Need to find a trustworthy on-demand courier? Use these 7 tips to screen out unprofessional services and find couriers you can trust to transport your packages.
Did you know that the USPS delivers 181.9 million pieces of first-class mail each day? Now imagine the load also carried by couriers like FedEx and others.
If you’re a business, getting a trustworthy courier is your top priority. It’s especially when you’re offering products delivered throughout the country. But if you’re a startup, you won’t know what to look for.
With this guide, you’ll learn what to look for in an on-demand courier. That way, you have an efficient and secure method of delivering your products to your customers. Read on and find out more:
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Check Their Delivery Speed
The duration between a customer ordering and them receiving the item can make a huge difference to your business reputation. It’s a major factor in whether your sales increase or decrease. Remember, the happier the customers, the more likely they become loyal to you as a brand.
Some experts agree that when you buy online in the United States, it’s likely to be delivered anywhere between three and five days. If the competition within your niche is intense, shorter times might be necessary. It’s especially when you sell using marketplaces.
A good way to determine the right number of days is to research and ask customers using social media polls. If your business must have same-day or next-day shipping, you need not pay more for faster courier services. Instead, factor these costs into your customers’ shipping fee.
Offering free shipping has its perks, but recent surveys found that most online shoppers will pay extra to get their packages faster. This is good news for you, especially if you’re one of the millions of small businesses based in the United States.
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Look at Their Size and Weight Limitations
The size and weight of your products will play a big part in determining your ideal courier. Sometimes, companies will charge more to deliver larger items. Other times, they might not have the equipment or vehicle necessary to deliver large and heavy packages.
If you’re reselling products, a simple way to see your items’ weight is to look at listings on online marketplaces. For example, you’ll see the weight listed in the product details of products sold on either Amazon or eBay. After determining this, you can ask your prospective courier on their weight and size limitations and decide from there.
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See Whether They Give Proofs of Delivery
Unhappy customers happen when your items don’t arrive at their doorstep on time. That’s why it’s best to get a courier service provider that gives a proof of delivery. This will assure you that the shipping company performs within your expectations.
An excellent place to start is to look for a courier that gives either parcel tracking or recorded delivery features. It mainly depends on your products and your customer needs. Investing in a courier with this feature ensures that both parties have peace of mind.
Some reputable companies take it a step further and send SMS to your customers or have an on-demand courier app. This will let them know the expected time and date for your delivery. This feature makes the shipping experience for your customers more pleasant.
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Look for Great Customer Service
Even when a different company handles your deliveries, customers will think about you when they get a great or terrible shipping experience. Your courier company’s customer service isn’t within your control. Regardless, it’s always better to consider your shipping partner’s reputation.
The internet has an abundance of online reviews by independent people. Draw your conclusion from these, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. If it’s mostly negative, it’s better to deal with another service instead.
Always remember that your courier service will handle the bulk of human interaction with your customers. The delivery driver’s behavior will change how they perceive your business. This also affects how likely they are to buy from you again.
Problems surround some delivery service providers. It’s your job to be aware of these problems when they buy online and receive their package.
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Check Their Cost to Value Ratio
The delivery costs for outsourcing shipping services can quickly add up. With this, you must think about the ratio between the delivery costs and the value it gives your business. Attaching a number to customer experience improvements is difficult, making it challenging.
Your primary goal is to increase sales, but you must track your success using less quantifiable methods. When working with a courier service, you can measure this by looking at your reviews. Another method is to send a survey and check your customers’ satisfaction.
That’s why the cheapest courier service won’t deliver the best value. If you get cheap providers that won’t deliver, you’ll suffer from reduced sales. At worst, your reputation becomes questionable.
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Look at Their Parcel Insurance
Even the best courier services can get delayed or deliver damaged goods. Accidents can happen, regardless of how infrequent it is. Understand that parcel delivery insurance won’t cover your entire business. Some policies might not cover the products you sell.
Before you commit to your chosen courier, look at their service terms and conditions. Look for the types of items they cover and see whether the items you sell are within the scope. Don’t assume that the insurance policy covers common items like glass or electrical gadgets.
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Check Their Availability
When looking for a courier to work with, check their regular availability. This will determine whether they’re ready on demand whenever necessary. It’s no good if you hire a company that won’t be available or let you wait for hours before delivering items.
Get an On-Demand Courier Today!
These are tips on how to find the best on-demand courier. Use these if you want your business to have the best shipping. This will help boost your sales and give a great customer experience.
Are you looking for a reputable courier? If so, contact us today, and let’s work together.
