Managing deliveries is a key part of managing a successful e-commerce business no matter the size, late or damaged orders can have an irreversible negative impact on your company’s reputation.
Despite the potential risks of last-mile of delivery and the impact it can have, it also represents an opportunity to drive a positive brand perception and improved financial performance.
Last-mile delivery refers to the final leg of the transportation process in the supply chain, where goods are transported from a distribution centre or a local hub to their ultimate destination, which is often a customer's doorstep or a retail store. These deliveries can often involve a high volume of stops within a small geographical area with a high number of variables involved including the impact of traffic conditions at the time.
Here we explore the impact of last-mile delivery software solutions for your business and the positive results that can be achieved.
Some of the most common issues within the last-mile of the delivery can be around delays, lack of visibility and inefficient route planning, all of these factors should be considered when looking to improve the last-mile stage of delivery.
One of the most frustrating issues can be reverse logistics, where there is a lack of an effective system for customers to return products to sellers and manufacturers. Developing one of these and focusing on fixing other issues around last-mile delivery will help you keep customers happy and increase the chances of them buying from you in the future; next we explore some of the benefits of implementing a last mile delivery solution.
BENEFITS OF LAST MILE DELIVERY SOFTWARE
Efficient Route Planning: Final-mile delivery software can help you minimise a driver’s delivery time and reduce fuel consumption, helping you keep operating costs as low as possible.
Real-Time Tracking: Customers love tracking orders, and giving them this visibility provides reassurance, minimises failed deliveries and gives them confidence to make future purchases.
Resource Allocation: The software helps businesses allocate their delivery resources more effectively, ensuring that the right vehicles and drivers are assigned to specific routes and tasks.
Inventory Management: Integration with inventory systems enables real-time updates on stock levels, helping businesses manage stockouts and overstock situations more effectively.
Data Analytics: Businesses can gather valuable data on delivery performance, customer preferences, and operational efficiency. This data can be used to make informed decisions and continuously improve operations and the whole delivery process.
Competitive Advantage: Investing in last-mile delivery software will give a business a competitive edge by providing faster, more efficient delivery than competitors.
Sustainability: Some last-mile delivery software solutions offer features that support more sustainable delivery practices, such as route optimisation to minimise delivery mileage for reduced emissions and the use of electric or hybrid vehicles.
WHAT THE ABOVE MEANS FOR YOUR E-COMMERCE STORE
The above benefits are just some of the things that last mile delivery can bring to your business, using them in tandem with other logistics solutions will help you scale a small start-up or improve the processes of a larger corporate enterprise.
No matter if you are working with a distribution partner or handling deliveries yourself, being conscious of the last mile of your deliveries is essential. If you are working to directly deliver your products to customers ensure this stage is planned out well and take advantage of the software solutions on the market, if you are working through a third party logistics company then make sure you are working with one that takes last mile delivery seriously, as unhappy customers are not good for growth or profit.