Before you can optimize your sending process, you need to identify what isn’t working. Ask yourself the following questions:
What frustrates my customers most about my shipping process?
Scan customer reviews, analyze support tickets, and review post-purchase surveys. Identify common complaints, such as slow shipping, inaccurate tracking, or complicated returns.
Want a broader perspective? Review industry reports and studies, like our ecommerce study , and compare the data with your current delivery experience.
Step 1: Analyze your current sending configuration
Where am I wasting time or money?
Pay attention to inefficiencies in order overseas datafulfillment, carrier selection, and manual processes. Are slow workflows delaying your deliveries? Are excessive customer service requests driving up costs? Identify operational bottlenecks that impact both your team and your bottom line.
Do my current carriers meet my needs?
Evaluate the speed of delivery, reliability, and quality of service. Don’t just focus on the price you pay.
Do I have access to data relating to the cost and performance of my shipments?
If you’re still getting your delivery reports from different sources, it’s time to centralize your information.
A data-driven shipping strategy will allow you to identify hidden costs and gaps, laying the foundation for a more cost-effective and efficient process.
Step 2: Set your sending goals
What areas do you want to improve: delivery speed, costs, tracking? Clearly define your key performance indicators (e.g., delivery many marketers completely ignore times, return rates, customer satisfaction rates) and track your progress. Here are some examples:
- Speed : If you offer next-day or same-day delivery, make sure you can deliver! For example, French customers expect their orders to arrive between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., while in the UK, they are usually delivered between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Cost reduction : Reduce delivery fees through automation and multi-carrier delivery options. Note that 51% of shoppers prefer to pick up their orders from a parcel relay point or locker (outside-of-home delivery models) if it means paying less. Think about it!
- Customer experience : Imagine your package delivery was delayed and no one told you. You’d wonder! Consumers make an average of four tracking requests per package, which underscores the importance of providing accurate information in near real-time. Your customers are counting on you to keep them informed.
- Other key indicators : on-time delivery rate, return rate, customer satisfaction.
Step 3: Choose the right shipping platform and integrate your systems
Not all shipping platforms are created business sale lead equal, and the wrong choice can lead to inconsistent processes and high costs . A good shipping platform doesn’t just create labels and manage shipments—it brings consistency to the entire process . Want to work more efficiently? Connect your e-commerce, carriers, fulfillment partners, and customer communications all in one place.
When comparing multiple platforms, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does it eliminate manual tasks? Look for automation features that reduce repetitive tasks, such as carrier selection, tracking updates, and returns processing.
- Can it grow with my business? Your needs may change over time. Choose a platform that allows you to expand, expand into new markets, and adapt to your customers’ expectations.
- Does it allow me to monitor the performance of my shipments? A good platform allows you to obtain useful data on delivery times, carrier reliability, and cost trends, so you can continuously optimize processes.
- Is it flexible enough to accommodate different shipping strategies? Your shipping platform should adapt to your strategy, not the other way around. Flexibility allows you to work with different options, whether it’s a multi-carrier approach or out-of-home delivery options .
Don’t think of shipping as an additional expense in your budget, but as a competitive advantage . By choosing the right platform, you’ll be able to ship your orders faster and better .