online postage & shipping: the advantages for small business
DESCRIPTION
Postage has moved online, which saves mailers – especially in small businesses – both time and money. From online address books to postal funds management to compliance with USPS Intelligent Mail® standards, online postage helps you to navigate some of the more complicated aspects of both letter and package shipments. In addition to simplicity and convenience, online postage gives you discounts of up to 55% on shipping costs, and a 2% savings on mailing costs.TRANSCRIPT
Online Postage & Shipping: The Advantages for Small Business
Presented By: Peter Binder Pitney Bowes
May 13, 2014
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Presenter
Agenda
In this webinar, we’ll answer the following:
What is the current mailing and shipping environment?
What is Online Postage? Why should I consider it?
How can I make Online Postage work for my business?
What’s new or coming? What do I need to know?
At the conclusion, we’ll open the floor to questions.
Peter Binder, MBA Pitney Bowes [email protected]
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2014 Mailing & Shipping Environment
It’s a bit complicated… Mailing & Shipping Rates Have Increased
Regulations Were Introduced – More on the Way
But can’t be ignored Customers Value Mailed Communications
More than 64% value the physical mail they receive
They like to receive bills in the mail to remind them to pay.
Transactional mail is opened 97% of the time and read for 2-5 minutes
65% made a purchase based on something they received in the mail
Customers Demand Reliable/Affordable Shipping
In 2013, 73% of Americans made a purchase that required shipping
50% have abandoned a purchase due to the cost of shipping
77% prefer free shipping versus 19% who prefer faster shipping
81% have tracked their shipment - 30% track their shipment six or more times
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What is Online Postage?
Online postage, or PC Postage, is a mailing and shipping software application that you access via your computer’s web browser.
Standard Functions Include:
Stamp Printing
Shipping Label Printing
Address Book
Reporting/Analytics
Package Tracking
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Option 1: The Road Trip Time & Fuel Time Rates are not discounted Option 2: The Guessing Game Price / Slow delivery Price / Not delivered Peace of mind / Customer
Satisfaction Option 3: The Heck with It Use a premium carrier
Option 1: The Road Trip Drive to Post Office Wait on line Pay retail postage rates Option 2: The Guessing Game Choose the wrong mail class Over/under-stamp your
mail/package Wonder if package will arrive Option 3: The Heck with It Use a premium carrier
Why Use an Online Postage Application?
Common Scenario: Sending a Package
Before Online Postage Your Costs
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Never leave the office No waiting on line Get exclusive discounts Use the best mail class Use the correct postage Classify your spend Analyze your spend
Option 1: The Road Trip Drive to Post Office Wait on line Pay retail postage rates Option 2: The Guessing Game Choose the wrong mail class Over/under-stamp your
mail/package Wonder if package will arrive Option 3: The Heck with It Use a premium carrier
Why Use an Online Postage Application?
Common Scenario: Sending a Package
Before Online Postage After Online Postage
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Advantages of an Online Postage Application
Login to online postage app Select or enter the value(s) Print the stamps on a:
Stamp sheet Envelope Roll (requires label printer)
How easy is it to print stamps? Save Money
Print the exact amount of postage you need
Save 2% on First-Class stamps
Save up to 35% on Priority Mail
Save up to 55% on Priority Mail Express
Save Time
Print, mail, and ship from anywhere
Import your customers into your address books
Print on sheets of paper or labels
Track your packages
Most applications are easy to learn and use
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Even More Advantages of Online Postage
Login to online postage app Enter the destination or pull it
from your address book Weigh the package Choose the best class and rate Print your shipping label on:
Sheet of paper Label Roll (required label printer)
Schedule a pickup Track your package
How easy is it to ship a package? Optimize Mailing & Shipping
Compare rates and classes
Compare delivery times
Add additional services/insurance
Verify addresses
Understand Your Spend
Assign cost codes to each transaction
Stay on budget with real-time expense tracking
Generate, print and save reports
Dashboards provide at-a-glance snapshots
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New Shipping Regulations Could Cost You
Effective January 26, 2014, USPS packages must include a unique Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (Impb™). Most businesses have two options:
By 2015, if you’re not using an IMpb-compliant shipping label, you could be required to:
Pay full retail pricing (up to 55% more expensive than Commercial Base Price (CBP)
Pay a surcharge for each package sent
Online Postage applications print IMpb-compliant shipping labels. You don’t need to do anything else!
Stay Compliant with IMpb!
If printing via Online Postage… If printing postage via a meter…
Affix an IMpb-compliant shipping label Affix the postage label Affix an additional label (Label 400)
VOID +
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Take Another Look at the USPS®
USPS has made HUGE improvements
Speed, agility, and reliability – not just a tagline
When sent locally, 96% of First-Class Mail arrives within 1 day
When sent nationwide, 94% arrives within 3 days
Major upgrades to Priority Mail® & Priority Mail Express™
Enhanced tracking
Day specific delivery
Free insurance included ($50/$100)
Free USPS pickup & Optional hold for pickup
Shipping with the USPS is now on par with major carriers
98% of USPS mail carriers now carry package scanners
Average number of scans for the USPS, UPS®, and FedEx® are very close
Lowest costs for packages under 3lbs
Free daily pickup; Saturday Delivery at no extra charge
No fuel/residential surcharges; no hidden costs
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In Summary
Mailing and shipping environment is dynamic and evolving
Online Postage helps you:
Save money
Save time
Work more efficiently
Work more intelligently
Stay compliant
Most Online Postage applications give you a 30-day free trial. Take one for a spin and see how it can help your business.
Try Online Postage Yourself
