Why Courier Collaboration is so Important for New Stores

The post-purchase experience is just as critical as the purchase experience. A recent Loop consumer study found that 57% of shoppers are willing to abandon a brand entirely if they have a poor post-purchase experience. A big part of that experience is delivery.

It is a customer’s last impression of your brand, so you must make it good. The most effective way to achieve that is by collaborating with a courier company—especially if you’re running a new store.

Customers now have higher expectations regarding goods delivery. It is part of the measure they use to determine whether they want to return to your store.

This article discusses why collaborating with a courier company is crucial for new stores and how to choose the best one.

Why new stores should collaborate with courier companies

Courier collaboration in eCommerce involves integrating courier services into the eCommerce store’s Platform and establishing a seamless order fulfilment and delivery process. 

The aim is to help the store achieve its bottom line with the following benefits.

Cost-effective shipping solutions

Many new store owners want to oversee all aspects of their business, including order fulfilment. While this is admirable and even exciting, it can be counterproductive. Arranging deliveries manually can hurt your business—especially if you’ve little to no experience in logistics. Partnering with a courier company is the smart move.

A courier service can save you a lot of money. For instance, small courier companies have lower operating costs and can charge less money. You also get flexibility with pricing and can choose the package that suits your needs. Also, you can focus on what they do best by outsourcing delivery services to a third-party courier—running your business.

Efficient and timely delivery

In the past same-day delivery was a perk. But today, it is expected. Sometimes, stores that cannot deliver within 24 hours risk losing sales. Many retailers are losing money due to delays in shipping, with 56% of abandoned carts due to delivery concerns. More than one-quarter of abandoned carts are due to speed of delivery, second only to price among customers who intend to buy.

Retailers should partner with a courier service to ensure customers receive their orders on time. Courier collaboration will also help you manage your stock efficiently by providing real-time tracking and inventory management systems. This way, you will know when to restock and reorder.

You can also benefit from investing in business text messaging. Through text messaging, stores can communicate with couriers, schedule delivery slots, provide specific instructions or clarifications, and address potential issues. 

Keeping everything on track between the store and courier company minimises customer dissatisfaction and ensures timely and accurate deliveries.

Truck Insurance Companies play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and protection of goods during transit. By partnering with reputable truck insurance companies, new stores can have peace of mind knowing that their products are covered in case of accidents, theft, or damages while in transit. This protects the store’s financial investment and enhances customer trust and satisfaction.

Increased customer satisfaction

Besides offering various delivery options like same-day, next-day, or even international shipping, collaborating with a courier company can positively impact your customer’s experience with your brand.

One way is through shipping costs. Your shipping rates will be meagre if you have a courier partner for your business. Shipping fees can intimidate consumers, so if your delivery rates are reasonable, you’ll benefit your customers and yourself.

Partnering with a courier service will also help you improve. With specific business phone numbers, customers have a channel to share their experiences and suggestions for improvement. 

Phone interactions allow you to gather insights into the delivery process and customer satisfaction. Valuable feedback received via the phone line helps identify areas for growth, optimise delivery operations, and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

Access to wider markets

A reliable courier company has an extensive network that enables it to reach various locations and deliver packages efficiently. With such a partner, your eCommerce business will have access to a larger market.

This reach means that you can expand your customer base and increase sales. Customers in different regions or countries who were previously unable to purchase your products due to shipping limitations can now do so conveniently.

When you partner with a courier service, you won’t have to worry about logistics issues such as customs clearance or international shipping laws.

Expertise in logistics and supply chain management

As a new store owner, you may lack the skills and resources to manage logistics effectively. There are many benefits of supply chain collaboration, such as helping you to streamline your supply chain by providing the necessary resources and knowledge. They can help you optimise your processes and minimise costs, ultimately increasing profits.

Through supply chain collaboration, you gain a deeper understanding of the issues facing product quality and safety in the supply chain. 

It is easier to eliminate quality and safety problems by collaborating together than by addressing each party’s concerns individually. 

Enhanced brand reputation through reliable delivery services

It is hard to stand out from the crowd among online retailers, but it shouldn’t stop you from experimenting with new strategies for your brand. More customers will come to

your business if you have a courier affiliation because your brand will seem trustworthy.
Having couriers as registered delivery partners gives your buyers peace of mind. Using a reliable courier service that can manage multiple orders simultaneously without missing anything builds customer loyalty and attracts new ones through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Prompt deliveries improve customer satisfaction by meeting or exceeding expectations generated during ordering. A satisfied customer is more likely to become a repeat customer, leading to increased revenue generation for the business.

Integration of technology for seamless order tracking

Collaborating with courier companies involves integrating their tracking systems with your store’s website. A reliable courier partner will have a service that provides accurate, real-time information and tools that automate CI/CD processes, like Platform. sh, to ensure it’s always up to date. 

This lets customers track their orders in real-time, receive accurate delivery updates, and see shipment progress. Delivery tracking is an essential feature that enhances transparency and gives customers peace of mind as they can monitor the progress of their orders at any time.

Through automated notifications and order status updates, businesses can keep customers informed. Also, courier companies can optimise routes thanks to these technological advances, resulting in shorter delivery times and greater efficiency. As a result, stores can improve customer satisfaction and save time by streamlining their operations.

Choosing the right courier company for your new store

With knowledge of the benefits of collaborating with a courier company for your store, here’s how to decide on the one to work with:

1. Determine your needs

First, consider the volume of orders you process daily, weekly, or however often you ship. Since your store is new, you’re likely not getting too many orders now. But you can opt for a service that can consistently handle large order volumes as you scale. 

Another thing to consider is the type of products you sell and their fragility. For instance, if you sell jewellery, you need a packaging supplier to protect your products from damage.

2. Compare pricing and services

Price is always a factor for new stores, especially ones that want to offer free shipping. Research different courier companies in your area and check their prices for various shipping options. Be sure to compare standard shipping fees, expedited shipping fees, and insurance fees. Also, consider the range of services provided by each courier services. 

Some companies offer same-day or next-day delivery options, while others specialise in international shipments. Select a courier service that offers flexible solutions that adapt to your changing business needs.

3. Check for technology integration

Collaboration with courier companies means integrating tracking and order management systems into your store’s website. Choose a company that uses digital tools to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Ensure that they have online tracking tools and other automated shipping solutions. 

You could even create a dedicated tracking website and buy a domain name that is easy to remember for your customers. However, you may want to add tracking features to your existing website for simplicity.

Customers can access their order history and track shipments through the website. It allows customers to manage and track orders conveniently with the website linking the store’s online Platform with the courier’s systems.

4. Look for experience and reliability

Experience is vital when selecting a courier service. Their expertise and knowledge mean they can handle packages of different sizes, shapes, and weights. 

An experienced courier company also understands the importance of timely delivery and has strategies to avoid delays or lost packages. 

Reliability is another critical factor to consider when selecting a courier company. The last thing you want is for your customers to receive damaged goods or miss delivery deadlines due to unreliable couriers.

5. Consider customer service 

Excellent customer service is essential for any courier company, so deliveries are made on time and with minimal hassle. A reliable courier should offer clear communication channels that allow you to track packages and receive delivery time updates. 

For instance, if they offer international shipping, they may set up a virtual call centre business to deliver extra customer service. 

This level of transparency reassures customers that their order is well taken care of and establishes your business as a trustworthy source of quality goods.

Collaboration with courier companies is a win-win

The benefits of collaborating with courier services are numerous for new store owners. From increased customer satisfaction to reliable delivery and excellent customer service—partnering with a courier company can positively impact your business’s bottom line.

When a retail store collaborates with a courier service, it is a win for all parties involved. It is an opportunity for the store to establish a strong partnership. Customers enjoy efficient deliveries, and the courier company gets steady orders.

So if you haven’t signed up with a reliable courier company yet, why not sign up now?