Logistics

When selling online, you’ll need to consider key logistical issues such as: 

Shipping can be expensive. It’s important to find out how much it will cost so you can price products accordingly. To remain competitive, some companies offer free shipping, but this can be unsustainable for smaller businesses. Consider enticing your customers using methods such as:

• offering free shipping for large orders
• taking part in ‘free shipping’ days
• providing shipping discount codes that can be used at checkout

See the Step-by-step guide to shipping outside of Canada (Canada Post) for rates, best practices, and more information on Shippers and shipping (Trade Commissioner Service).

There are many factors to consider when pricing your goods for international markets, such as:

• local market conditions
• different currencies and currency fluctuations
• shipping costs 
• import duties and taxes

Pricing is a big factor in the success of your business. There are many strategies for pricing your product. For example, you can use:

• a market-oriented pricing model, which allows you to set your prices based on current market prices, selling your product for higher, the same as, or lower than competitors with the same products in your target market
• the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), which can save you time without having to analyze the market too much
• Keystone Pricing, which is when you set the price of your product at double the cost of what you originally paid for it

These are just three of many potential pricing strategies. Whichever strategy you choose, it’s important to research your target market. This will help you to understand what your potential customers are willing to spend, as well as your competitors' prices. Do your homework to discover other pricing methods and which one works best for your business.

It’s important to have a return policy that is clear, simple and convenient for your customers. 

Learn more about effective return policies: Recipe for a Five-Star Returns Experience for Your Online Store (Canada Post).

Make sure your packaging meets all requirements for shipping and customs. Consider making packaging fun by using interesting designs or inspirational content. This helps make your product stand out among the many packages that arrive in the mail.