6 tips for optimizing your company's parcel shipments

In the world of digital commerce, the process of shipping parcels is of fundamental importance in all its aspects. Costs, environmental concerns, and, of course, customer satisfaction must be considered.

And with the growth of e-commerce in recent years, all these aspects have gained unprecedented relevance. Statistics show that issues related to logistics have a huge impact on consumer satisfaction and on your company's image.

These are our six recommendations for improving the efficiency of your shipments.

Planning and communication

Let's start with a point that may seem obvious, but that involves a multitude of aspects. Good planning includes, for example, having an estimate in mind of the number of orders to be handled for each different time of year. It is important to remember that it is precisely at times when there are more orders that customer demands often increase. This is the case during the holiday season, when for many businesses there are more orders, but less tolerance for delays.

Planning works in conjunction with communication, both internal and external. It is a basic factor for efficiency. Well-oiled communication with the warehouse is what ensures your company's agility in handling orders. And good communication with the carrier ensures that this agility does not stop at the warehouse door and that the whole process runs smoothly. It is therefore essential to pay attention to choosing a carrier, a point we will return to.

Of course, communication with the customer is central. Provide clear and careful information throughout the process, regarding prices, waiting times, and everything else necessary.

Choosing the type of packaging

This is a detail that is often overlooked and that makes a difference. Thinking carefully about the type of packaging you use allows you not only to eliminate costs, but also to present a better image.

Appropriate packaging avoids using unnecessary space. Also think, of course, in terms of the protection of the item and its fragility: an item that arrives damaged also implies damage to your relationship with the customer, as well as replacement costs.

According to e-commerce statistics, a large proportion of items arrive at their destination damaged as a result of packaging that is too large. These also increase transportation costs. In short, paying more attention to packaging pays off on several levels.

Another issue to consider is personalization. For those who use a distribution company, direct contact with the customer is often only through it. Therefore, all opportunities to promote your brand and your individuality should be taken advantage of. Customize the packaging and establish a more personal relationship with the customer.

Thinking about returns

Returns are an unavoidable aspect of digital commerce: the simple act of buying something without being able to try it or see it first implies returns.

A huge proportion of people say that a clear returns policy is one of the most important factors when making an online purchase. And it is common for those who have a bad experience with a return to avoid shopping at the same store again.

In other words, a clear, efficient returns policy that inspires trust is of paramount importance. It is part of what has come to be called reverse logistics, that is, the return of products to the supplier. InPost specializes in reverse logistics through the use of Parcel Lockers, which facilitates the process and brings several advantages.

On the other hand, the focus should also be on reducing the number of returns. This is achieved, once again, through suitable packaging that reduces the number of damaged items, but also through special attention when receiving and processing orders, so that there are no errors in the product sent, as well as care in the presentation and description of items on the website, so that there are no discrepancies between expectations and reality.

Order tracking

Order tracking, also called tracing or tracking, that is, information that is permanently available and constantly updated regarding its location, is an indispensable resource in e-commerce.

It provides transparency and peace of mind, conveys necessary information to the customer, and reduces the number of information requests your company receives.

Reducing delivery times

This is an obvious point, and statistics support intuition in this regard. A study shows that about 70% of customers say they are less likely to shop again at a given online store if the product is not delivered within two days of the planned date. In other words, an order that arrives three days later than expected causes serious damage to your company's reputation. And several delayed orders exponentially increase the damage. The good news is that deliveries made on time, on the other hand, create a good impression. And in today's competitive market, customer retention has to be an absolute priority.

Part of the approach involves managing expectations. Communicating realistic deadlines is essential to avoid failing to meet commitments.

Another part of the strategy may involve increasing efficiency in the final stage of distribution, what is called the last mile. This is one of the stages of the process where the most delays occur and where inefficiencies multiply. InPost focuses on an approach that involves the use of Parcel Lockers and Lockers for parcel delivery, with numerous advantages in terms of convenience for the customer, sustainability, and simplicity, allowing delivery times to be reduced.

Non-doorstep delivery

Finally, an efficient and reliable parcel transport service is, of course, fundamental.

InPost is a pioneer in a distribution strategy that has proven itself across Europe on several levels. Non-doorstep delivery is an extremely flexible approach that, we believe, will become the model of the future.

The number of people requesting this option is growing, largely because it allows them to receive a parcel at the time that is most convenient for them, without having to wait at home for it. Don't forget to offer it to your customers.

This model makes it possible to combine environmental concerns, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Find out more about these advantages in this blog and on our website.