Do you have to reduce delivery service quality on Black Friday? No. This is how you as an online retailer can get even more out of the buying spree next year.
The e-commerce industry (in Sweden) broke every sales record on Black Friday this year. And carriers are experiencing some out-of-this-world intensive days delivering all the orders. Delays are to be expected. That is understandable. In spite of the fact that every delivery truck available is out rolling and extra staff has been hired, it is difficult for the carriers to deliver on time.
What can you as an online retailer do to provide your customers with as powerful a purchase and delivery experience as possible, all of this notwithstanding? Is it even possible?
Of course it is. This is how:
Make sure your e-commerce customers…
- ... are given control over the packages they have ordered
- ... do not have to call you to ask where the packages are
- ... can choose which carrier they want to deliver the order
- ... can choose themselves how the packages should be delivered and where to
- ... will see delivery options based on where they are located
- ... can see price variations between different delivery options
- ... can easily return the goods should they need to
And lastly, make sure the increased service level is offered automatically on your website or e-commerce platform.
Another Logistics System for Your e-Commerce Business
Logistics for e-commerce and transport management, or freight management, sounds about as fun as VAT management and bookkeeping. No one loves it, but all online retailers have to be able to handle it. The mental threshold to bring about improvement in these areas might, therefore, be high, but it will be well worth the time invested.
When the dust from the Black Friday bonanza settles down, it might, therefore, be a good idea to evaluate how well the system you are using is working and see what the alternatives are.
Did you know, for example, that every fifth consumer does not complete an online purchase if they cannot choose which carrier they want to deliver the package? When the Black Friday bonanza settles down, it might, therefore, be a good idea to evaluate how well the system you are using is working and see what the alternatives are.”
Evaluate Your Current Logistics System
Maybe you are already using a freight or transport management system that is helping you handle the logistics surrounding package deliveries. Then ask yourself the following questions regarding that system:
- Is the system only available via an external web interface, or can it also work from within your e-commerce platform or your ERP system?
- How much time do you or your colleagues spend using it to ensure that shipments flow?
- How many calls or e-mails do you receive per day from customers asking where packages are?
- Is it possible for you to work with multiple carriers?
- Do you sometimes get feedback from the carriers about errors that are let through the system?
- Is transport data sent back to your e-commerce platform or ERP-system?
What are your answers? Is there room for improvement? Could it be that the time has come to look into how you can get a better system for your freight and transport management processes?
What is Good Digital Logistics for e-Commerce Platforms?
What makes a system for logistics and freight management good is that it will do all the tedious administrative tasks for you. It is, in other words, an automated logistics system. The value of an automated logistics system will increase in time with the growing demand for your products—not just on Black Friday. Especially if this system has been built into your e-commerce platform, works in real time, and is continuously updated.
This is how you can give your customers what they want most in the world.
The integration is important. Because it is when it is built into your e-commerce platform or ERP system that you can really grease your logistic flows and thereby also your e-commerce business. This is what makes it possible for you to give your customers what they want the most in the world: Peace on earth. No, I am just kidding. But it does make it possible for you to give them full control over where their package is and power over how it is delivered, minimizing the risk of delivery errors, and thus making it easier for the customer to check out.
Automated digital logistics for freight and transport flows is somewhat magical thanks to this. The customer can get a powerful purchase and delivery experience even when your carrier is in a pressing situation and cannot deliver on time.
Do you want to know more?
Today, LogTrade can offer an automated freight and logistics system and a better checkout experience for you if you are shipping packages sold via a website built using one of the following e-commerce platforms:
WooCommerce, Magento, Magento 2, Prestashop, or Open Cart.
Contact us, and we will tell you more.
Also read:
Logistics for e-commerce-platforms" and how to convert more customers with it.
