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7 reasons efficient shipping should be a top priority in your online sales process

Delivering your products quickly and efficiently to your worldwide customers is crucial for your online store’s success on international markets. We’ll walk you through the reasons shipping should be high on your priority list when optimizing your shop’s sales process.

September 9, 2024

Last Updated on September 9, 2024 by Zeljko Drazovic

Bad shipping can significantly affect your business’s success. Failed deliveries cause billions of dollars worth of losses every year.

The disappointment brought by a late or damaged package is not something a customer easily forgets, even if your e-commerce business offers free returns.

You may feature the best products on the market in your online store or launch new products frequently, but if the customer waits longer than promised, they’ll blame you for what happened.

We live in a fast-paced and competitive world, where just one mistake can cost you a competitive advantage. For this reason, focusing on good delivery services is essential, as their impact extends far beyond mere logistics. 

In this article, we’ll explain why shipping is critical to your sales process and your store’s continued growth.

1.    Improves customer satisfaction

When buyers order something from your e-store, they expect a certain level of quality. This not only includes fast shipping but also a smooth return policy.

These aspects are crucial to improving customer experience, reinforcing their belief that your shop is worth trusting.

It’s important to create an experience for your customers that shows your brand respects their values and time by offering efficient, timely deliveries.

Delayed or damaged parcels can make your clients feel disappointed in your shop, alienating them from the beginning of your relationship. 

By focusing on quality shipping, customers will more likely have a positive experience, helping your case for positive reviews, recommendations, and word-of-mouth referrals to your business, which are imperative in today’s world of social media and influencer marketing.

2.    Increases customer retention

A satisfied customer is loyal. If all your online stores offer fast shipping, you’ll help convey that you are a reliable provider that customers can trust.

Waiting unnecessarily long on parcels can lead to disappointment and frustration, causing them to go to your competition for their next purchase. By delivering your products quickly, you build trust with the customer.

They know they can count on you to send the products within the specified timeframe and will come to your store the next time they need anything. This improves customer retention because it sets the stage for repeat purchases.

3.    Enables correct order fulfillment

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An average of 15 percent of packages never reach the customer who placed the order, either because of theft, mix-ups, or damage. 

The risk of such incidents is very high when you send packages through a container whose contents you don’t have complete control over. In this case, services such as FCL shipping can enable the fulfillment of correct orders. 

Also referred to as full-container-load shipping, this shipping method involves cargo that occupies the entire container space.

Since you won’t have to share the space with other shippers, the risk of damage, tampering, and contamination is lower. You arrange the items however you want to prevent damage, and the cargo is sealed from the beginning to the end of its journey. 

This improved inventory management streamlines the shipping process, enhancing customer satisfaction. Moreover, enabling shoppers to choose the preferred pickup option shows that your store is willing to go the extra mile to accommodate their needs.

4.    Maintains brand reputation

Offering fast shipping is more likely to boost your brand’s and online store’s reputation. Shoppers are quicker to leave a bad review than a positive one, and around 64 percent will do so after a late delivery. 

It doesn’t matter if the item eventually reaches them and works perfectly. The late delivery will overshadow your service and impact your store’s image.

By optimizing the shipping process, you will reduce the number of bad reviews and receive more positive ones. 

Over time, this can maintain and improve your brand’s reputation. Since most clients prioritize quality shipping over the product, even a good (yet slightly flawed) product could get a pass if the package arrives on time.

5.    Offers a competitive advantage

There are around 24 million eCommerce stores distributed all over the globe, each of them fighting for a spot as someone’s favorite. 

Introducing the free shipping option could create a higher demand for items in your online store, as shoppers are more likely to buy a product if they don’t have to cover the shipping costs.

Considering that the market is so crowded, it’s essential to find a way to distinguish your store from your competitors. 

You may think that products set you apart from other sellers. That’s not necessarily true because brands distinguish themselves through efficient and affordable shipping.

People always choose the former between a brand that has been shown to deliver on time in three days and someone who promises next-day delivery.

Look at Shein, for example. Their timely shipping strategy and on-time delivery make them a favorite globally, with their sales increasing yearly.

6.    Saves you time and money

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Optimizing the shipping process leads to fewer mishaps along the way. Whether it’s minimizing lost parcels or product returns due to damage, you’ll cut costs if you take the steps to ensure each item arrives on time. 

Late deliveries can affect your company’s cash flow as customers might cancel their orders if they are delayed. 

When the order has been processed and shipped out efficiently, businesses can reduce holding costs and receive customer payments faster. 

The chance of returns and errors is also reduced, increasing your savings and ensuring timely pickup. 

7.    Affects sustainability and environmental impact

The sustainability trend is increasing with each passing day, and more clients are concerned about the environmental impact of their packages. 

An environmentally friendly strategy can help draw clients to your store and reduce its carbon footprint.

For instance, eco-friendly packaging or optimizing delivery routes can lower fuel consumption and enhance sustainability. This commitment creates a positive image for your brand and draws eco-conscious buyers. 

It can also save money in the long run, as fewer resources are wasted.

The Bottom Line

Shipping is one of the most important parts of the sales process, as it influences your brand reputation and customer satisfaction.

By crafting an efficient shipping process and ensuring all items are ready to ship as soon as you receive an order, you save time and money while gaining an advantage over your competition. 

If your business’s delivery strategy is not optimized, you should carefully evaluate it to meet the customer’s expectations. 

About Webinterpret

Webinterpret supports merchants selling on big, international ecommerce platforms, such as eBay and Amazon, as well as local marketplaces like Allegro or Cdiscount.

Our AI-based solution enables selling more effectively with automated listing localization, advertising, and logistics (shipping and returns).

By giving your international customers a full end-to-end local shopping experience, Webinterpret improves your conversion and helps establish your business on a global scale.

Our marketplace offer is constantly expanding – if you want to grow your online sales, feel free to contact our sales experts. They will help you analyze your international sales potential and choose markets that will offer you the best possible return on investment.

Hazel Raoult is a freelance marketing writer and works with PRmention. She has 6+ years of experience in writing about business, entrepreneurship, marketing, and all things SaaS. Hazel loves to split her time between writing, editing, and hanging out with her family.

Picture of Zeljko Drazovic
Zeljko Drazovic
Zeljko is a versatile copywriter dedicated to the task of delivering informative content to Webinterpret's readers. He's also an avid researcher who's always on the lookout for the latest ecommerce trends.
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