3 reasons why a multi-carrier shipping platform is vital in e-commerce
In a world where the consumer reigns supreme, convenience, cost and creativity are usually the things that separate great e-commerce experiences from average ones. Gone are the days of accepting just one payment method, or offering a single delivery option to your customers. Despite the fact that having only one carrier can arguably simplify the shipping process (more on this later), employing a multi-carrier shipping strategy with a trusted partner is vital to maintaining the competitive edge. With people being constantly between work, office, social engagements and more, flexibility is key to providing a memorable customer experience. The right platform will promise you:
- Cost-savings
- More engaged customers
- Flexibility
Managing multiple integrations with multiple carriers can become an expensive affair. Costs include integration, maintenance, development and other overheads. One of our customers was able to realise a 46% saving over 6 years, on these costs.
Paazl saves you both time and money, by offering a single Rest API integration which provides you access to 40+ carriers and hundreds of various delivery options.
To learn more about cost and time-saving with Paazl in our Hans Anders case-study.
Variety is the spice of life, right? The era of e-commerce has also delivered a new level of customer expectation, one in which the customer wants to choose where, when and how they receive their package. In many places, next-day delivery is offered as standard and, in many cases, for free. More than half of retailers (51%) offer same-day delivery and 65% plan to offer it within two years. To add to this stat, 61% of customers are willing to pay more for same day delivery. This proves that speed is essential, even with a hefty price tag attached. The average consumer is also more aware than ever about sustainability and the environmental impact of their delivery choices. Companies like Packaly and Fietskoeriers offer same-day delivery options using e-bikes, which are a far more sustainable choice, and one which many consumers want to have available to them.
As an extension of a localized mindset, more retailers should consider their retail stores as distribution centers. Even former Walmart e-commerce CEO, Neil Ashe, noticed this back in 2016, “We can use our 4000 stores as a physical distribution point. We have stores in the US within 5 miles of about two-third of the population”. By showing the stock of each branch to online customers, and picking the ordered products directly from the store stock, local same-day express delivery not only becomes feasible, it also becomes affordable. This way a bike courier can deliver affordably within the entire ring of Amsterdam for example. This type of cost can absolutely compete with those of the national parcel carriers.
Each carrier has different strengths, so one will never be able to cover all your needs. Furthermore, your customers expect choice, which makes a multi-carrier shipping strategy vital. Implementing a multi-carrier strategy also gives you room to negotiate costs and save money. Finally, easy configuration and flexibility can save you time and money when carrier issues arise.
Paazl is the platform for quality delivery in e-commerce.
Paazl delivers more satisfied and engaged customers for your brand and helps your business grow globally.
We enable you to create the best delivery experience possible.
Contact us and we will be happy to tell you more about how we’re powering the promise that brands like G-Star RAW, TAG Heuer, Under Armour, VanMoof and Rituals make to their customers.