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As the world becomes increasingly digital, it’s harder to run a business without using technology. Email is one of those tools that small businesses still can’t live without, but getting stamps for your mail isn’t easy. Stamps.com solves this problem by connecting you with local USPS offices and allowing you to print out custom postage at home or on-the-go through their app
Stamps.com is a cloud-based platform and desktop software that allows companies to purchase stamps online. Stamps.com’s interfaces with the US Postal Service (USPS) and the United Parcel Service (UPS) allow company owners to print stamps and shipping labels without having to go to the post office. Users may save even more time by having packages picked up directly from their workplace. Monthly plans start at $17.99, and mailing charges are lower than those charged by the USPS and UPS.
Who Should Use Stamps.com?
Stamps.com is best suited for companies that send between 50 and 500 orders per month. It may be an excellent match if you operate an online company or a brick-and-mortar store with a large shipping volume. Similarly, if your company uses a lot of metered mail, you’re more likely to profit from the Stamps.com discounts. Reduced volume enterprises, on the other hand, may be better served by shipping services like ShippingEasy or Shippo, which charge a lower — or no — monthly price.
Stamps.com is ideal for shipping the following items:
- Businesses that deal with the internet. Stamps.com may be an excellent match for your company if you ship a lot of parcels to clients who make purchases on your website. An ecommerce business owner who ships a lot of packages, for example, might save time and money by ordering low-cost postage and arranging free package pickups.
- Stores with a physical location. If your company distributes between various locations or delivers orders to out-of-state consumers who can’t make it to your store, Stamps.com is a good option.
- Client invoices are sent by these offices. Similarly, if your company sends out a lot of mail for invoicing or other reasons, you may print shipping labels and stamps in-house rather of standing in line and paying full price at the post office.
Stamps.com’s Advantages and Disadvantages
While Stamps.com is a good choice for many company owners, it isn’t right for everyone. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing Stamps.com for postage before committing to a premium plan.
Some companies may save time and money by using Stamps.com. To decide if the Stamps.com membership cost is worthwhile, pay special attention to monthly shipping demands and profit margins.
Pricing at Stamps.com
*Also known as “Cost Codes” or “Reason Codes,” these codes enable you to categorize the things you send.
What if I told you that ShipStation is a Stamps.com product that we suggest as the best order fulfillment software. You may pay $9 each month to upgrade.
Try it for free.
The free trial on Stamps.com gives new users access to the site for four weeks. A free five-pound digital scale, $5 in free postage to use during the trial, a free supplies pack, and $20 in postage redeemable after the trial finishes are all included. You may also sign up for a 60-day free trial of ShipStation, Stamps.com’s sophisticated version.
Customers who cancel before the trial period finishes will not be charged; customers who cancel after the trial period ends will be charged up to one extra service fee plus applicable taxes. Customers who continue to use Stamps.com beyond the trial period must pay for the trial month as well as subsequent months of service.
Postage Costs
Users of Stamps.com pay for real shipping expenses in addition to monthly fees. The amount of postage depends on what’s being sent, where it’s going, and how much it weighs. Users of Stamps.com, on the other hand, often save money as compared to utilizing the USPS.
A standard First-Class Mail letter, for example, costs $0.55 (for 1 ounce) via the USPS; Stamps.com charges $0.51. Customers may also save up to 62 percent on UPS shipments when they send them via Stamps.com.
Stamps.com Postage Pricing Examples for 2021
Stamps.com’s Highlights
Stamps.com makes it simple to schedule USPS pickups, print packing slips, and manage spending using the platform’s reporting features, in addition to generating postage and mailing labels. The following are some of the features of Stamps.com:
- Slips of paper for packing. Stamps.com makes it simple for business owners to personalize and print packing slips with their brand.
- Labels for shipping. Users may print shipping labels from any printer and pay for postage from their home or workplace. Even printing postage and labels right on the envelope is simple with Stamps.com.
- Printing in bulk. Customers who utilize a Windows PC may use the Stamps.com desktop program to print shipping labels in bulk. Users with Macs may print postage from any online browser using Stamps.com Online.
- FORM SCANNER Customers may utilize a SCAN form to establish a master barcode when delivering numerous boxes in a group shipment. Each box in a shipment may be traced this way.
- There is a hidden shipping expense. Printing labels that don’t reveal the cost of postage allows users to further tailor their shipping experience. This is critical for company owners who do not want their customers to know how much shipping costs.
- Insurance for shipments. Users may add insurance coverage to individual items in addition to paying for basic postage.
- Notifications to customers Customers may adjust their settings so that Stamps.com sends them an email when their shipment ships automatically. Customers may then opt in to get tracking updates by subscribing to the service.
- Reporting. Stamps.com’s reporting capabilities may be used by business owners to keep track of postal costs, expenditures, and claims.
- Schedule your pick-up time. Users may utilize Stamps.com to arrange free USPS pickup without having to go to the post office.
- Labels must be returned. If a client requests a return, Stamps.com users may send an email with a return label that the consumer can print and use to return the item.
How to Make the Most of Stamps.com
Stamps.com may also be used to print packing slips, get shipping insurance, and keep consumers up to date on the progress of their orders. Not only does printing labels via Stamps.com make order fulfillment simpler, but its lower postal rates may also help company owners save money on shipment. Certain kinds of mail and packages are subject to lower USPS postal rates, and consumers may save up to 62 percent on UPS delivery. This makes managing your ecommerce shipping and handling requirements a breeze.
Follow these steps to get started with Stamps.com for your business:
1. Begin by registering for a free trial.
Screenshot of the Stamps.com trial sign-up page
It’s simple to sign up for a Stamps.com account. You’ll need to enter your email address, username, and password into a brief form. The form will also inquire as to how you learned about Stamps.com and how you want to use the service—for business mail, parcels, or at home.
To begin your free four-week trial, enter your login credentials followed by your address and payment card information. If you don’t want to keep using Stamps.com after the trial period ends, be sure to cancel it during the first four weeks.
2. Make Your Sales Platform Work Together
If your company utilizes an ecommerce platform or an online marketplace like Shopify, Etsy, or eBay, you may combine the tools with Stamps.com to import orders, names, and addresses for smooth mailing.
Most ecommerce systems, including Shopify and BigCommerce, are compatible with Stamps.com. The order status in the sales platform changes after a label is produced using Stamps.com. Stamps.com currently interfaces with over 70 systems, and companies may establish bespoke integrations by registering for a developer account.
3. Create shipping labels or postage stamps.
Input the weight and size of your letter or package when it’s time to ship it. You’ll also specify the mailing address and the deadline for receiving your goods. Stamps.com will determine the most economical and quickest delivery option depending on the information you gave, so the procedure is pretty automatic.
Businesses may print postage and shipping using any laser, inkjet, or high-speed thermal printer; no special equipment is necessary. Businesses may also produce return shipping labels and print them to include with packages, or send them to consumers digitally upon request, using Stamps.com.
4. Arrange for a free package pickup.
Through the dashboard’s “History” option, you may schedule a free package pickup with any of your carriers.
You may arrange a free package pickup to mail out your purchases from the Stamps.com dashboard. You may simply take your parcels to any post office and drop them off there.
5. Provide customers with the ability to track their orders
Stamps.com will instantly inform the buyer once the mailing label is created. Schedule package pickups or drop-offs at the post office as soon as possible after making the label.
When you print a shipping label for a customer purchase, you’ll get an email with an estimated delivery date, a link to the tracking number, and an optional customisable personal comment.
Stamps.com alternatives
Alternatives to Stamps.com exist in the marketplace, and they may provide various solutions that match your company strategy. Based on unique company requirements, equipment, and general functioning, we propose the following companies as alternatives to Stamps.com.
Alternatives to Stamps.com for Shipping and Mailing
Conclusion
Stamps.com is a handy service with exceptional value for small companies and online merchants, especially those who operate from home or a tiny office. Independent operators may save a lot of time by taking advantage of UPS and USPS postage reductions, as well as automatic Shipment Notifications and free package pickups. Stamps.com offers the ShipStation integration update as your company expands, allowing the solution to grow with you.
Stamps.com is a great place to start.
