Hiring the best logistics services for an eCommerce company is crucial for shipping products to the end customers. However, choosing the best courier distribution service in India is difficult, owing to the availability of options. With the number of options available, most eCommerce business owners like you often find it challenging to choose the best fit for their business. To make the task easier for them, we have compiled a list of considerations that you should make before zeroing in on a logistics provider.
Considerations to Make While Choosing the Courier Distribution Service
Choosing the best courier distribution company can be pretty tricky. What is the definition of the best? When you talk about a courier service, the first two things that come to your mind are how fast the order can be delivered and how reliable the service is for the order delivery.
Nowadays, most customers want their orders to be delivered faster and safer. So, one can say that the best courier service would be the one that delivers orders faster. But, as a business owner, don’t you want your courier distribution service to be cheaper as well, so your profits can be maximized?
Thus, it indeed can be said that you need to be extra careful while finalizing the courier service, as a lot depends on it.
The partner you decide will also connect with your customers on your behalf. Their behavior and performance will determine what they will think of you. The customer satisfaction rate will also depend on them. So, it will help you safeguard the reputation of your brand.
Now, let us have a look at the checklist of the features that you must look at in your courier distribution partner:
Delivery Speed
The world is constantly changing, and there have been steady technological advancements as well. From the product sales to the brand reputation, today everything is impacted by the order delivery speed. That is why the customers these days want everything faster. In fact, for most customers, faster delivery is not even a perk; it is an essential feature and a basic requirement.
Nowadays, many logistics services and order fulfillment services like Shiprocket Fulfillment offer same-day and next-day delivery options. So, if you don’t want to lag behind your competitors, you need to find a courier service provider that gives you a faster delivery option with robust technology.
You can also consider partnering with Shiprocket that has more than 17 courier partners under one platform. You can choose a different courier partner for each order based on their shipment delivery time and pricing.
Shipping Cost
While fastest delivery is what every customer wants, it should not come at the cost of your profits. Take some time in comparing the rates offered by different courier partners and choose the most budget-friendly shipping service.
Notably, the shipping rates and services don’t go hand in hand. There are courier companies that might be offering shipping at the lowest rates, but their services are reliable. Thus, again, a background check is crucial. Choose a courier that offers faster shipping services at the lowest rates with quality customer services.
Company Reputation
Before committing to any partnership, it is always advisable to run a background check on the partner. The same applies to your courier service provider as well. There are many well-established companies in the market, and it is natural for you to get confused between them.
A reliable logistics partner will ensure that not just you but your customers are also satisfied with their services – they are a crucial link between you and your customers. As mentioned earlier, the delivery agent will hand over the order to your customers on your behalf and will represent your brand. So, it is crucial that you perform background checks and read all the available reviews.
Order Tracking
Customers these days want to be updated about the whereabouts of their orders in real-time. Many courier providers also offer order tracking options with advanced tech capabilities. Your customers will be notified about the orders through custom tracking pages and SMS and email notifications.
Shipment Security
There is always a possibility of accidents and shipment damage or loss during shipping. The security of shipments is the topmost priority. If your item is lost during transit, you will incur losses. Similarly, if your shipment is damaged during transit, you will have to incur losses. But this time, with customers receiving damaged products, your reputation will also be tarnished.
Thus, it is crucial if your courier service provider also offers you shipment security. This will provide you instant relief to the losses incurred, and you can also ship orders without any worry. You may think that not all your shipments require security. Companies like Shiprocket offer different types of shipment security – blanket coverage that covers all securities and selective coverage for selective shipments only.
Hence, you must read the company’s coverage in detail to make an informed decision. The best courier service provider will offer you an affordable security policy.
Conclusion
Courier distribution services are an integral part of the supply chain network. They help businesses connect with customers by delivering orders to them. With the change in customer behavior and them opting for online shopping, the eCommerce industry has seen a rise in recent times. This has led to a rise in the demand for courier services. When choosing a courier service provider, choosing a provider that provides faster delivery service at cheaper costs is crucial.
