As customer shipping expectations are growing daily, the eCommerce business must focus on 2-day shipping as the business strategy. Let's start with understanding - what is second-day shipping?

‍

What Is 2-Day Shipping?

The 2-day shipping means that when your business provides 2-day shipping, you have to deliver 2-day order shipping for the customer purchases. These days, many eCommerce businesses are keeping 2 days shipping for their customers as a strategy because they have understood that online consumers are impatient and always searching for advanced features.

‍

How Does 2-Day Shipping Work?

Many of you may be worried about how two-day shipping work. Here is the best answer for you. The 2-day shipping can be either two full days or two business days, based on the seller's interest. Additionally, the period can start counting from the checkout time or the order cutoff time. Many famous companies are providing an order cutoff time model and using two business days to provide a better experience to the users.

‍

For instance, if the buyer or consumer places an order for the product after the cutoff time of Friday, then the consumer can expect to get the product before or on Tuesday because Sunday and Saturday are not business days. Some companies or businesses start counting the shipping of the ordered product from the packing day; they do not mind whether it's a business day or a holiday.

‍

It does not matter what model they use for their business, but 2nd-day Delivery is coordinated between 2 shipping methods, such as ground shipping and air shipping. Ground shipping typically uses cars, vans, or trucks to move the ordered products or items from the warehouse or the fulfillment center to the customer's doorstep. On the other hand, the air shipping method uses a jet or an airplane to transport packages to deliver the product from the fulfillment center or warehouse to the customer.

‍

What Are The Advantages Of 2nd Day Shipping?

The two-day shipping offers many benefits to an eCommerce website, as elaborated below.

‍

Meet Customer Expectations

The ever-changing fast shipping for online orders has been observed among businesses because of consumers' rising demand for immediate shipping. It has been identified that a consumer can wait for 2-day transit times or shipping that is not considered too long in their eyes. An eCommerce business can likely lead to better recommendations and customer reviews.

‍

Keep Customers Coming Back

Customers who are satisfied with your service by getting fast Delivery and lower shipping costs may like to purchase your product again and again. Thus, you need to focus on customer retention as your marketing strategy by promoting shipping offerings and encouraging repeat purchases.

‍

Reduce Cart Abandonment

It has been identified that the slow delivery speeds and high shipping costs are the main reasons behind the abandoned carts. When customers check out different options displayed on the business website to meet their needs, including the fastest and cheapest options, they consider visiting your website again and again. Likely, you can prevent customers from abandoning their carts by offering low-cost delivery options that can grow your business and increase your conversion rate.

‍

How much is 2-day shipping?

Let's understand how long 2-day shipping is. Several factors make the cost of 2-day shipping differ. It includes:

Destination zip code

Carrier and service used

Peak period

Point of origin zip code

Shipping time and date

Dimensional package and weight characteristics

Type of shipping products

‍

The 2-day shipping may vary as the sellers charge customers differently. Now, you must have the answer for how much next next-day is. Let's move to understand how you can reduce the shipping cost.

‍

How to Reduce 2nd-Day Shipping Costs?

Much research shows that the high shipping cost is one of the reasons cart abandonment is observed. Thus, it becomes essential for the e-commerce business to focus on shipping cost reduction. Here are some important tips that can help to reduce the shipping cost.

‍

You can ship from urban fulfillment centers and use ground shipping.

Try to get discounted shipping rates by working with an outsourced fulfillment partner.

Provide a minimum order value by offering 2-day Delivery.

Offer 2-day Delivery of the product for specific zip codes.

‍

Best Shipping Options for Small Businesses

While looking for the best shipping options for your business, you must consider options that balance costs and capacity. You can offer 2-day shipping options in different ways through outsourcing parts of your fulfillment process, in-house fulfillment, or using Delivery.

Overall, you can offer fast shipping options to your customers by picking the best fulfillment shipping options.

‍

Recommended: What is UPS 3-Day Select?

What is Priority Mail Cubic?

Priority Mail Cubic is a specialized service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that prices packages based on their outer dimensions rather than weight. This unique pricing model can lead to significant savings, especially for small, dense packages weighing up to 20 pounds.

Key Features:

Dimension-based pricing: Rates determined by package size, not weight
Weight limit: Up to 20 pounds
Delivery timeframe: 1-3 business days
Insurance: $100 included for free
Tracking: Free package tracking included
Savings: Up to 90% off retail shipping rates

USPS Cubic Pricing Tiers

Priority Mail Cubic uses a tiered pricing system based on the package's volume. There are five tiers:

Tier 0.1: Up to 0.1 cubic feet
Tier 0.2: 0.101 to 0.2 cubic feet
Tier 0.3: 0.201 to 0.3 cubic feet
Tier 0.4: 0.301 to 0.4 cubic feet
Tier 0.5: 0.401 to 0.5 cubic feet

Calculating Your Package's Cubic Tier

For Boxes and Rigid Packages:

Measure the outer dimensions (length, width, height) in inches
Round each measurement down to the nearest quarter inch
Multiply length x width x height
Divide the result by 1728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot)
The result is your package's cubic feet measurement

Example: For a box measuring 12.3" x 9.5" x 3":

Round down to 12.25" x 9.5" x 3"
12.25 x 9.5 x 3 = 349.125
349.125 / 1728 = 0.202 cubic feet
This package falls into the 0.3 cubic feet pricing tier

Note: Maximum size for any single dimension is 18 inches

For Envelopes and Soft Packs:

Measure the length and width of the empty envelope
Round down to the nearest quarter inch
Add the length and width together
Use the total to determine the pricing tier:
- Tier 0.1: Up to 21"
- Tier 0.2: 21.01" to 27"
- Tier 0.3: 27.01" to 31"
- Tier 0.4: 31.01" to 34"
- Tier 0.5: 34.01" to 36"

Restrictions

Tubes and rolls are not eligible for Cubic pricing
Maximum combined length and girth is 84 inches

Benefits of Using Priority Mail Cubic

Cost savings: Cheaper than weight-based pricing for small, heavy items
Predictable pricing: Easy to calculate shipping costs based on box dimensions
Fast delivery: 1-3 business day delivery to any US address, including PO boxes
Free tracking: Monitor shipments at no extra cost
Included insurance: $100 of coverage with every shipment
No surcharges: Residential and fuel surcharges included in the price

Tips for Maximizing Savings

Optimize packaging: Use the smallest box possible that safely fits your items
Consider breaking up large orders: Sometimes shipping in multiple smaller boxes can be cheaper
Use cubic feet calculators: Online tools can help quickly determine your package's tier
Compare rates: Always compare Cubic rates with other shipping methods
Use Commercial Pricing: Accessing Commercial Pricing rates can lead to even more savings

2024 USPS Priority Mail Cubic Rates

[Insert current rate table here]

Accessing Priority Mail Cubic Rates

Priority Mail Cubic isn't available at regular Post Office counters. However, many online shipping platforms and 3PL providers offer access to these rates. By partnering with a fulfillment provider, you can easily access these discounted rates and streamline your shipping process. For small-scale sellers not yet ready for a 3PL, Pirate Ship offers free access to USPS Priority Mail Cubic rates with no monthly fees or minimums.

What Does 2nd Day Shipping Mean?

If you're like most online shoppers, you want your items as soon as possible. That's why 2-day shipping is so popular. But what is 2-day shipping, and how does it work? Here's everything you need to know.