Many small business owners don't know what they don't know about shipping. Either they think that their standby shipping methods are fool-proof or they frankly don't care about efficient shipping methods as long as the shipment gets to the recipient. But when it comes to shipping packages, there are ten steps that every shipper should follow. Executing these ten steps will ensure that every parcel is delivered in the right condition at the right price.

Packing: The first step is to select the appropriate packaging for the item you are shipping. This could be a tube, soft package, cardboard envelope or box. Some carriers will provide free packaging for certain services. The U.S. Postal Service will give customers free boxes and envelopes for shipping items Priority or Express Mail; all the other carriers will provide various containers if you choose their express services. Do you need to ship express or can you save money by shipping your package standard?

Weighing: Shipping rates are determined by distance, size and weight, among other factors. An accurate scale is necessary to prevent carrier charge-backs.

Measuring: If you have a package over three cubic feet (one cubic foot for USPS), you will need to know its dimensions in order to obtain an accurate rate.

Rating: To calculate the cost of shipping, in addition to the weight (and possibly the dimensions), you need the shipperâ s zip code, the receiverâ s zip code (or city and country) and to know whether the recipient is located in a business or residential location. Other options, such as insurance, requiring a signature upon delivery, and Saturday Delivery, can add to the cost.

Selecting a Carrier: You are now ready to select a carrier. Enter the above information in a carrierâ s Web site or a shipping software application; you will be provided with the choices and costs associated with the level of service desired.

Processing: Once you have selected a carrier and service, you will need to process the information. You can simply enter the address details into the carrier Web site or a shipping software application or manually write it on a carrier form called a waybill.

Payment: Your options are to pay for the shipping transaction with your own account (which you will have set up with the carrier), have the shipping charges billed directly to the receiver, or have the charges billed to a third party, such as your business, if you have the account number and authority. If you are going to use the U.S. Postal Service or carrierâ s retail store, you can pay cash or charge it on your credit card.

Labeling: The processing system will generate a shipping label on a plain piece of paper or a thermal printer. You should make an extra label to put inside the box in case the label on the outside of the box comes off in the shipping process.

Sealing: Put one label inside the box; seal it with clear plastic shipping tape, and place the other label on the outside of the box on the largest surface.

Hand-off: This is the process of getting your shipment to the carrier. You may drop the package off at a carrier facility or drop box, or arrange to have the carrier pick it up. On-demand pick-ups cost an extra $3-4 per destination address. You can look online and find the closest location to your work or home to drop it off.

Mark Taylor, DLP, is the nation's leading authority on shipping and logistics, with 30 years of experience in consulting for thousands of organizations. He is the chief logistics officer for RedRoller, Inc., an Internet-based shopping service for shipping that not only compares the rates and delivery options of multiple carriers but also prints the labels.

Taylor is the founder and president of TAYLOR Systems Engineering Corporation, a technology and consulting firm that helps organizations save money in their shipping operations.

He is the author of the book Computerized Shipping Systems: Increasing Profit and Productivity through Technology, available on Amazon. In addition, Taylor is a regular speaker at major industry events, including National Postal Forum, PARCEL, National Conference on Operations & Fulfillment, Council of Logistics Management, & Mailcom.

In 2006, Taylor was named a Distinguished Logistics Professional by the American Society of Transportation & Logistics in recognition of his career-long contributions to the field of logistics.

His blog, www.shippingcoach.com provides tips, strategies, and advice for small parcel shippers.