How many of you have been put off by a bad delivery experience?
Shipping your products is an integral part of both your customer’s delivery experience and running your online store. A shipping process which is executed smoothly can drive more sales as well as boosting your customer satisfaction. But an unprofessional or improper shipping strategy can also lead to customer dissatisfaction and drive them away from your online store.
Here are 4 ways that you can build better satisfaction with your customers and keep them shopping with you:
1. Provide Multiple Shipping Options
A 2013 study by UPS discovered that 76% of all online shoppers expect to be provided with free shipping options at the checkout process. But did you know that more than 67% of online shoppers expect to be provided them with different delivery options if they pay an additional fee?
You can provide multiple shipping options to your customers such as same-day delivery which is bound to keep your customers coming back due to such prompt service.
2. Give Enough Importance to Your Packaging Material
Unwrapping your products can either be fun or dull, this depends entirely on the way you package your products. You can choose to package your products in corrugated boxes which will create a great unwrapping experience for your customers which they may enjoy sharing online with their friends and family. Using attractive packing material to package your products primes your customers for satisfaction and leaves a lasting impression on them.
A survey discovered that the use of memorable packing materials sees over 50% of customers return for another purchase.
3. Streamline Your Process to Deliver Efficiently
A survey conducted by UPS discovered that more than 60% of all shoppers think it is vital that online stores provide a feature to track their product shipment status directly on their retailer’s website and more than half of all shoppers think it is important to receive delivery updates when the package will be delivered the following day.
Make sure that your inventory is accurate or have an inventory management system in place that can prevent any inconsistencies in product levels and ensure quick and efficient product deliveries and order fulfillment.
Ensuring that your customers receive their shipments in a timely manner is of the utmost importance. You can pinpoint where your shipments are with the use of industry-leading software and technology-driven systems and solve any problems that crop up quickly as and when they occur.
4. Provide Great Customer Service
Let your customers know when they can expect their products to be delivered along with the shipment dates. All of your impatient customers can be put at ease with the help of a simple tracking notification via email or SMS. Providing live order tracking as soon as possible with the relevant updates, is a vital part of shipping and will further increase your customer satisfaction.
Successful fulfillment of orders also includes successful returns. A well-executed return can build trust and create a loyal customer base, while poor customer returns can chase off customers and dissuade them from returning.
Helping your customers experience peace of mind about their shipments from your company is something that can make your business experience faster growth, more profits and more satisfied customers. By utilizing the above 4 smart strategies, you can take your online store to the next level and gain more loyal customers in the process.
Author: Abhijeet Shah is the head of digital marketing for Packing Supply, a leading name in the packing supply industry. He believes that its not only what’s on the inside that matters, but how products are packaged is just as important. Abhijeet stays updated with the latest trends and innovations in the industry and is quick to share them with his readers. He loves travelling and is often tempted to buy products that he comes across with unique packaging from all over the world, which he then adds to his ever-expanding collection of “bags & boxes”.