Keeping an eye on trends and adopting new, relevant shipping methods will not only help improve customer satisfaction, but it will also help small business owners meet their bottom lines and compete with the big dogs.
1. Free shipping is expected.
Free shipping is the top priority for shoppers when it comes to retail policies, and nine in 10 shoppers prioritize free shipping over fast shipping when shopping online.
For small businesses to remain competitive, and avoid shopping cart abandonment, they’ll need to strongly consider incorporating free shipping as an option. As all businesses know, shipping is never really free.
2. Deliver packages at a specific time.
76 percent of consumers want a specified time slot for delivery, and 37 percent are willing to pay a premium for it. The good news is that the major carriers’ tracking information have significantly improved, helping recipients know where their package is on its route and the estimated delivery date. In addition, most consumers know roughly when their mail carrier arrives each day and can oftentimes plan accordingly.
3. Drones will deliver.
Drones will soon be able to deliver small items to local areas quickly and efficiently.
However, there are still operational limitations standing in the way of drone delivery.
4. More options drive customer satisfaction.
Traditionally, shoppers are given a few shipping options at checkout: standard, expedited and overnight. However, consumers are looking for more flexibility when it comes to how and when they receive their orders.
66 percent of consumers have chosen a retailer based on the number of available delivery options.
5. Big data transforms shipping.
There are countless ways small businesses can gather, analyze and make sense of all the data at their fingertips.
By taking a look at where most products are shipped and how long they take to get there, business owners can determine the optimal location for a warehouse that will save the most time and money.
Keeping an eye on shipping trends and strategies while implementing and tweaking it as needed, will help businesses determine what works best in order to be successful and competitive with the ecommerce retail giants.
Courtesy of Entrepreneur
