How to select a courier service for your business

For many small businesses in Australia, delivery cost represents a significant driver of the business structure, and the delivery experience plays a vital role in keeping your customers satisfied.Consequently, the courier you decide to sign on directly impacts how well your business operates and reflects your brand identity. As a result, it's crucial to find a courier that suits your business model and day-to-day operations, along with one that doesn't blow the budget.

Ultimately, whom you trust with your parcels and deliveries will come down to your business preference and model (B2C or B2B),as well as what you're looking to send out the door, as one courier company may fit your needs better than others. It is best to look into all your courier options and to do your research to ensure you aren't waiting for a courier to deliver on its promises or your goods. Below are factors to consider when selecting the right partner.

Geographical Coverage

Suppose your company is receiving orders that require delivery across Australia or the world. In that case, you'll need a courier company that can provide the right geographical coverage when you need it.

Some businesses prefer to partner with a global courier to cover all possibilities. Still, many companies will select different couriers based on what and where the parcel is to be shipped and the required speed. Having the flexibility to choose couriers for specific jobs gives business owners more control over transport cost and service.

In Australia, Australia Post & StarTrack Couriers hold the upper hand on this category as they operate the most extensive network within the regional and remote areas along with the established pick-up points.As for international shipping, Australia Post and DHL are the only two viable options.

Reliability of Service

Reliable delivery service is as good as gold in the online retail world, as they encourage customers to repurchase if they can trust their goods to be delivered promptly. According to a 2019 Canstar Blue courier services review survey, 35% of survey respondents said they had previously sent an item that was not delivered. Accordingly, dealing with a reliable service can prove to be a time-saver, as well as keeping your customers satisfied.

Here are the top 5 courier service reviews for reliability of service rating in 2020:

1. DHLExpress ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Australia Post ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. Courier Please ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Fastway ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. FedEx ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Speed of Delivery

The time it takes for your customers to receive their goods from a courier service directly impacts your brand's reputation and whether customers will buy from your company again in the future.

Consumers regard the delivery process as an extension of the shopping experience, and customer satisfaction is related to shipping speed. With advances in pick and pack technology, distribution hubs, and fulfilment centres, the industry strives to reduce delivery times continuously.

When selecting a delivery service, you should always consider couriers that offer express or overnight delivery options, if this is highly important to your customers. Currently, the only couriers capable of delivering express delivery services within Australia are Australia Post, StarTrack and Toll.

Customer Service

When it comes to shipping and logistics, never underestimate the power of touch points and support call centres. If you have a last-minute crisis and something goes wrong, you want an actual human to contact and help you out straight away.

Customer service and response times provided by delivery companies aren't always satisfactory or within your control, but it's worth considering the reputation of your chosen shipping partner. You can do this by checking out online reviews and drawing your conclusions.

Being aware of common issues your customers may experience and having reliable dispatching software can help you find exemplary courier service and avoid pitfalls.

ShippingCosts

While many consumers are willing to pay more for faster shipping, most shoppers want the lowest possible shipping costs. A McKinsey survey of 4,700 US consumers found that 70% were looking for the cheapest form of home delivery.

Some companies subsidise shipping costs into their pricing models, so getting the lowest rates from reputable couriers is a way to increase profits and make more revenue available for scaling up the business.

Shipr's advanced technology allows your business to compare and select the best rates with real-time pricing of your chosen delivery partners.

Recommendations and how shipr can help!

While many businesses prefer to start with one courier as it makes their shipping tasks simpler, we recommend developing a segmented strategy of using two or three couriers to cover in-state, interstate metro, and regional/remote deliveries. While this approach sounds cumbersome, it will certainly help you cut costs, give your customer the fastest method to get their orders, and above all, mitigate your risk in case of service disruptions.

With time, as your volume of shipments increases, assess whether your carrier is offering you favourable terms or discounts. A process of trial and error is essential, as in every business, to find your perfect solution – but always stay with those providers that are willing to grow with you and provide the best customer service.

Shipr is developed with a mission to help you achieve the best strategy and provide your business with a streamlined method to control your shipping process. Shipr will give you complete visibility into your company's entire courier-related shipping processes, including:

Ready to learn more about Shipr? Contact our team of experts today. We would be pleased to discuss your courier strategy and answer any questions you have.