What is Last Mile Delivery and Why is it Important?

According to the U.S. Census, e-commerce sales grew by 4.2 percent in the last quarter. The continuous growth and demand push businesses to improve the speed of their delivery services. Last mile delivery took the industry by storm helping retailers deliver orders in 24 hours or less.

Is it the first time you hear about this type of delivery? If you answered yes, it’s time to learn everything you can about this game-changing delivery service. Don’t know where to start?

We’ve got you covered. We’ll tell you everything you should know about final mile delivery services. Keep reading for your guide to the delivery services that can take your business to the next level!

The Ins and Outs About Last Mile Delivery

Businesses often lose clients due to their shipping methods. Companies like Amazon have changed the industry by meeting customer demands and delivering their orders in as little as an hour. While you may not be able to match this service, you can improve your current logistics.

You can do this by taking advantage of improving your final mile delivery. So what is last mile delivery? This term refers to the last step in your shipping process when the logistics company takes the package from the warehouse to its final destination.

Before changing your shipping process, it’s important to take a hard look at your current shipping timetable. Are you customers receiving their orders when expected? Do customers cite late shipping as a reason for their returns?

These questions are only a start to obtain a complete picture of where you stand against your competitors. You should also analyze what your competitors are doing differently. This analytical process will help you learn what areas need improvement.

How to Implement Final Mile Delivery Services in Your Business

Implementing this type of shipping program depends on solving the typical last mile logistics challenges. Maintaining accurate tracking information and managing multiple fleets are the top issues you may face when implementing your final mile delivery services.

A successful final mile delivery program starts with centralizing your data to maintain accurate shipping records. Look for ways to optimize your process by automating or outsourcing certain shipping operations. You may also consider setting up locker locations for customers to pick up their packages or even use drones to optimize your delivery.

While you may set up your shipping operations in house, you may consider consulting with logistics experts to establish the right system to boost your efficiency.

Should You Give Final Mile Delivery a Try?

Today, companies are taking advantage of last mile delivery to compete with large retailers such as Amazon. Before pulling the trigger, it’s vital to take a hard look at your finances.

Can you afford to offer this service to your customer? Will final mile delivery boost your sales?

The starting point is analyzing your customer persona and how you can improve their experience. At first, you may consider offering this service at a small fee. If the service is too expensive, you can offer it to your VIP customers or as part of your membership program.

Did you find this article interesting? Check out the rest of our website for more insightful articles.