7 signs your eCommerce business needs a label printer

As an eCommerce business owner, providing your customers with a seamless and hassle-free shopping experience is crucial. To achieve this, you must guarantee that all elements of your online store function efficiently - from order processing to shipping and everything in between.

However, one important aspect that is frequently overlooked is labelling and packaging. If you're encountering problems with timely order dispatch or struggling to streamline your shipping label procedures, acquiring a label printer could be the solution your online business needs.

In this guide, we highlight seven telltale signs that your eCommerce business could benefit from a label printer.

1. You're manually printing and cutting labels

Effective labelling is essential for eCommerce success. It serves to identify products, streamline order delivery and prevent errors. However, relying on outdated manual methods of printing, cutting, and sticking labels can be a time-consuming and error-prone process. This not only wastes valuable time but also risks delivering a subpar customer experience.

As your eCommerce business grows and you start processing a higher volume of orders, manual labelling can become tedious. A label printer can reduce your workload and allow you to process more orders in less time.

Manual labelling can also lead to increased labour costs, as you or your staff may need to spend more time on label printing tasks.

A professional label printer like the Brother QL-1110NWB can help you save on labour and supply costs, as the device can automate the label printing process through a wide choice of widths and sizes, either as a continuous length roll that can be cut to your required length, or the more standard die-cut labels.

If your business needs to print around 40 labels a day, then the Brother QL-1110NWB is a suitable device. In addition to being compatible with PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices, this desktop label printer also supports wireless, Bluetooth and Ethernet connectivity for added convenience.

2. Your shipping labels are inconsistent

If your shipping labels are inconsistent, it can lead to confusion and delayed shipments. A label printer can help ensure that all your labels are consistent and professional-looking. This can also help to improve your brand image and customer satisfaction.

Inconsistency in the shipping label space refers to the size and dimensions of your existing labelling ecosystem, or it may be that you're printing some postage labels while handwriting others.

If you need to print shipping labels up to 10cm in width, then a device like the QL-1110 has you covered. This label printer works with all sorts of platforms, including Australia Post, Brother's free label creation software P-touch Editor, as well as many popular eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, eBay and more.

3. You're struggling to keep up with demand

If your eCommerce business is experiencing a period of rapid growth, you may be struggling to keep up with demand. A thermal label printer can help increase the efficiency of your labelling and packaging process, allowing you to keep up with surging customer orders.

As your online operation scales and you receive a higher volume of orders, manually printing labels can be labour-intensive. A thermal label printer like Brother's TD-4550DNWB can streamline your labelling process, saving you valuable time and effort. Using direct thermal technology to effortlessly print product and shipping labels, the TD-4550DNWB is suitable for busy eCommerce businesses churning through up to 5,000 labels a day.

When business is booming, you don't have time to troubleshoot or pause your operations. That's where the TD-4550DNWB shines, as it can be seamlessly integrated into your existing applications thanks to Software Development Kits (SDKs). This technology provides a simple, inexpensive, and reliable means of integrating printing into your operations.

4. You require greater flexibility and customisation

As an eCommerce owner, you know that label printing can be a crucial component in delivering products to your customers. However, if your current ecosystem is flawed, riddled with inefficiencies, or requires greater flexibility and customisation, it can be a real stumbling block.

This is where a label printer that can be customised and tailored specifically for eCommerce businesses comes in handy. With an effective system in place, you can streamline your label printing processes, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction.

Not only do label printers provide greater flexibility, but these devices also allow you to customise your labels and include key information, such as tracking numbers, barcodes, and branding elements.

5. You need to improve label quality

Quality labels can add a lot of value to your eCommerce business. They not only make your products look more professional, but they also help you stand out from the competition. However, achieving high-quality labels can be challenging if you're relying on manual printing and cutting.

Labels produced manually may not have the same level of clarity and accuracy that a label printer can deliver. A label printer like the TD-4550DNWB uses direct thermal technology to print barcodes and QR codes, as well as inventory, product and shipping labels up to 108.4mm in width, and in crisp 300dpi resolution. This means you'll be left with labels that look sharp, helping enhance your brand's professional image.

6. You're receiving a surge in customer complaints

Owning and running a successful eCommerce business comes with its perks but complaints are an unfortunate reality in any customer-facing environment. If you're receiving an increased number of customer complaints about delayed shipments or inaccurate label information, it could be a sign to invest in a label printer.

Investing in a single device or multiple label printers makes it easier to create and track accurate product labels, reducing the likelihood of customer dissatisfaction due to damaged or lost parcels. A labelling solution also streamlines your inventory management process, allowing you to keep track of stock levels and avoid overselling or running out of stock.

7. Your shipping carrier has strict requirements

In the highly competitive eCommerce market, delivery speed and accuracy can make or break your business's success. Shipping carriers such as Australia Post and DHL have their own label requirements that you must adhere to for smooth shipping operations.

These requirements encompass various aspects such as label format, font size, and barcode protocols - all of which must be followed to avoid costly delays and ensure timely delivery to customers. A label printer that can accommodate these requirements is an indispensable tool for eCommerce businesses as it eliminates the possibility of incompatible label formats causing issues during shipping.

The importance of investing in a label printer that complies with these strict requirements cannot be overstated as it not only streamlines shipping operations but also helps uphold high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.

Time to elevate your eCommerce game? We hear you

In today's fast-paced eCommerce landscape, every second counts. Whether you need to improve your shipping label processes or want to focus on enhancing your brand with product labels that stand out, then it's time to consider your options.

Don't wait any longer to improve your processes, contact us today and let us help you unleash your brand's full potential. With our advanced technology, easy integration, and exceptional support, we are at your side every step of the way.

FAQs about label printers for eCommerce

Which thermal label printer is best for eCommerce?

Discovering the perfect thermal label printer for your eCommerce venture requires careful thought. Factors to consider include the volume of labels you print each day, the size of the labels, whether durability is necessary, and other essential elements. However, a direct thermal printer such as the QL-1110NWB or TD-4550DNWB are suitable for eCommerce environments.

What printer do you need to print shipping labels?

To print shipping labels effectively you'll need to consider who your shipping carrier or third-party provider is, and whether they have specific requirements for their labels. Once you're armed with this knowledge, you'll have a good idea of which label printers are best suited to your operations. Better yet, get in touch with the experts at Brother and we can help.

What label printer is compatible with Australia Post?

If you use Australia Post as your preferred shipping courier, you will have a few label printer options to choose from. However, it’s best to get in touch with the team at Brother who can provide all the information you need to put your mind at ease.