Whether you run a strictly online business or you’re a local Mom and Pop shop trying to get on the bandwagon, you can utilize a same-day delivery service to stay competitive. However, you’ll need to consider several factors before selecting a courier that’s right for your company.
What are Couriers, and What do They do?
A courier service is a company that’s responsible for the delivery of parcels, documents, packages, and anything else the party needs to mail. Couriers can be hired to ship products from business to business, from business to consumer, or from consumer to consumer.
Unlike national delivery services, most courier delivery companies are privately owned and offer competitive services like seven-day-a-week-delivery and two-day/same-day shipping. They may also provide other benefits, like API integration, on-demand service, and 24/7 customer service.
The global courier service is massive. Global courier and delivery services have a combined market size of $363.8 billion as of 2022, and it’s estimated to grow by another 4.9% by the end of the year. Couriers play a pivotal role in our supply chains and will continue to do so.
7 Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Courier
Like any other aspect of your business, picking the wrong courier can impact your bottom line. Here’s how startups and enterprises alike can decide on the courier company for their needs.
1. Temperature Control for Sensitive Items (e.g., Pharmaceuticals)
The best dropoff courier will offer some incredible features to their services, like temperature controlled trucks or HIPAA compliance tracking. If you’re in the medical industry and you need to ship time-sensitive or delicate items, you need a courier that handles these items properly.
2. Delivery Speed and Delivery Reliability
Delivery speed is important, but if the courier isn’t reliable, it won’t matter if they offer same-day shipping or not. The time it takes for customers to receive their goods from a courier service has a direct impact on the reputation of your brand, customer satisfaction, and buyer loyalty.
3. Reputation and/or Experience
A courier service can be in business for 40 years and have a negative reputation, so don’t solely rely on a company’s longevity. It’s more important to focus on customer reviews, whether or not the courier drivers are well trained, and if they’re licensed to handle certain products.
4. Shipping Prices and Transparency
Anyone who’s ordered from FedEx knows how frustrating extra delivery fees are to customers. Using a cheap delivery service makes good business sense, but if the courier is pushing off huge fees on you to ship packages, you’re going to lose money or upset your consumers.
5. Tracking and Email/Text Capabilities
Your customers want to know where their packages are at all times, especially when it comes to same-day delivery. Most people who use this service are likely last-minute shoppers, so they’ll want to keep an eye on their items and be notified through email/text when they arrive.
6. Local and International Areas Covered
Some businesses don’t have the capital or warehouse space for shipping packages on the same day, so you may only need local delivery areas for the time being. However, you also have to consider if you’ll need international shipping when you scale, so don’t leave this option out.
7. Customer Service (In and Out of the Truck)
Good customer service is essential in any company, so you’ll need a courier service that hires pleasant drivers, live chat, and telephone staff. Your customers will likely assume your drivers work for you, so you’ll need to test out each courier’s customer service staff before opting in.
