With only essential services remaining open, your online business or side hustle might have run into some problems in the last couple of months. The restrictions could get tighter if the infection rates don't drop. Therefore, it's vital to consider different ways to ship and deliver goods and items before it's too late. All it takes is a small decline for your revenue streams to be in the red rather than the black. With that in mind, below are four of the most effective shipping options you can continue to use during a lockdown.

Shipping Bids

If you have never heard of shipping bids before, they are incredibly useful. The way it works is that people and companies with the infrastructure bid on jobs to earn extra income. Shippers will gladly take on your responsibility as long as it's not too much hassle. Thanks to the fact that you can coordinate with the bidder - for example, you can post jobs based on your state, town, or route - you should find it easier than dealing with big shipping companies that have plenty of red tape.

The Postal Service

Thankfully, the United States Postal Service is still running throughout the pandemic since it's classed as essential. You can trust it to continue delivering your packages and parcels. Sure, it might not be your first option, yet it's a brilliant backup plan since it's never going to go bust!

The key is to review your delivery policies and speak to customers to ensure there is no confusion. Let them know that their items will arrive, but they could take longer as your usual courier isn't available. They will understand. If anything, they'll be happy you are committed to delivering.

Parcel Stores

Parcel stores are establishments that send and receive packages. The great thing about them is that they are usually big brand names, meaning they are trustworthy and reliable. All you need to do is drop off the package at a locker and wait for an email confirmation.

It's Covid-secure since there's no reason to interact with anybody since the relevant details are forwarded to your email account. A drop-off point is healthy for everyone involved, which is why stores that accept parcel deliveries are getting more popular.

Courier

Couriers might carry on delivering, but you shouldn't take it for granted as it's impossible to predict anything in these uncertain times. Hopefully, they have terms and conditions that allow them to work throughout the pandemic; however, you can find a competitor if they don't. It's not loyal, yet loyalty doesn't pay the bills - your online revenue does.

If you want to give them an opportunity, you should analyze their practices. For instance, do they use contactless pickups and drop-offs?

Shipping during a global health crisis isn't straightforward, but it is crucial as online sales are hitting new peaks the longer the pandemic rages.