Whether large or small, ecommerce companies are in the same arena when it comes to delivery times. There is no other way around it, customers will not compromise on delivery times. Accordingly, from day one, you need to have in place an efficient delivery system. Shipping & Handling of Texas, an ecommerce fulfillment company specializing in precisely this area, note that ecommerce has been around for a while now, and this is simply what customers have come to expect.
Moreover, if you’ve been doing your research and trying to put in place an efficient order fulfillment and delivery system, you have probably heard the term “last mile delivery”? It is a vitally important concept. In fact, it is the most important of the whole delivery process. But what actually is it?
What Is Last Mile Delivery?
Last mile delivery refers to the final stage of the order fulfillment process when the order is moved from the transportation hub to the customer. This is normally a private residence or retail outlet.
Last mile delivery is the part of the order fulfillment process that companies most want to get right, and it is the one that, in any case, you are likely to spend the most money on. Efficient last mile delivery is essential for any kind of customer satisfaction, regardless of the size of your business. To understand it a bit better, it’s worth looking at the key steps of the last mile delivery process.
Entry Into a Digital System
This is when orders are logged as they arrive at the transportation hub, and it’s also the point at which customers will most keenly start tracking their order.
Orders Are Designated to Delivery Personal
This is when the orders are allocated to certain routes and certain delivery personnel, all based on the address of the recipient.
Orders are Scanned and Loaded onto Delivery Vehicles
At this point, the customer is notified that the order has left the transport hub. This is usually done by means of a quick scan just as the order is put onto the delivery vehicle.
Orders Reach the Recipient
At this point, proof of delivery is obtained from the recipient, usually by means of signature, and the entire process is concluded.
Tips for Speeding Up Last Mile Delivery
So, here follows some tips to optimize your own last mile delivery process:
Cut Delivery Times with Route Planning
You must plan your routes carefully. This is because one of two problems will present themselves otherwise. Either a route will be exceptionally long with only a few deliveries along the way, or congestion, roadworks, or something else will delay the delivery. The trick is to invest in some software with real time traffic and road updates that also creates routes with the maximum density of drop offs.
Optimize Proof of Delivery
If you’ve ever ordered from Amazon, you have probably noticed that you don’t always need to sign for it. There are new mobile apps for drivers that allow proof of delivery to be carried out (via photographs with timestamps) more efficiently. They also allow this to be logged onto a central system.
Communicate With Your Customers
The best delivery systems keep the customer continually updated. This gives customers peace of mind that their parcel is on the way and helps when things go wrong. It is also wise to include a feedback function somewhere.
As you can probably tell, these tips all revolve around using the latest tech ad software to optimize the delivery process. That is indeed the way to go; failing to invest in such technology is a sure way to fall behind.
