You have products, you have customers - now only one thing is missing: How do you get your goods to your customers reliably, quickly and affordably? This is exactly where the right shipping service provider comes into play.
In this article, we take a look at which providers there are, how they differ - and how you can find the right partner for your online shop.
? Why the shipping service provider is so important
Your customer has ordered - from now on every detail counts:
- How fast Will the parcel arrive?
- How safe is the dispatch?
- How simple Is the return running?
- And: What does the package look like? (keyword branding)
Shipping is often the First physical contact with your shop - and is decisive for customer satisfaction & repeat purchases.
The most important shipping service providers at a glance
| Service provider | Strengths | Weaknesses | Ideal for |
| DHL | Very reliable, long range | Prices for small shops sometimes high | Standard for many German shops |
| DPD | Good tracking options, fast | Problems with private customer delivery | Technology affine, B2B shipping |
| Hermes | Favourable for small packages | Longer running times | Savings foxes, low-margin products |
| UPS | Fast & internationally strong | More expensive, especially for small quantities | International premium shipping |
| GLS | Solid prices & services | Slightly less well known to end customers | Medium-sized shops & volume shipping |
| Sendcloud / shipcloud | Interfaces to many carriers | Extra costs for platform | Multicarrier shipping + automation |
What you should look out for when making your choice
There are various criteria that provide information on whether the shipping service provider is suitable for your shop - or not.
1. target group & parcel volume
❓ Do you ship to private individuals or business customers?
Private customers expect flexibility in delivery (e.g. Packstations, preferred times) - DHL and Hermes are particularly strong in this area. B2B shipping often requires precise time windows and reliable delivery - DPD, UPS or GLS score highly here.
❓ How big & heavy are your products?
✅ Light, small shipments are inexpensive with Hermes or DHL. Specialist service providers or freight forwarders may be necessary for bulky products.
❓ How often do you dispatch?
✅ For a few parcels, you can start with standard rates. From approx. 50-100 consignments per month, it is worth comparing business customer conditions or multi-carrier platforms such as Sendcloud.
2. cost structure
❓ Are there graduated prices or minimum quantities?
✅ Yes - many service providers offer discounts for high shipping volumes. A discussion with the sales team is often worthwhile from just a few hundred parcels per month.
❓ Are returns included in the price?
✅ Usually not. Returns are often subject to a charge or must be booked separately - be sure to clarify this beforehand.
❓ What costs are incurred abroad?
International parcels are significantly more expensive. DHL and UPS have good coverage, but shipping platforms with dynamic rate selection are often cheaper for many shipments abroad.
3. technical connection
❓ Can the shipping service provider be integrated directly into your shop system?
Most major providers offer plugins or integrations for shop systems such as Shopify, WooCommerce or Shopware.
❓ Are there APIs or dispatch tools?
✅ Yes, many tools such as Sendcloud, shipcloud or ShippyPro connect you directly with several service providers - including label printing, tracking & automation.
4. returns management
❓ How easily can customersreturn inside?*
Ideally, you should add a return label directly to the parcel or enable printing in the customer account. The simpler, the more customer-friendly - and the higher the chance of repeat purchases.
❓ Are there return portals or self-service options?
✅ Yes - platforms such as Sendcloud or DHL Retoure Online offer white label solutions that you can use with your branding.
? Our conclusion:
The Best shipping service providers depends heavily on your product, your price level and your target group. Many retailers start with DHL or Hermeslater, it is often worth combining it with tools such as Sendcloudto become more flexible.
Tip: When you grow, Negotiate individual conditions - especially for high shipping volumes or international parcels.
