How to Select the Perfect eCommerce Delivery Partners for Your Business

eCommerce Shipping

Some are good at delivering the products on time.

Some are providing competitive prices,

Some cover hyper-local pin codes,

Some are renowned market players...Which delivery partner will you select?

Selecting an eCommerce delivery partner involves considering multiple factors like pricing, workforce, pin codes covered, and more. Therefore, many big e-commerce players take longer than average to finalize the delivery partner for their business. Some rely on multiple delivery partners because one logistics company may not fulfil all their requirements.

We help you select the perfect eCommerce delivery partner for your online business.

Identify your Business Requirements

Understanding your business in detail is crucial before hiring an eCommerce delivery partner.

If you are unaware of the basics of your business or products, randomly finalizing a delivery partner will not serve the purpose.

What's the minimum and maximum time window to deliver the products?
What's the frequency of deliveries in the on-and off-season period?
How much can you spend on each delivery?
What are the deliverables promised by the logistics company?
What should be the ideal size of a logistics company from a workforce point of view?
Will you manage the return orders, or will the delivery partner handle them?

Many points should be clearly and carefully considered before finalizing a delivery partner for eCommerce. All these factors directly impact the overall functioning of the online business, so neglecting a single point may be a devastating mistake.

Key Factors to Consider in the Right eCommerce Delivery Partner

Reliability & On-Time Delivery

Aim to finalize the delivery partner who promises timely delivery and also focuses on meeting deadlines thoughtfully. In logistics, time is money, and missing delivery deadlines will severely impact the business's goodwill.

Coverage & Reach

Imagine you have a finalized eCommerce shipping partner who doesn't cover three local pin codes from where you get 3-5% of your orders. The percentage is lower but will create a more significant impact in the long run. So, connecting with the logistics partner that covers the majority of the pin codes.

Cost-Effectiveness

Pricing plays a vital role. If you hire an eCommerce shipping partner with a higher rate, the profit ratio or EBITA will suffer. If you compromise on the services of a logistics company to finalize at a lesser rate, the company's performance will suffer. You must find a meeting point where the logistics rate is affordable, and the performance meets the mark.

Technology & Tracking

There is no place for outdated technology. If the e-commerce fulfilment partner is not adapting to the new-age technology - it is a big red flag. Imagine the scenario wherein all your competitors provide quick and real-time courier delivery updates, and your company is still following age-old traditions... That's the point.

Return & Exchange Handling

Efficient and customer-friendly return and exchange processes should be communicated beforehand before finalizing the delivery partner for your online business. Handling returns and exchanges is an inevitable part of the online business; you can not overlook or skip it. Therefore, selecting a reliable partner to handle it will be wise.

Scalability

A person starting or owning an eCommerce business is doing it to achieve long-run sustainability and then paying attention to scalability. It will become a significant issue if the eCommerce fulfilment partner lacks the resources and workforce to support your business's scalability.

Insurance & Liability

Adequate insurance coverage for damages and losses during transit.

Data Security

The breach of data is a sensitive point. Securing the user's data is of utmost importance. If the logistics company is not on its toes to protect the customer data, you should reconsider your decision to rely on them.

Integration Capabilities

Yes, without the integration window, integration, it isn't easy to manage a smooth channel and workflow between e-commerce platforms and delivery partners.

Evaluating and Comparing Delivery Partners

Many delivery partners are available in the market, and almost all of them are good, but the question is, which is good enough for your business?

We have already mentioned the points that should be considered before finalizing the perfect delivery partner for your online business.

Compare all these points and see which delivery partner is ticking all the boxes (or at least most of them!)

ILS Portal: User-Friendly Platform to Simplify Shipping

Since you are evaluating yourself, we understand the time and effort it takes. At times, it can also be irritating.

The problem with multiple options is that you get confused easily, leading to delayed or wrong decisions. So, what needs to be done?

We have a simple and effective solution to your problem. YConsiderrelying on ILS Portal, and they will sort the entire logistics department for you! Sounds interesting?

ILS Indian Logistics Services has a tie-up with 10+ renowned logistics companies, and you can connect with all of them under one platform. Moreover, they will take care of channelling orders, delivering on time, managing returns, and other things! They sort everything about the courier delivery, and that's why many big banner eCommerce companies rely on them, and you can be the next!

Conclusion

Rely on ILS Portal to sort all your shipping and logistics requirements and find the perfect delivery partner for your online business. They will give the best possible solution that ticks all your needs.

FAQs

1. Before finalising delivery partners, What are some key contract terms?

Discuss dispute resolutions, insurance coverage, and termination clauses before finalizing the delivery partner.

2. What are some standard pricing models for delivery services?

As per the industry standards, here are a few pricing models

Per-delivery fees.
Flat-rate fees.
Zone-based pricing.
Weight-based pricing.

3. How does the ILS Portal help businesses?

When you add someone as a logistics or delivery partner, you should focus on the benefits they bring. With ILS Portal, you can expect a quick, reliable delivery channel, organized workflow, increased working efficiency, budgeted services, and improvement in customers' overall experience.