Published: October 29, 2024
Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
The holiday season is the busiest time of the year for post offices and shipping companies. With millions of packages making their way around the globe, it is imperative to provide your customers with clear and concise expectations as to the delivery dates of their purchases. Developing a well-defined holiday game plan helps to alleviate stress and reduce the chaos that often is associated with holiday shipping.
Summary (TLDR)
- Plan for holiday shipping deadlines: Set clear order cut-off dates based on shipping deadlines.
- Use tracking numbers: Add tracking to every package, helping both you and your customers stay updated on order progress.
- Monitor delivery statuses: Use eRank’s Delivery Status Report to easily track your shipments.
- Enable saved replies: Set up saved replies on Etsy for quick, consistent responses to common questions.
- Allow shipping upgrades: Offer expedited shipping options for last-minute shoppers who need faster delivery.
- Bookmark shippers’ holiday deadlines: Regularly check for updates to shipping deadlines.
Know Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Direct links to the 2024 holiday shipping deadlines for some of the most popular shipping providers are listed below. Please note that these are the companies’ deadlines, not Etsy’s. Set your shop’s holiday order cut-off dates based on the necessary processing times for your products in relation to these shipping deadlines. It is important to stick to these dates and inform customers that any orders placed after these dates run the risk of not arriving in time.
As the dates may change, eRank suggests to bookmark the shipping services that you use and check back regularly for any updates throughout the holiday season.
- USPS Holiday Shipping Deadlines
- UPS Year-End Holiday Schedule
- FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines
- Royal Mail: Get Ready for Christmas
- DHL UK Festive Delivery Schedule
If you need guidance on how to set up shipping profiles or processing times, read eRank’s Etsy Shipping Settings 101 article.
For those last-minute buyers, enable shipping upgrades—such as USPS Priority Express—when you set up your shipping profiles. This allows buyers to pay a higher premium for expedited shipping.
Add Tracking Numbers
When you complete an order on Etsy, ensure that each package has a valid tracking number. Doing so helps both you and your customers follow the package. When you purchase shipping labels through Etsy, tracking numbers are automatically added to each order for you.
For qualifying orders, providing a tracking number is crucial for Etsy’s Purchase Protection Program. With this program, Etsy refunds buyers for orders that have shipping delays beyond the sellers’ control but still pays the seller with no penalty.
If you’re a seller who aims to earn Etsy’s Star Seller badge each month, then tracking numbers are a must. The program’s Smooth Shipping badge requires at least 95% of qualifying orders to have tracking. To learn more about the Star Seller program requirements, read Etsy’s How to Become a Star Seller article.
For more information on Etsy’s shipping policies and best practices, read their article The Ultimate Guide to Shipping.
Use eRank’s Delivery Status Report
After the post office has your package, any delays are out of your hands. To keep an eye on orders and their status, use eRank’s Delivery Status Report. This report—available with eRank’s paid plans—shows the status for shipments made within the last 30 days, which is a valuable time-saver when you have multiple packages in transit. By clicking IN TRANSIT under the STATUS column, that specific package’s tracking page opens with the shipping provider.
Have Saved Replies Ready to Go
Buyers want to ensure that their packages arrive on time for gifting during the holidays. When a buyer sends you a message asking where their package is, it is important to reply within a reasonable amount of time. Streamline this process by utilizing Etsy’s saved replies, also known as snippets.
Having replies at the ready gives you more time to focus on filling orders and less time writing out answers to commonly asked questions. Read eRank’s blog article Streamline Customer Communication with Etsy Saved Replies for more tips on using this feature.
Save Yourself Headaches and Improve Customer Experience
By planning ahead and fine-tuning your holiday shipping strategy, you create a smoother, less stressful experience for both you and your customers. From setting clear cut-off dates and adding tracking numbers to monitoring delivery statuses and preparing saved replies, each step plays an important role in ensuring timely deliveries and satisfied customers. This proactive approach also gives you more time to focus on your craft during the holiday rush, knowing that you’ve laid the groundwork for smooth operations.
Take advantage of eRank’s tools to support your holiday game plan and be sure to review the latest shipping deadlines with your chosen carriers to prevent any last-minute surprises. By making these preparations now, you’ll be well-equipped to manage the holiday rush, handle any unexpected delays, and maintain strong customer relationships. Here’s to a successful and fulfilling holiday season!
