You scoured the internet. You found
the item you wanted. You typed in your info. You clicked purchase, and just
like that you… have no idea what happens next until your package arrives.
More often than not, it isn’t the
wait for a package that frustrates customers — it’s the lack of communication
between the time of purchase and the receipt of their item.
For business owners, providing
tracking can boost customer satisfaction and drive repeat sales. Thankfully,
package tracking is easy. You just need the right tools, and we’ve compiled a
concise list of precisely what those tools are below.
How to Track a Package
To track a package,
you’ll first need to determine how your package is being shipped or delivered.
Third-party couriers, such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx, provide their own tracking
solutions, while businesses that manage delivery in-house need a software
solution to be able to track packages.
Below, you’ll find specific tracking
information for six major shipping companies. Plus, you can track a package
right now via the link below each shipper as long as you have your parcel or
package ID number.
1. How to track a
UPS package
The majority of
respondents in a 2018
survey said UPS offered the best package tracking features out of the most
popular U.S. shipping companies. United Parcel Service, Inc.’s (UPS)
user-friendly web search functions and UPS Mobile™ App make tracking packages
fast and easy.
If you have questions or run into
issues, you can start a live chat with their Virtual Assistant right from the
app.
2. How to track a
USPS package
Similar to UPS, the United States
Postal Service (USPS) has their own mobile
app. Once you create a USPS account, you can easily buy stamps, have your
post office hold your mail, and calculate shipping costs in addition to
tracking a package. USPS also offers a unique service called Informed
Delivery® that sends customers images of letter-sized mail that is in the process
of being shipped.
3. How to track a
FedEx package
Federal Express (FedEx) is perhaps
best known for their time-sensitive delivery services, such as FedEx
International Urgent Delivery that promises to get your package on
the very next flight out. Their mobile app is comparable to those of UPS and
USPS, offering real-time order updates, and the FedEx website features a
Virtual Assistant that can help answer tracking questions.
4. How to track a
DHL package
Like UPS and FedEx, DHL offers
delivery in 220+ countries, which makes them a popular choice for international
shipping and delivery. DHL offers a host of services and shipping options that
cater specifically to eCommerce
businesses. DHL does have their own mobile app, though it has a significantly
lower user rating than its competitors, with two out of five stars in the Apple
App Store.
5. How to track a
China Post package
The China Post is owned and operated
by the Chinese government and partners with the government-run postal couriers
of other countries when delivering internationally. For customers in the United
States, this can often mean items shipped from China have both a China Post tracking
number and a USPS tracking number.
6. How to track a
Royal Mail package
Royal Mail has been
around for more than half a millennium, but they went through a major shift in
2015 when they became
completely privatized. Today, Royal Mail offers apps for
both Android and iOS where consumers can track packages and schedule
redelivery. Royal Mail also offers the option to have packages delivered to a
neighbor if you’re not home when your parcel arrives.
Don’t see your
shipping company listed here? Most couriers and shipping companies have a quick
link to track a package on their website’s homepage. Additionally, Google now offers a package
tracking feature that allows consumers to enter their tracking ID
directly into the Google search bar and get updated tracking info from any
courier enrolled in their program. Businesses that participate in this program
show up in Google’s package tracking SERP
feature when a customer enters their unique tracking ID number.
Customers Expect
the Ability to Track Their Packages
Consumers expect to
be able to track their purchased goods even when they’re ordering from small
stores and restaurants. According to a study
conducted by OSM Worldwide, “more than half (55 percent) of
online shoppers expect order status updates to be current as of a few hours ago
or even more timely, and 11 percent say up-to-the-minute reporting is a
must.”
Whether you’re a restaurant
delivering hot food or a boutique delivering floral arrangements, a simple
package tracking solution can improve your customers’ buying experience
dramatically. Real-time delivery updates also keep consumers from repeatedly
calling you to check on their delivery status, which — given that 40% of
eCommerce shoppers admit to checking their purchase order status daily — can
save you a lot of time.
This article originally appeared on optimoroute.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment