For 87% of online shoppers, shipping speed is a factor determining whether customers will shop with an eCommerce brand again (Dotcom Distribution, 2016). And price does not matter - many consumers expect that their order will be shipped on the same day that it is placed, so will pay extra for same-day or express shipping so they can have their items sooner.
Shipping can be a headache for small businesses, especially during busy sale and promotional periods. From needing to take parcels to a post office, calculating delivery times, hand-writing shipping labels and trying to calculate a fair shipping price so that you're not losing out on delivery and packaging costs - there are many factors to consider when posting goods. Retailers also want the confidence that outgoing deliveries will be shipped first time, every time. A promptly shipped delivery to your customer gives them the confidence to potentially purchase from you again.
Enter Shippit, an Australian logistics management startup company founded in May 2014.
1. Deliver parcels with reputable Australian carriers
Partnering with established and well-known carriers and courier services such as Australia Post, StarTrack Express, Couriers Please, TNT, DHL and Fastway - Shippit will do the hard work for you and save you ringing around trying to calculate multiple shipping quotes. Shippit can determine which carrier to use based on which is the most affordable - or which will get the parcel delivered fastest. Your customer may have a preferred carrier - you have full control over carrier selection.
2. Automatic address population and validation
One of Shippit's best features is its address population and validation functionality. If integrated with an inventory system or eCommerce platform - every new order that comes in will create a corresponding order in Shippit, pre-populated with the address details that the customer has entered at checkout. Has the customer made a mistake with inputting their address? Shippit runs address validation to ensure the address on the label is valid, before allowing the parcel to be booked.
3. Detailed tracking notifications, every step of the way.
Don't keep your customer anxious wondering where their parcel is. With email and SMS notifications available, give your customer time to plan ahead so they don't miss their delivery that needs to be signed for. Your customer is notified of which carrier their delivery is travelling with, and provided with a direct contact number for the carrier company. They'll know when the delivery has been picked up and is on-board with the driver.
4. All parcels, great and small are accepted.
Shipping multiple large items? Each item can be set to pack in a separate box if required, and all boxes will form part of the same consignment. Shipping small items? You may wish to use predefined package sizes such as satchels. Or, calculate the parcel weight based on the weights of individual items in the order. Use your own packaging and affix the label generated by Shippit.
5. Send parcels at top speed Sometimes, the customer simply cannot wait and wants their item as soon as possible. Shippit has two fast delivery options available - Click and Collect, or a same day courier service with a 3 hour delivery window. Expedite your delivery service with priority delivery options so customers can pay for and have their item faster.
Shippit is a solution best suited to established small to medium businesses. Do you need help with deciding on a suitable shipping management solution for your business? We can assist with implementing Shippit for your eCommerce or distribution business. Please contact us to find out more.