Your First Online Sale: How to Get Ready to Ship

Your first sale comes in. The Shopify email says "Order #1001." The excitement lasts exactly until you ask yourself: how do I actually send this?

What Do You Need to Ship?

Before your first sale, have this ready:

• Packaging materials. Boxes or mailers sized for your products. Do not ship a t-shirt in a TV-sized box.
• Packing tape and filler. Kraft paper, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper to protect the product.
• A scale. A kitchen scale works. Carriers charge by weight, and if you do not know how much your package weighs, you cannot calculate shipping.
• Labels or a marker. To write the recipient's details if you do not have a printer.

Which Carrier Should I Use?

Your options depend on your country and region. When evaluating carriers, compare these factors:

My recommendation for getting started: pick one carrier with good coverage and reliable tracking. Learn how to use it well before splitting shipments across multiple services. Simplicity matters when you are handling everything yourself.

How Much Should I Charge for Shipping?

This is the million-dollar question. You have three options:

• Free shipping. You absorb the cost. It works if your margins allow it or if you build it into the product price.
• Flat rate. You charge a fixed amount (e.g., $5 local, $10 nationwide). Simple for the customer and easy to calculate.
• Actual cost. You charge whatever the carrier charges you. It is fair but can scare customers when shipping gets expensive.

For a new store, flat rate is the best option. It is predictable for both you and your customer.

What Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Shipment

• Poor packaging. If the product arrives damaged, the customer is not coming back. Pack as if the box is going to get tossed around — because it will.
• Not notifying the customer. Send the tracking number as soon as you ship. Customers want to know where their order is.
• Promising delivery times you cannot meet. "24-hour delivery nationwide" is a lie if you are shipping from your living room. Be honest: "2-3 business days local, 5-7 days to other regions" is a realistic timeframe.
• Selling what you do not have. Selling an item that is out of stock and then canceling the order destroys trust.

Logistics is not the glamorous side of ecommerce, but it is the part that determines whether your customer buys again. Get ready before the first order comes in and everything will go much more smoothly.