Next Day Shipping: What It Is and What You Should Know

The Importance of Next Day Shipping in Modern Life

There are some things you can't live without, like next business day shipping and basic household items like your toaster. If you're making breakfast in the morning and suddenly your toaster stops working, it's likely going to put a damper on your day. You make breakfast before work with this toaster each day, and between the workday and your busy schedule after work, you probably don't have time to go to the store and buy another one. This is where next-day shipping comes in handy.

We've all experienced something important to our lifestyle breaking at an inconvenient time—for a moment, panic might set in, but when you know that next-day shipping is an option, it makes things a little less stressful for you. A replacement can be on the way fast, thanks to the efficient transportation network.

With next-day shipping, you don't have to worry about finding time to go shopping because your new toaster will be at your front door before you know it. Many people utilize next-day shipping to order toasters or whatever else they might need, but, even so, many people are unsure about how exactly next-day shipping works. Let's talk about everything that you should know about next-day shipping.

The Basics of Next Day Shipping

By and large, overnight shipping services are just what they sound like: a shipping method that almost always guarantees delivery of the package you order by the next business day. However, we should note that, based on certain factors, you might not get your package the next day, depending on what company you're utilizing and more. Factors such as whether or not it's a weekday and the weather might affect your package's arrival, but regardless, next-day shipping is the fastest shipping method available to consumers. For instance, FedEx Priority Overnight and USPS Priority Mail Express Service are popular options that many customers use for urgent deliveries.

What Are the Perks of Next Day Shipping?

We have given a brief introduction that explains what overnight delivery is. By now, you understand that overnight shipping, more often than not, guarantees that your package will be at your doorstep by the next business day. You might be thinking, "That sounds great!"—because next-day shipping is great. So, let's go over some of the many perks that come with overnight delivery:

• Consumers get their package in a timely manner: Oftentimes, customers order something at the last minute and need their package quickly. Whether they're planning for a last-minute birthday party or ordering an emergency pair of socks for a hiking trip, customers often need their package fast, and next-day shipping can ensure that customers get what they need when they need it.
• Perishables can be sent: Sometimes perishables need to be sent through the mail, and next-day shipping is a great option for customers looking to send food items, flowers, or other items that might otherwise go bad.
• Accuracy is always a priority: When packages are shipped via next-day shipping methods, the shipping company will always work hard to ensure the order is fulfilled accurately, and, of course, quickly.

How Does Next Day Shipping Work?

The benefits that come with using next-day shipping to send off your package are endless. That said, though, it is important to understand how exactly next-day shipping works. How next-day shipping works will vary based on which shipping provider is utilized, but there are still some similarities that are found with all shipping companies. Here is a general guide to how next-day shipping works:

• You'll Purchase Express Packaging: Oftentimes, packages that are being sent with next-day shipping need to be packaged in special express packaging. The United States Postal Service, for example, requires express packages to be sent in blue "Priority Mail Express" packaging, which differs from their traditional red packaging.
• You'll Drop Off the Package: To qualify for next-day shipping, customers must drop off their package before a certain cutoff time the day before. Again, depending on who ships out your package, this time might vary. But typically, if you drop off your package during the day, it can arrive at its destination the next day.
• The Package Will Be Shipped Out: After the item has been packaged and dropped off, it will be transported to its final destination via the shipping company that you have chosen. Typically, if your package does not make it to its final destination on time, you will be given a refund—but check the policies that correspond with the shipping company you're using for more information about this.

What Factors Affect the Price of Next Day Shipping?

There are certain factors that will make next-day shipping more expensive or more affordable. Depending on what you're sending and more, how much you have to pay for next-day shipping will vary. These factors will affect the logistics of next-day shipping:

• Package Dimensions: More often than not, the size of your package will affect how much it costs to ship it. So, the larger your box is, the more you'll have to pay for next-day shipping. This is due to dimensional weight, which is a pricing technique based on the package's volume.
• Package Weight: How much your package weighs will also affect how much you have to pay to ship it. That said, the heavier your package is, the more expensive it will be to ship. This is especially relevant for heavier packages.
• The Delivery Time Needed: Next-day shipping almost always guarantees that your package will be there the next day, but if you have more stringent expectations, like your package arriving at 9 AM versus 5 PM, it will cost more for you to ship your package. Services like FedEx First Overnight and FedEx Standard Overnight offer different delivery options with varying costs.
• The Day of the Week: If it is a weekend, as opposed to a weekday, next-day shipping will usually cost more. Again, this will vary based on who you enlist to ship your package. Services like Saturday delivery often come with an additional charge.
• How Far Your Package Needs to Be Sent: The farther away you need to send your package, the more expensive sending your package will be. Different zones have different rates.
• Business-Related Contracts: Companies and major carriers will sometimes make agreements with each other that can potentially decrease the price of next-day shipping. These discounts usually come if a company is sending out a high volume of next-day packages.
• Service Type: Options like FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, and FedEx Overnight Shipping each have different shipping rates, and choosing the right express services can impact the overall cost.

ShipNetwork Makes Shipping Easier

Interested in learning more about next-day shipping? Our team at ShipNetwork can help. With distribution centers strategically located and leveraging a vast transportation network, we ensure optimal delivery times and shipping cost efficiency. For more information about our fast and reliable shipping services, contact us. Whether you need a shipping service that delivers on the same day or requires business day delivery, we have you covered with our comprehensive overnight shipping service options.