When you’re running a business, it can feel like there are a lot of balls to juggle and things to keep going behind the scenes. But from your customers point of view, one of the most important elements of ordering online is the delivery service. Delivery times, prices and quality can all affect a customer’s decision to shop with you or go somewhere else, so it’s important to make sure you choose the right option. In fact, it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make. But if your platform doesn’t come with built in delivery and courier services, how do you choose the right courier company?

Why The Right Courier Matters

 At one point, years ago, if you wanted to send something through the post, the only option you had was to send it through Royal Mail. But as time went on and the market increased, other delivery options started to emerge for businesses. Now, there are literally hundreds of couriers to choose from in any given area, which means prices are pretty competitive, saving you a small fortune if you’re willing to shop around a bit. The trouble is, with so many around it can be difficult knowing which is right for your business. After all, not all couriers are equal, and it’s really important to make sure you chose a provider you can rely on. The delivery service you choose is going to create a lasting impression on your customers, and is often what will keep them coming back or recommending you to friends. And if they have a negative experience, you can guarantee they won’t order anything from you again, and worse, speak negatively of you to others, damaging your reputation. Delivery problems can break a small online business, so you need to make sure you don’t fall into any traps.

How To Pick The Right Courier 

Choosing the right courier for you is all about understanding what you need, and finding a service that meets that ethos. So ask yourself, what’s more important to do? Is it speed? Reliability? Tracking facilities? Care of delivery? From there, you know what questions to ask the courier companies you speak with, and you will get a much better picture of the service you expect from them. You can then start to look at how frequently you will need deliveries to be made (once a week, twice a week, or every day?) and what other services you will need, and this will help you narrow it down further. For example, if you just want someone to collect and deliver from your door, you will choose a different company than if you need packing, labelling and delivery services.

You should also consider whether you want to choose a lifestyle courier, or a professional business. A lifestyle courier is a self-employed courier who uses their own van to deliver packages. Unlike postal workers or full-time couriers, they can sometimes resort to more ‘off piste’ delivery methods, spawning a fair few horror stories of delicate items broken when thrown over a garden fence, or wedding suits left out in the rain. Many lifestyle couriers aren’t like this of course, but it’s difficult to determine before something goes wrong. For a small fledgeling business, this is often a risk not worth taking.

And finally, choose a courier who understands your business, and how important the customer journey is to you. A courier who has worked in your industry sector or with other online businesses is ideal, as they will be able to give you advice and provide a truly valuable service. Sometimes they’re not always the cheapest, but they will often be the best value when it comes to your brand making a good impression! 

Questions To Ask Your Courier

So, you’ve narrowed it down and you have a few couriers you want to talk to. But what are some of the key questions you can ask to be sure they are right for you? We have a few suggestions:

• What tracking facilities are offered?
• How will you integrate with my systems?
• How much notice do you need of deliveries?
• Can you offer multiple delivery and/or return options?
• What is your pricing model?
• What else are you carrying? (if your goods are fragile, this one is important)
• Can you ship overseas?
• What happens if something goes wrong?

All in all, choosing the right courier for your online business is one of the most crucial decisions you need to make, especially in today’s day and age. It’s never been more important for you to get every element of your business right. At Greg Paulson Same Day Couriers Ltd., we specialise in offering businesses a stand out service to their customers.

Source: http://www.securemediaservices.co.uk