6 Tips to Improve Your Warehouse Shipping Processes

Editorial Team

6 Tips to Improve Your Warehouse Shipping Processes

The more efficiently you run your business, the more orders you can process and deliver in a timely manner, which can help boost customer loyalty. If you manage your own warehouse, it can be overwhelming trying to keep track of all the moving parts. When you implement some easy practices into your warehouse shipping process, you’ll find a noticeable shift inefficiency. Eliminating unnecessary steps and automating processes when possible will improve employee performance and allow them to focus on the task at hand. You can introduce many different improvements to achieve your desired result, from investing in eco-friendly packaging to using an inventory management system.

Use a Reputable Shipping Software

As a business running your own warehouse, you need to have some type of order tracking system. This will help you stay on top of each and every order, tracking which part of the process each shipment is in. There is too much room for human error when you try to track shipments manually, and there is greater potential for information to get lost in the shuffle. Invest in a good order tracking software that can transmit all the necessary information and automatically print out shipping labels and order lists to keep the process efficient and organized.

Implement an Inventory Management System

You should also be using an inventory management program in addition to your shipping software. The order tracking program is used to record and follow orders while the inventory management system tracks your inventory. These two programs need to work hand-in-hand because as more orders come in, the fewer products you have in stock. With an inventory management system, you no longer need to manually mark off a product when it has been sold. Oftentimes, trying to track inventory yourself leads to mistakes and inaccurate inventory levels. Instead, use one of these top inventory management systems. You can choose to implement features that will alert you when a certain product gets low on stock, or you can even set it up to automatically order a product when it falls below a specific inventory level.

Automate Box Sizes

Some of your products may arrive at your warehouse already in boxes that are appropriate for shipping, but other items may not. Many products are shipping in one big box and need to be separated out for individual orders; however, this can take up a lot of your employees’ time–especially if they’re running around trying to find a box to use. Try measuring and weighing all of your products and determine a handful of the best-sized boxes to invest in. Then, take your eco-friendly packaging and run down the line, placing each item into the correct size box to give your shipment a professional appearance and also streamline the packing process in your warehouse.

Invest in High-Quality Tape and Dispensers

It may seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of things, but the types of tape and tape dispensers you’re using in your warehouse play a vital part in your shipping operations. You want to ensure that you’re using thick, high-quality packaging tape that is going to keep the packaging sealed during transportation. The last thing you want is to have your tape ripping or breaking up, leaving your products to tumble out of the box and become broken or damaged. Once you’ve got your tape, consider the tape dispensers. Any employee who is working at this station in your warehouse will be using the dispenser over and over all day long. If you opt for a tape gun, you are giving your employees easier mobility, which can help them move around the warehouse more quickly, and it’s a more comfortable device to hold and work with.

Close-up image of mail worker checking information on parcels

Keep the Warehouse Organized

No matter how large or small your warehouse is, if it’s not organized in a way that makes sense to you and all of your employees, your shipping process will be negatively impacted. You need to determine some way to label and store each of your products in a way that makes sense and is clear. If your employees are spending time trying to locate products before packing them, you are wasting valuable company time. Each employee should be able to walk directly to the area where they need to be, grab the product and head back to their packing station. While organizing the inventory is one of the most important ways to keep the warehouse efficient, you should also have a designated place for necessary equipment and tools as well as a warm place for people to take a break in the winter and escape the chilly warehouse.

Have the Proper Attire and Equipment

When working in a warehouse, there are many pieces of equipment that are essential to getting the job done correctly and in a timely fashion. Forklifts and pallets are two of the most prominent pieces of equipment used in the warehouse to move large quantities or heavy items. Because this machinery is so important and potentially dangerous, you should be sure to purchase equipment that is of good quality so it will last a long time and reduce the risk of accidents. You should also take your warehouse dress code very seriously to ensure that everyone is protected while working in the warehouse. This includes wearing closed-toe shoes and reflective gear when necessary.

Make Your Warehouse as Efficient as Possible

There is always room for improvement when it comes to running a great business, and the more you focus on running every aspect of the company smoothly, the more successful you will be. Try investing in eco-friendly shipping materials to cut costs and implement important automated programming to track orders and manage your inventory. These programs will eliminate the possibility for human error and keep you on track with everything you need. When you run an organized warehouse, you’ll find more time to focus on your shipments and provide your customers with the best experience possible.