LIFESTYLE

The Year Just Started and you’re not sure how to compete with other retailers?

Same day delivery can be a great way to stand out from the competition. It’s an excellent way for customers to get what they need when they need it, without having to wait days or weeks for their purchase.

With same day delivery, your customer will never have to worry about missing that important deadline again! You’ll also find that same day delivery helps keep your business more organised by reducing the amount of time spent fulfilling orders.

But we know it can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start. That’s why we put together this comprehensive guide. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about same day delivery and the holiday season.

What Is Same Day Delivery?

Same day delivery simply means that your packages get delivered on the same day customers order them. 

You can utilise this service through many different Same Day Courier Service In London. This is especially useful for time-sensitive items, such as gifts, toys, flowers, or food. It doesn’t matter how far away in a city or town your customer is, same day delivery will get the package to their doorstep on time. All you need is a reliable courier!

There are various types of businesses that already use same day delivery. Some of the most popular are: 

Online retailers for gifts and toys

Urgent medical delivery

High-end fashion boutiques with a need to fulfill last-minute orders

Any type of food delivery service, especially restaurants that want to offer a special deal

When your customers need to receive items quickly and efficiently, they will turn to you. It’s usually a premium service, so it’s an excellent way to boost sales and make your customers happy.

How Does Same Day Delivery Work?

Same day delivery works similarly to any other shipment service.

You’ll go through an online checkout process with your customer, where they enter all of their information. Then, once they complete their purchase, you’ll have a set amount of time to pick, pack, and ship their items.

Similar to overnight shipping, there are a few different options your customer can choose from:

Pickup: Your courier or service comes directly to your store or warehouse to pick up the package.

Drop-off: Customers receive their orders at a pre-determined location, such as a dropbox, post office, or right at their front door.x

Curbside: Customers pick up their packages at the curb in front of their house or business without having to get out of their car. This service can be especially useful for busy customers who don’t have time to make it inside!

Remember, if you don’t have time to meet your customer’s deadline, you can always opt for the ever-reliable mail service.

While some couriers may charge extra fees, there are plenty of affordable options available. This will help keep your business profitable without sacrificing quality, which is very important for business owners.

The Pros of Same Day Delivery

Delivering on the same day as a customer’s order may seem daunting. However, there are many benefits to using this service.

1. Great Customer Experience

It enables your customers to receive their packages faster than they would otherwise. Combined with quick shipping, you can offer your customers a great ordering experience that is hassle-free for them! This is especially useful if you’re selling a popular item that is in high demand this holiday season.

2. Saves Tons of Time

It reduces the amount of time you spend filling orders by allowing you to ship items directly from your warehouse or store, without having to make a trip. This can save your business a significant amount of time and money on shipping. It also makes it easier for you to manage multiple orders without worrying about getting slowed down by packaging.

3. Makes Life Simpler

It simplifies your shipping process, which makes your life easier and the whole process less stressful! Rather than having to decide on which courier or mail service to use for each individual order, you simply ship all of your packages in bulk. This saves time and money by allowing you to purchase one discounted same day delivery package.

4. Helps You Stay Organised

It helps to streamline inventory management, allowing you to be more organised and efficient with your time. By using one courier service for all of your orders, it’s much easier to keep track of everything you have in stock. This makes it easy to see when items are low or out of stock without having to go through each individual order.

5. Builds Your Brand

It helps to promote your brand and increase customer satisfaction, as you can offer a quick and reliable shipping service. Many of today’s consumers are on the go and appreciate the convenience of same day delivery services. This is especially true for time-sensitive items such as food or gifts that you need to purchase and deliver on short notice.

6. Helps You Compete

It can help you maintain a competitive edge. Since many of your competitors may not be offering same day delivery, this gives you an advantage over other businesses that don’t have the resources to offer this quick shipping option. It’s always better to be ahead of the game than behind!

7. It’s Exciting

It makes the holiday season even more exciting! Who doesn’t like getting an order delivered on the same day?

This is a great way to stand out from your competitors and make your customers feel special. It can help you increase sales and grow your customer base, making it easier for your business to expand in the future.

8. Easy to Start

It’s easy to set up! Since there are multiple courier services that offer same day delivery, all you have to do is decide on one and start using it.

It can be a great way to test out this service without having to commit your entire business to using only one courier. But more on that later.

9. Improves Retention

It enhances customer retention. If you manage to make a customer happy enough to want their next purchase delivered on the same day, they will be more likely to trust your brand and continue purchasing from you in the future. This is huge for growing your business and earning loyal customers!

10. Boosts Sales

It can help increase your sales, as customers are more likely to spend extra money on additional items that they don’t mind waiting 2-3 days for. This is important this holiday season, when people will be shopping online more than ever.

The Cons of Same Day Delivery

It requires extra effort on behalf of your staff or team members in order to meet the expectations of your customers. It may require you to hire additional employees or rely on temporary help during peak holiday seasons. This can be especially challenging if you’re a small business owner operating with a limited budget.

Offering same day delivery can be an advantage for your business. However, it’s important to understand the potential risks and pitfalls of this type of service before committing yourself.

1. There’s an Upfront Cost

It requires significant capital investment in order to purchase and maintain equipment such as conveyor belts and packaging machines, not to mention the cost of hiring additional help for your staff during peak hours.

2. It’s Difficult if You Have Multiple Locations

While same day delivery may benefit businesses that operate out of a single location, it can be more difficult if your business has multiple locations. This is because you will need to allocate the same amount of resources (in terms of time and money) across all of your retail locations, which can be difficult if you don’t have enough staff members in charge.

3. Not Every Product Will Be Eligible

It may not be possible to offer same day delivery for every product you sell, especially if the items are large and heavy. To avoid disappointing customers, make sure you clearly communicate what shipping options are available to them prior to accepting their orders.

4. Same Day Delivery Doesn’t Work For All Business Models

It may not be appropriate for all business models, especially if your customers typically place orders in advance. If this is the case, you might consider other options such as offering express delivery or free shipping instead.

5. Pricing Can Be Tricky

It can reduce your profit margins and affect your bottom line if you offer same day delivery without charging a premium price. Consider using a different tactic, such as free shipping or limited-time offers, to incentivise customers without requiring same day delivery.

6. There Will Be Deadlines

It will require you to manage tight deadlines in order to meet your customers’ expectations. To avoid delays, ensure that you have strict internal processes in place to get orders shipped quickly and efficiently. Make sure everyone on your team understands their role during this process.

7. Customers May Be More Fickle About Pricing

Since they will expect same day delivery to be free or include a discount, you may find it difficult to convince them to pay full price when they’re not getting the same level of service.

8. You Will Need a Convenient Return Policy

It can be difficult to process returns on the same day that people get them delivered. If you offer same day delivery, it’s essential to clearly communicate your return policy so customers know what they can expect if something goes wrong.

9. You Need The Right Technology & Tools

You will need to invest in POS (point of sale) technologies and tools in order to successfully offer same day delivery. It’s also important to make sure your staff and team members are properly trained on how to carry out these transactions.

10. You’ll Need To Protect Your Investments

To protect your investments, you should consider purchasing insurance to cover lost or damaged packages. In addition, it can be helpful to invest in web analytics tools that can help you track and measure the ROI of your marketing strategies.

You should not try to offer same day delivery for every single order you receive. Instead, focus on offering this service for products that are difficult to ship and typically require overnight shipping. This will help reduce the amount of stress placed on your operations while ensuring you still make a profit.

Why Customers Love Same Day Delivery

Your customers will love that you have same day delivery available. Not only will this increase customer satisfaction, but it can also help to reduce your bounce rate.

For many of your customers, same day delivery is the deciding factor in choosing your business over a competitor. If they need an item urgently (for example, gifts for family members), they may simply choose the business that offers the quickest shipping service.

If you decide to offer same day delivery, make sure your customers are aware of this option so they can take full advantage of it. Make it clear on your order forms and shipping options that this service is available.

Some customers will assume there is a fee associated with such quick shipping, so prepare to offer free same day delivery for all items so you can assure your customers that you are offering this service at no extra charge.

It’s also a good idea to highlight the benefits of same day delivery so customers understand why they should choose your business for their holiday shopping needs. This will also help reduce any potential confusion or misunderstandings.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to start offering same day delivery for your products!

Trends to Look Out for With Same Day Delivery

According to a study, holiday sales are expected to jump 7% over last year. And a majority of that will be online shopping.

This means that as we approach this busy time of year, many businesses will be looking for ways to expedite their shipping process and offer delivery within a few hours rather than days or weeks.

While there are many benefits to same day delivery, it’s important for business owners to understand the limitations and logistical challenges they will face.

Here are some key shopping trends to look out for with same day delivery:

1. Sales Peak The Week Before Christmas

According to an article from Radial, holiday sales typically peak during the weekends before Christmas, with the majority of customers wanting to receive orders on the same day. This means that you should expect your staffing levels to be at their highest during this time, but make sure you have a plan in place to deal with any unexpected spikes in business.

2. There Will Be Spikes In Order Volume For Same Day

It’s also important for business owners to consider implementing new shipping processes before the holiday season starts. You will likely face increased customer traffic and orders that require same day delivery or faster shipping speeds than your usual turnaround times.

3. Businesses Should Consider Extra Employee Training

In addition to looking at your shipping procedures, it’s also a good idea to train your employees on your policies and purchasing options.

Not only will this ensure that customers are getting the same service throughout the holiday season, but you might encounter new customers who aren’t aware of what your business offers. By having a plan in place before the holiday season begins, you can ensure that your customers will always receive the same service levels.

In order for these trends to continue growing, business owners must understand the benefits of same day delivery.

Response to Covid

With the pandemic still on people’s minds, online shopping has become one of the most popular choices for consumers.  

When you put yourself in the shoes of your customer, it’s important to understand that they are looking for ways to ease their shopping experience. Since people see same day delivery as a luxury service, you should focus on how it can benefit your customers by increasing customer satisfaction and reducing bounce rates. 

It’s also important to highlight the benefits of your same day delivery service, which will help reassure customers that there aren’t any hidden fees. 

By offering this service at no extra cost, you are increasing customer satisfaction and earning their trust at the same time!

The Amazon Effect: Customers Expect Fast Delivery

As a business, you should always be looking for new ways to improve your services and increase customer satisfaction.

In addition to offering same day delivery, it’s also a good idea to understand the latest consumer trends in order fulfilment. Currently, studies have shown that consumers are only willing to wait 24 hours for their online orders. This is largely due to expectations laid out by consumer giants like Amazon.

This means that if you place an order on a Wednesday, customers expect to receive their items by Thursday, or sooner. Some companies have even found that same day and next day delivery can increase customer satisfaction and encourage them to shop more often. 

With just a little bit of planning and preparation, you will be able to offer your customers same day delivery without increasing overhead costs.

Step-By-Step: How To Do Same Day Delivery

Getting started with same day delivery can be relatively simple. In fact, the first step is deciding which type of same day delivery service to offer. But before we get to that, let’s break down the steps involved in offering same day delivery for your customers. 

Step 1: Find a Supplier

There are many suppliers that offer same day delivery. However, you should first do your research to see what suppliers are available in your area. You can even talk to local business owners or check out different vendors to find the right fit for you!

Once you’ve found a supplier, it’s time to begin the process of finding out what your prices will be. Some suppliers will help you find the best rates for your same day delivery needs. You may need to call around or use various different methods to find out specific costs for your business.

Step 2: Determine Shipping Requirements

In order to begin the process of offering same day delivery, you’ll need to figure out what type of shipping options you need. This may depend on what your supplier offers, but you should also consider whether your business can handle a different shipping method.

When it comes to same day delivery, a common option is to use a courier service. But make sure you have a business account with one of these suppliers, because using a personal credit card will not only increase your costs but delay the delivery time as well.

Another option is to use a different shipping method, such as priority overnight or next day delivery. By choosing this method, it’s possible for customers to receive their purchases the next day. If this method is available, you should notify your customers of these options to increase their likelihood of choosing this delivery speed.

Step 3: Start Slowly

As with any new change, it’s important for businesses to start by implementing same day delivery slowly. To begin, offer it on a limited basis so that you can test the process and ensure it’s something you want to improve upon.

By offering only one or two items on same day delivery, you can see if customers are willing to wait an extra day for the products that aren’t available for this shipping method.

Step 4: Re-Evaluate Your Logistics

Once you’ve offered same day delivery for a few weeks and it’s been successful, re-evaluate your logistics. By doing so, you can find out if there are any improvements that you need to make. 

For example, you might want to add another supplier or facility in order to do same day delivery on more items. Doing this will enable you to offer it for a larger selection of products and keep up with the orders you receive.

Step 5: Market Your New Shipping Method

By offering same day shipping, you’re giving customers another reason to choose your business instead of the competition.

Your marketing efforts should reflect this new shipping method to make sure customers are aware of it. Depending on your industry, you may want to include same day delivery in email campaigns or even on your website! Here are some of the quickest ways to let people know you offer same day delivery:

Social media posts

Flyers or posters at your business location

Promotional products with same day delivery information

With these steps, you’ll be able to start offering same day delivery in no time!

Should I Do Same Day Delivery In-House?

Offering same day delivery can help your business stand out against the competition, but you should take into account that this shipping method is time-intensive. Depending on how much work it takes to offer this service, you might want to consider hiring more employees or outsourcing the process.

If you decide to continue with offering same day delivery in-house, you should establish a process and train your employees. If you do decide to do things yourself, here are some things to mentally prepare for:

1. Surcharges For Same Day Delivery

Many delivery companies are now offering same day service, but they will often charge a surcharge. In most cases, this fee is much less than an overnight shipping rate, making it very economical for your customers.

2. Increased Product Availability And Routing Challenges

To make same day delivery possible, many businesses will have to increase the amount of inventory they have on hand. This also means that their product selection must increase, which can allow them to offer a larger variety of items for shoppers during this busy holiday season.

Additionally, you’ll need to work with your shipping company to ensure your products get routed properly so they can get delivered as quickly as possible.

3. Limited Customer Service Hours

With same day delivery, you’ll need to schedule your customer service hours strategically so they do not interfere with the operations of companies offering this service.

For example, if a large number of deliveries occur in the morning and afternoon, you may want to avoid opening for business during these times so your customers aren’t left waiting.

4. Daily Monitoring Of Shipping Routes

Business owners who offer same day delivery will need to be diligent in tracking the different routes and cutoff times for their shipping company. This data is important when it comes to ensuring your customers receive their orders on time and in perfect condition.

The holiday season can be extremely busy and even overwhelming for some businesses. However, same day delivery can help you stand out from your competitors and ensure that your products get delivered as quickly as possible to the hands of your customers!

Can’t I Use Google Maps to Plan Delivery Routes?

Many business owners who want to offer delivery for the first time often look at Google Maps as their first option. While this is a good starting point, it’s important to note that Google Maps isn’t always accurate, and you can only plan for 10 routes at a time. 

This means that you always have to create new routes each time you get a new order. This takes a long time – especially when tons of orders start coming in during the holiday season.

Google Maps also does not plan optimised delivery routes that account for dependencies like delivery time windows and idle driver time. It’s meant for getting from point A to point B. But at scale, it’s an inefficient tool to use for delivery — especially same day delivery when you need to act fast. 

If you do use this tool, it’s important to make sure the delivery routes get planned out by professionals who truly understand the needs of your business. 

But your best bet is to go with a professional company to handle your deliveries.

Benefits of Hiring a Third-Party Company

Offering same day delivery can be a great way for your business to stand out from the competition, but you might want to consider hiring a third party company. By doing so, you’ll have more time for marketing and other essential business tasks!

If you decide to hire a third party company, here are some benefits to look forward to:

1. Alleviate Staffing Concerns

When it comes to offering same day delivery in-house, your business will need to have sufficient staffing in order for these deliveries to occur smoothly. If this isn’t feasible, outsourcing may be the way to go.

2. Fewer Delivery Failures

When a company is in control of their own same day deliveries, they will have more opportunities for failure.

For example, you might not have the proper product inventory in the right location, or your employees may be sick. Depending on your delivery method, this can result in a failed delivery! With a third-party company, this possibility diminishes.

3. Increased Business Productivity

If you outsource same day delivery, you’ll have more time to focus on other aspects of your business.

You can use these extra hours to work on improving your products, advertising initiatives, or even hire new employees! With increased productivity comes an increase in revenue.

4. Enhanced Brand Effectiveness

Outsourcing your deliveries to a third party company can also enhance the effectiveness of your brand.

If you provide this service in-house, customers might begin to wonder why you didn’t offer it sooner or why you’re incapable of doing so. When you outsource to a professional company, however, this concern diminishes.

5. Additional Opportunities

Offering same day delivery can also open up additional opportunities for your business. For example, you might find that customers are much more willing to purchase products if they know they can receive them swiftly. This means an increase in revenue!

Providing this type of service is both rewarding and beneficial for your business. By taking advantage of same day delivery this holiday season, you can enhance customer satisfaction and increase the success of your business!

What Can a Third Party Same Day Delivery Service Do For Me?

Things are simple when working with a same day delivery service like Bubzy. Here’s how it works:

1. Make a Booking

Book business deliveries online, via phone, or by email, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For example, you might want to book 30 deliveries in London for tomorrow morning between 8 am and 10 am. 

We can make that happen. To request a quote, click here.

2. Product Collection

Within 60 minutes, experienced, courteous staff will collect your consignments across the country.

This is important because you can collect products from multiple locations, for example, to ensure even distribution of the same day deliveries. For example, you might have a warehouse in Milton Keynes, so the third party same day delivery service will collect all products from there and distribute them across London.

3. Track and Trace

With dedicated delivery, real-time ETAs, tracking, and auto alerts, you can rest easy. This is one of the most important features that help to make your business look very professional. 

With tracking, your customers know exactly when they’ll receive their products, and this helps to establish trust in your business. For example, first and foremost, you’ll need to know which courier gets assigned to each delivery. Once that courier receives the shipment, they can then begin their deliveries as planned!

This way, your customers will see an update every time a new shipment leaves its origin location.

4. Delivery

As soon as we receive a signature, you will receive quick proof of delivery. You’re always up to date now. This is great because your customers will never have to wonder what’s happening with their products. 

And in the back-end, you’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly when things get delivered. This helps you stay organised and allows you to focus on other areas of the business. 

For example, using this tracking system, you’ll be able to monitor packing progress in real-time. You’ll know when the shipments get picked up and can even see when they’re dropped off at your destinations! This gives you the ability to constantly check on your deliveries throughout each day.

As you can see, same day delivery is a great way to attract new customers this holiday season. However, your business must prepare for this demand.

If you decide to offer same day delivery in-house, be sure to communicate the process with employees and have the proper staffing levels. Additionally, consider hiring a third party company if getting these deliveries to your customers on time seems challenging.

Same Day Delivery and the Holiday Season

As the holiday season approaches, online shopping will increase. With this in mind, it’s important for businesses to take advantage of offering same day delivery!

Offering same day delivery can be a great way to stand out from the competition and keep up with seasonal demand. And if you decide that it’s not feasible for your business to offer this shipping method, you should consider hiring a third-party company to do this for you.

This way, you’ll be able to focus on marketing and other essential tasks that will help ensure the success of your business!

A Competitive Edge During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is an exciting time of year for many businesses, but it can also be very challenging. 

Many consumers will choose to shop online, which means that demand for your products could go up! Luckily, you can use same day delivery as a competitive edge during this busy time of year. By offering this shipping method, you can ensure that more people choose your business over the competition.

When offering same day delivery, it’s important to first test this new shipping method on a limited basis. By doing so, you’ll find out if customers are willing to wait an extra day for the products that aren’t available for this shipping method.

After testing how many items people are willing to wait for, you can determine if the demand is high enough to justify offering same day delivery. Start this well before the season.

If it’s not feasible for your business to offer same day delivery, you should consider hiring a third-party company to do this for you. They’ll be able to handle the demand and ensure that all deliveries get completed on time! 

A Valuable Marketing Opportunity

Offering same day delivery can be a great way to stand out from the competition this holiday season, but you should first test how many customers are willing to wait for this shipping method. 

Let your entire customer base know that this option is available, and test the response. Use all of your marketing channels to determine if this is a worthwhile shipping method for your company. The last thing that you want to do is to offer something that your customer base is not asking for.

But if they are, then you have a wonderful opportunity. You can be very creative with your marketing efforts and talk about the speed at which your company operates. It’s a brand-building activity that can lead to great results.

This could potentially be an opportunity for your business to expand. By offering this new shipping method, you can attract more customers and increase sales!

So, take advantage of the holiday season to try out new things. 

Your (Last Minute) Shoppers Will Love It

The holidays have tons of last-minute shoppers. And with increased online shopping come more customers who will need to receive their packages quickly. 

Luckily, you can meet this demand by offering same day delivery! By offering this service, you’ll be able to give your customers the convenience they want, while simultaneously cutting costs. 

Your customers will absolutely love this new shipping method, so take advantage of it by advertising it on social media! You can also spread the word by encouraging your employees to share news about this new shipping method.

Get Started With Same Day Delivery

Not everyone will want to have same day delivery, but those who are your holiday customers are likely to appreciate the added convenience. 

By offering this new shipping method, you can attract more customers and increase sales! So, take advantage of the holiday season to try out new things. The team at Bubzy Couriers is ready to make same day delivery a reality for your business and your customers.

Give us a call today!