Standard Shipping: How It Works, Benefits, Challenges, and Comparisons

When you shop online or on a site like Amazon, you always have options like express or standard shipping.

In simpler terms, express delivery costs you more and gives you faster delivery, while standard deliveries are slower and usually don't cost you more.

Honestly, I prefer standard rather than express shipping because, for most customers, it balances speed and cost.

But there is more to it. In this post, I will explain how standard shipping works and why you should choose it over express or ground shipping.

What is Standard Shipping?

By definition, standard shipping is the most popular and common shipping method that online stores offer. The service typically depends on ground and mail delivery services provided by logistics companies such as AAJ Swift.

Generally, packages shipped via the standard shipping method take 3 to 7 business days to arrive at your address.

The two main reasons why standard shipping is the most widely used are:

Reason 1: It is slightly quicker and less expensive compared to express shipping, but this doesn't mean they will send your package overnight or in two days (as seen in express shipping).

Reason 2: Less expensive, but can reach every address. So, it fits for non-urgent packages and items that aren't super valuable.

How Standard Shipping Works?

When you pick standard shipping, your order goes through the process before it reaches your address. It includes the main parts such as:

Step 1: Order Placement

Your customer wants to buy something from your online store– they select the item and also the standard shipping at the final confirmation page.

Meanwhile, inventory management software rechecks if the item is in stock, and users are redirected to the final payment page after confirmation.

Step 2: Order Processing

If the user made the payment, you received the order confirmation mail or notification.

The same notification is handed over to the inventory management system or 3PL logistics and warehousing companies.

If everything checks out, their inventory management system first finds the exact location where the item can be found. From their warehouse, they pack it and create a shipping label.

After that, they start packing the product and generate a shipping label, and finally, your packed order is ready to be shipped.

Step 3: Package handover to the shipping carrier

Once the packed order is ready, it is handed over to the shipping logistics like AAJ Swift, WareIQ, Delhivery, etc.

In general, shipping logistics pick up packages daily, on every second day, or on a set schedule. This is all regulated through a well-optimized model that usually follows:

• Reading the package label (usually QR code).
• Adding details to the online tracking system.
• Estimating the probable shipping dates.

Costs and Pricing Structure

In most cases, e-commerce stores include the package, handling, and shipping fees in their product pricing. So, technically, it's free, but in reality, customers are paying for it.

Additionally, in some cases, you might be charged a small flat fee. However, the cost is not always a flat fee.

What really affects the cost? Some dynamic features add to its costs. This includes charges by weight, size, or distance.

So, if my order is heavy, I usually have to pay more. This is also true for the other two factors: size and distance.

Step 4: Package Sorting and Transportation

The package reaches the warehouse and is sorted based on their region, routes, destination pincode, and network routes (air, train, or PTL transport).

Thus, your customer's parcel may travel by truck, plane, or train, depending on the distance and location.

Step 5: Local Delivery

The last step is handling the shipped package to a local delivery person.

Many standard shipments are often switched to different logistic partners for last-mile delivery. This decreases the delivery time, as a local service might bring the package to your customer's door.

Once the delivery man brings an order to your customer, they might ask for confirmation, OTP, or a signature (if required) and finally mark it "delivered."

Note: A reputable logistics company must provide a tracking number to track the package in real-time (from order shipping to delivery).

Common Delivery Time:

Benefits of Standard Shipping

The following are the benefits:

1. Cost Savings: Standard shipping prices are much lower than express or same-day delivery because they follow standard and set procedures for picking and delivering.
2. Wide Reach: If you want to ship a product from Mumbai to Assam, standard shipping is not only cheaper but also gives time to the logistics company to deliver your product. One-day delivery usually fails in this case.
3. Suitable for Non-Urgent Items: Best for items that you don't need immediately, such as clothes, kitchen items, books, etc.
4. Basic Tracking Included: Most transport companies offer basic tracking options that are usually linked to e-commerce stores for a better user experience.
5. Reliable for Everyday Shopping: Standard shipping is the most used shipping method as it has preset picking timing, routes, schedules, and delivery dates. Even during festival seasons, standard orders often arrive on the promised date.

Challenges of Standard Shipping

Standard Shipping vs Other Shipping Methods

A. Standard Shipping Vs Express Shipping

B. Standard Shipping vs Ground Shipping

C. Standard Shipping vs International Shipping

Top 5 Standard Shipping Companies

Before choosing a standard shipping company for your e-commerce store, it is better to look for the cost, delivery time, and coverage to which they can deliver.

Each company has its pros and cons, and for that, we have listed a quick list of the top 5 standard shipping companies that you should consider:

1. AAJ Swift

• Cost: Low, subject to package weight/size and distance.
• Delivery Time: 2-7 days for all major metros, large cities, and even rural areas.
• Coverage: Serves 25,000+ pin codes, including tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

2. TCI

• Cost: Low rates, typically ₹40-₹80, based on distance and weight. However, they usually accept bulk orders.
• Delivery Time: 2-8 days for metros and big cities.
• Coverage: 6000+ pin codes, but mostly used for shipping B2B business.

3. Delhivery

• Cost: Reasonable rates, typically ₹40-₹100, based on distance and weight (standard small parcel).
• Delivery Time: 2-7 days for metros and cities and 8 days for rural locations.
• Coverage: 18,500+ pin codes, serves most of India.

4. Blue Dart

• Cost: Slightly higher, minimum starts from ₹80-₹120 for small parcels.
• Delivery Time: 2-4 days for big cities, 3-7 days for other places.
• Coverage: 15,000+ points, very good in metros and big cities.

5. DTDC

• Cost: Reasonable, ₹50-₹100 for standard delivery.
• Speed: 3-10 days, depending on distance.
• Reach: 12,000+ pin codes, covers the majority of cities and towns.

Table: Cost, Delivery Timeframe & Coverage Comparison

AAJ Swift's workflow: ₹50-₹80 → 2-7 days → 25,000+ pin codes → Great for all towns/cities/villages.

As per the above workflow, AAJ Swift comes out to be a great logistics company that offers both shipping and warehousing facilities.

Our 99.5% ​inventory accuracy commitment offers the best-in-class inventory system that gives an edge over our competitors.

So, your customer receives their packages on time, and you receive fast services from ordering to tracking. It's a win-win situation.

So, get your quote now. We await your success by providing our best inventory management and standard shipping services.