ByDelivery operations are arguably one of the most important aspects of eCommerce. Failure to deliver on time undermines customer satisfaction and generates a negative word of mouth. Timely deliveries, on the other hand, increase customer loyalty and brand evangelism.
Here are five ways you can improve the delivery procedures for your eCommerce store.
1. Use Technology to Streamline Delivery
There are many softwares you can use to standardize not just your delivery workflows but also, your overall order fulfillment. For instance, Mile’s eCommerce delivery management solution has a fully-integrated tech stack that streamlines order placement for customers, manages picking, packing, and dispatch at the warehouse, and facilitates proof of delivery and payment collection for the delivery personnel.
Apart from that, it allows real-time live tracking and dynamic route optimization to make sure the back-office is always aware of the location of an order at any given point and can adjust the route, in case of any unexpected weather conditions, traffic congestion, etc., to ensure timely deliveries.
2. Provide Multiple Shipping Options
Not all customers have similar shipping preferences. Some people want their order to be delivered the same day, while others do not mind waiting for a week if it means they will save money. By offering standard shipping, express shipping, and even same-day delivery, you are appealing to both kinds of customers.
Faster solutions always come at a cost; however, they can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. At the same time, more affordable shipping options are beneficial to budget conscious shoppers. Set clear expectations regarding delivery time and cost to prevent surprises later.
You can also consider adding real-time shipping fee calculators into the checkout process. Doing so will enable your customers to view the exact pricing and estimated delivery date for each option prior to making the purchase.
Moreover, you can set incremental thresholds for free shipping or offer discounts on a high billed amount to stimulate frequent bigger purchases. Adopting these suggestions will help you solidify the reputation of your brand as trustworthy and customer-oriented.
3. Manage Inventory Effectively
The lack of effective inventory management results in logistic delays, which in turn leads to customer dissatisfaction. If you overstock, you end up wasting money; if you understock, you can’t fulfill orders on time. These problems can be solved with an inventory management system that tracks stock in real-time. Incorporating automated reorder points and connecting supplier networks can further improve the flow of goods while minimizing the chances of running out of stock or overstocking.
Use sales data to come up with predictions on the demand for different products and manage your inventory accordingly. For instance, if a certain product is a hot seller during the holidays, it makes sense to stock up ahead of the holiday season. To reduce shipping distances and improve delivery speed, consider having multiple warehouses closer to the customers.
Having the necessary products in stock at all times leads to improved delivery periods and increased customer satisfaction.
4. Work with Reliable Carriers
Choosing a carrier for the shipment has a direct effect on the performance of the delivery. Develop partnerships with carriers whom you trust to be reliable, fast, and efficient when handling customers. Make sure to do thorough research and look into their coverage, delivery times, and rates. Continuously assess carrier performance with their key metrics such as on-time delivery and damage rates to check if their performance meets your standards and that of the customers.
This strategy enables you to manage risk by having multiple plans in place in case one carrier experiences delays. Work with multiple carriers. Also, negotiate rates to give you greater flexibility in offering competitive shipping prices to customers. Build strong relationships with your carriers to get better service from them, particularly during busy seasons.
5. Optimize Packaging and Last-Mile Delivery
The last step of any delivery, called the last mile, is the most challenging one. Improving it requires efficient packaging and effective localized distribution strategies. Use materials that are lightweight but also durable for shipping to avoid high costs due to damage.
Think about working with local delivery services or creating pickup locations in high-demand areas. This helps decrease the time it takes to deliver the packages and provides customers with more ways to receive their orders. Let data show you where customers are located and adjust your last-mile strategy.
Final Thoughts
With tools like Mile, you can provide flexible shipping options, take control of inventory, work with carriers effectively, and optimize last-mile delivery. All this will improve the seamless experience of delivery your customers will enjoy.
If executed properly, the delivery process is guaranteed to please the customers, encourage positive reviews, and even garner repeat business. Make sure to start employing these strategies today to maximize the potential of your eCommerce store.
