One of the most essential aspects of your business that you need to manage in order to achieve continuous growth is logistics. If you’re shipping your products to different cities or countries across the globe, you have to know several ways to prevent damage to your products during transit. In this article, we’re counting down eight tried-and-tested ways to do so — from proper packaging to using impact indicators and tilt sensors.

Select and utilise the right packaging material. First off, you have to choose the right packaging materials and supplies for your product. From corrugated cardboards to wood pallets to bubble wraps, there are different packaging stuff that are available in the market to help you protect your product from different elements like temperature.

Pack and cushion your products properly. Packaging materials will be futile if you don't know how to pack your commodities properly. If your product can be disassembled, it's best to disassemble it before putting them in the packaging. Don't forget to warp the individual components. You should also minimise empty spaces inside your packaging box by using cushion materials like styrofoam peanuts and kraft papers.

Invest in impact indicators and tilt sensors. These devices will help you monitor and track if your products have been damaged — and at which point of the shipment process the damage has been done. As a pro tip, you have to strategically put these indicators in a visible area, like a side panel. You should also put an additional indicator inside the crate.

Label your packages accordingly. Apart from the typical "fragile" label, you have to incorporate other essential details. These include your and the recipient’s name and address, the weight of the package, unidirectional and bar codes, routing and tracking numbers, as well as the service type (e.g. Standard, express).

Team up with a reputable logistics business. To make things more cost-efficient, businesses who deliver products regularly hire a third-party logistics company. When choosing your logistics partner, research their credentials and experience, the testimonials of their previous clients, and their range of their services. It's also advisable to look into their scalability; this will help give you more flexible options when it comes to delivering your parcels.

Do a trial run. Once you've chosen your logistics provider, it would also be wise to do a trial run. This will help you assess their ability to deliver your products with utmost care — and according to your instructions.

Collect and assess shipping damage data. Sometimes, damages can still be obtained no matter how careful you and your logistics provider is. When this happens, don't forget to collect the necessary data and make a record out of them. Do a proper review and assess how damages and costs can still be further minimised.

Get insurance. While investing in devices impact indicators and tilt sensors is essential, many businesses are better off if they also get shipping insurance for their products (especially if they're delivering to far places and the risk of getting their products damaged is high). When getting one for your business, weigh in the terms and conditions first before inking any deal.