In business, we focus a lot on production. After all, where would your company be without your products? Not finding success, that’s for sure. Nope; your products should be at the center of everything you do if you’re to stand any chance at success.
But, at some stage, you’ll need to think about how to get those products to your customers in decent time. This is especially crucial if you’re selling online. Traditional businesses generally deal with large orders. But, an online company has to cope with small deliveries all over the place. As such, developing a decent delivery time plan is the best way to make your business look more professional. If customers have trouble, they certainly won’t make a repeat order.
Of course, there’s plenty of advice out there about what you should do to get on top here. So, we thought we’d shake things up by talking about what you SHOULDN’T do if you want your deliveries to turn up on time.
DON’T rely on outside companies
Admittedly, you may have to use an outside delivery company during your early stages. But, as soon as you’re able, buy a van and hire yourself some delivery drivers. The trouble is, of course, that outsourcing deliveries involves losing some level of control. With your own drivers in place, you can keep a close eye on delivery times and standards. It’s also worth noting that turning to outside breakdown companies stands to set you back. In fact, waiting for a tow truck could take up to four hours or more. Instead, think about buying a truck and applying a crane like those found at servicetrucks.com. That way, you can dispatch that truck the moment a breakdown is called in. It might still take a while, but at least your driver won’t have to wait at the end of a long line of other customers.
DON’T commit to unrealistic time frames
There’s always pressure to be the best in business. You’ll want lower prices, better products, and the best delivery times on the market. But, make sure you aren’t offering these at the expense of your service. It’s all good offering next day delivery, but think about whether this is achievable. Far better to offer a two or three-day service than to let people down. So, before making commitments you can’t keep, consider the practicality. If you can’t achieve something, don’t offer it in the first place.
DON’T forget to provide clear directions
Drivers getting lost is a leading cause for delivery delays. So, make sure you don’t forget to give proper directions before they head off. The best option here would be to invest in a sat nav like those found on https://www.cnet.com/. That way, you can add all necessary postcodes the night before. Make sure, too, to provide in-car chargers so that these devices last drivers for their whole journey. This will drastically increase their chances of turning up on time, and that’s sure to work in your favor.