Delivery business: tips to help the business thrive

Delivery businesses are a vital part of the e-commerce industry. Therefore, if you want your delivery business to excel, implement the tips in this article.

The pandemic forced physical businesses to close, and many had to shift online. This caused people to embrace online shopping.

And since the demand for door to door deliveries was huge, businesses had to outsource their deliveries. This saw the formation of many courier companies.

Just because physical businesses are open doesn't mean people aren't shopping since many people love the convenience of picking stuff online, from food, groceries, furniture, and electronics, to clothing.

However, the demand for courier services is not as high as in 2020 and 2021, so how can you ensure your delivery business thrives?

User-friendly platform

Since businesses are the ones using your services to deliver purchases to their customers, you need to have a non-complicated website that is easy to navigate. This gives them easy access and the ability to make orders. 

Round the clock customer service

Ensure that your clients can reach your business 24/7, meaning having the customer service team working round-the-clock. This ensures that customers will have their questions, complaints, and inquiries addressed on time.

Your customer support team should be trained to handle any type of crisis. You should also have customer support policies that ensure that if a customer has a bad experience with your services, including damaged goods, they are compensated.

Thus, you should have a comprehensive insurance policy for such cases.

Delivery vehicles

For timely delivery services, ensure you have a fleet of vehicles. Depending on the niche, you need to decide what bike you should get, alongside vans, trucks, and motorbikes.

Since you want to maximise profits and minimise expenses, you must consider factors like fuel consumption, insurance costs, vehicle maintenance, and storage capacity when choosing the vehicles and ensure they effectively meet your needs.

The vehicle should also ensure your driver's comfort as they will be sitting for long hours, so ensure that the seats are comfortable.

Use the latest technology

Technology is advancing rapidly, so keep updating and using the latest. This ensures that your processes are automated, from invoicing, to vehicle tracking and route optimisation, ensuring efficiency in your delivery operations.

Some of the best delivery management software include RFID and barcode, which offer top-notch logistic tools and features.

Pricing options

Different businesses are outsourcing their delivery services, as such different products.

As a delivery company, you should offer pricing options to your clients based on the type of parcels, dimensions, and urgency. This allows your customers to choose what's best for their business.

Shipping options

When buying things online, some customers may be in a dire situation and need the items urgently.

So, ensure you have the option where the business can choose that option for their customers. Of course, they understand that it will cost more than standard delivery.

Ensure customers can track their parcels

Due to technological advancements, customers can now track their parcels in real-time.

Therefore, ensure that your delivery business has real-time tracking software, providing your customer with the actual location of their package and predicting when it will arrive. Parcel updates can be sent to customers via notifications, SMS, or email.

The ability to see the whole delivery process, from the point the parcel leaves the shop to when it reaches your doorstep, is a wholesome experience that can get you a loyal following.

Premium packaging

Since there are many delivery companies, set yourself apart by developing unique packaging options, and ensure that the packaging has your logo to advertise your brand.

Your packaging options, including boxes and packages, should be available in different sizes and shapes to ensure that you don't want space in the carriage, allowing the carriage to be packed maximumly.

Implement customer feedback

Since you want your delivery business to excel, you should have a section on your website for customers to leave reviews and feedback.

Then make sure to go through the feedback and act on it. This makes them feel heard, and they will further recommend you to other businesses.

Multi-purpose delivery services

Instead of catering to one industry, such as food delivery, expand your business to cover several niches, from clothes, grocery, jewelry, and oversized cargo.

However, you must understand that you'll have to inject more capital into your delivery business, as a multi-purpose delivery company needs a large workforce fleet of vehicles, and operating expenses are also high. This also translates into higher returns.

Route Optimisation

Any delivery business should invest in route optimisation software to save time, minimise costs, and deliver packages faster. When the software is integrated into your workflow system, the driver can easily tell what they are transporting, the destination, and the fastest route to get there.

It also keeps the customers happy as packages get to them on time, and most of the apps also have tracking software that gives the merchants and the customers real-time location of the parcels.

And when customers are happy, you are assured of repeat business, thus more ROI(return on investment).

Insurance

From the moment the packages leave your premises or the merchants, they face various forces of nature, and anything can happen, from robbery and accidental damage.

Your customers will be safe knowing they will not suffer any losses in case of any unfortunate incident, as you have insurance on the packages. This is especially vital for high value items, such as expensive jewellery.

Delivery drivers and assistants

You must have loyal and well-trained drivers and delivery assistants. They will take care when driving to avoid accidents and ensure that the parcels get to the customers safely. As such, you must also treat your employees well.

You must have heard of cases where drivers run away with the packages or orchestrate theft. So pay them well and adopt policies and support programs geared toward their overall well-being, and they will be honest and loyal to the company.

Marketing

No one will know if you don't put the word out there about your delivery business.

So make a point of marketing your business through word of mouth, campaigns, and social media. You can also ask your customers to recommend you to other companies.

Final thoughts

Any delivery business looking to grow and increase earnings must adopt the latest logistical technologies and streamline its backend processes.

The business owner should cater to customer needs, such as favourable pricing and shipping options and real-time tracking of the packages. They should also treat their workforce better.