The end-of-year season is invaluable time for online retailers. Therefore, it's important to ensure that deliveries run smoothly and customers are satisfied with their purchases. We listed some expert tips for a successful end-of-year season:
Diverse delivery options:
Don't limit deliveries to one carrier's services. Let customers choose where they want their orders delivered. Diverse options improve conversion and reduce cart abandonment.
Customer service and tracking:
In addition to diverse delivery methods, it's important to provide excellent customer service and real-time delivery tracking.
Please note that most deliveries are not scheduled, so delivery times are estimates, and therefore providing a tracking link to the customer is absolutely essential.
Customers also appreciate the ability to contact customer service, so respond to customer messages as quickly as possible and be easily approachable.
Package storage times:
Advise your customers to pick up packages from pickup points as quickly as possible, as this reduces redirections of their own and others' packages, especially in parcel locker deliveries.
Enhance marketing through deliveries:
Utilize delivery speed and versatility in marketing. For example, you can tell that orders placed before a certain time will be shipped the same day from your warehouse.
Proper packaging:
Pack products so they cannot move inside the box - choose the right size strong box and use necessary padding. Use strong tape and ensure it covers all seams. H-pattern taping is recommended. Clear shipping labels, such as not having the barcode folded over an edge, reduce errors and ensure smooth delivery.
Clear return policies:
Return policies, costs, and instructions should be clearly displayed. Be open and remember that returns don't always need to be offered for free.
Brand your packages:
Use packaging to strengthen your brand. Use brand colors, logo, or personalized messages to delight customers. Personalized packages and messages encourage your customers to share your brand on social media.
Prepare with sufficient materials and products:
Ensure you have enough packaging materials and sufficient stock of products. Don't let products run out during the season.
Honest communication:
Be honest with customers about possible delivery delays. Open communication creates trust with customers and increases customer satisfaction, and is a better alternative than a disappointed customer.
Quality images and texts:
Quality images and informative texts are key in your online store and marketing. Remember, customers look at images first - a picture is worth a thousand words.
More tips,
such as which delivery options to add to your store's checkout or how to properly pack your products for both domestic and international shipments, are available from Shipit's customer service!
– every customer is equally important to us and we help every customer, whether it's a large or small online store or even a large public company, reminds Shipit's COO Sami Hakanen.
Our customer service is available on weekdays from 9 AM to 4 PM
+358 (0)20 752 8488
asiakaspalvelu (at) shipit.fi
in website chat
Learn more about our diverse services for online stores and download our free logistics guide for online stores.
Also read previous articles Proper packaging of online store shipments and Pricing delivery methods in online stores.