Final Mile Deliveries

Going the Extra Mile: Why Your Final Mile Services Provider Matters

Are you an online retail business looking for easier ways to deliver your products right to your customers? Are your goods too big to fit the requirements of postal or carrier services? Are they, however, too small for freight delivery services?

Final mile delivery is what you may be looking for. Right now, it’s booming with the e-commerce industry. There’s even an expectation that the first- and last-mile delivery industry will exceed $1,100 million by 2026.

If you want to know more about final mile services, keep reading our guide below.

1. What Are Final Mile Services?

A final mile delivery or service is the delivery of a product to a customer’s home. It’s what comes after the freight delivery from your company to a city or state. It includes the planning and execution of the last delivery leg. 

This often pertains to the delivery of items bought online. It also refers to the delivery of big and bulky products. Often, a final mile service delivers goods that a parcel carrier or postal service can’t deliver.

These may include furniture, appliances, mattresses, and more. It’s also worth noting that e-commerce has been booming in the last few years. Thus, retailers are going online and are selling their products through the internet.

More e-commerce retailers provide an easier and more convenient shopping experience. Members of younger generations even prefer e-commerce retailers to traditional mortar-and-brick stores. This then causes a growing demand for better delivery services.

The standard service is the delivery of your goods to the door. Some services offer delivery to the client’s room of choice. Other services even help with unpacking and clearing debris from the package. 

2. Why Is Final Mile Delivery Important?

Now that you know about what it is, it’s time to talk about why you need a final mile service provider. 

Today’s delivery services are evolving. As we mentioned above, the internet is a primary catalyst for it. The competition is always growing with online retailers popping up left and right.

To have an edge, great customer service is one of the best things you can offer your clients. This is where final mile delivery services are good at. They handle your goods and customers with care.

If you sell specialized products, they can help your customer set it up. Most final mile services have personnel who are knowledgeable of certain products. This is especially important if you sell items or appliances that are confusing to set up. 

This is also important if you sell one-of-a-kind items like antiques. You want a final mile delivery service that guarantees the best handling for your goods.

A final mile carrier leaves a lasting impression on your customers. Remember, they are the ones who your customers have direct interaction with. They go beyond delivering your products at the door or the curb.

Also, the delivery service of your retail business has an impact on customer behavior. A survey of delivery expectations says that 43% of consumers demand faster delivery times. 74% of customers who received same-day delivery also stated they’d purchase from the same company in the future.

3. Benefits of Choosing the High-Quality Final Mile Delivery

Let’s say you offer great customer support and services on your e-commerce site. Now, wouldn’t you want to offer the same quality of customer service in the delivery stage? If you do, then you understand what builds up your customers’ loyalty. 

Shopping from your site isn’t the entirety of your relationship with your customer. Receiving the item is still part of the customer experience. In some way, the final mile delivery services you choose to represent your business.

The better the final mile service treats your customers, the better your reputation.

Another benefit is the many distribution centers. Final mile services should have various distribution centers in an area or state. If they do, you know you can launch products and fulfill deliveries in a jiffy.

Having many distribution centers is a good sign for retailers who want scalability. This assures you that they can handle many deliveries in one area. With it, you know all your goods will reach their destinations.

4. Trends in the Final Mile Delivery Industry

Before, the last mile transportation network included traditional trucks and similar vehicles. With the breakthroughs in technology, automated carriers are available now. Companies are using drones, self-driving cars, and other automated solutions.

It’s not the drone-filled skies some of us may have hoped for. However, it’s efficient and safe at the least. 

In line with new technological breakthroughs, another trend is real-time customer feedback. Sending feedback requests after delivery is so yesterday. Now, your clients can choose among the options for giving real-time feedback.

They can do it with their mobile phone or computer. Do you want them to share with you how the ridesharing experience was? Allow them to tell you through an app or your site. 

5. Finding the Best Final Mile Service Provider

Now, you know you want a final mile delivery service. The question is, how do you choose the best one for your business? Allow us to share the crucial elements for choosing among the many last-mile delivery companies in the market. 

For the first one, you want a service that handles the packages with care and is on time. If possible, they might even shorten the time it takes to deliver. This is a sure guarantee for customer satisfaction and positive reviews.

Another element is expertise with home delivery. For example, delivering complicated appliances to the customer’s doorstep isn’t enough. The personnel also need some experience with setting up and handling the appliance.

Get the Goods Home

That’s it for our guide on final mile services. It matters that you choose the right final mile service. After all, they will have direct communication with your customers. 

But why stop here? We’ve got more to offer. If you want to check out our services, feel free to sign up today.

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Who’s The Real Star Of A Stellar Online Customer Experience?

We all know that shopping online has taken over the way companies do business. But what you may not know is that shipping options can make or break the deal for the majority of buyers. 

About 85% of Amazon users won’t buy a product because of the shipping charges. Then 60% of Prime users won’t buy your product if the shipping is too slow. 

How do your delivery options stack up? You are probably missing out on a lot of sales because your delivery options aren’t what shoppers are looking for. 

Let’s go over the delivery options that you have available to you. 

Tracking 

First things first, no matter what shipping options you offer your buyers, you must provide tracking. Your customers want to know when their order ships and when they can expect it. 

In fact, they are more likely to be happy with a longer shipping time as long as they know when the delivery will happen. By offering them an online portal to track their shipment you give them a higher level of communication and build trust.

Rush or Expedited Shipping 

Amazon has proven that some customers want their items fast. In fact, there is a whole community of Prime members who pay a yearly fee just to have two-day shipping on all of their orders. 

Sephora has followed suit and they offer a yearly membership of $15 to get their FLASH shipping. That’s free 2-day shipping on all orders. 

The advantage for you is that these customers are more likely to order more product because they know they have free shipping. 

One Off Rush Shipping 

You don’t have to offer a membership to offer rush shipping. This will be a more most expensive shipping option, but your customers will expect that. 

This option is about service and speed, not price. 

Low-Cost Shipping 

You need to provide a low cost or free shipping option. This will cover all of your customers who don’t want to pay for shipping. 

Now this means that you need to cover the shipping cost yourself. You could build the cost of shipping into the price of the product. This isn’t always possible though. 

Your other option is to reduce your shipping costs. One way to do this is to work with a shipping service that provides warehousing. 

You would then hire them to store and ship your inventory. This does two things for your business. First, it reduces your shipping costs by streamlining the process. It also reduces costs by allowing you to leverage the shipper’s volume for lower rates. 

The second thing it will do is place your product closer to your future customers.

Think about it this way, if your company is in Florida, but most of your customers are in New Jersey, then they have to wait for their order to go from Florida to New Jersey every time they order. 

Instead, have your company in Florida, but warehouse your inventory in New Jersey or nearby. Then when a customer orders it only travels a short distance, getting to your customer faster. 

In-Store Pickup

Another popular option is in store pickup. Walmart and Target have been leaders in this type of shipping service. It works well for your business because you already have the logistics infrastructure in place to support it. 

It can also streamline your inventory management since the product may not even need to be shipped. It may already be located in the store. 

There is also the added benefit of getting your customers in the store. This increases the likelihood of buying more once in the store. 

For those who do business online and in brick and mortar locations, this is an option that should be embraced. About 60% of shoppers aged 15 to 49 would be happy to have and want to use this service. 

Shipping Large Items 

If you are in the business of shipping large items then carrier or parcel shipping isn’t for you. In this case, you can provide your customers with the highest level of customer service by arranging shipping for them. 

If you work with a broker you ensure that they get full service at the best price. Your customers may not know that they will have to pay extra for last mile and in-home delivery. 

You can get the best rates for both of these by leveraging your broker’s shipping volume. This also takes all of the headaches and work out of the buying process.

Your customers will appreciate the prompt on-time delivery. This type of service is what will separate your business from your competitors. 

Delivery Options for Your Business 

You don’t need to give buyers all of the delivery options that are out there. You just need to offer a couple of different options. This will allow you to cater to the needs of a wide range of shoppers. 

You want to have one low-cost option. This will cover those who don’t care how long the shipment takes, they want the lowest cost possible. 

Then you want a mid-grade option, people who are willing to pay a little bit to get their item slightly faster than the cheapest option. Many buyers will choose this option because it seems like a better option. 

Finally, you want a fast shipping option. This is for those who want their item RIGHT NOW. These shoppers are willing to spend extra money to make sure they get their item as fast as possible. 

With these options, you are sure to have something to satisfy the biggest amount of people. 

Contact us today and let us help you formulate your shipping strategies. 

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What To Expect From Courier Delivery In Bad Weather

During the winter time more than all other seasons, customers have grown to expect shipping delays. When there are snowstorms, airport shutdowns, and major storms coming through, there is little that a delivery service can do to keep the delivery flow going. Still, you might be wondering what to expect from a courier delivery you’ve scheduled in the case of bad weather conditions. Will the package still be delivered on time? Where is it? Will it be protected from the elements? How bad does the weather have to be before courier service is interrupted? Where can you find courier delivery services you can trust?

All of these questions and more are sure to spring to your head if you have hired a courier service to deliver an important item but nasty weather has moved in. Not to fear — in this article, we’ll answer all your weather-related delivery questions and leave you feeling assured that you know the drill when it comes to bad weather and package deliveries.

What Will Happen to My Delivery in Bad Weather?

If the weather along a courier’s delivery route is inclement, expect a natural delay. Couriers are devoted to their mission, but some things cannot be prevented. Expect to receive a call or some form of contact from the delivery company if there will be an interruption in your service. They will reach out as soon as possible to notify you of any delays or cancellations. Trust that they are working around the clock and doing the best they can to get your package to you.

Couriers understand the importance of their services, and they will not wait a moment longer than absolutely necessary to ensure that the delivery happens on time and as expected. You can also rest assured that your package or item will be well protected in the event of bad weather. It will not be left outside, exposed to the elements. It will be well protected as it is transported to its ultimate destination.

Couriers often put their delivery items in plastic bags or other sorts of cases when the weather is wet or dangerous. Despite bad weather, couriers are committed to getting their packages to satisfied customers on time. There may be a delay or a new estimated delivery time, but don’t worry! If your package is entrusted to a reputable courier service, it is in good hands. Your satisfaction is the ultimate goal.

Protections Against Delays

One of the best parts of hiring a courier delivery service is that you will be provided with up to date notifications regarding the status of your delivery. If your package is going to be delayed, you will know about it. Maybe you’re sitting at home waiting for your delivery and you see bad weather rolling in. Instead of simply wondering what will happen and hoping your package will arrive, you’ll be able to know the exact status and find out where it is at all times.

Tracking options and delivery notifications are provided so that you can be sure not to miss anything. Remember: a courier’s goal is to get your items delivered as quickly as possible, no matter what. Still, when safety or health is at risk, it’s important to show patience and compassion and trust that the courier is only delayed because it’s absolutely vital that they avoid the weather.

How Bad Is Bad Enough?

Maybe you expect your courier to trek through snow, sleet, and hail to get your package delivered to you on time. And maybe they will! However, how bad does weather have to get before you should assume that your delivery will be delayed? Usually, couriers will brave even the worst conditions to get your items delivered to you. Snowstorms, stormy days, and even heat waves won’t hold them back.

But what about natural disasters like hurricanes or wildfires? Recent years have proven to us that the forces of nature are nothing to be mocked. Serious weather conditions can present extreme danger and even cause death. In cases like this, you should expect that your package probably won’t arrive at you on time.

Nothing is more important to a delivery service than getting your items delivered to you when you expect them, but when there are human lives at risk, that’s where companies have to draw the line. If a courier is at risk of serious bodily harm, expect to experience a delay in your delivery. It is simply natural human compassion to have patience in situations like that. Couriers will do what they can, but they are not super humans!

Still, you’ll be amazed at the harsh conditions your courier will endure to get your item to you as promised! Rain, winds, and the hot summer sun are no match for your mighty courier.

Quality Courier Delivery Services

Looking for courier delivery you can count on? Need It Now employs the kind of couriers who will stop at nothing to get your items delivered on time. When you need a delivery service you can trust with the timely and careful delivery of your most important packages, you know who to call. Plus, the Need It Now website has tracking capabilities built in, so you’ll never have to wonder where your package is or what time you should expect it. Simply plug in your tracking number and you’ll be able to check in on your package every step of the way.

From final mile home delivery to luggage drop-offs, our courier delivery services can do it all. We can locally deliver your packages using our fast and dependable walking couriers. For deliveries over fifty pounds, you can rely on our delivery vans to get the job done. Our couriers are prepared to handle any situation that may arise, from bad traffic to bad weather!

Contact us today for a free quote or to hear more about the wide range of courier and delivery services we offer. We’re excited for you to experience our delivery services.

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Last Mile Delivery: Facts and Trends

last mile delivery

last mile delivery

As the e-commerce market continues to expand, it’s becoming more important than ever for businesses to provide superior shopping (and logistics) experiences in order to win customers over. Many businesses are doing this by offering shipping options like 2-day delivery and same day delivery, as well as last mile delivery.

Last mile delivery is a huge opportunity for both e-commerce companies and logistics businesses. In fact, last mile delivery is believed to be a $3 billion market for transportation companies, as customers continue to demand this service as part of their overall e-commerce experience.

Investing in last mile delivery is a no-brainer for your business. But before you do, it’s important to know how it works and what the current and future business landscape for it looks like. Keep reading to learn facts and trends about last mile delivery so you can seamlessly incorporate it into your business.

What is Last Mile Delivery Exactly?

Last mile delivery is the process of moving goods from a transportation hub to the final delivery location, which is usually the customer’s home. The purpose of this delivery option is to deliver items to a customer in the fastest and most effective way possible.

A lot of companies are investing in it because it serves as a key differentiator for retailers, many of whom are selling products that are similar or identical to that of their competitors. It’s a logistic method many companies are using, from shopping marketplaces like Amazon to food and clothing companies.

Setting up a last mile delivery system can be tricky and time-consuming, but it’s incredibly important to do. Why would a customer buy your product when they can buy the same one from a different business and get it delivered the same day?

Last Mile Delivery: Facts and Trends

Now that you know what last mile delivery is, here are some facts and trends to keep in mind before building out your own system.

1. Customers Expect Immediate Delivery for Certain Products

Today, there’s an increased demand for 2-day and same day delivery. While customers may be willing to wait a few days for large parcel items like furniture, they’re unwilling to wait that amount of time for smaller goods.

This poses a challenge when it comes to planning logistics, as items need to know be fulfilled in only a matter of minutes. By the time the order you receive the order, you have to immediately process it and have it ready for delivery. This trend is greatly affecting pharmaceuticals and food delivery services where customers have an immediate need and want their product right away.

2. Customers Want to Know Where There Package Is

Now more than ever, customers want to know where their packages are, and when they’ll get to their address. This is an important technology for last mile delivery because it helps keep track of when a package is late or get lost. Many businesses and logistics companies are creating websites for tracking packages or letting customers keep track of the delivery with their GPS and smartphone apps.

Local last-mile delivery organizations may not have the technology to create this technology, but they should try to invest it in nonetheless. Customers want this kind of technology and will shop with businesses who can help them keep track of their packages.

3. Companies are Creating City Warehouses

As more customers expect and demand same-day instant delivery, companies are investing in delivery hubs. This trend involves companies building and using urban warehouses so they can easily access and deliver products to their customers.

Investing in these warehouses is essential for reducing transit time for deliveries, and makes it possible for companies like Amazon to offer 2-day delivery. Most retailers do not yet offer this delivery option, so those that can have a big advantage in the marketplace.

4. Companies are Using Delivery to Upsell Customers

Thanks to data, companies can now predict what other products a customer might want, even if they haven’t ordered it. Companies are now loading non-committed inventory into their truck, which allows couriers the chance to convince customers to buy it during last-mile delivery.

This technology lets companies like Amazon keep items on the truck that customers may want, like items they’ve previously ordered and may need again, such as toilet paper or household essentials. This lets companies make even more money in the long run.

5. Customers are Willing to Pay More for Better Delivery Options

Most shoppers have a habit of abandoning their shopping cart due to unexpected shipping costs. But 25% of shoppers say they were to pay significant shipping costs for same-day delivery or features like in-home delivery or being able to schedule their delivery date and time at checkout.

This number will grow even higher as millennials become the largest share of the market. Thanks to companies like Amazon, customers are used to 2-day or same day shipping, and they’re willing to pay more for that delivery benefit.

6. Delivery Technology is Only Becoming More Advanced

While this trend isn’t in full-force yet, companies have already started investing in advanced delivery technology. The most expensive part of delivery is labor like drivers, so it makes sense that companies are investing in technology like self-driving cars, drones, and robots.

Companies like Yelp are already testing out robotic delivery, which is a service that could be offered 24 hours a day. The only downside is that it requires a human agent to accompany them in case something goes wrong. But it’s believed that as technology continues to rapidly evolve that there will be less of a need for human delivery agents.

Final Thoughts

As e-commerce and shopping behaviors evolve, companies and their logistics need to grow to keep up with consumer demands. By investing in last-mile delivery, you can provide a superior shipping and delivery experience for your customers and convince them to shop with you over your competitors. As a business, you should be actively working to perfect your last mile to keep costumers satisfied and coming back for more.

Have you started building out your last mile network? Or are you looking to partner with a last mile courier to assist you? Let us know in the comments!

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Final Mile Delivery Way to Go for Large Items

 

Final mile deliveryLarge Items? No Problem. Final Mile Delivery is at hand.

Shipping and delivery are two of the most important components of customer fulfillment nowadays. And, while smaller items may not be considered a huge logistics issue, what about getting those larger items to their destination in a timely fashion? What about shipping something the size of a grand piano? Final mile delivery provides an answer.

The problem with large items

Bulky, weighty and expensive may be three adjectives which come to mind when thinking of getting large items delivered. The weight and girth are major factors in getting items shipped. Also, logistically speaking, getting them that “final mile” presents a conundrum. All of which is costly to both shipper and recipient. Smaller businesses especially complain about the rising costs. Final mile delivery is designed to deal, specifically, with this very issue.

No warehousing – no problem

Space is another major concern, especially with sellers or retailers who do not have space to store items and have them on hand for shorter customer delivery. Space is costly, square footage being rated at a premium, especially of late. This adds considerably to costs as well as time of delivery. One of the most major benefits of final mile delivery is that warehousing locally can be provided to stage items until they are ready to ship locally, reducing costs drastically and improving delivery time by leaps and bounds.

Move shipments as fast as a large online retailer

Not everyone can operate as do some of the online retail giants. Warehousing and bulk delivery options are limited for lesser-sized organizations. Options for delivering items, especially in a timely fashion, are few. That is one of the greatest benefits of many retailers is that they have shipping locations strategically placed in localized regions for optimum shipping time and cost. Final mile delivery brings this as a possibility for even the smallest of organizations.

How to get large items delivered and not break the bank

“Final mile delivery” is all you need to know in getting large items to their destination in a timely fashion and as cost-effectively as possible. It takes the “final mile difficulty” out of logistics, giving even the smallest of companies a competitive edge on servicing the end recipient with products of even large or unusual size. Here is a breakthrough in service where it is vitally needed.

For the largest of items in need of shipping, fast and in a cost-efficient manor, Need It Now Courier provides the ultimate in logistical solutions for companies of all shapes, sizes and configurations. The possibilities are now near-endless with final mile delivery shipping bulk, heavy and large items, nearly as easily as small ones, and for a fraction of what it may cost otherwise. The bottom line is that it may mean everything to your bottom line. Inquire about it now.

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3 Ways Final Mile Deliveries Go That Extra Mile

Final Mile DeliveriesFinal mile deliveries are what’s been missing

In business you need to act fast. Therefore, anything standing in the way of speed of delivery to clients or customers is a hindrance to business growth. Logistics has fast become a problem for many in this fashion. Fortunately, final mile deliveries have also become front and center and solve such logistics problems in several ways.

Road blocks can block business

In a journey of a thousand miles, it could be said that the final one is the toughest. What with traffic and congestion, a five-minute trip can take an hour. Final mile deliveries utilize methods of getting a shipment to destination without such barriers, including direct messenger service. And, face, it, in this fast-paced world, timing is everything in that it can make or break a business.

Personalized service is the new “service”

Everything in this modern world has been moving toward fulfillment, service and even personality. Modern marketers talk of the new-age customer wanting to get personal and feel a connection to those with whom they interact and do business. Final mile deliveries are the epitome of personalized service. From cargo bay to doorstep, with personal delivery and even confirmation of the article condition, packages large and small are in good hands and well-received by recipients.

Logistics for all shapes and sizes

Logistics often involve many factors, including people. Some transactions between business and customer are literally between two people: business person and customer. Not everyone can operate with logistical teams the size of large corporations. Final mile deliveries fill in the gaps of missing logistics. Large companies, however, do not always have the logistical facilities available. This makes this delivery method a choice way to get things into the right hands at the fastest speed possible.

Final mile deliveries deliver

Many can claim to go the extra mile, but can they go the final one? Speed of service, impeccable logistics and personalized service are among the simplest demands of those living, working and operating in this fast-paced, need-it-now, on-demand world we live in today. Delivery is held to a new standard and needs to change with the times. Final mile deliveries are achieving this, every day, every shipment, from the smallest to largest of items and parcels.

If you need it now, or need someone to have it now, check out Need It Now Courier to deliver more than just an item to a recipient. Deliver logistical solutions, rapid delivery and incredibly-personalized service for much more than just a package-in-hand, but a relationship to customers.

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