As more people turn to online shopping, shipping times have become more of a focal point in the battle for consumers’ attention. Delivery to customers’ homes is an added cost for businesses, but it cannot be avoided. Retailers rely on speedy service delivery to succeed.
As online shopping has grown, so has the importance placed on timely deliveries. Top online marketplaces facilitate quick shipment of customer orders. These days, two-day shipping appears to be the norm for online orders.
It’s true that faster shipping times help bring in new customers, but those numbers really make an impression when it comes to keeping existing customers loyal. A fast shipping time is a major selling point for many consumers when considering whether or not to return to a previously used online retailer.
How Fast Do Ships Typically Travel?
The average amount of time a package takes to get from a warehouse or other starting point to its final destination, regardless of industry. Distance factors significantly into how quickly an online purchase is delivered.
The shipping industry uses timeframes, such as “one day,” “two days,” and so on, to describe shipping speeds.
Comparison of Shipping and Handling Times
Time taken to deliver an order can be viewed in the shipping speeds field. The time it takes for your company to get ready to fulfil an order is known as the processing time. Your order is no longer being worked on once it has been delivered to the shipping company.
Customers may be aware of the difference between processing and shipping times, but it’s better to be explicit about it than to assume they are. This is especially critical if the time it takes to process your products is more than two business days.
In their shipping policy, they explain how long it typically takes to make a product that was made to order. Each product has its own unique processing time. Furthermore, they specify that processing times will vary depending on the nature of the sale and the upcoming holiday season.
The Value of Quick Delivery Times
Customers today anticipate instantaneous shipping and are even prepared to pay more for the privilege. U.S.-based online retailers typically complete and dispatch orders within three business days.
Fast shipping improves the online store’s conversion rate. 69 percent of shoppers say they buy more online because of quick shipping. Shipping items more quickly gives the impression that the company values punctuality and professionalism, which is something consumers value highly.
Order cancellation may occur if there is a delay of more than one day. Most customers will look elsewhere if they are unable to receive their orders on time. The products available on the majority of websites is extensive.
Some of the most compelling arguments in favour of speedy shipping are provided below.
The Most Crucial Aspect
The selection of products and businesses offering them grows daily in the realm of online shopping. In order to keep and grow their customer base, businesses let their clients customise a wide range of aspects of their shopping experiences. In comparison to other possibilities, quick shipping stands out. Fast turnaround times are a top concern for customers.
Acquired Trust from Potential Buyers
The shipping time of an item can make or break a customer’s trust in the company. Typically, customers can follow the progress of their deliveries online. Fast shipping, as a result, calms customers’ nerves. You’ll have a better relationship with your customers as a result.
Improvements in the Exposure of Listings
There is a constant influx of new products and vendors into the online market. Customers already have the ability to narrow down their shopping options at many stores by using a number of different filters. In most cases, the quickest shipping time is the most important factor in choosing a service. Large online marketplaces like eBay provide customers with filtering options that allow them to prioritise delivery speed.
alleviates shoppers’ worries
Rapid shipping policies are always included in the guaranteed delivery date packages. Amazon Prime members in certain areas of the country can expect their orders to be shipped and delivered within 24 hours. Within one to four days of placing an order, buyers can check on the status of their shipment thanks to eBay’s Guaranteed Delivery service.
Customers’ trust in stores is bolstered by such initiatives, and they feel more comfortable making any purchase, knowing that their order will arrive quickly and securely.
increases the probability of positive feedback
Customer service includes things like prompt delivery, dependable shipping, and hassle-free dealings. Many eBay buyers have had positive experiences with the site’s easy checkout and quick shipping.
Since there is a one-to-one connection between review ratings and sales, speedy shipping times are also crucial.
Brings in Customers Who Are Able to Spare a Little More Money
It’s undeniable that customers place a premium on speedy shipping. Most buyers are prepared to pay a premium for next-day shipping. Same-day delivery gives retailers an 85 percent edge over their rivals, and delivery time affects everything from conversion rates to customer loyalty.
For the sake of expediency, customers are willing to fork over additional funds. Thus, fast shipping allows eCommerce businesses to compete in oversaturated markets.
Maintaining happy and loyal customers is essential to the success of any business, and fast shipping times are a major factor in encouraging repeat purchases. Fast shipping boosts sales because happy customers are more likely to make a purchase.
In order to satisfy the high expectations of their customers, businesses selling to consumers must provide the option of fast shipping. Customer retention and growth in revenue are two additional benefits of this strategy.
Curb the number of abandoned shopping carts.
There are many reasons why a customer might abandon their shopping cart, such as high shipping costs or a malfunctioning website. However, checkouts that display shipping costs and an estimated delivery date have a higher rate of success. At the very least, you’ll clear up any doubts about how it will be transmitted.
Incorporating shipping time estimates into your checkout will increase conversions by fostering a feeling of trust and certainty and decreasing the likelihood that customers will abandon their purchases.
Customers will be less likely to cancel an order due to shipping concerns if they are given this information beforehand, as it allows them to plan ahead and know when to expect delivery.
This is the first step in boosting sales and bringing in more repeat customers. If you leave them out of the buying process, you may lose customers to your rivals.
Enhanced Satisfaction for Our Clients
Customers today anticipate instant access to relevant data, which includes knowing every facet of their online purchases in real time. Customer package arrival times should be communicated in what way? Some people worry that their packages will be stolen (especially if they contain expensive items), lost in transit, or opened by someone else (this is especially true for birthday presents).
If you give customers the option to select their preferred shipping speed during checkout, along with tracking information and the option to integrate with Shop or another package service, you can alleviate their confusion and increase their satisfaction.
There will be a decrease in calls to customer service regarding order and shipping updates. If your customers are less confused about when they will receive their orders, then your customer service team will have less work to do. Consumers are more likely to make additional purchases at your establishment if they enjoy their overall visit.
Logistics and the Importance of Faster Shipping Times
Before making a purchase, a customer will want to know how much shipping will cost and when they can expect to receive their order.
The way you handle shipping has far-reaching implications for your company, whether you’re just starting out or trying to improve upon an existing plan. It’s important to think about shipping speed alongside other factors, such as the types of shipping you offer and the prices you set.
You can either charge your customers for shipping or offer free shipping. Even if shipping is free, your customers will know exactly how much they can expect to pay and how long it will take for them to receive their packages.
Curbside pickup and local delivery are two convenient shipping options to consider. You risk having fewer purchases if you don’t.
Customers will feel more at ease placing an order if they are aware of shipping costs and estimated delivery times, which can be shared anywhere shipping policy is discussed.
In addition, once an online transaction is complete, customers anticipate receiving a message with an estimated delivery date. Typically, this is handled by sending a confirmation email after the purchase has been made, detailing the purchase, the price of the product, the shipping cost, and the expected delivery date.
Achieving and Sustaining a Higher Rate of Shipping Speed
Verify the paperwork against the shipment details.
Verify that the shipment can pass through international customs.
Get ready for bad weather and other potential obstacles.
Find a reliable transportation service.
Make it possible for the buyer to monitor the progress of their shipment
Leading Distribution Methods for Online Shops
The Shipping Is On Us!
Free shipping seems like the simplest idea, and since Amazon began offering it for orders over $25, it has become very popular.
The advantages of free shipping include:
- Intuitiveness for the consumer
- The needs of the customer are fulfilled.
- A customer’s conversion rate improves when they reach the final step of your sales funnel.
- Although your customers may enjoy free shipping, you will not.
- You still have to pay the carrier a fee, so you’ll need to make sure that each order generates enough profit to cover that expense.
Before offering free shipping, you should calculate the cost to your business. You can have a higher sales volume without improving your bottom line if you incur a loss on each and every transaction.
It is best practise to only offer free shipping on orders that will generate enough profit to cover the shipping costs. You could, for instance, exclude heavy or bulky items from free shipping eligibility, or you could establish a free shipping threshold that makes sense for your company.
Delivery at a Flat or Table Rate
It’s possible to circumvent some of the problems associated with free shipping by using a flat-rate or table-rate shipping method.
An example of a flat shipping rate is charging $10 no matter the total value of the order. Shipping with a table rate can be more complicated, but it need not be.
Table rates are more popular in the United Kingdom than real-time quotes for shipping costs. In some cases, retailers with London-based distribution hubs may charge less for orders placed by customers located closer to the city (perhaps $5) and more for those placed by those located further afield ($10, $15, etc.).
It is also possible to charge a percentage of the order total ($10 for orders up to $50, $5 for orders up to $100, and free for orders over $100) rather than a flat rate. Also, you can differentiate your prices for various categories of goods or base them on their weight.
Current Carrier Rates
Get real-time rates from a carrier like UPS, FedEx, or DHL if you’re looking for the lowest possible rate that still covers your costs.
The best way to ensure you’re providing your customer with the best shipping option is to charge them exactly what you anticipate being charged by the carrier (the rates may vary significantly depending on what they order and how far away their warehouse is from your warehouse).
Providing real-time pricing could be crucial if your rivals do so. There’s no need to link up with UPS to display package return totals.
Add a surcharge to the shipping cost to account for things like packaging and fulfilment. An alternate strategy for differentiating yourself from competitors is to reduce the interest rate returned.
Strategy Variants and Combinations
Although each of these methods has widespread application and popularity, it is often best to think outside the box and combine several of them to achieve the desired results. As a result, you can strike a balance between your revenue goals and available advertising.
As an illustration, you could provide free standard shipping (without any delivery commitments or a range of delivery commitments like 5-10 business days) in addition to other expedited shipping options (such as 3-5 day delivery at a table rate based on order value) and live shipping rates for Second Day and Overnight delivery.
When Shipment Delays Occur
Shipping times are not guaranteed. Shipping carriers may experience overflowing loads during peak times, bad weather, and increased eCommerce volume, delaying package delivery. So, what are the options? One of the most important skills is the ability to communicate. By keeping your customers up to date on what’s going on, you’ll make them feel more at ease making purchases from you.
If there are going to be any delays that could affect the customer, customer service needs to let them know. Once you’ve informed customers of their shipping times, you owe it to them to keep them updated on the status of their orders, including any delays.
If you don’t, you could lose the trust and loyalty of those customers who made the decision to buy your product in the first place. The following are other options:
- Take the initiative in your communication: specify which areas are affected and when the delay will end if you know this information. You should put a warning on the shopping cart page if there will be any delays in processing the order.
- Make use of available means of interaction: A message posted on the website will likely go unnoticed by customers who don’t regularly check it because their attention is divided among multiple sources throughout the day. You should update your website, email list, and social media accounts with the delayed information.
- Get the opinion of other stores: If you are experiencing delays that are outside of your control, it is important to keep an eye on what other businesses in your industry are doing to deal with the issue.
Conclusion
Since speed is of the essence in today’s markets, two-day shipping has become the norm. Online shoppers anticipate prompt service and transparent updates on their orders’ status.
Most brands outsource their fulfilment operations to be able to offer nationwide two-day shipping due to their massive physical presence and the large number of employees required to manage it.
