Small business owners have several challenges to face when it comes to making deliveries. It is a critical part of your service, which you probably don’t have complete control over. And once those goods leave your premises, it can be a long and anxious wait until you hear back from a happy customer. With all this in mind, we thought we would spend today talking about the most common delivery challenges faced by startup and small business owners. Read on to find out more!
Poor quality couriers
We all know that there are good delivery companies and poor ones – how many times have you waited patiently at home for a delivery and the driver has failed to turn up? Or, worse still, when they have delivered it somewhere else, or just dumped it on your porch even though you were in? For businesses, then, choosing a reputable delivery company is critical. Don’t forget, even when it is the courier’s fault, your customers might still hold you responsible for poor delivery. So, research companies and ensure your contract includes favourable terms for when deliveries go wrong.
Lack of communication
Choosing the best courier is one thing – working them well enough to benefit your business is another entirely. It is vital that your carrier knows your needs right down the last detail. If you sell fragile items such as glass products or hats, make sure they know. It’s the same for selling perishable goods, such as fruits or meats – both will end up a mess in the hands of a courier without experience.
Poor quality packaging
Even the most delicate, skilled delivery person will still have problems getting your products to their destination safely if they have been packed with useless materials. Nothing short of meticulous packing materials is essential. Here are plenty of options out there, from foam inserts to Hipac bubble wrap, but it is critical to choose appropriate packaging, without increasing the price of your products too much.
The importance of tracking
Tracking is vital for your peace of mind – and also that of your customers. When a retailer hears that a product has not turned up, it can be a nightmare scenario. It might be lost, it could be stolen, and either way, it’s going to end up with an angry customer on the other side. Those customers will suffer without their goods, and your business will suffer from productivity drains, and possibly even compensation issues. The solution is simple – always demand tracking for your deliveries. Not only will it help you proactively identify problems with the supplier, but it will also remove the delivery issue from your hands, as your customer will have a tracking number from the courier company themselves.
Costs
Of course, the cost of deliveries can be huge for small businesses, who don’t get the benefit of bulk shipments. If this sounds familiar, think about setting up a collaborative delivery schedule for you and other small businesses in your area. Doing this will enable you to enjoy the price benefits of bulk deliveries, and reduce your cost per sale.