Choosing The Best Postage Meter for Your Small Business

If you’re a small business owner, you know what it's like to be the head of every department, at least while you're getting all your ducks in a row. Every aspect from managing the daily operations, products and services, finances, and so on, has to be handled by you - but handling the mailing processes is one that requires even more time, attention, and additional costs that you might not think about. 

When it comes to postage, traditional methods like trips to the post office can eat up valuable time and resources that you don't have. This is where postage meters come in to help. 

But with a myriad of options available, how do you choose the best postage meter for your small business? Let's explore the factors. 

Why Postage Meters Matter for Small Businesses

Postage meters are invaluable tools for small businesses who need to send packages. Simply put, postage meters essentially bring the post office to you rather than having to make trips. If you’re running your small business from your home, so many shipping and mailing factors can take your eye off the ball, like: 

• Not making it in time to the post office

• Incorrect addresses and correction fees

• Spending extra on postage

Its been reported that the average small business pays close to $350 a month on postage, equating to almost $4000 per year. With a postage meter, you always pay the correct amount in postage with discounts not available at the post office. In addition, postage meters allow you to print postage or shipping labels directly onto your envelopes, so buying stamps becomes a thing of the past. 

Let’s dive into more detail about the benefits: 

Time-savings: No more trips, or waiting in long lines at the post office. With a postage meter, you can process mail directly from your office, saving precious time.

Cost-effective: Postage meters offer discounted postage rates compared to traditional stamps, saving your business money in the long run. With postage rates increasing in 2024, a postage meter that offers discounted rates will help out big time. 

Convenience: Having a postage meter on-site means you can process mail whenever it's convenient for you, whether during business hours or after hours.

What to Consider When Choosing a Postage Meter

So what do you look for when searching for a post meter? Yes, the size of your business comes into play, but that’s not the only factor to consider. 

Volume of Mail: Assess your typical monthly mail volume. Different postage meters cater to different volumes, so choose one that aligns with your needs.

Features: Make sure the postage meter you're shopping for has all the features you need, such as integrated scales, automatic address verification, and reporting capabilities to streamline your mailing process further.

Budget: Determine your budget for a postage meter, including initial setup costs, ongoing maintenance fees, and postage expenses.

Customer Support: Ensure the provider offers reliable customer support to address any issues or questions that may arise.

5 Reasons Why Pitney Bowes Postage Meters are the Right Solution for Your Small Business

Among the plethora of postage meters available, Pitney Bowes has the one right for your business. Our partners at Pitney Bowes have been a leader in shipping in mailing hardware and software solutions for over 100 years, and have taken every pain point a small business owner experiences into consideration.

With a compact and smart design, complete with an integrated scale and automatic postage rate updates, the SendPro® series from Pitney Bowes stands out as a top choice for your business. You'll be able to ship packages comfortably from your home office

1. Modern Design: The SendPro® series simplifies the mailing process with its user-friendly interface and compact design. The modern touchscreen display of each SendPro® series postage meter is a feature that competitors have not yet caught up to. 

2. Cost Savings: Each SendPro® has an integrated scale that determines the exact weight of your packages, so there is no risk of overspending. The SendPro® postage meters get automatic rate change updates, which allows you to save on every first-class letter. 

3. Address Verification: Improve your delivery success rate and address correction fees. SendPro® has address verification, so the packages and letters you’re sending always get the right place. 

4. IMI Compliance: 2024 will see the introduction of IMI compliance which will enable the USPS to better automate operations, increase security standards, and ensure correct mail postage. IMI compliance will be a requirement by the end of 2024, and all other devices will be decertified. Pitney Bowes. SendPro postage meters are already IMI compliant, so upgrading now will avoid headaches in the long run.  

5. Support: Pitney Bowes offers robust customer support, including online resources, phone assistance, and onsite service options, ensuring your mailing operations run smoothly.

Make the Right Choice with Pitney Bowes

Choosing the right postage meter can significantly streamline your small business operations, saving you time and money while enhancing professionalism. When evaluating your options, consider factors such as volume, features, budget, and customer support. And if you're looking for a reliable solution that ticks all the boxes, the Pitney Bowes SendPro® series emerges as the frontrunner, offering efficiency, versatility, cost savings, and excellent support. 

The SendPro® series is available through TROY. Start exploring the solution here.