With so much competition, it is becoming increasingly difficult for online businesses to differentiate from their competitors. One of the best ways to do this is to improve the standard of the delivery service, as this is one aspect that customers have prioritized in recent years. In fact, according to Statista, online shoppers now decide where to shop wherever the checkout to delivery experience is most convenient.
But how can you improve your delivery service so it beats other businesses in your industry? There are many ways to do this, but three of the best methods have been explained in this post. These methods, including personalized service and expert handling, are essential if you wish to keep customers happy and coming back to your business.
Provide Personalized Service from Beginning to End
In today’s ecommerce market, customers have their own needs and preferences regarding delivery. This is even more apparent when they order bulky or expensive products. When ordering these items, customers rarely want them left in a safe space outside, as there is a risk of them being damaged or stolen. This is why it is essential to customize the delivery service to the customer from the very start of the process.
During the checkout process, customers should be given the option to select a convenient delivery timeframe. This will usually allow the customer to choose the time and date of the delivery, down to the last few hours. Additionally, the customer should also have the opportunity to provide special handling instructions that the delivery crew must follow. These factors will increase the satisfaction customers feel when ordering and receiving their purchases.
Ensure Expert Handling
Although leaving an order in a safe space can lead to damage, this can also occur during the shipping process. Some items, especially those of high-value like electronics and furniture, should be handled with care to avoid damage. It is vital that the shipping and delivery team members are well-trained to handle products correctly. This type of training might include the use of specialist equipment and technology as well as safety techniques to guarantee secure transport.
Not only will this lower the risk of damage, it can also provide your customers with peace of mind when making their purchases. They will be aware of the care that your team provides when packaging, shipping, and delivering orders. If you want to advertise this factor, it can be stated on your company website to ensure customers know this service is a guarantee.
Some businesses will go even further and offer installation and assembly services as part of the delivery, which is incredibly beneficial as the workers are already trained on how to handle the products. For furniture, this will save customers valuable time by allowing trained professionals to build and install pieces. If your business does not have the time and resources to complete this training, it might be worth outsourcing logistics to a third-party that offers this type of service, like Ryder’s white glove delivery.
Prioritize Attention to Detail
To provide a superior level of service with deliveries, you must pay attention to the small details. This will go further than just training staff to handle orders with the utmost care; it will extend to ensure the delivery team is well-versed in the best practices of customer service. These workers should be professional and respectful, and they should work to ensure all stages of the delivery is handled to an exceptional standard.
Your business will also benefit from thorough communication, and this is one detail that you do not want to miss out on. Keeping customers informed throughout the entire order and delivery process will build trust and improve the total experience. This can be achieved by sending delivery status updates and estimates of arrival times; if there are any changes during this process, you must contact the customer to pass along this information.
And, as previously mentioned, workers should follow the instructions already set out by the customer down to the last detail.
By following the three tips outlined in this post, your customers will be incredibly satisfied by the outstanding delivery service that your business provides.