The 5 steps of optimal parcel shipping for online retailers

1. Choosing the best shipping partner

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DHL is a good choice for delivery locations in the provinces, GLS and Hermes are particularly convincing in the Berlin/Brandenburg area, and UPS has the fewest delivery problems in central Germany, the Rhine-Main area and Saxony. These are just a few of the results of our package study. Depending on the size of the parcel, the place of dispatch and the destination, the shipping service providers differ in their quality and price - and accordingly you should choose one well in order to score points with your customer with reliability, punctuality and convenience. Different companies can support this with their solution. For example, Saloodo is a digital freight platform that helps shippers find the right transport company with just a few clicks. At the same time, it helps transport companies make optimal use of their capacity. Berlin-based startup Fliit focuses on grocers and offers a platform where they can connect with delivery partners. The optimal shipper is also identified by the comparison portal Checkrobin and startups like Coureon and Byrd. With the help of parcel size and origin and destination, the cheapest prices are determined. At parcelLab, we also provide full transparency about the service providers, so that problems can be identified early and shipping can be optimized.

2. Outsource packaging and shipping

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The startup byrd has developed a complete logistics solution that lets you ship even faster and easier. If you want to ship something, you inform Byrd with a few clicks via app or online. The goods are then picked up by a courier, packed and made ready for shipment. Your online store can be conveniently integrated into the byrd web app.


3. Track shipment and leverage cross-selling potential

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If the package is somewhere between the pickup and delivery locations, information is especially important for customers: where is my package? Will it still arrive on time or are there any delays? At parcelLab, we offer a solution where shipments can be tracked, and in doing so, we go even one step further: proactive shipping notifications. Customers do not have to contact customer service first, but messages with the required information are sent automatically. This is done in the CI of the company. Additional messages can also be sent via this additional point of contact, thus exploiting cross-selling potential. After all, emails are opened particularly often during the shipping process.

4. Delivery within one day

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Customers want to receive their packages as quickly as possible. Startups like Tiramizoo and Trunkrs have popularized same-delivery service in metropolitan areas - delivering a package within one day. DHL also focuses on speed: they offer their business customers with a minimum shipping quantity of 50 Prio shipments per day the DHL Paket Prio service with money-back guarantee. This states that there is money back - in full or in part - for all national parcel shipments that are not delivered on the next working day.

5. Pick up returns for free

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The two startups Tiramizoo and Trunkrs have recently started helping Zalando to collect returns for free. The service is currently available in Germany in Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden. If customers get used to this service, they will expect and demand it from other store providers as well. This point will therefore also be taken into account when choosing a store provider.

These 5 steps have described what optimal parcel shipping looks like and what solutions startups and renowned companies offer for this purpose. These solutions are increasingly being used and companies need to address them to avert a competitive disadvantage. After all, the shipping experience has become an important component in the purchase decision and a customer could go to a competitor for this very reason.