The more there are online stores, the more is required from the companies who make the product deliveries. Consumers are impatient and used to good service, and they will definitely notice even small problems with the service they receive.
Modern online stores and the way products are delivered to consumers are relatively new innovations and therefore under constant development. That’s why there are notable differences in how delivery companies run their businesses. Not all delivery companies are equally good, and there is both quality and price competition.
Most often, the best thing you can do for your customers is offering them different delivery methods to choose from. For some customers, it is enough that the product they have purchased arrives after a long periods of time, while others need their products immediately. However, co-operation with several different delivery companies may become labor-intensive and time-consuming for the store owner.
Reliability is key
In most cases, customers will want their products as quickly as possible. Even more important, however, is that the deliveries are reliable. The parcel should always arrive when promised. If there are problems with the delivery or it is late for whatever reason, it is always best to inform the customer as soon as possible and let them know when they will receive their products.
You should always think about everything related to your online store from the customer’s point of view, delivery methods included. If the customer needs to travel far to get the parcel or make sure he or she is at home when the delivery arrives, the schedule and reliability of the delivery becomes very important.
Deliveries affect your brand
Even though an online store is not directly responsible for the deliveries of the products, they have an impact on the store’s brand. Successful deliveries will satisfy the customer, but failures are likely to be even more memorable. Who would by a product in an online store knowing that the company in charge of the deliveries never manages to keep its promises?
Customers will never be able to understand, in their daily life, the difference between the brand of the store and the brand of the delivery company. All that matters to them is the customer experience.
Having deliveries work out as scheduled is not a small thing to customers. That’s why reliability is incredibly important for an online store and its growing brand. A customer unhappy with past delivery service is unlikely to make repeat purchases, no matter who is in charge of the shipments.
Try out different delivery methods
Online stores are still a relatively new phenomenon, and because of that, delivery companies are still changing and adapting. More effective and less cumbersome delivery methods are constantly being worked on. That’s why online stores should keep an open mind when it comes to the delivery companies they partner up with. Trying out different styles is likely to yield the best results in the long run.
If the delivery company that has, so far, been responsible for getting your products to your customers is not able to keep their promises reliably enough, you should look into different options. It is also possible to partner up with several different logistics companies and leave the choice up to your customers. This is a great option, as long as having multiple partnerships simultaneously doesn’t get too labor-intensive.