E-commerce as a frontier facilitates the trade of goods and services and funds transfer through an electronic network, ideally, the internet. The outbreak of pandemics such as Covid19 has significantly increased the need for e-commerce as an alternative to having physical stores.
E-commerce platforms cater for shoppers to shop in the comfort of their whereabouts only using their internet devices. The purchased goods or services then get delivered to the priory agreed-upon points. A good e-commerce platform incorporates an elaborate and efficient system to ensure the apt, timely delivery of goods.
Competition in businesses begs small businesses to devise seamless channels that provide fast delivery speeds to ensure customer satisfaction. Consumers assert that delivery of their goods ought to be as fast as is practically achievable. Customers say that timely shipping or lack thereof adversely affects their brand loyalty. The following strategies ensure faster deliveries:
Route Optimization
Route optimization entails selecting the best route in terms of distance and cost-effectiveness. To achieve this, you should incorporate manual calculations and route optimization software. This software calculates the most efficient routes that have the fastest shipping speeds. The software sources data from many drivers and courses and evaluates it to identify the most feasible routes.
Express supply can be achieved through courier services or by utilizing drop-shipping. This will allow retailers to keep up with the competition while maintaining low inventory levels.
Plan Ahead
Planning is critical, especially when there’s anticipation for increased demand for goods and services. Your brand should have plans in advance to cater for such increases, for example, increased number of drivers and vehicles. The drivers should also be in the know to help them plan too.
Allow Route Modification in Real-time
Since some unforeseen circumstances may arise during shipping, routes should be relatively flexible to ensure that the goods get availed as agreed. Ensure appropriate prioritization as some customers pay extra for faster shipping and should be prioritized compared to the standard paying customers.
Incorporating Forward and Reverse Logistics Simultaneously
If a driver is heading to a particular route for a drop-off, and another package needs to get picked therein, it only makes sense that the same driver picks whatever goods that might be on the same route rather than sending a different driver.
Ultimately, consumers are selective and will go for the platforms with the fastest shipping speeds. Your platform should, as such, consider ensuring the quickest delivery speed to ensure maximum customer satisfaction and, consequently, retention.