The world of shipping has changed considerably in recent decades, thanks in large part to the emergence of several very useful technologies. A delivery vehicle can now, at very low cost, track its location on earth in real-time, and report that data to a central server. This server, upon request, can then dispense extremely accurate, extremely current information about a package’s location to the person receiving it.
What is shipment tracking?
Shipment tracking is something that modern customers expect from their shipping companies. Customers are provided with a tracking code by a retailer, which they can then use on the relevant website or app to find out exactly where their parcel is, and to get the best possible estimate about when it’s going to arrive. It’s what’s made next-day and same-day delivery possible.
Why is it important?
The features and capabilities of a good shipment tracking system make it prized by customers. But perhaps more importantly, the fact that these features are now ubiquitous mean that your customers will come to expect them as standard, rather than as an optional extra. Thus, businesses that don’t offer this sort of functionality risk putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Once you’ve gotten used to being able to track a package, you might be unwilling to go back to simply waiting.
If you know exactly when a package is going to arrive, then you’re free to go about your day. This limits the amount of time spent simply waiting – which is something that few customers want to do.
It’s therefore almost inevitable that shipment tracking will be embraced by just about every shipment company in the decade to come. Therefore, forward-looking companies should be looking to not only implement a shipment tracking facility, but to review and revise their current one so that it provides the best possible functionality.
The right shipment tracking won’t just provide information to customers, however; it will also improve the supply chain as a whole, by providing parties at various stages with better quality information. The result of this is deliveries which arrive more quickly, and at the right time.
How to provide the best practices
If you’re implementing a shipment tracking service, then there are a few best practices to adhere to.
Provide a tracking number for every order. This is what will allow the customer to pinpoint their package. Provide multiple ways of tracking the order, since not everyone will bother with a specialised app. Make the user experience as straightforward as possible: no customer wants to have to delve through a labyrinthe of sub-menus. Finally, don’t neglect to provide the most important piece of information, front and centre: the date and time at which the package is projected to arrive!
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