Customers expect a package to be delivered the day a business states it will arrive. Otherwise, they are less likely to use their services again. Hordes of customers could leave from a simple mistake, even if that error had nothing to do with your company. Delivery tracking can help businesses keep customers informed on their package’s location, but why is that important?
What is Last Mile Delivery Tracking?
Although the term alludes to this feature only tracking the last few miles before a delivery, last-mile delivery tracking includes the entire shipping process from beginning to end. As soon as the item leaves the distribution center or depot, last-mile tracking monitors the delivery of the product. Thus, last-mile delivery tracking benefits both the customer and the business.
The Importance of Last-Mile Tracking
60% of consumers will become non repeat customers following a slow delivery, which means that any business that doesn’t have last-mile delivery tracking could lose thousands of dollars. Since the goal of last-mile tracking is to deliver a package as quickly as possible, it stands to reason that customers are more likely to pay a premium for a service with quick delivery.
Due to the widespread availability of same-day or next-day delivery, customers have high expectations, demands, and preferences for their packages. They prefer to know when they can receive their items, sometimes down to the hour. Without quick delivery, your business will suffer, so it’s in your best interest to change how quickly your carriers fulfill their last miles.
Customers are more likely to shop at companies that have the following:
- Speedy Shipping: Most of your customers feel that fast shipping is important to them. Customers are more likely to switch to another business if shipping is slow.
- Tracking Transparency: A competence tracking software will benefit your business, as customers like to see the status of their package from beginning to end.
- Easy Returns: If you make the return process complicated, it will frustrate your customers. Make it simple for your customers to ship back unwanted items.
Serving rural communities may pose a challenge, but you could fulfill a niche if you offer delivery in these locations. Consider adding towns or villages to your shipping schedule.
Last Mile Tracking: The Business Perspective
In any business, time is money, and last-mile tracking can guarantee that more money stays in your pocket. In a highly competitive industry like delivery, you need to cut down costs, and the time it takes to deliver a package. That means you’ll need to keep your supply chain efficient by removing blind spots and establishing transparency through tracking visibility.
Businesses can track drivers to see how quickly they make a delivery, how traffic can compromise delivery status, and how to maximize specific routes. Through geofencing, businesses can understand and calculate the distance between the next delivery marker.
Through SMS notifications, businesses can speak to the carriers, who can then talk to customers about their delivery ETA. If a company creates a central hub to opt into these notifications or witness tracking on a desktop, all the better.
Last Mile Tracking: The Customer Perspective
Customer experience immediately rises with last-mile tracking because they feel a sense of control. In the past, customers would become frustrated when they would miss a delivery that was stated to arrive at a certain time but didn’t. For some businesses, shipping is out of their control, but last mile tracking can help customers understand why their package hasn’t arrived.
Trackable updates can also inform customers of the entire shipment process if real-time tracking isn’t available. However, customers generally prefer real-time data, as seen by the success of Uber, SkiptheDishes, and Amazon, including this feature with orders.
Let’s not forget about proof of delivery. When a customer cannot pick up a package, they want to know where it’s located after a failed delivery. Whether it’s at their doorstep or back in the post office, the customer can now pick it up at their leisure or wait for a second attempt.
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
