Scheduled deliveries are exactly what they sound like: the best guess as to when a customer’s order will arrive. The norm is for deliveries to be made on time. Consumers are increasingly expecting tracking numbers and updates so they can track their packages from your company to their doorstep.

Individual businesses design their own communication methods with their customers, while FedEx and UPS provide tracking numbers that allow your customers to track their scheduled deliveries. Larger companies, such as Amazon, purposefully integrate scheduled delivery tracking information into their websites in order to boost traffic and brand loyalty.

Furthermore, with scheduled delivery, you may be able to sway purchasing decisions. Consumers with a deadline, for example, could make an informed decision about whether or not their order would arrive on time. Furthermore, potential customers would be aware of the deadline for placing an order to ensure delivery on a specific date.

This article will look at the factors that can affect your scheduled delivery dates, how they can help build brand loyalty, and why you should provide scheduled delivery options to your customers.

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When it comes to scheduled delivery dates, how accurate are they?

There are no guarantees in the shipping industry, whether it is scheduled delivery or not. A scheduled delivery date, according to UPS, is an estimate of when a package will arrive at its destination based on current data.

In a UPS or FedEx details table, a package may have a scheduled delivery date/time. Unexpected changes to the delivery date to your customer may occur depending on the packaged item, its movement through the logistics network, and the accuracy of its tracking information.

When selecting external shipping services, keep in mind that each scheduled delivery date is contingent on the following factors:

  • Shipping information: Customer availability for signed packages, as well as the accuracy of the provided address.
  • Delivery options: UPS, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service all offer different types of shipping services, each with its own set of rates and priorities. Your customers’ scheduled deliveries may be pushed down the priority list depending on package shipping volumes and your service selection.
  • The actual items being delivered: Due to logistics and fleet issues, certain item attributes, such as weight, size, and the presence of hazardous materials, can cause delivery delays.
  • Things going as planned: Plan A is a scheduled delivery date. Punctuality is frequently measured by how well a delivery service handles Plan B.

Communication is essential for scheduled delivery services to be successful

delivery notifications

It’s more important than ever to provide customers with a scheduled delivery date and delivery updates, whether you’re using third-party providers or your own delivery service. What is the reason for this? According to a recent study, 93 percent of online buyers want regular updates on their delivery status, and 98 percent believe that regular delivery notifications are a key factor in brand loyalty.

Consumers want to imagine their product getting closer to them more than anything else. Furthermore, the customer experience does not end when the package is delivered to the customer’s hands.

When possible, provide real-time package updates

Find a way to give your customers real-time, or at least incremental, delivery updates. Updates can come in a variety of formats, including SMS messages, emails, and phone calls. Posting the updates on a dedicated website page is a great way to keep customers coming back to your website. It’s critical to provide customers with third-party tracking links (e.g., UPS, FedEx tracking numbers).

Find excuses to send regular updates to increase customer satisfaction even more, especially if you have your own delivery service. The more detailed and frequently updated a delivery date/status is, the less likely your customers are to be concerned about a package arriving late.

Even better, if a scheduled delivery is delayed due to an unforeseen circumstance, customers are more likely to be understanding. Consumers are more likely to forgive a sudden turn for the worse in the delivery schedule if they believe there is an open communication line than if the negative status update is the first update they receive.

Communication is essential for on-time delivery

On-time delivery

The information in your scheduled delivery updates does not have to be about the delivery date, time, or package. Communication is the goal. Perhaps you don’t have any new information about the delivery time of a package. You still have the option of providing details about the delivery process. The goal is to keep in touch with your customers on a regular basis.

If you run your own delivery service, you could send an update saying when the customer’s orders are out for delivery. This keeps the customer in the loop regarding their deliveries and gives them the excitement and anticipation that it is on the way.

The goal is to keep your customer informed through communication.

Customer satisfaction is improved with scheduled delivery options and updates

Consider how you can increase brand loyalty through direct communication and delivery status updates to your customers if your company ships products through a third-party service. This can be done through your company’s website or through direct messaging.

There are several things you must do if your business is a delivery service. To begin, you’ll need the appropriate route planning software like EasyRoutes. It should be simple to use, mobile, and adaptable. You should also create an updated system so that your customers are kept up to date throughout the delivery process.