--- title: 3 Ways to Reduce Costs for Your Online Business description: Find out how to reduce costs in your online business by implement these 3 proven methods. By focusing on existing customers, lowering your transaction costs and optimizing your shipping, you can lower your costs and increase profits. image: https://blog.shift4shop.com/hubfs/ThinkstockPhotos-598150556.jpg --- [![eCommerce Blog](https://blog.shift4shop.com/hubfs/shift4shop/shift4-blog.jpg)](https://blog.shift4shop.com/) [![shift4shop logo](https://blog.shift4shop.com/hubfs/shift4shop/shift4shop-Black.png) |Blog](https://blog.3dcart.com/) [Sign Up](https://www.3dcart.com/freetrial.htm?utm_campaign=Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=blog-cta&utm_content=free-trial-cta) [Subscribe](https://blog.shift4shop.com/3-ways-to-reduce-costs-for-your-online-business#subscribeBlock) [Starting a Business](https://blog.shift4shop.com/topic/starting-a-business)| 3 min read # 3 Ways to Reduce Costs for Your Online Business By [Christianna Cannon](https://blog.shift4shop.com/author/christianna-cannon) [0 Comments](https://blog.shift4shop.com/3-ways-to-reduce-costs-for-your-online-business#comments-listing) ![](https://blog.shift4shop.com/hubfs/ThinkstockPhotos-598150556.jpg) In an incredibly competitive e-commerce market, many [online businesses selling online](https://www.3dcart.com/sell-online.htm) place tunnel-focus on sales revenue, while overlooking an aspect just as important: reducing costs. Here are **three easy and often over-looked routes to reduce costs for your online business.** ## **1) Focus on Existing Customers** It is often much more expensive trying to gain new customers than retaining the customers you already have. To retain current customers, focus on things like: - **Stellar Customer Service** -- If your existing customers trust your business and believe that you possess their best interest at heart, they will be exponentially more likely to keep doing business with you. - **Offering Deals and Discounts** -- Offering discounts to *existing* customers is very powerful. Many times, consumers feel neglected when they notice all the new customer deals, while they are expected to pay more for the same product/service. In fact, offering *new* customer deals and little-to-no *existing* customer deals may encourage customers to shop elsewhere, where they can receive new customer discounts themselves. - **Taking Complaints Very Seriously** -- About 95% of ALL dissatisfied customers *do not* complain. When you do receive a complaint or a problem, treat it like a gift and make sure that problem is not reciprocated, because they may be just one in 20+ people that have had the same problem. It is roughly seven times *more expensive *to acquire a new customer than it is to keep an existing customer. Furthermore, existing customers are five times more likely to purchase a product than a new prospect. You can see how a focus on customer retention can save huge amounts for your business. ## **2) Payment Options & Transaction Costs** Many payment outlets have fees that will soar as your order volume grows. You may be charged monthly fees, set-up fees, and even transaction fees on each unit sold! To solve problems associated with these fees, you will need to understand your business and customers. If you mainly target domestic customers, consider using offline payment techniques, such as cash/ATM deposits, [echecks, or online bank transfers](https://www.3dcart.com/payment-gateways/ach-echecks.html). Make sure that you are using the [most popular payment gateways](https://www.3dcart.com/ecommerce-payment-gateways.html)like PayPal if your company hasn't taken off quite yet. If you are already well-into your thriving business and don't know if you can afford to cut any payment outlets, keep this in mind: Your payment outlets don't want to lose you as their customer, either. Call that provider and try to negotiate your transaction costs. Minimizing the amount of fees you pay now can make a big impact for your business in the future. ## **3) Optimize Your Shipping** Every online business knows that one true, revenue-killer is shipping costs. Customers love seeing low or free shipping costs on their purchase, but on your end, it can feel like a dagger to spend so much on getting your product to their doorstep. Other than analyzing your packaging and seeing what you can do to cut costs on your customer's "[unboxing experience](https://blog.shift4shop.com/how-to-win-customer-loyalty-with-a-great-unboxing-experience)," an easy way to save money on shipping is using a [multi-carrier shipping software](https://www.3dcart.com/shopping-cart-software/shipping-features.html). Most shipping platforms will promise you lower shipping rates, so ensure that you are using a shipping platform that fits *you.* Check for the following criteria: - Marketplace Integration & CSV Mapping -- If it doesn't integrate to your marketplace, you will waste time and effort. - Multiple Carriers -- Make sure that it integrates multiple carriers AND will compare shipping solutions across each, confirming that you're spending the least amount possible. - Discounted Shipping Rates -- While all may advertise the lowest USPS shipping rates, truth is, they are all the same. However, *nearly EVERY shipping platform relies on a third-party contract to provide these rates. *Several lawsuits and contract disputes in these environments have brought instability to users of these platforms. So, locate a shipping software company that owns its own rates directly with the USPS. - Live Expert Support & Reporting -- To be bold, most of the largest shipping platforms don't offer a sophisticated-level of customer---or expert---shipping support. They are tech gurus but not shipping experts. Find a shipping platform that is committed to advising you on best-in-class shipping optimization strategies. ## **Conclusion** With so many silent killers in the "costs" column of your online business, focusing on existing customers, lowering your transaction costs and optimizing your shipping will save your business large sums in the long-run. Don't wait to streamline your business. Start right now.   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Leave a reply or comment below ### Sign up for Marketing Tips ### Related posts [eCommerce Product Launch: How to Write a Press Release for a New Product](https://blog.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-product-launch-write-press-release-new-product) Launching a new eCommerce product is hectic! You invest countless hours and considerable resources in developing something stellar. The bigger challenge, though, lies in getting the market to notice. [Read More](https://blog.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-product-launch-write-press-release-new-product) September 18, 2024 [How to Hire an eCommerce Virtual Assistant for Productivity](https://blog.shift4shop.com/hire-ecommerce-virtual-assistant-productivity) Running an eCommerce store can be extremely rewarding. It’s a chance to establish a brand, attract an audience, and most importantly, maximize online sales. Inevitably, though, achieving business ... [Read More](https://blog.shift4shop.com/hire-ecommerce-virtual-assistant-productivity) August 07, 2024 [9 Essential Steps for a Successful Go-To-Market Campaign](https://blog.shift4shop.com/steps-successful-go-to-market-campaign) A go-to-market (GTM) strategy is critical for reaching target customers and achieving competitive advantages when launching a new product or service. An effective GTM strategy employs various ... [Read More](https://blog.shift4shop.com/steps-successful-go-to-market-campaign) July 10, 2024 [![3dcart logo](https://blog.shift4shop.com/hubfs/shift4shop/shift4shop-Black.png) |Blog](https://blog.3dcart.com/) ### Sign up for Marketing Tips [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3365633/fcff512b-4483-4b5f-b166-fec0d89749f8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3365633/fcff512b-4483-4b5f-b166-fec0d89749f8)   ### Resources [B2B Ecommerce](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/b2b-ecommerce) [Conversion Optimization](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/conversion-optimization) [Digital Payments](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/digital-payments) [Ecommerce Features](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/ecommerce-features) [Ecommerce Marketing](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/ecommerce-marketing) [Email Marketing](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/email-marketing) [Fraud Prevention](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/fraud-prevention) [Search Engine Optimization](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/seo) [Shipping & Fulfillment](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/shipping-fulfillment) [Starting an Online Business](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/email-marketing) [Success Stories](https://blog.3dcart.com/topic/success-stories)   ### Popular Articles Search Articles   [![3dcart eCommerce Blog - Blog Directory OnToplist.com](https://www.ontoplist.com/images/ontoplist31.png?id=59e75cd39646e)](https://www.ontoplist.com/blogs/3dcart-ecommerce-blog_59e75cd39646e/) [Want to be a Guest Author?](https://blog.3dcart.com/guest-posts-application) Copyright © 2023 Shift4Shop. All Rights Reserved. ## Rocket Fuel for Your Business About Shift4Shop ![](https://www.shift4shop.com/2021/images/icons/dropdown-blue.svg) [Why Shift4Shop](https://www.shift4shop.com/why-3dcart.html) [Shopping Cart Software](https://www.shift4shop.com/shopping-cart-software.html) [Success Stories](https://www.shift4shop.com/lp/success-stories/) [Shift4Shop Reviews](https://www.shift4shop.com/shopping-cart-reviews.html) [eCommerce Blog](https://blog.shift4shop.com/) [Sitemap](https://www.shift4shop.com/sitemap.html) eCommerce ![](https://www.shift4shop.com/2021/images/icons/dropdown-blue.svg) [Features](https://www.shift4shop.com/all-features.html) [How to Sell Online](https://www.shift4shop.com/sell-online.htm) [Create a Website](https://www.shift4shop.com/build-ecommerce-website.htm) [Start an Online Store](https://www.shift4shop.com/start-an-online-store.html) [eCommerce](https://www.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-saas.html) [Online Store Builder](https://www.shift4shop.com/build-an-online-store.html) Resources ![](https://www.shift4shop.com/2021/images/icons/dropdown-blue.svg) [eCommerce Web Design](https://www.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-web-design.htm) [eCommerce Marketing](https://www.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-marketing-tools.html) [Custom Development](https://www.shift4shop.com/custom-development.html) [Start an Online Business](https://www.shift4shop.com/start-an-online-business.html) [App Store](https://apps.shift4shop.com/) [Theme Store](https://themes.shift4shop.com/) Technical Support ![](https://www.shift4shop.com/2021/images/icons/dropdown-blue.svg) [Support Center](https://support.3dcart.com/) [eCommerce Forum](https://forums.shift4shop.com/) [eCommerce University](https://www.shift4shop.com/lp/ecommerce-university/) [Developer Portal](https://developer.3dcart.com/) [Supported Payments](https://www.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-payment-gateways.html) Company ![](https://www.shift4shop.com/2021/images/icons/dropdown-blue.svg) [About Us](https://www.shift4shop.com/aboutus.htm) [Contact Us](https://www.shift4shop.com/aboutus.htm#contact-area) [Become a Partner](https://www.shift4shop.com/ecommerce-partners.html) [Affiliate Program](https://www.shift4shop.com/3dcart-affiliates.html) Copyright © 2025 Shift4Shop [Terms and Conditions](https://www.shift4shop.com/legal.html) [Privacy Policy](https://www.shift4shop.com/privacy.html) Copyright © 2025 Shift4Shop ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "United States", "addressLocality" : "Center Valley", "addressRegion" : "PA", "postalCode" : "18034", "streetAddress" : "3501 Corporate Pkwy " }, "alternateName" : "3dcart Shopping Cart Software", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "37.0902", "longitude" : "95.7129" }, "geoRadius" : "500 km" }, "description" : "Shopping Cart Software", "email" : "sales@3dcart.com", "image" : "https://www.3dcart.com/images/logo.png", "logo" : "https://www.3dcart.com/images/logo.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.shift4shop.com/3-ways-to-reduce-costs-for-your-online-business", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Find out how to reduce costs in your online business by implement these 3 proven methods. By focusing on existing customers, lowering your transaction costs and optimizing your shipping, you can lower your costs and increase profits." }, "naics" : "5112", "name" : "3dcart", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.3dcart.com", "https://www.facebook.com/3dcart", "https://www.twitter.com/3dcart", "https://plus.google.com/+3dcart", "https://instagram.com/3dcart/", "https://www.youtube.com/3dcart", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/3dcart.com", "https://www.pinterest.com/3dcart" ], "telephone" : "8882762108", "url" : "https://www.shift4shop.com" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Christianna Cannon" }, "dateModified" : "November 27, 2018, 4:30:51 PM", "datePublished" : "2017-03-30 13:30:31", "description" : "Find out how to reduce costs in your online business by implement these 3 proven methods. By focusing on existing customers, lowering your transaction costs and optimizing your shipping, you can lower your costs and increase profits.", "headline" : "3 Ways to Reduce Costs for Your Online Business", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3365633/ThinkstockPhotos-598150556.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.3dcart.com", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "eCommerce Blog by 3dcart" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.3dcart.com/images/logo.png" }, "name" : "3dcart" } } ```