Starting an online business is exciting. But as orders increase, many sellers realise that shipping can quickly affect profits, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
In Malaysia’s competitive e-commerce space, avoiding common shipping mistakes is key to sustainable growth.
Here are five mistakes new online sellers often make — and how to avoid them.
1. Choosing the Cheapest Courier Only
Selecting a courier based purely on price may lead to:
- Delivery delays
- Higher failed delivery rates
- Lost parcels
The savings may not be worth the long-term cost.
What to do instead:
Compare courier rates together with delivery speed, coverage (including East Malaysia), and reliability. Platforms like Delyva allow sellers to compare multiple courier options before booking.
2. Not Understanding Volumetric Weight
A parcel may weigh 1kg but be charged at 3kg due to its size.
Formula:
Length × Width × Height ÷ 5000
Using oversized packaging increases shipping costs unnecessarily.
What to do instead:
Optimise packaging size and calculate shipping costs before setting your product price.
3. Inadequate Packaging
Weak boxes and insufficient protection increase the risk of damaged goods.
This can result in:
- Refunds
- Replacements
- Negative reviews
Good packaging protects not only your product but also your brand reputation.
4. Managing Shipments Manually
Handling bookings and tracking across different courier websites becomes inefficient as orders grow.
Manual processes can lead to:
- Missed delivery updates
- Slow customer responses
- Operational bottlenecks
What to do instead:
Use a centralized system to track all shipments in one dashboard. With Delyva, sellers can manage multiple courier bookings and monitor deliveries from a single platform.
5. Ignoring Failed Deliveries and RTS Cases
Many sellers focus on shipping out parcels but overlook delivery outcomes.
Failed deliveries and return-to-sender (RTS) cases can cause:
- Additional fees
- Reshipping costs
- Lost time
Regularly monitor shipment status and act quickly when issues arise to avoid silent profit losses.
Conclusion
Shipping is not just a backend task — it directly impacts costs and customer experience.
By choosing couriers wisely and using a centralized platform like Delyva to compare rates and track shipments, online sellers can reduce unnecessary losses and operate more efficiently.
In e-commerce, strong operational control creates a competitive advantage.
Sign up for FREE today and if you have any questions, contact our sales team HERE.
