Does Your Small Business Need a Postage Meter?

For a small business owner today, there are lots of expenses to pay, and procuring your own postage meter can be a wise investment to cut back on overhead and make your growing business more profitable in the long run.

Depending on the type of business you have, and the amount of letters and packages you send on a regular basis, a postage meter could be an absolute necessity. And there is no denying that "metered post" is far more impressive on your correspondence and parcels than simply using stamps. Metered mail promotes the right image of your business, as a bonifide company, even if you are based out of your own home.

Stamps.com lets you print postage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.. It's the easiest, most convenient way to manage your mailing needs.  All it takes is a PC and a Printer to print USPS-approved postage for envelopes, packages, and even Priority Mail right from home or office. You may never have to go to the Post Office again.

If you are constantly running to the post office, FedEx or UPS, you will already be aware of how much time is consumed by these daily mundane tasks--time you could be spending attracting new clients or securing relationships with existing ones. In these situations, a postage meter can be a smart choice.

A Postage meter offers your small businesses or home office the ability to determine exact postage rates, and can save an estimated 20% or more annually in your office postage expenses by eliminating the ineffective and expensive practice of "over stamping."

When preparing large quantities of out-going mail, using a postage meter will be much more efficient than the do-it-yourself methods so many small business owners use, saving frequent trips to the post office, waiting in lines and the use of regular adhesive stamps.

Check out Stamps.com online and try out the four-week trial. You have nothing to lose, and so much to gain..

In addition, it is commonly believed that metered mail can often arrive a day earlier at its destination address than more traditional weighed and stamped packages and letters. And using a postage meter eliminates the need for repeated post office "runs," especially when your small business uses metered mail combined with online postage services like click-n-ship from the USPS.

Investing in a postage meter for your small business will give you the option to track your postage expenses to the exact penny, eliminating the old practice of filing and reviewing post office receipts and shipping invoices from various companies. This kind of exact knowledge over where your money is going helps to streamline small business expenses, ensuring profitability in both good times and bad.

There are many retailers that lease professional postage meters. Two of the most popular companies in the field are Pitney Bowe, Inc. and Hasler, Inc. In addition, online postage services are available from either of these companies. You'll also find other web-based postage retailers like Stamps.com, or envmgr.com that feature a wide variety of postage services.

In the United States, all postage meters must adhere to requirements and guidelines established by the United States Postal Service. The costs associated with leasing a meter vary, but in general, there is normally a monthly rental cost, printing fees "per impression," and USPS postage fees, which are normally prepaid and can be "topped up" whenever necessary with a simple phone call, or by purchasing online.

Over all, a small business postage meter provides many long term benefits to the small business, and can save both money and time, while ensuring a more "professional" image for your company.