I want it now!
Veruca Salt was onto something when she yelled that infamous phrase in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. In fact, 80 percent of shoppers want same-day shipping.
People, quite frankly, want their purchases now and one way to give the people what they want is through providing an overnight shipping option on your e-commerce website.
Amazon Prime is known for its fast shipping options, but most e-commerce stores don’t have the resources that Amazon does. Actually, I’m sure no e-commerce shop has the resources that Amazon has.
But convenient shipping methods are a must because customers value the option. Let’s dive into what overnight shipping is, the cheapest options, and a comparison of the top shipping companies.
People often ask, is overnight shipping really overnight? Overnight shipping can be completed overnight, but by definition, it’s a delivery option that guarantees customers will receive their orders on the next business day.
Overnight delivery, one-day shipping, and next-day shipping are terms used interchangeably. Depending on the carriers, there are different meanings, cut-off times, and pricing for shipping and handling.
Cheapest overnight shipping options
The best way to decrease your shipping costs is to ship smaller and lighter items. When deciding between carriers for smaller packages under two pounds, it’s best to use USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate envelopes. But for larger packages, UPS and FedEx provide the most competitive rates.
The shipping zone, as well as the dimensions and weight of the package determine the cost. Shipping software utilizes comparative carrier pricing on shipments to get customers the best price.
How much does it cost to ship something overnight?
Each major shipping carrier has its own calculator to help businesses estimate shipping costs before shipping. Overnight shipping costs vary from affordable to expensive. We’ll go over the specific features of each major carrier below.
USPS overnight shipping
USPS calls their overnight shipping Priority Mail Express with an overnight guarantee. This service is best for time-sensitive letters and documents. Available seven days a week, overnight shipping is guaranteed or your money back.
Pricing begins at $25.50 and there’s no weighing or calculating up to 70 pounds with USPS’ flat-rate pricing. Plus, packages are insured up to $100. See how much your USPS Priority Mail Express will cost with this calculator.
USPS is said to be the fastest delivery because they already have dedicated employees on routes throughout the country.
UPS overnight shipping
UPS says their claim to fame is that they have more overnight, on-time, guaranteed deliveries in the United States than anyone. Do I have data to back up this claim? The answer is no. So take that information with a grain of salt.
All of UPS overnight deliveries are trackable online.
There are three delivery options for UPS overnight shipping in the United States.
- UPS Next Day Air Early: Overnight delivery as early as 8:00 am
- UPS Next Day Air: Overnight delivery by 10:00 am
- UPS Next Day Air Saver: Overnight delivery by 3:00 pm
See how much your UPS overnight delivery will cost with this calculator.
FedEx overnight shipping
Similar to UPS, FedEx has three overnight shipping services for up to 150 pounds.
- FedEx First Overnight®: Next-business-day delivery by 9:30 am
- FedEx Priority Overnight®: Next-business-day delivery by 10:30 am
- FedEx Standard Overnight®: Next-business-day delivery by 4:30 pm
See how much your FedEx overnight delivery will cost with this calculator.
I want it, I got it
Overnight shipping options are becoming a must-have in the e-commerce world. With options from USPS, UPS, and FedEx you can work with the carrier that aligns best with your needs.
While you’re on the topic of shipping, why not learn how long priority mail takes and how long UPS ground takes.
Deirdre O’Donoghue is a Content Manager at Nature's Fynd and a former Content Manager at G2. In her free time, you can find Deirdre fostering puppies or exploring the Chicago foodie scene. (she/her/hers)
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the logistics and shipping industry, I've delved into the intricacies of overnight shipping, understanding its importance in the rapidly evolving landscape of e-commerce. The demand for swift and efficient delivery is more prominent than ever, with approximately 80 percent of shoppers expressing a preference for same-day shipping, echoing Veruca Salt's famous sentiment of wanting things instantly.
Overnight shipping is a crucial aspect of meeting this demand, providing customers with the immediate gratification they seek. While giants like Amazon Prime have set high standards with their fast shipping options, it's essential to acknowledge that not all e-commerce stores possess the same resources. This brings us to the question of how smaller businesses can navigate this terrain and offer competitive overnight shipping services.
The article emphasizes the interchangeable use of terms like "overnight delivery," "one-day shipping," and "next-day shipping." Understanding the nuances of these terms is pivotal, as they come with different meanings, cut-off times, and pricing structures depending on the carriers involved. The piece also touches upon a key strategy for minimizing shipping costs — opting for USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate envelopes for smaller items under two pounds and relying on UPS and FedEx for larger packages.
To provide a comprehensive overview, the article breaks down the offerings of major shipping carriers—USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Each carrier has its unique features, pricing structures, and delivery guarantees. USPS, for instance, offers Priority Mail Express with an overnight guarantee, presenting a reliable option for time-sensitive letters and documents. UPS emphasizes its claim to fame with more overnight, on-time, guaranteed deliveries in the United States, and FedEx provides three overnight shipping services catering to different delivery times.
For readers interested in cost estimation, the article highlights that each major shipping carrier has its own calculator to help businesses estimate overnight shipping costs before sending out packages. USPS pricing starts at $25.50 for overnight shipping, while UPS and FedEx offer different service levels with varying costs.
In conclusion, the piece underscores the growing importance of overnight shipping in the e-commerce realm and guides businesses on selecting the right carrier based on their specific needs. Whether it's USPS for time-sensitive documents or UPS and FedEx for larger packages, the article serves as a valuable resource for those navigating the complex world of e-commerce logistics.
