Modern technology has completely changed how we shop for goods and services. The high street and shopping malls are rapidly becoming things of the past. Now, we can order anything we can think of online and have it delivered straight to our front doors, often within 24 hours.
If you own your own e-commerce business, you’ve no doubt got a lot on your mind. You’ll be thinking about your platform’s design, your marketing strategy, and your product offering. However, this should never mean you overlook delivery, as this is one of the most important things for an e-commerce business. E-commerce is all about convenience; if your deliveries are slow and unreliable, customers will quickly turn to competitors that offer one-day delivery or the best overnight delivery. How can you ensure your deliveries are as smooth as possible? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Review Ordering Processes
Improving your delivery service starts with the ordering process. This needs to be fast, efficient, and reliable, allowing customers to place orders quickly and easily without problems or security issues.
Small e-commerce businesses often process orders manually. While this may work for a small amount, if they are looking to scale at all then this process must be automated. Automated ordering systems process customer orders instantly and carry no risk of human error. This is the first step you need to take as you look to make your delivery process smoother.
Choosing Couriers
No matter how much you improve your ordering system, if you are using poor-quality couriers then your products are never going to be delivered to customers in a timely manner. Even worse, products could arrive damaged if substandard courier services are mishandling or improperly stored and transport packages.
A study has revealed that 62% of consumers expect orders to arrive within three days if they have selected a free shipping option. For those who have chosen to pay for a delivery, many will expect the order to arrive at their door within 24 hours.
This clearly demonstrates why choosing the right courier is so important. Research all available options carefully before you make any decisions. Draw up the pros and cons of each and read reviews to see what other businesses and consumers think about a particular courier. This way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and opt for a courier who will ensure your deliveries are smooth and on time.
Supply Chain Management
Supply chains can be complicated and difficult to stay on top of. Delays can occur at any point, and they cause a domino effect which can result in widespread, long-term issues.
Map your supply chain out in detail. This will give you a comprehensive overview of the key points in the chain, allowing you to identify potential weak spots where issues could occur. This is part of a process known as supply chain management, and it’s an absolutely crucial strategy for any business that moves goods from place to place.
Conclusion
Use the advice and guidance in the above article to optimize your deliveries and ensure they are smooth and delay-free.
