A rising number of consumers are buying almost anything from any place on the globe, and doing so with just a few touches of the screen or clicks of the mouse. So, e-Commerce businesses inevitably must comply with their needs. For this, they should dispose not only of top-notch goods but also of effective logistics.
Logistics is the foundation of any business and especially of e-Commerce. Since increasingly more people are purchasing from an online marketplace, logistics management for web shops has become more complex. It has to be bound to the constantly evolving customer needs and industries of logistics and shipment. In other words, companies would find it difficult to ride this complicated wave without efficient supply chain management and inventory.
Modern-day shopping calls for a change in perspective as regards supply chain organization. Everything from shipping and receiving to all in-between points must be revamped to keep abreast of consumer expectations, which become higher by the day. Next-day and even same-day deliveries are an increasing request among individuals who like to do their shopping online.
Providing a first-rate experience for your clients may be challenging, but it’s not impossible, all the more so if you’re mindful of aspects of the likes discussed below.
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What is e-Commerce logistics?
Like in any other industry, logistics in e-Commerce involves shipping an order from the manufacturer to the final client. But it’s not as simple as it sounds since it also refers to each in-between aspect. In reality, logistics is a multistep process that starts with order processing and shipping it to the end customer and lasts until the client receives it smoothly and as desired. It hence comprises inventory management, pricing, and packing. Moreover, e-Commerce logistics refers to the sometimes-complicated processing of returned goods. Regardless of the range of goods it sells, every business should pay attention to its logistical process, as it’s the key to customer satisfaction and, ultimately, company success.
Here’s how you could optimize your logistics for maximum productivity and profitability:
Make fast and free shipping a priority
Logistics is all about satisfying customer demands. But meeting consumer needs for next-day or same-day delivery is no longer that achievable, especially in metropolitan areas. So, if you’re serious about your shipping, you must develop long-lasting solutions and stop relying on alternatives. Free and fast shipping should be on your list of priorities, as it guarantees a high client satisfaction rate.
Ensure you include free delivery on your e-Commerce website, as it lures customers and convinces them to buy your product even if they can find a similar item on a competitor’s website. Don’t forget that the goal is to get your goods in front of as many eyes as possible, and for this, offering free delivery might be the only viable option. If it’s not possible to provide free delivery for all of your available items, try at least to offer shipping discounts, limit free delivery to specific products or promotions, or compensate with same-day delivery. A long delivery period can seriously take you down in this fast-paced world, so be sure you’re rapid. Unless they buy from a store found two continents apart, people expect to get their order delivered the next or the same business day. Therefore, forget about “12-business-day-delivery” because efficiency is now the primary motivation for online shoppers.
Have a reputable shipping partner by your side
In order to thrive, you must have the right partners by your side. As regards logistics, you’ll need to work with a trustworthy shipping provider for express shipping and discount shipping rates. In this sense, you may want to consider a third-party logistics (3PL) company, as such a partner could give you access to infrastructure or economies of scale that might be hard to deploy by yourself.
A dedicated shipping service provider is the key to competitive shipping rates, timely service, and a range of transport options. Plus, you can transport goods on your terms and ensure thus your valuable products are handled and delivered perfectly from point A to point Z. Accurate logistics trucking should be one of your main interests, as it not only helps to transport goods safely but also contributes to consumer satisfaction.
Invest in packaging
Before delivering the items to the end customer, ensure you pack them appropriately in a container. Packing is an utmost component of the logistical process, typically implying choosing suitable materials and containers to pack products, weighing the packages, and labeling them. Packaging is critical for your items to arrive in one piece and make a strong consumer impression. For this, one of the most important aspects to have in mind is packing the products in an adequately-sized and secure box to make sure you protect them during shipping, be it national or cross-border. If you’re transporting something fragile, such as glass or jewelry, be sure you pay extra attention to packaging and wrap the product with an additional layer of material.
Packaging may also benefit your marketing, as premium packaging often appeals to consumers, making them want to share their shopping experience with the rest of the world on social media. We’re sure you’ve heard about the famous unboxing trend!
Leverage technology
Technology has repeatedly proved its significance in almost all areas of life. So, it goes without saying that it has its role in the logistics and supply chain industries. By relying on the right tech, you can hasten the entire purchasing and shipping process and secure your goods and data associated with orders, shipments, deliveries, etc. Automating your operations has many advantages, among which the most meaningful is that it saves considerable time and money. Many e-Commerce businesses have already taken the technological route, implementing innovations such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Transport Management Software (TMS) in their logistical process.
Improved quality assurance in logistics can now be achieved with the help of state-of-the-art technologies. Such innovations also enable real-time visibility and boost transparency, which is vital to the bottom line.
So, are you considering any of these solutions?
