There are a number of aspects that lead to the efficiency of your online e-commerce company, and the shipping process is one of them. Approximately 80% of customers say they won’t buy from a company again if they had a bad delivery experience. There are a plethora of eCommerce conversion tactics available, but some of the most effective ones are sometimes ignored. See 10 tips for outstanding shipping experience in your store!
Prioritizing a great shipping experience is crucial, particularly in the competitive landscape of e-commerce. Customers’ expectations are fast, reliable, and affordable shipping options. When businesses meet or exceed these expectations, it leads to increased customer satisfaction and a higher likelihood of repeat purchases (customer retention).
What’s more, many customers abandon their carts due to poor shipping options or unclear delivery timelines. By providing transparent shipping information and reliable delivery options, businesses can significantly reduce cart abandonment rates. Clear communication about shipping costs and delivery times helps manage customer expectations, making them more likely to complete their purchases.
Last but not least, a positive shipping experience fosters brand loyalty. Research indicates that 50% of Australian shoppers are not likely to come back after poor shipping experience.
Provide customers with a variety of shipping methods, such as standard, expedited, and same-day delivery. This flexibility allows customers to choose the option that best fits their needs, enhancing their overall satisfaction. It is also one of the way of conversion rate optimization.
There are tools which help you! If you have a store on WordPress or Shopify, install a plugin from Octolize – they provide a variety of shipping options. One of the plugins that might help enhance a variety of shipping options would be Pickup Points PRO which provides your customers with multiple carriers’ pickup points at the checkout.
Be transparent about shipping times and ensure you adhere to the timelines specified in your shipping policy. If delays occur, promptly notify customers to manage their expectations and maintain trust. Consumers appreciate honesty and transparency. You should create the appropriate terms and conditions to clearly notify your customers about:
These policies safeguard both the vendor and the customer and remove the possibility of a dispute.
It’s worth implementing a system to automatically send tracking updates to customers once their orders are shipped. This not only keeps customers informed, but also reduces inquiries about order status, allowing customer service teams to focus on other issues. UPS Shipping Labels and Tracking Plugin for WooCommerce stores is the most feature-rich delivery plugin available, allowing you to keep an eye on shipments and send your customers the tracking links once the parcel is shipped.
Adjusting and optimizing flexible shipping methods can lead to a more personalized shopping experience, improved operational efficiency, and ultimately, a stronger competitive position in the market.
Flexible Shipping Import / Export for Woocommerce enables you to update flexible shipping delivery methods, as well as import and export them. Therefore, you can easily adjust them based on already made flexible shipping methods, all in one go. Furthermore, it allows easy backup of your current shipping methods.
Focus on accurate order fulfillment to prevent shipping the wrong items. Maintaining a high order accuracy rate (ideally between 96%-98%) is crucial for customer satisfaction. Flexible Shipping PRO plugin can help you achieve that. It allows using the shipping classes, product tags, or even categories to choose exact products that might be shipped. In this way, the possibility of shipping the wrong item decreases rapidly.
When shipping your products, selecting the appropriate packing type is crucial to ensure that the items arrive safely and securely. For instance, FedEx offers a variety of packing options designed to cater to different shipping needs. One of the e-commerce plugins, FedEx WooCommerce Shipping Plugin – Live Rates PRO, offers different Packaging Types that can be adjusted for your needs.
Make the return process as easy as possible by including pre-paid return labels and clear instructions. A hassle-free return experience can significantly enhance customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases.
Regularly solicit feedback from customers regarding their shipping experience. Use this information to identify areas for improvement and adapt your shipping strategies accordingly. Use Productboard to add the customer’s request for possible feature implementations.
Customers prioritize convenience and speed in shipping. Aim to deliver orders quickly and consistently to meet these expectations, which can lead to increased customer loyalty. Delivery Date Picker for Woocommerce stores allows choosing convenient delivery dates for the ordered products and makes the shipping cost dependent on the date they choose.
Implement delivery management software to optimize shipping routes and improve delivery efficiency. This technology can help reduce costs and enhance the overall shipping experience for customers. Distance Based Shipping Rates for WooCommerce allows calculating the shipping cost based on distance. It uses Google Maps API to use distance and duration conditions in Flexible Shipping methods.
Consider incorporating eco-friendly shipping options and sustainable packaging materials. Today many consumers appreciate brands that prioritize sustainability, which – according to research – can enhance your brand image and customer loyalty. Add your custom boxes to your WooCommerce store with Flexible Shipping Box Packing WooCommerce. The plugin allows defining from scratch your own boxes for shipping including dimensions, max weight and padding.
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