7 Things Every E-Commerce Company Should Consider Today When Choosing a Last-Mile Delivery Provider. -

7 Things Every E-Commerce Company Should Consider Today When Choosing a Last-Mile Delivery Provider.

Last mile delivery should be the easiest part of the supply chain, right?

After packaging and shipping a product, and then transporting it around the country or even the world, getting it into the hands of the customer should be a cinch. Actually, last mile delivery is the most difficult part—it’s where the logistics chain either breaks down
or proves its mettle.

So if you run an e-commerce company, you need a carrier who has the resources and technology to get the job done. Here are some of the most important factors you should consider when choosing a last mile delivery provider.

1. Offers a Variety of Delivery Options

The first thing to consider is the versatility of a prospective last mile delivery provider.

A last mile delivery service with limited delivery options is not going to get the job done. The nature of logistics today is that there is often little room for error. In many cases, logistics operates on the “just-in-time” principle, and this leaves no margin for mistakes.

So look for a last mile delivery company that provides an array of options. For instance, they might offer expedited delivery, contactless delivery (important in these days of pandemic), and even same-day delivery. The point is, you need a last mile service that has the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances, and has the tools to achieve customer satisfaction.

2. Provides Excellent Customer Service

This one probably goes without saying—but we’ll say it anyway.

One of the most important features of a last mile carrier is that they provide exceptional customer service. Think about it: the last mile service represents the final contact with your customer. If the service is awful, your customer will remember, and think twice about doing business with you again.

Do your homework before choosing a carrier, and investigate the company’s philosophy and even check out company reviews. Do they offer friendly and accommodating service? Are the reviews generally positive? It’s important to pay attention to these
qualities, and not just what services the carrier offers.

3. Real-Time Tracking Services

Real-time visibility and tracking transparency is non-negotiable when looking for a competent last mile delivery provider.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that fully 93% of consumers expect to be kept in the loop. They want the entire delivery process to be transparent, from shipping date, to in-transit status, to the final window of delivery. And the harsh truth is that without these
tracking capabilities, many customers will simply refuse to do business with your e-commerce company.

The customer is always right, as they say, and this means doing your best to keep them satisfied. So when selecting a last mile delivery service, make sure they have full tracking visibility.

4. Wide-Ranging Service Capabilities

Don’t overlook the importance of service capabilities when choosing a final-mile delivery provider. As with a variety of delivery options, service capabilities contribute to the versatility of a carrier.

Different areas and locations, from urban to rural, require different solutions. Some last mile carriers hire freelance delivery drivers to get packages to their destinations, or offer locker services to provide customers with more pickup options. It also helps for last
mile services to offer as tight a delivery window as possible. These are the services that customers remember and appreciate.

5. Wide Delivery Coverage

Coverage area is just as important as service capabilities and tracking visibility.

If a last mile carrier doesn’t have a wide enough coverage area, they won’t be able to provide you with the flexibility you want. So it really depends on your specific needs. You might only need delivery coverage in a single zip code or county, or your coverage might extend to the entire country.

This is why it’s crucial to research a prospective last mile carrier, and get to know the extent or limits of their coverage networks.

6. Diverse Service Levels

When considering a last mile provider, find out if they offer multiple service levels.

This is an important factor, because you want to know if a last mile carrier can customize their services based on your specific needs. It all depends on what your e-commerce company does, and having the flexibility to configure last mile delivery services is priceless.

These customized services could be anything from same-day delivery options to tailored solutions depending on the needs of your customers. The point is to ask a lot of questions, and determine beforehand whether a carrier is willing to accommodate your
business’ unique needs.

7. Effective Last Mile Delivery Technology

Finally, it’s important not to overlook the types of technology used in last mile delivery.

Logistics and supply chain bottlenecks have forced carriers to adopt innovative technologies to cope. As supply networks have grown in complexity, and are being stressed to the snapping point, new technology is becoming indispensable.

As an example, increased digitization of the last mile process has streamlined deliveries. This gives carriers the ability to take on much higher delivery volumes, and get products to customers with a minimum of delay.

Digitization leads to greater efficiency by automating the delivery system. Computerized tools can suss out the quickest delivery routes, which streamlines the efficiency of last mile delivery. And artificial intelligence programs help to identify bottlenecks and supply chain logjams.

All of this is to say that you should select a last mile delivery provider with the up-to-date technology to cope with changing logistical issues. That way, no matter what the future holds, your carrier will have the versatility to adapt.

Make That Last Mile Count

You don’t have to settle for a last mile delivery bottleneck. Getting your products into the hands of your customers should be a smooth and hassle-free process.

ACI Logistix has the tools and the experience to get the job done. We offer all of the above services, and we’re one of the fastest-growing last mile delivery services in the US for both offline and online commerce.