For the web-based business, selecting the right carrier can be a difficult chore. There are so many options offered that the best choice is not always clear. When looking for a shipping partner ask the shipper if it:

• Offers a full range of shipping services, i.e., same day, next day, ground, air, etc.?

• Has online real-time tracking and tracing that can integrate into your website s back-end and warehousing systems?

• Has an automated and easy return service that is consumer friendly?

• Offers complete transportation management services, including palletized inbound shipments and small package services?

• Provides the same connectivity and tracking services when shipments move outside the shipper s network (a commercial airline or a train or ocean container)?

• Handles orders 24x7? If not, when is the latest the shipper will accept a package or schedule a pick-up?

• How late can a package get into the shippers hands and still be delivered the next day?

It is essential that a website integrate tracking information into its systems and that it makes that data available to its customers. For example, Federal Express has a customized shipping system that allows qualified web-based businesses to track deliveries once every hour. This allows a website not only to check when a package was delivered and who signed for it, but also to track the orders that were returned because of a problem with the delivery itself. This information can be sent to the website s customers via email.

Shipping is one of the most costly factors...