Analysts say that demand for couriers will rise because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from certain areas that are on lockdown, people are wary of going out. With the fear of catching the virus outside, people choose to order online.
Hence, you need to ensure that your products reach your customers safely and on time. But if you’re still wondering “how can I find a trusted courier service near me,” continue reading below for some of the best tips to follow.
Speed is Paramount
“How can I find a dependable courier service near me?” Your search should begin with the speed of the courier service in mind. Surveys reveal that 87 percent of online shoppers say shipping speed as their top priority.
This becomes more important if you’re selling food. Customers want to enjoy their orders as soon as possible. Moreover, food comes with a shelf life that affects their taste, quality, and safety.
When it comes to non-food items, customers want to get hold of them in a day or two. However, this depends on the location of the items. On average, consumers accept a maximum of three to five days of delivery time.
If the shipping goes beyond five days, they will likely look for a different merchant on their next purchase. Thankfully, there are courier and logistics services that offer same-day delivery solutions, such as the folks at https://mobileonecourier.com/.
Availability Is a Must
Finding a local courier service that delivers fast is great. However, it is not enough. The courier must also be available at all times. This means finding a courier service that can deliver especially during peak season.
Moreover, the courier should be available immediately after the client posts his orders. You shouldn’t have to wait for several hours for a rider to become available. A good courier should have enough manpower to deliver the goods immediately.
Insurance Counts
Another important characteristic of a reputable courier service is its ability to secure your products. A lot of things can happen during the packing of your items to the actual drop-off. There are countless horror stories involving accidents during shipping.
Since accidents are out of your hand, you need to find a courier service that offers parcel insurance. With insurance coverage in effect, it can pay for the damages arising from the accident.
Moreover, it can cover incidents wherein the shipping does not arrive on time, if not at all.
Know the Limitations of the Courier Service Near Me
Another important aspect you need to inquire about the courier service is the limitations surrounding their deliveries. Generally, these limitations involve the size and weight of the goods.
If you have very large items, some courier providers may not be able to accommodate them.
It is important to note that courier services measure your items using volumetric weight. To compute for this, most courier companies use this specific formula: (length x width x depth) divided by 6,000.
The answer to the equation becomes the volumetric weight of your products.
Furthermore, you need to ask if they have limitations according to the specific type or nature of the goods. Most companies will not ship any hazardous or poisonous items.
Moreover, ask if they handle special requests. This is crucial especially if you’re selling sensitive items like medicines and the like.
Communication and Transparency
Another hallmark of a trusted courier company is its ability to communicate clearly. This covers not only the time you place your shipping order. It also encompasses all the instances that you inquire about anything.
A company that communicates clearly also values transparency. They should be able to provide updates concerning the progress of the shipment. They should also provide you with a tool to track the deliveries in real-time. Most courier companies offer tracking tools that you can access through their websites.
To get an idea about how they communicate with their clients, pay a visit to their office. Talk to someone from their staff. How did they respond to your inquiries?
Did they showcase friendliness and professionalism? Were they able to answer all your questions? Did they showcase honesty and transparency?
Pricing Matters
Before choosing a courier for your business, it is a must that you compare their prices. Ideally, you want to save money on shipping. However, going for the cheapest option may not always be the wisest decision.
Hence, request a breakdown of the shipping costs and see which one gives the best value for your money. Go over every detail and check if there are any hidden fees. Some companies dramatically increase their fees for large and heavy items.
Keep in mind that the shipping fees will affect the prices of your products. If you go for a company that charges too high, you may also need to increase your prices to make up for the cost.
In turn, you may end up losing customers to your competitors.
Check the Reviews
Last but not least, you need to do your homework by looking at customer feedback. Visit the websites and see what their clients are saying about their services.
Are they raving about the quickness of the deliveries? Or are they complaining about shipping delays?
Take note of any red flags that you encounter. Separate the companies with bad feedback and strike them off of your shortlist.
Additionally, consider checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Do they have BBB accreditation? If so, how did the BBB rate their services?
Grow Your Online Business Faster
Now that “finding a courier service near me” is no longer a big problem, you can improve your services and increase your bottom line in the process. But finding the right courier is only one aspect your need to cover.
We invite you to check our other articles on eCommerce. We discuss topics that will help take your online business to the next level.
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