins (such as Oberlo for Shopify) to guide you in your choice of supplier.

The large marketplaces offer a wide choice of business models. You can get into e-commerce dropshipping right away or keep a foot in the "classic" profitable e-commerce by selling your own products.

Even though they create more opportunities for customers and growth, large marketplaces also mean strong competition. Many e-merchants are going into dropshipping on the largest platforms, hoping to prosper faster. Therefore, it is necessary to know how to stand out so that customers choose YOUR products!

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Bigblue tips: Whatever your expectations, make sure you select a platform that fits your needs and future plans. Whether you want to do dropshipping for the rest of your life or if it's just a temporary phase, your choice of platform will not be the same.

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Indeed, you must follow the regulations imposed by the platform you have chosen. However, some marketplaces have very strict dropshipping conditions which may not be in line with what you think: rigorous drafting of product sheets, prices, terms and conditions of sale, information given by the supplier, etc.

No matter what comes your way, keep your expectations and forecasts in mind, and choose the platform that suits you best!

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Selling your products in dropshipping: the advantages

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Dropshipping is at the peak of popularity. Indeed, its theoretical advantages for both young and established e-merchants are almost undeniable!

It is an excellent business solution for testing the reaction of your potential customers to the arrival of a new product. For example, if you sell computer chairs and the fancy mouse pad, dropshipping could be a way to try to expand into this market.

All you have to do is offer the item on your site and see whether orders are coming in or not. If you don't have any orders for a predefined period of time, there's no point in investing in a whole sale purchase of mousepads. On the contrary, if you have a lot of orders, you should go for it!

Dropshipping is a real test of the market reality and it's almost free of charge. It can be ideal if you want to widen your product range as it does not imply any financial investment for you as the e-merchant.

This business model is based on the just-in-time principle, which means that there is no overstock to manage for you (unless you choose to work with a push-flow rather than pull-flow supplier, in which case you have to take on the storage costs).

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Bigblue tips: If you want to get into dropshipping but don't know what product to sell, maybe it's worth entering a niche market.The competition is bound to be less tough, even if you attract fewer customers.

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You can also opt for better suppliers who are geographically close to you. This reduces delivery times AND the prices that customers will have to pay. So, more chances to sell products, without reducing your commission!

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4. The world of dropshipping in your own ecommerce shop: why not you?  

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Dropshipping is a simplified way to access e-commerce. If you start in the world of dropshipping, you take the burden of production, logistics and delivery off your hands. You only have to concentrate on marketing, product promotion and order transmission.

Dropshipping is a business model that can also be of interest to e-merchants who are well established in the market. Indeed, it is an excellent way to test the compatibility of a product and a market with a customer base. All this without the need to invest up stream since the idea is to promote another person's products.

Getting involved in dropshipping involves maintaining a sales site on the internet, whether it's a website or an account on a marketplace. If you prefer the second option, take your time when choosing your sales platform. The regulations of the latter may affect your future projects.

To take advantage of the benefits offered by dropshipping, don't rush - study all your options!

1. Facebook shops - a major novelty in internet commerce

The Facebook group found that, following the pandemic, nearly one third of small e-merchants in the United States have ceased their activity. With the physical closure of many businesses and a sudden surge in online purchases, Facebook decided to create a sales platform to help small businesses that have suffered from the imposed restrictions and that are struggling to recover.

A few years ago, Facebook set up a Marketplace to facilitate the exchange of products between individuals. But with Facebook Shops, it's something else again! 

From the easy and free access tot his new feature to the creation of a new cryptography, the Facebook group strikes a big blow. Perhaps to the detriment of e-commerce leaders (Shopify, Amazon...). Focus on this new feature of e-commerce!

2. How to sell your physical products via Facebook?

This is the very first time that a market place is directly and exclusively linked to a social media platform. From the interface to promotions, through to customer service, with Facebook Shops, everything is different!

Customizing the Facebook Shops interface

The main feature of Facebook Shops, which is likely to catch the eye of many e-merchants is its accessibility and the fact that it's free of charge.

Indeed, the creation of an online and customizable shop on Facebook Shops does not involve any expense or investment. And the process is quite simple!

The principle of Facebook Shops is to create pages for commercial purposes accessible on Instagram and Facebook, without having to go through the e-commerce shop of a company. The idea is that you only need to create a professional Facebook account dedicated to your business, without having to invest in the creation of an e-commerce site.

For example, if you sell notebooks. All you need to do is create a professional Facebook account in the name of your business. Then you just have to create a collection, with product photos, prices, descriptions, names, and it's done! Then, you can publish it when ever you want.

You can even create all your collection catalogues in advance and publish them whenever you want.

The men's clothing brand Octobre is currently promoting its summer collection using a shop to sell on Facebook.Launching a store on Facebook Shops is completely free, unless customers choose the check-out option (quick payment), in which case a small commission will be charged by Facebook.

These innovations are of particular benefit to entrepreneurs who are just starting out in the e-commerce market.With a Facebook Shop, you don't need to invest in the creation of an e-commerce site, which can sometimes be complicated to manage, saving you time and money!

Spontaneity to take care of your new customers

Since the buyer is not necessarily referred to the company's e-commerce site, the question of the quality of customer service may occur. But in reality, customer service in a Facebook Shop is almost as simple as in a classic shop!

For example, if your customers need advice or clarification on a product, they can contact you spontaneously via WhatsApp, Messenger, and even Instagram Direct.

Then, you or your sales people respond to the buyer as quickly as possible. This mode has all the advantages of an online sale combined with those of a physical shop!

The increasing role of influencers in marketing a product

Immediate customer service isn't the only good thing about a Facebook shop. Indeed, being exclusively online and linked to social networks, the promotion of your products can be easily facilitated.

In a world where the role played by influencers is becoming more and more important, creating an online shop on social media is about combining the useful with the pleasant. With the creation of Facebook Shops, you have the opportunity to make direct partnerships with influencers.

In other words, they can tag your products directly on photos, videos, or lives. Thus, their community of followers only has to click on the tag to be redirected to your shop where they can buy the promoted product that caught their eye.

In addition to the visual presentation and immediate promotion of your products, you benefit from an optimized ease of access since there is a direct link between a Facebook photo or a Facebook video and your shop.

When it comes to improving conversion rate, Facebook has got it right! What's more, the social networking giant doesn't intend to stop there, as many plans for the future are on the way.

3. A preview of a new optimized version

A recently released innovation, Facebook Shops is still in the development phase and it is being tested in the United States, the birthplace of its founder.

But many projects are in progress:from the improvement of the platform itself to an Instagram shop via a new crypto currency, the Facebook group is looking further!

Marketing products via instant messaging

Although some of the functionalities of Facebook e-commerce sites are still under development, this does not prevent the teams from anticipating future improvements.

Indeed, Mark Zuckerberg is already considering the possibility for buyers to proceed with payment directly from a Messenger or Instagram chat conversation. In this way, purchasing will be almost entirely automated in order to facilitate decision-making.

In addition, Facebook is in the process of developing the integration of corporate loyalty programs. This will attract online shoppers and make them want to come back!

The opening of an Instagram Virtual Store

Besides extending the functionality of Shops, the Facebook group wants to apply this principle to Instagram as well. A social network that has been growing for many years, it is the most popular social network for the majority of the population. So why stop at Facebook? 

Starting this summer, the Facebook group plans to launch Instagram Shops in the United States, and it will be based on the same concept as the first social network.

Since both networks belong to the same group, the idea is that you can publish your new collection on Instagram and on Facebook at the same time, with just one click. Of course, you can also choose to publish your collections on only one social network!

The principle of Instagram Shops is exactly the same and it would work with the same features. Having said that, creating two new marketplaces on social networks doesn't stop there. Facebook also had to think about overcoming financial obstacles to expand internationally.

The new unified cryptocurrency and means of payment

With the participation of 28 major companies and NGOs, the Facebook group has initiated the creation of a new crypto currency in June 2019, named Libra. If the idea is not met with opposition from financial regulators, Libra should be up and running by the end of 2020.

The creation of a new virtual currency will facilitate large-scale trade. The principle would be to buy virtual tokens with real money, and to exchange these tokens as products. That way, there will be no additional costs for international transactions.

To go even further, Facebook has embarked on the creation of a new virtual wallet, under the name Novi. It is designed to work in connection with the Libra currency, and would allow you to make a transfer as easily as sending a message. Facebook says that there are no hidden fees, and that the risks of fraud are limited by identity verification.

Like PayPal, Lydia or Pumpkin, Novi is a wallet linked to the bank account of the cyber-buyer. The only difference being that Novi works with Libra - therefore, there is no currency conversion to be made for international payments.

These innovative developments, from anew cryptocurrency to the virtual wallet, are breaking down the financial barriers for international trade. Clearly, the goal of the Facebook group is to expand Facebook Shops on a large scale and to achieve international export, without limits and without borders. 

4. Facebook Shops - the art of creating an e-commerce in just a few clicks 

With the hardships caused byCovid-19, various brands have experienced a digital boom in the past 8 weeks that normally would have taken 5 years in the absence of the crisis. Taking advantage of this momentum and the flood of internet orders, the Facebook group has changed the rules of e-commerce. 

In order to help smaller e-merchants who have just started up their business to recover from the economic downturn, Facebook has created a commercial feature directly on the social network. With no currency or transaction cost barriers, companies will be able to manage their business and sell directly from their Facebook page.

The desire of the social network world leader is to unify the market and proceed with trouble-free internationalization. By working hand in hand with Shopify and other e-commerce leaders, Facebook is pointing out that the delivery and logistics of this international trade is dependent on e-merchants.

Once you've connected with an international audience through a Facebook shop, working with a specialist logistician can allow you to fully develop your business on the international stage. Surrounding yourself with professionals is a long-term investment!

1. Adopting responsible behaviour on a daily basis with green sourcing

From the choice of raw materials to the manufacturing process via the country of manufacture, everything can have an influence on your environmental impact.

As part of your eco-logistics approach, going through local production and using materials that are geographically close is a mandatory step. But is it really worthwhile to produce locally?

To answer this question, Bigblue interviewed three e-commerce brands with different logistics approaches:

• Cabaïa: An eco-friendly e-commerce brand specializing in textile accessories (hats, socks, backpacks, pouches...). Their objective is to improve processes and to use recyclable materials to reduce their ecological footprint.‍

• Né à: A company selling dermo-cosmetics for newborns, Né à provides eco-responsible products that can be used in clinics and purchased online. Their primary concern: the transparency of its dermo-cosmetics. Né à only produces in France  and makes it an obligation to respect ecological certifications and to use 100% eco-responsible packaging.‍

• Loom: An e-commerce brand for men's clothing, Loom's goal is to make clothing as durable as possible, at affordable prices. The manufacturing process is designed to ensure the longevity of the textile, while respecting the environment.

The production processes of these three brands are all geared towards environmental protection and eco-responsibility.Affirming the environmental and ethical commitment of your e-commerce may involve making certain choices and adapting your production logistics to the circumstances.

From production made in Europe to the transport of goods via multimodality, reducing your impact on the environment is possible!

2. Reducing environmental impacts: production made in Europe

Manufacturing in Europe can be much less polluting than producing your goods abroad. That said, producing in Europe and even worldwide is not always an option, even if you can make the most of the situation to be more environmentally responsible.

The ecolabel and the sustainable approach of your e-commerce

Obtaining sustainable European labels for your e-commerce brand is a good way to assert your ethical orientation. Oeko-Tex, Bluedesign, PVC Free... There is a whole range of labels that allow your consumers to find out more about your manufacturing priorities.

Whether it is for the traceability of ingredients, the origin of raw materials or working conditions, having a European eco-label allows you to lock in certain guarantees and ensure the transparency of your brand. 

For example, the entire production chain from Né à is Ecocert certified from the supplier to the client. Thus, consumers who buy a Né à product know that they are choosing organic, traditional fair-trade products.

Similarly, Cabaïa manufactures flip-flops inAsia, due to the lack of factories and expertise in France. Not being covered by an eco-label, the brand ensures it works with eco-responsible partners, certified Fair Wear, GOTS (organic textiles), GRS (recycling processes) and BSI (environmentally friendly products).

In addition to being part of a positive ecological approach, the labels allow you to communicate easily with your buyers. By ordering from you they know what to expect. An ecological attitude is always better than a polluting and disrespectful image! 

The environmental ethical trend of eco-friendly exports

Manufacturing abroad does not necessarily mean an ethical ecological disaster. In fact, no matter how committed you are to the environment, you may be forced to export your production line abroad depending on the types of products you sell. But this does not necessarily call into question your environmental policy as a committed brand.

To take the example of the French brand Né à, which manufactures its products exclusively in France: this is possible because the expertise and dermo-cosmetics factories are located in France. Otherwise, the company might have been forced to relocate its ethical production.

Similarly, Loom prefer to export the manufacturing of their clothing and accessories to Portugal, the cradle of the textile industry. Production is governed by European laws which ensure the quality of production and working conditions. Not to mention the fact thatLoom's teams can go out into the field at any time to see the reality and challenges of the market. During an interview with Bigblue, Clément Potier fromLoom said "Going on site is worth all the audits in the world".

In a more extreme case, Cabaïa was forced to export to Asia to manufacture flip-flops due to the lack of expertise and factories in France. Having said that, its choice of partner and its ecological labels Oeko-Tex and Vegan make it easy to understand that exporting is not synonymous with significant pollution.

Thus, exporting manufacturing abroad does not necessarily mean that an e-commerce company does not monitor their production and the reality of the circumstances. You can therefore export your logistics, while demonstrating corporate social responsibility.

3. The right mode of transport is essential in your eco-responsible and ethical approach 

Beyond the location of the manufacturing factory, other stages of the supply chain such as the transport of goods can have a substantial impact on the carbon footprint of your e-commerce. The choice between air, road, rail or sea can be complicated!

Sustainable commitment without air travel

Aircrafts live up to their reputation as the second most polluting form of freight transport. While the use of air freight is justifiable in the case of transporting perishable goods or in the case of emergency deliveries, it remains a real ecological disaster.

Fortunately, only 5% of freight flows are carried by air. It is an expensive means of transport, not very environmentally friendly and subject to delays.

Products transported by air are often checked, which can slow down deliveries and limit the number of journeys made.

That said, these restrictions do not prevent some fast fashion brands from sending their orders by air to work on a just-in-time basis. In total contrast to Loom's ethical principles, large companies tend to constantly create new collections. This has major environmental consequences, since 4% of the world's drinking water is used for their production. Not to mention the fact that the goods are brought in by plane to end up amongst the 4 million tons of textiles that are thrown away every year in Europe! 

As Lorraine Borriello, Director of Operations at Cabaïa, says, "Even though it is an ecological and environmentally friendly product, the less you produce the better". Especially when it hast o be shipped by plane!

Road, sea and rail routes: balancing environmental impacts

Fortunately, planes are not the only means of transporting goods, there are still trucks, boats and trains.

Road transport:

Road transport handles 90% of the flow of goods and is therefore responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. The use of the truck is very convenient. The routes are adaptable according to requirements and linking the axes together is not impossible. In addition, it is possible to wait for orders to accumulate before setting off with a truck: ecologically advantageous and economically advantageous! 

That said, even if it is a practical and environmentally friendly method, trucks still emit extremely polluting micro-particles into the air. Additionally, they can be slowed down by traffic and create bottlenecks on the roads themselves.

Much more eco-friendly than the airplane, road transport is used by Né à, Cabaïa and Loom. Rejecting the idea of express transport, Loom said, "We sell socks, we don't save lives. People can wait another 48 or 72 hours".

The boat:

Holding 10 to 15 times more goods than a truck, the boat is an excellent, less polluting alternative. Cabaïa and Loom both bring their products and raw materials by boat, which takes more time than by plane but is much greener.

Boat trips are not empty, and all goods can be delivered safely. In fact, for every 200 accidents related to the transport of goods, only 1 involves a ship. Whether by sea or inland waterway, boats may be slower, but they are safer and less polluting (even if the use of the wrong fuel can lead to the release of micro-particles).

The train:

A very good alternative to boats and even trucks, the use of railways is much more eco-responsible because it emits less CO2. In addition, the energy used to power the train can be electric and green. 

More and more railway lines reserved for goods are being developed. For example, in 2011 the China-Europe Railway Express was launched. This is a railway line covering several thousand kilometres which connects China to many European countries, including France.

The train option is twice as expensive as the boat, but half as expensive as the plane. That being said, we don't necessarily know the source of the electricity that powers the boat: coal, nuclear, green?

4. Multimodality: a solution for an environmentally friendly company?

Each means of goods transport has its advantages and disadvantages from an ecological point of view. For you re-commerce brand, the ultimate solution does not necessarily lie in a single means of transport but perhaps in several.

By combining the advantages of several means of transport, you can give priority to efficient delivery but also to the preservation of the environment. Multimodality could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% nationally.

In addition to its ecological efficiency, combined transport also makes it possible to customize routes according to requirements and to optimize them from an economic point of view. This may not be negligible in the long term!

However, it does require a certain amount of organization to change each journey and to calculate the most worthwhile means of transport according to the routes. To relieve you of this burden, calling in a professional logistics firm can be an appropriate solution.

Whatever your choice, selecting the modes of transport has a direct impact on your ecological charter.

5. Assert your environmental approach with the ecological solutions that suit you!

As an e-commerce business, it is sometimes impossible to produce all goods in France. Depending on the types of products you sell, you may find yourself forced to export your production abroad to get closer to a specific area of expertise or a manufacturing plant.

But exporting is not necessarily an ecological disaster! Even if you don't have the choice of location, you have the choice of means.

Make sure that the production of goods is done in the greenest possible way. Find out about eco-labels, follow environmental guidelines and, above all, select the right means of transport.

However, the right means of transport will not always be the same for every journey. To avoid unnecessary pollution, you can use the principles of multimodality. Use a truck, barge, boat and/or train to optimize your journey, without emitting too many greenhouse gases!

In all cases, you can choose to work with a logistics specialist who listens to you, takes your priorities into consideration and adapts to the situation.

From the production site to the means of transport, you have all the cards in your hand to go green sourcing!

1. Which delivery options are available for any order placed?

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When offering different delivery services to your customers, you can of course select classic deliveries, partnering with the biggest companies on the market (La Poste, UPS, Chronopost...).

That said, it is important to keep in mind that 82% of online shoppers abandoned their basket because they found the delivery options unsatisfactory. In other words: the devil is not only in the details, but also in the diversification!

It is therefore better to offer a wide range of delivery options to increase your chances of getting it right. But how can you choose a delivery service without making a mistake? We help you find the right shoe for you! 

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The "classic" modes of delivery, the cornerstone of logistics

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Nearly 98% of consumers are willing to re-order from a site if the delivery went well. When it comes to functional delivery, it's all about proper delivery!

When you choose delivery services for your e-commerce site, you can rely on the comfort and reliability of the classic options that have been in place for years: home delivery and delivery at a pick-up point. 

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Home delivery service

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Home delivery is the preferred option inFrance, which has won the hearts of 62% of cyber-buyers. It has the advantage of avoiding customer shaving to travel to pick up their parcel at a collection point and it can be delivered quickly. Since the product is delivered directly to their door, customers often choose home delivery for large items.

That said, home delivery also has its flaws.From an ecological point of view, the last kilometre is the most polluting and costly stage of the delivery process.

Moreover, for a home delivery to be successful, the recipient must be present at the time of delivery. However, delivery companies often indicate a wide delivery timeframe, during which customers may not be able to stay at home.

For example, if one of your customers orders a pair of cufflinks for a wedding that's taking place in a few days, there is a good chance they won't be home at the time of delivery. The pair of cufflinks then goes back to La Poste's warehouse or directly to yours. This is why e-shoppers tend to choose another solution.

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Parcel shipping and delivery at a pick-up point

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A service that 68% of consumers would like to see among the delivery options: the Relay Point! While only 34% of e-merchants offer this option, delivery at a relay point is a good compromise between speed and security.

It's a relatively convenient option, as your customers select the nearest delivery point to their home or workplace. After delivery, they have 7 to 14 days to pick up their package before it is sent back to your warehouse.

In addition to being fast, delivery to a relay point has the advantage of being completely secure thanks to the signature system. To use the cufflinks hypothesis: if ordering a pair of valuable cufflinks, relay point delivery is an excellent option. All the customer has todo is go to the relay point, show their ID card, sign and that’s it!

Unfortunately, even though security reassures consumers, delivery at a delivery point is not perfect. Customers depend on the opening hours of the intermediate point. If they work during these hours, it is impossible to pick up the parcel unless they sign a power of attorney with a relative.

Both of these options have proven their worth, but they are not without risks. Not only may your client not receive their cufflinks on time, but they may not be able to pick them up because of lack of flexibility in their schedule.

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2. Innovative solutions: on the path to efficient and personalized delivery!

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To overcome the flaws of conventional delivery systems, carriers have implemented innovations that are ideal for adapting to the needs of your customers.

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The express delivery service

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For 70% of Internet users, receiving the package within the day is a key criterion. As an e-merchant, it is complicated to offer express delivery via large transport companies. But not if you use delivery platforms that focus on speed!

Weeship, for example, makes its carriers available instantly. Your customer simply places an order for their cufflinks: you prepare the package and are connected to a Weeship carrier in just a few clicks.

The carrier will pick up the package(geolocated) in line with your terms, and as soon as it is picked up, an advalorem insurance applies. The carrier will then deliver the package to your customer's home and send you the proof of delivery. Simple and efficient!  

That said, express deliveries can sometimes increase the number of returns to the sender. To avoid this, remember to deliver the order by appointment! 

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Delivery by appointment

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Many customers have been forced to take a day off, waiting for the delivery man all day long and ending up with a delivery note in their hands. That's why 80% of online shoppers prefer delivery by appointment!

You can set up a home delivery option that allows customers to reserve a specific time slot, instead of waiting through out the day for delivery. For example, Mister Pasha is a delivery platform that works in partnership with many brands. The operation is simple: your cufflink customer selects Mister Pasha. When placing an order, they enter the delivery address provided by Mister Pasha, reserved in their name.

The carrier of your choice delivers the cufflinks to Mister Pasha, who notifies your customer of the reception. That's when the magic happens: Mister Pasha's carriers pick up your customer's package and deliver it where they want, when they want with real-time parcel tracking!

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Continue to deliver safely, even when a customer is absent

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Despite their flexibility, these two solutions always have a drawback: your customer must be at home at the time of delivery. Additionally, even with appointment scheduling, you may find yourself unable to receive the package directly. Fortunately, thanks to Save My Packet it is now possible to combine security and convenience! Recently patented, it is a protective net that your delivery man can put in place if the customer is not at home.

The delivery man places the package in the safety net, slides the safety strip under the door of the customer's home andin a few minutes the package is safe! The customer receives an alert warning that his package has arrived and he will just have to unclip it when he comes back home.

In addition to allowing deliveries in the absence of your customers, the Save My Packet method provides proof of delivery through a QR Code scanned by the delivery man.

However, no matter which innovative solution you choose, its application requires a logistical organization. Why not make it more lean? 

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Place the delivery order with a logistics company

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Offering several delivery options means contacting different carriers and organizing different logistics processes.

To avoid getting your hands dirty, you can outsource your entire home delivery management to a logistics specialist. For example, Bigblue takes care of all your orders from its many warehouses. As well as handling your orders from A to Z with the packaging of your choice, Bigblue's expertise allows you to keep a close eye on your stock and track your parcels anywhere in the world.

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Bigblue tips: Regardless of your delivery options, 95% of online shoppers regret that the information is not present earlier in the purchasing process. So don't hesitate to highlight it on the homepage of your website!

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Innovative logistics solutions bring new heights of customer satisfaction. But which solution is THE solution for YOU?

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3. The right delivery solution for your business

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37% of consumers who have a bad delivery experience blame the seller's site. To avoid negative feedback, it is important to offer delivery services that are adapted to your e-commerce.

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Do you have fewer than 200 orders per month?

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If you send less than 200 parcels per month, a one-off contract with a logistics platform may be sufficient. For example you can use Sendcloud or Boxtal and establish short-term contracts.

The advantage of these logistics platforms is that you have control over the organization of the delivery, the choice of services and rates. All you have to do is fill in the consignment, and let the carriers chosen by the platform take care of the pick-up and delivery of your parcels. Basically, once the package is handed over to the carrier, you have nothing more to do!

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Do you send between 200 and 5,000 packages a month?

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For e-businesses with more exchanges, creating personalized contracts becomes interesting. We advise you to use a logistics company who takes care of all your deliveries, from A to Z.

Outsourcing allows you to free yourself from the burden and rely on the reliability of a professional. You don't waste time negotiating contracts and selecting the right transport service for each delivery, your logistics company takes care of everything!

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Do you receive more than 5,000 orders per month?

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If your business generates more than 5,000 orders per month, a well-oiled delivery process becomes a necessity. Depending on your customers' preferences, you can then propose innovative solutions and obtain your own contracts with local or international carriers.

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Bigblue tips: You can share your parcel shipments with other e-merchants. If you sign mass contracts with carriers, you will be able to negotiate rates and your prices will decrease at breakneck speed. The more parcels you send, the more likely you are to get a better price!

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4. And you, which delivery method will you choose?

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Transport and delivery are the last but not least steps in the logistics of your e-commerce! It is the ultimate impression your customers will have of you.

Whether your company is a VSE, an SME or a large corporation, the importance of delivery does not diminish. Don't hesitate to offer your customers a range of delivery options to make sure you're aiming for the right result.

From traditional processes to innovative deliveries, there is a delivery service to suit the size of your organization and your budget. All you have to do is find out which one!

1. New technologies equal sustainable commitments?

Not all companies act the same way, and not all companies have the time to focus on creating beneficial solutions. That's exactly where technology comes in!

Implementing new technological processes that use less energy and produce less pollution can improve your environmental footprint and user experience. From the creation of your website to the choice of delivery method, you have a whole range of technological options to help you become more eco-responsible.

2. The ecological commitments of your e-commerce and technological innovations

According to a study by Fevad, e-commerce alone represents more than 9% of all retail trade in France. Undoubtedly, the French are not ready to stop ordering on the internet!

But between production, packaging design, delivery and possible returns, e-commerce has a growing impact on the environment. In France, 24% of products ordered on the internet are returned -not exactly an eco-friendly phenomenon! One of the most obvious solutions for limiting returns is to offer a better visualization of the products you sell. Whether it's in the form of algorithms or applications, new technologies are there to help you! 

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Connected beauty

One of the main sources of returned goods: clothing. The size doesn't fit, the style doesn't match, the colour is wrong...There are so many reasons that push your buyers to return purchased products, or to ask for an exchange. Result: instead of one road trip, a single purchase may require two or three trips.

To limit the risks, the Fitle application allows customers to create their own online avatar which they can use to virtually try on the clothes. This way, there are no unpleasant surprises when they arrive. And if there are noun pleasant surprises, there are no returns!

In the cosmetics industry, the story is the same. Let's take the example of a customer who buys a red lipstick on your e-commerce site. Upon receiving the lipstick, she discovers that the lipstick color is a bit more coral than expected. It's impossible to escape it: the lipstick comes back.

To avoid these situations, L'Oréal has launched its Makeup Genius application. Consumers simply turn on their front camera and select the makeup they like. Lipstick, mascara, foundation, and eye shadow are then applied virtually to the user's face, giving a precise idea of how they will look in reality.

Gradually, the development of these connected beauty platforms is allowing small brands to become more accessible. Customers are no longer afraid to innovate and buy on the internet since they can get a realistic preview of the product. No more disappointment, no more returns!

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Reducing your environmental impact with Augmented Reality

Another solution to minimize the environmental impact of referrals is the use of augmented reality. ASOS has developed See My Fit. Even easier to use than virtual fitting, this visualization application allows you to see a product worn by different models. Your customers then select the size worn by the mannequin whose body type is closest to their own.

And to go even further in technological advancements, ASOS has created an algorithm that calculates customer's ideal clothing sizes. Depending on your buyers' measurements, their preferences and the nature of the product you are selling, their ideal size is proposed. Easy and efficient!

Ikea has expanded the use of Augmented Reality, adapting it to decoration and real estate. Before that, customers had to go to a store to inspect a piece of furniture, envisage how it would like at home, and then return to the warehouse to pick it up or have it delivered. Already three return trips, often by car, to potentially buy a furniture - hello greenhouse gas emissions!

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To alleviate this problem, Ikea now offers Augmented Reality on their merchant sites. Customers simply need to open the camera on their tablet or smartphone and place the furniture virtually in their living room. Then all they have to do is order!

In addition to customer service, Augmented Reality can be very interesting in managing the warehouse of your e-commerce. The use of Google Glass by employees who run order processes and the warehouse increases productivity by 25%. It enables faster and more reliable order picking and stock management - perfect for limiting energy consumption and preventing wasted time.

In addition to being beneficial for your turnover and user experience, the new technologies reduce CO2 emissions and limit unnecessary transport of goods. Real environmental benefits!

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Technological optimisation of logistics, aiming for zero waste

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According to an ECN study, companies an de-traders that integrate artificial intelligence technology software into their logistics processes increase their margins by approximately 5%.

To save time and reduce your environmental footprint, algorithms and technologies are useful at every stage of your logistics process. For example, DHL provides a CO2 emissions calculation algorithm for its customers. This enables them to make an informed choice when it comes to delivery mode. Take the example of your customer who wants to buy a red lipstick: don't just indicate the difference in price between express and standard delivery. Specify that express delivery emits much more CO2 than standard delivery. Your buyer may then realise that he or she can limit the environmental impact of his or her purchase with just one click.

Once the order has been placed by your customer, it's up to you! If you want to put an emphasis on green logistics, it is preferable that your transport vehicles are not empty. In order to optimize your transport logistics, try to amortize all trips. You can use software such as Cape Pack, which helps you with the palletizing and packaging of your products. Having packaging adapted to the size of the product to reduce waste and organizing pallets to make each trip profitable will thus reduce your environmental footprint.

You can also create partnerships with companies that have adopted the same ecological approach as your own. In this way, your environmental policy is consistent from A to Z. That's why Bigblue works with International Paper, a cardboard supplier that has been awarded a number of eco-labels. 95% of our packaging comes from environmentally-friendly production!

By using these applications and software at your own scale, you can go green with your e-commerce while improving user experience.

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3. The tools for more environmentally-friendly data management

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By 2040, information and communication technologies could be responsible for more than 14% of greenhouse gas emissions. And by 2025, data centres will consume nearly 20% of all available electricity. But as an e-commerce manager, you can do your part to reduce the impact on the environment as much as possible!

Data management and storage is important for all businesses, including yours. But there are solutions that you can implement on your end to manage your data in an eco-responsible way. Data is powerful, but it's not exempt from good environmental practices.

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Eco-responsibility of the last mile

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The last mile before delivery is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions and is also the most expensive stage in the delivery process. Not to mention that home deliveries often fall through: absent recipient, wrong address, etc.

More resilient data management may be the right solution to address the devastating environmental impact caused by these problems. Antsroute has looked at this issue and has developed software that allows information to be changed in real-time. Organizing delivery routes according to the geography of cities and the presence of the recipients, making appointments, availability of delivery drivers... Enough to make an efficient and ecological delivery route, even in the case of unforeseen delays!

For this purpose, Bigblue has also created an algorithm to correct faulty delivery addresses. Thanks to the development of new technologies, you can organize your logistics, manage hazards and respect your environmental commitments. More efficiency and fewer product returns! 

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Protect the environment by choosing a green hosting provider

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Like all websites, your e-commerce site will have consumed a lot of electricity since its creation. All data and web pages are stored on a server, which is far from meeting current environmental requirements. The data centers use rare and non-renewable materials for them to run in constant operation. They create heat, and since data centers are so large, they require powerful air conditioning to keep them cool and in working order.In short, the mechanics of running a website is a real ecological nightmare. 

To reduce the negative environmental impact of your site, you can take action into your own hands. Do not just choose any host for your e-commerce site - make sure it has an ecological charter. Some web hosts use mostly green electricity, which is a more natural way to build and maintain websites.

It is important to keep in mind that one website can be more eco-friendly than another. From the host, to site activity, through to its use, the energy consumption of a website is more or less important. To consume less, it is preferable to create a lightweight site with optimized images. If you are unable to calculate the amount of energy your website consumes, you can use the algorithms provided on the Wattimpact site.It gives you an overview of your power consumption and practical advice on how to adopt a more efficient ecological attitude. Boost the environmental performance of your e-commerce site!

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4. What if you became an eco-friendly company too?

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Regardless of the size of your company, there are always ways to reduce your environmental impact. To help you facilitate your eco-responsible approach, new technologies are being mobilized.

From data management to pure logistics, through to the optimization of a website, everyone can have a positive eco-balance sheet. By using eco-responsible applications and software, you can reduce your environmental footprint while improving the user experience. A green commitment that benefits everyone!

1. How to successfully export goods to Switzerland?

One of the particularities of Swiss e-shoppers is that they are highly outward looking when it comes to buying online. According to a study by E-commerce Nation, more than 61% of internet purchases come from foreign suppliers. So why not from your own company? 

Even though the Swiss market is open, a successful implementation is not an easy task. In Switzerland, the logistics rules are quite different which can be an obstacle to your integration.

Becoming a cross-border e-commerce seller means adapting your entire website to the many Swiss particularities: language, currency, delivery times, costs... And entering this market without understanding the regulations can be risky for your brand image and for your turnover.

To help you enter the Swiss market successfully, here are a few tips to consider!

2. Internal changes: small site update before exports  

Before you export across the Swiss border, it is important to modify several internal elements of your e-commerce site. Indeed, the import regulations are not the same as in France.Having goods delivered in Switzerland requires good organisation and several official declarations.

3. Customs documents

One of the first things to look into is the documents and declarations that need to be completed for delivery to Switzerland. 

Exporting to a foreign country (outside the European Customs Union) is regulated by specific rules:you must obtain an EORI number, declare the goods, etc. And as Switzerland is not part of the European Union, customs formalities are particularly strict!

Before even approving the delivery to Switzerland, please make sure that you can provide all the information required by the customs service. First of all, you should obtain an EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification)number from your regional customs office. This is an identification number required for all commercial transactions in and out of the European Union.

Besides your EORI number, you must attach the CN 23 customs declaration (available from La Poste) and a certificate of valuation (a bill, for example) to your package. This declaration must be easily accessible to the customs services. 

Here's what it should contain:

• Your EORI number‍‍
• The sender and recipient information: addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, etc.‍
• The VAT number
• The product HS code which indicates the price category of the goods.‍
• Content description
• The Incoterms which defines the responsibilities of the sender and the recipient in case of a problem.
• The value of the product in Swiss Francs

Once completed, simply attach the declaration to the side of the package to allow customs agents to consult it easily. And that's it!

Bigblue Tip: These steps may seem time-consuming and difficult, but it is essential to carry them out each time to ensure the proper delivery of your package. In order to avoid forgetting, -remember to make an exhaustive to-do list of shipping conditions.  

Make sure you have the necessary number of copies of the CN23 customs declaration to attach to the package. Depending on the country, you can be asked to provide up to 7 copies of them!

Alternatively, you can rely on a logistics partner who can provide tailor-made offers and take care of customs procedures. By working with a logistician who knows the ins and outs ofSwiss customs rules, you are free from the burdens of heavy responsibility.Bigblue, for instance, does this automatically.

3. Adjusting the language to improve comprehension

Respect for customs procedures is no guarantee of a successful establishment in Switzerland on its own. From a more commercial angle, it is also important to adapt your e-commerce site based on the customers you are targeting - starting with the language of your website!

Four different languages are spoken throughout Switzerland: German, French, Italian and Romansh. And even if the Swiss are fluent in English, adjusting the language of your e-commerce site is an excellent way to boost your conversion rate.

To make the whole process easier, you can use translation software such as Weglot. This way, you expand the range of potential customers while ensuring that your delivery and return policy is understood!

Bigblue tip: If you manage to establish yourself in Switzerland, don't neglect to set up a newsletter! Contrary to theFrench, 79% of Swiss e-commerce subscribers have already purchased products following receipt of an offer by email. This could certainly be a good avenue to explore!

4. Using different currencies to facilitate international trade

The currency proposed at checkout can cause shopping cart abandonment. Let's take the example of aBernese customer who orders a pair of shoes from your French e-commerce site.Your site is written in German, the canton's official language. But when it comes making his payment, the customer realizes that he can only pay in Euros. This immediately turns him off because according to his banking contract, all foreign currency payments involve additional charges. What's more, he has no idea what the Euro's exchange rate is. In doubt, he abandons his shopping cart.

To avoid this scenario, be sure to adapt your rates and currency of payment to the geographical area of your customers. For example, you can opt for Shopify's multi-currency and multi-shop options. It is then possible to select different currencies, such as the Euro and the Swiss franc, which can be used on the same e-commerce site. The conversion is done automatically (usingIP address location) or manually (in the form of a drop-down menu), and take into account the exchange rate in real time.

Bigblue tip: Don't forget to offer different payment methods! According to an Ecommerce News magazine study, one of the main reasons for shopping cart abandonment is the lack of a Swiss customer's preferred means of payment. So don't hesitate to offer payment by credit card and PayPal, but also by platforms exclusive to Switzerland, such as PostFinance. By adapting to Swiss buying behaviour, you massively increase your chances of successful integration!

5. Changes for customers: transparency in the export process

Before offering delivery inSwitzerland, it is important to learn about the regulations and adapt your e-commerce site to the customers you are targeting. But make sure you also communicate about any changes related to an international delivery!

Otherwise, any potential delays and additional costs will inevitably lead to negative comments.

Delivery time for exported goods

Delivery times are always subject to the unpredictability of transport. And even more when your package crosses the borders of a non-Customs Union country!

With import rules being different and strict, customs controls may take longer. To avoid any misunderstanding, it is strongly advised to have an entire page of your website dedicated to shipping conditions in Switzerland. When specifying delivery times, be sure to take into account any unexpected events.  

Let's take again the hypothesis of your customer and his pair of shoes, and imagine that you forgot to attach the CN 23 declaration to his package. When it arrives at Swiss customs, several scenarios are possible if the declaration cannot be found.Either the package will be opened or it will be returned directly to the sender or the customs department will contact the sender to obtain the missing documents. While waiting for the answer, the parcel is stored in a warehouse atLa Poste. Once the documents are sent by email, the taxes are calculated and the package continues its journey.

From its arrival on Swiss territory to the actual delivery to the recipient, several days or even weeks may pass! Not to mention the added taxes.

Additional costs for customs clearance

Indeed, if a declaration oran invoice is forgotten, the package is immobilized and taxes will accumulate.According to Swiss law, all imported goods are subject to customs clearance tax and additional value added tax.

Before delivering a parcel, Swiss Post handles customs clearance. In other words, it calculates the taxes applied to it based on its value and the type of merchandise.

Your Bernese customer's pair of shoes will therefore be in the warehouse for a few days. Once the postal customs clearance service has an estimate of the goods' value, they can revalue the taxes before delivering the goods. 

The customer can receive his package, but he's going to have to pay some taxes:

• The converted price, including the transport price‍
• The customs clearance fee, depending on the sending country
• The surcharge for the goods value, according to its HS Code‍
• Taxes for estimating its value and storing it for several days‍
• The VAT associated with the category of goods

All of these taxes can be quite expensive for your client. That is why honesty is the best policy. If your customer orders with complete knowledge of the facts, he will not be surprised by the Swiss delivery price, or the tax on the receipt. In any case, be sure to explain all the services included in the price. Be transparent with your customers and enter the Swiss market worry-free!

Bigblue tip: Please be careful with offering deliveries to Switzerland! In any case, there is a good chance that the customer will have to pay taxes when receiving their package. And even if you offer delivery, it will be taken into account in the calculation of taxes, so it is taxable. Select delivery options carefully: Swiss people are very observant about delivery rates. If their order exceeds €7, there is a risk of shopping cart abandonment. It's all about finding the right balance! 

6. In brief, how can you export goods to Switzerland with complete peace of mind?

Before you export to Switzerland or any other country outside the Customs Union, it is important to check the regulations in place.

If you start out on this adventure without taking any precautions, you may encounter un pleasant surprises at some point along the way. Open parcels, damaged parcels, return to sender, delays... Examine the customs declarations required, as well as any potential additional delays and Swiss customs fees.

Once you have sufficient knowledge on the subject, make sure you adapt your e-commerce site to your customers' needs. Language, currency, and even the products themselves play a decisive role in shopping cart abandonment. Take your time, target your buyers, and successfully establish your company in Switzerland!

1. How to successfully deliver a package?

A defective delivery can push your customers to switch to your competitors. As an e-merchant, you must be mindful of the fact that consumers rarely give companies a second chance.

Transparency on delivery methods, selection of logistics partners, packaging design... When it comes to improving your delivery process, there are various protocols and pitfalls to be aware of.

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2. The do's: the shipping guidebook

Whether you are starting your own e-commerce business or want to improve your delivery process, your priority should be customer service. Regarding delivery, all your choices must be oriented towards user satisfaction.

From the selection of delivery methods to the design of your packaging, here are some rules of thumb to follow when offering an efficient shipping service!

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Clear conditions to simplify the shipment process

1 person out of 10 abandon their shopping cart because of unclear shipping and return policies. When ordering on the internet, the consumer takes risks; the risk of never receiving their package or having a faulty item delivered and not being able to contact anyone. To reassure internet users, it is important to carefully review your delivery and return policies.

For example, it is worth displaying a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) feature in the form of questions and answers, or even a Chatbot. Not only are these consumer-friendly and interactive additions to your e-commerce website, but they also make the process more personal and accessible. Consumers will know that they can rely on you!

Having a page on your website entirely dedicated to delivery methods and your return policy is highly recommended. The more precise the answers, the more efficient your conversion tunnel will be!

If you're not sure what kind of shipping and return policies to implement, ask yourself what your buyers want. For 46% of internet users, free delivery and return are the most decisive criteria regarding shipment. Depending on your products, why not set up  free delivery?In any case, make sure you explain everything clearly to your customers!

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Propose a wide choice of delivery options

Regarding delivery, the diversity satisfies the largest number of people. According to an Ifop study, 58% of French people have abandoned their shopping cart before making purchase because the delivery options did not suit them. Consequently, it is recommended to offer a wide choice of carriers, but also delivery options.

For example, if you use Colissimo, your product is taken care of from A to Z and will be delivered to your home or to a pick-up point within a few days.However, if you are selling eco-friendly light bulbs in boxes of 20, this may not be the right option. In case of a home delivery when the customer is away from home, the parcel may not fit in the mailbox without being damaged.

For risk-free home deliveries, you can use a local carrier such as Weeship. Perfect for making the last mile cost-effective, this option is also appropriate for express deliveries, from 2 hours to 2 days after ordering. The courier will pickup the order, or even buy it directly. They then deliver it according to the time slot chosen by the recipient. This is a delivery by appointment which has a success rate of 99%. The prices are calculated according to the product's weight and the delivery.Home delivery may sometimes worry customers who have had a negative experience. In order to appeal to these types of customers, you can suggest the Click & Collect option. The product ordered is delivered to the store selected by the customer. The customer only has to pick it up at the store. 64% of consumers are interested by web-to-store delivery, which avoids the risks of home delivery.

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Adapt the delivery process to your brand's values

Diversity is not the only factor in the choice of delivery methods. The delivery must also match the ethics of your e-commerce.

If your policy is environmentally oriented, you can, for example, choose modes of delivery involving eco-friendly cargo bikes, such as the K-Ryole for example. Or you can follow in the footsteps of the Loom brand, which does not provide express delivery in order to avoid using airplanes in the logistics process. Even raw materials imported from South America only travel by boat!

By proposing a policy which is aligned with the moral principles of your brand, you bring credibility to your image.

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Create the perfect packaging

The delivery process is not limited to shipping - don't forget that your image also depends on the packaging of your product. When designing your packaging, remember that it must match your brand and products. If you are selling valuable items, try to avoid displaying the name on the packaging. If  the package is delivered when the customer isn ot present, the risk of theft must be limited.

Also make sure that the packaging represents the ethical beliefs of your brand. Let's take the eco-friendly light bulb example:if you sell eco-responsible products over-wrapped in plastic, you already lose 55% of French customers who are concerned about the environmental impact of packaging. Even though light bulbs are fragile products, you really only need to adapt their packaging to their weight, size, and fragility.

Avoid at all costs over-packaging, which can really get on some customer's nerves. Anew social phenomenon has emerged on the web under the hashtag#ExcessivePackaging. All brands that are cited under this hashtag lose credibility in the eyes of their consumers, and as a result, they lose orders.

You can take the example of the dermo-cosmetic products off Né à, which has strong ecological values. This is why, in addition to delivering only by truck, they strive to use only cardboard packaging, and no plastic. Your packaging reveals the identity of your brand, so be careful with it!

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Keep your customers update

Once the order is processed, the transit begins. If for you it is launched, don't forget that your customers don't know about it, and are concerned about it.Show your customers that you care by giving them the tools to follow the steps of their delivery.

According to a 2016 MetaPack study,, 81% of Internet users check their order status at least twice before delivery. However, if they cannot access these details and their delivery is late, you have no way to keep them informed. And to them, this is your fault.

To avoid this kind of situation, Bigblue offers e-merchants the possibility to setup a notified follow-up of the product, from processing in the warehouse to home delivery. Depending on brand preferences, shoppers can receive notifications by email or SMS at several stages of the delivery process. A reassured customer is a satisfied customer!

By applying the 5 previous tips to your e-commerce site, you can boost your delivery process and customer satisfaction. But there are also some pitfalls to avoid in order not to obscure the picture!

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3. Don'ts: slipups to avoid

Concerning deliveries, one simple detail can lead to a loss of credibility with your business.To prevent this from happening, you should take into account all the possibilities, and visualize the entire journey that your product will complete.

The more you anticipate situations, the less likely you are to disappoint your customers!

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Communicate about unrealistic delivery times

Short delivery times are good for your image: Internet users tend to want everything quickly. But be careful not to promise impossible delivery times! 

90% of consumers consider delivery time to be an essential criterion, but it's better to lose the order of a few impatient people than to disappoint all your customers. When you present delivery times according to the options you have chosen, don't be too optimistic. Your delivery may encounter a delay due to customs, heavy traffic, strike... Make sure you consider the worst-case scenarios and interpret them realistically to deduce the most accurate delivery time.

Deliveries are subject to many variables, and delays are very badly perceived by customers, who will be unlikely to order again from your online shop. Do not take risks, think wisely!

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Sending to the wrong delivery address

Another element that can cause delays and harm your image is returns due to a spelling mistake in the address.

There is a fairly simple solution to prevent this from happening: check the delivery addresses given by your buyers.

As returns are at your charge, address verification saves you time and money!

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Using low-cost delivery services

Not only delivery times are important - delivery quality also plays a significant role in customer satisfaction!

Some brands try to save money by using a low-priced carrier. Even though this may seem like a good idea, the reality is not always as good. Delivery people can be careless with packages: packages thrown over a gate, left out in the rain, or forced into the mailbox to the point of breaking it. And even if it's not your fault, it's your responsibilityto take care of the situation. Ultimately, product refunds cost much more than a better carrier!

So,don't hesitate to ask around and test several carriers before you find the one that suits you best.

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Sending parcels abroad without preliminary research

Exporting your products is a very positive thing! Exporting allows you to grow and reach consumers elsewhere. But before you start this adventure, make sure you know all the essential information.

Indeed, exporting products is not always easy. Regulations can vary from one country to another, as can licenses and customs fees. For example, even though Switzerland is part of Europe, it does not have the same regulations as France, which can lead to complications in the logistics chain.

Exporting without getting the right information means taking the risk of delivering products late or facing additional fees. And whether in France or abroad, late deliveries only have a negative impact on a company's image. You've got to cover your back!

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4. In a few words: how to offer quality delivery?

Your entire delivery process is very important. From leaving the warehouse to unpacking the product, every step is likely to have an impact on your image.

When implementing the delivery process, there are many choices that need to be made, and nothing should be left to chance. Regardless of the size of your online business and the products you sell, it is best to put customer satisfaction first. Respecting deadlines, ensuring that your packaging is adapted to your brand's values and the quality of delivery will influence your future orders.By trying to save money on delivery services, you run the risk of losing money and customers in the long haul.

So, ask yourself this question: quality or savings?

The aesthetic value of your packaging is not the only thing to consider when establishing your marketing strategy: have you ever thought about its ecological impact? Even if it is an invitation to buy, the product's packaging has also a significant environmental impact.

According to a study conducted by Nielsen, 45% of consumers buy products with the least amount of packaging, which has led many companies to engage in eco-packaging: reducing the amount of packaging, using recyclable materials, completely rethinking the packaging... There are endless options for creating packaging that looks like you, while respecting the environment.

Why wait to make your packaging greener too?

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1. Packing and Packaging

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The packaging is your silent salesman, the last thing your customers sees before checking out. It is a marketing tool not to be taken lightly: a mistake could have consequences on your turnover.

As an e-commerce brand, three layers of packaging can be integrated:

• External packaging: this is the box or bag in which your product is delivered in, so the first thing the customer will see;‍
• Internal packaging: inside the first layer, which keeps your product as it is (bubble wrap, kraft paper, polystyrene...) ;‍
• Product's packaging: the container holding the product itself (plastic tube, glass jar...).

3 packaging layers, 3 chances to make a good impression with your customers! But very quickly, the first questions come up: what materials should be used? And how much?

Beyond the aesthetic side, the environmental impact of packaging is becoming more and more important, for companies and customers. If you don't want your products to be labelled with the hashtags #BreakFreeFromPlastic or #RidiculousPackaging on Twitter, it's a good idea to carefully think about the nature of your packaging.

Fortunately, there are many solutions to align the interests of your customers with those of the planet. From packaging traps to realistic solutions: here is the recipe for an aesthetic eco-packaging!

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2. Packaging Against Ecology

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The major disadvantage of packaging: it is essential, but manufactured to be thrown away right after use.Companies' images may suffer from a poor choice of packaging. Your buyers believe that taking care of the environment is part of your social responsibility. But you also have to ensure that the goods are transported in their original shape, so it's about finding the right balance!

When it comes to logistics, make sure that the product arrives in proper condition while being environmentally responsible.Here are the major problems with packaging, which as an e-commerce brand, you have to avoid at all costs.

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Overuse of Plastic Packaging

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The reputation of plastic is well established and is becoming more and more accepted: plastic is harmful to the planet. In the minds of consumers, a product (other than food) wrapped in plastic comes from a brand which has not considered the environmental consequences of packaging. For good reason: plastic is responsible for 6% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of plastic produced is used for packaging.

Using too much plastic for a product is risking having your customer switch to a more eco-friendly brand. And with word-of-mouth influencing more than 50% of consumer habits, you really should take care of your brand's image!

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Materials Impossible to Reuse

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Before selecting your packaging, make sure you carefully choose the materials that compose it. A recyclable material such as glass, aluminum or paperboard is the best choice. Paperboard is a good option: made of cellulose fibre, it is entirely recyclable and can be reused about ten times. In practice, only 49% of paper and cardboard is recycled in France: numerous regulations prevent their recycling. For example, if a piece of plastic tape is found on cardboard, it is no longer recyclable.

Try to select your packaging elements according to their recyclability and their decomposition time. Unfortunately, lots of packaging is not recycled. In order to avoid contributing further to the 7th continent, it is better to use materials with a short lifespan. The choice is important but sometimes difficult to make, because all materials have their pros and cons in terms of ecology and marketing. Some are lighter, others are more recyclable...

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Overpacking: An Obstacle to Eco-Design

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Overpacking is a common problem: not only is it a waste of material, but it can also lead to a loss of credibility. Let's take the example of a flash drive sent to one of your customers. The USB stick will probably be wrapped in rigid plastic. This packaging will be placed in a cardboard box sealed with tape. And to avoid possible transport damage, the cardboard box will be filled with bubble wrap.

To ship a simple flash drive, you will use: plastic, bubble wrap (non-recyclable), cardboard and tape. Hello waste, not to mention the pollution caused by the production of the materials!

That is why when you create your packaging, it is important to take the nature, size and fragility of the products into consideration. A USB flash drive is not particularly fragile, nor is it particularly large. You can simply place the USB stick in a small reusable cloth bag and wrap it in a kraft envelope. Only 2 materials used instead of 4!

Numerous eco-responsible solutions are available to avoid over-packaging, while transporting goods safely.

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3. Packing and Packaging Solutions

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Several companies are using alternatives to switch to eco-packaging. You will find a solution adapted to your e-commerce and your financial capacities in order to respect the planet and your customers.

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‍Create a Smart Packaging

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Think about your packaging design: what if your packaging wasn't meant to be thrown away?

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‍Qualitative Packaging :

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Besides protecting your product, your packaging has an immediate secondary purpose. For example, Birchbox sends beauty products in boxes to protect them. After receipt, these boxes become a toiletry case or storage box. Using the example of the USB stick, your customers could receive it in a high-quality box in which they can pass a string through, and even store several keys at the same time. That way, they have a protective case they can attach to their key ring!

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Planning a Second life for your Packaging:

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Nespresso's ingenious solution: Nespresso collects used coffee capsules from collection points. With the recycled aluminium, they make cans or bicycles. And they use the coffee grounds to make compost.

The selection of your packaging is crucial once again. Make sure you only use recyclable and recycled materials, or work with partners and suppliers like Packhelp who are committed to these eco-responsible principles. For example, Totem, one of Bigblue's customers, wants to use only 100% sustainable materials. Everything is designed to be recycled: the three layers of packaging are reusable, even the tape is made of kraft and natural glue. Nothing is lost, everything is transformed!‍

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Be Proud of your Eco-Packaging!

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If you use sustainable and recyclable packaging, you deserve to be proud of it! Your buyers need to know that. Therefore, there is a whole range of eco-labels on the packaging to highlight eco-responsible brands. 

FSC, NF Environnement, EU Ecolabel... Each certification indicates a degree of respect for the environment. For example, Bigblue is working to switch to 100% sustainable packaging. This is why we work with cardboard supplier International Paper, which has been certified under FSC, ISO 9001 and 14001. They Individually certify that the wood production is eco-friendly, the services are oriented to the interest of the customers, and always in respect of environmental standards. Almost 95% of our packaging comes from an eco-responsible company!

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Alternative Materials for Professionals

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To prevent pollution and waste due to packaging, new materials have been developed. These innovative materials are greener, more recyclable and less polluting, and are the key to obtaining an eco-label!

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When your Materials Match your Brand Image

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Alternatives do not have to be brittle and unattractive! The use of new 100% eco-responsible materials can serve your reputation with customers. It depends on the nature of your e-commerce.

For example, food brands have invented fully edible packaging, such as WikiFoods Inc. which offers frozen fruit pearls with edible protective packaging. Customers will appreciate this brave innovation. Plus, for an extra boost to the environment, you can print your flyers and personalized business cards on seeded paper. After being planted and watered, your advertising messages give birth to delicious flowers and plants. The joy of not wasting anything, and of growing plants!

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Alternatives to Plastics

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Obviously, the first concern is to replace plastics. As single-use plastics are gradually being banned, companies are looking for alternatives. For example, Lactips has created packaging based on milk proteins. Fully biodegradable and edible, this thermoplastic is both soluble in hot and cold water.

Bioplastics and thermoplastics are gradually gaining ground on the market. They are increasingly used to contain non-food products, such as dishwasher tablets. So what about your goods?

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The Plastic Controversy

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There still is a BUT to the use of these alternatives. Do they really cause less pollution than plastic? Actually, according to the British Plastics Federation, the production of alternatives is twice as polluting as the production of plastic. Plastics are lighter, easier to handle and generates less greenhouse gas emissions during transport. Before selecting an alternative to plastic, it is important to research the process from scratch, starting with production and ending with the decomposition of the materials.

Single-use plastics also help to avoid waste. For example, fresh foods (such as fruits and vegetables) can triple their shelf life in plastic packaging. And let's not forget that plastic packaging prevents some bacteria from growing and destroying an entire shipment. How many tonnes of food would be thrown away each year without plastics?

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4. Briefly, what are the Environmental Effects of Packaging?

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Regardless of the nature and size of your e-commerce, moving to eco-packaging is not impossible. From the reduction of packaging to the use of alternative materials, including recyclable materials: there is a solution for every structure, on every scale!

The primary objective of packaging is to incite your customers to buy your products. Today, preferences have evolved. Eco-responsible packaging attracts the consumers' attention more and more, while improving your brand image. Helping the planet while satisfying your buyers is easy: all you have to do is change your packaging habits on your own scale.

And what if you switched to eco-packaging right now?