Delayed Deliveries Might be Fatal – Here’s a To-Do List
Does the efficiency, sales, and reputation of your business is affected by delayed deliveries? We understand how bad it can prove to be for a business. Avoiding delivery delays is tough and businesses that rely on on-time deliveries are often hit the most. A few years ago, when the same day delivery concept started, merchants and service providers looked into it as the next big revolution. Fast forward today, a number of businesses have failed just because they were not able to match the hype and the ever-growing demand. Ultimately, the disaster happened and they had to shut down.
- So why is it so critical and difficult to ensure on-time deliveries?
Delivering goods, packages, documents, etc. on time means a business knows the importance of being punctual and professional. Professionals keep deadlines, end of story.
- What happens when delivery is delayed?
Customers can be very upset. They might lose the excitement of receiving the order. A business could potentially lose income and customers’ trust when delivery is delayed.
- What are the consequences faced by businesses?
Delivery failures could get a business into long-term losses if taken lightly. A business that relies on on-time delivery would not be able to sustain in the market if delivery delays are frequent.
Fact check: Approximately 60% of Amazon’s US customers are members of the company’s Prime premium delivery service. Those 95 million consumers are worth a lot to the e-commerce giant; on average, they spend $1,400 a year with the company, compared to the $600 spent by non-members. In return, they expect exceptionally high service levels. (Source: McKinsey)
Rectifying delivery delays can make a big difference. Businesses experience higher customer satisfaction levels and that helps in retaining the customers for the growth of the business. There are goods with an expiration date and needs to be delivered within specific timeframes, such as medical samples, food items, pharmaceutical supplies, and products stored in a temperature-controlled environment for a limited time.
Why Deliveries Get Delayed?
If you want to learn how to avoid delivery delays, the first thing to do is to find out what causes these delays. Sometimes, customers are also responsible when businesses face difficulties in delivering the goods. However, a large part of the blame for delivery delays goes to the service provider. Other factors that contribute to the blame are traffic congestions, severe weather conditions, the sudden increase in demands and more.
What are the consequences of delayed deliveries?
- Drop in sales
- No repeat customers
- Lost trust of customers
- Customers look for alternatives
- Compromised brand reputation
- Business growth at stake
What can be done to make deliveries on time?
Here’s your To-Do List:
Preset Minimum & Maximum Delivery Time
To ensure on-time deliveries, set a realistic minimum to maximum delivery time. Keep in mind that the delivery time should not discourage customers to shop and place orders.
Keep Updated Inventory
For customers, it is frustrating to place an order for a product that is not available in your inventory. Whatever it takes, always keep your inventory updated and allow purchasing only if the products are available.
Faster Dispatch Process
Stack products in your warehouse in such a way that it facilitates a faster dispatch process. The best way to do this is by arranging the most popular products first followed by the low demand products.
Be Prepared for the Peak Hours
Businesses often witness increased orders and sales during peak hours on weekdays and weekends. Prepare yourself with alternative arrangements to deliver orders in good time. Inform the customers about the expected time of delivery to avoid experiencing delivery delays by them.
Or, hire a Fulfillment Company
A fulfillment company is a 3rd-party service provider that handles the delivery of orders on behalf of your business. For many, this is the most practical way to ensure on-time deliveries.
Fact check: “Shoppers look for fastest delivery and 88% of them are open to spend some extra bucks for the same-day or faster delivery” – according to PwC.
Why to Have an On-demand Mobile App
Technology has brought solutions to the most difficult problems of all time. Businesses are moving to mobile. After the success of on-demand delivery mobile apps like Postmates and Instacart, businesses are actively reaping the benefits. Here’s a smart comparison given between the traditional ways of delivery and technology-guided delivery process –
In the conventional delivery process –
- It was difficult to track the exact location of the shipment at any given time
- Customers had to wait for their orders without an ETA
- Frequent communications had to be done to know the status of the delivery
- Businesses used to depend upon the delivery windows set by the courier agency
- If an order had to be returned, the customer had to bear the packaging and shipping expenses. This upsets the customer and stop him/her to buy again from the same merchant.
How on-demand mobile app solves the delivery chaos –
- A customer knows the exact time of delivery in real-time
- A business is able to streamline processing, packaging and dispatch process
- Orders are prepared according to the sequence, thereby reducing the wait time
- Customers can even schedule the delivery time according to their availability and convenience
- A delivery person knows the exact location where the delivery needs to be done
Good read: Want To Create a Food Delivery App like UberEats or Deliveroo – Know How It Is Done.
It’s not impossible to win the delivery market and provide a great experience to the customers consistently. With the help of technological solutions like the on-demand delivery app, businesses are improving the customer experience and offering convenient delivery options, making online shoppers willing to buy more. Much more.
Ready to take the next step? Call us now.
