A courier that provides a wide range of delivery options is beneficial for your business and customer base. Cheaper isn’t always a bargain when it comes to picking a courier, as the features they offer may be limited.
Working with a courier company that offers a wide range of delivery options means risks of late deliveries are less likely, it ensures your customers are happy and being held accountable for shipments arriving after promised will be a thing of the past.
If you’re questioning how much is a courier service, then take a look at the most popular courier service options and how they can be an asset to your business.
International Delivery
If you're looking to grow your business, chances are you’ll be considering shipping internationally. Or, if you’re expanding your business, you’ll need to understand how much exporting will cost and if it makes commercial sense.
Tackle the logistics and see if international delivery elevates your business and break into a new market. As expected, smaller and lighter items can be more cost-effective to ship.
However, you should also look for couriers that either provide extra add-on services or even have certain accreditations, such as AEO status. This is an internationally recognised accreditation which highlights that exporters and couriers offer the most secure and reliable services possible.
For example, couriers like Crossflight can, on request, arrange for your goods to be professionally packed. This ensures your shipments arrive at their destination safely.
Arguably the most important part of any international shipping strategy is working with a courier service that emphasises clear communication and transparency, just like you provide to your customers.
When it comes to shipping, look for a courier service that has an easily accessible, high-experienced customer service team, like Crossflight, that proactively manages all of your shipments.
So, you can worry less about your international shipments and focus on other areas of your business instead.
Next-Day Delivery
Providing this delivery option is not only a quick win for your customer base but it’s also one that can enhance your business. Couriers that offer next-day delivery but don’t have the customer service support could mean your last minute requests from above don’t get fulfilled on time, resulting in a disappointed manager and customer.
Real-time tracking and updates often go hand in hand with next-day delivery too, so that can be an added bonus. By using the right courier service that has a dedicated customer service team on hand, you’re a lot likelier to receive accurate updates on where your shipments are, as opposed to generic updates.
You can even phone the courier company you work with to ask for updates as well. This is great to have if you struggle to hand over full responsibility - as you’ll know the shipments are being taken care of and where things currently stand.
Same-Day Delivery
If you want to bring in a truly valuable courier service to make your shipping process faster and more efficient, then look for one that can also offer same-day delivery to UK locations.
This isn’t something every courier service provider offers, but it’s beneficial to have for when tomorrow is too late, so at least you have a solution.
In the event that you have a last-minute package that needs to be delivered as soon as possible, you’ll need a courier that can provide this service. This is also a sign of a great courier service - one that offers bespoke solutions and can also build a relationship with you so that they can potentially fulfil any last-minute requests you might have.
Don’t Confuse Price With Value
The most expensive courier service (or the cheapest) might not be the best fit for you and your business. You might not even realise in the beginning that they aren’t compatible with your business. It can take some red flags from your courier for you to consider the change.
You want a reliable and consistent courier and you shouldn’t have to pay extortionate prices for one.
On the other hand, you should be a little wary if the costs are too low. This could mean the courier service is unable to cope with your demands. It’s important to find a balance between cost and value.
However, it’s important that price isn’t the priority. You want a courier who understands your business, is an extension of your team and can provide indispensable value - regardless of the cost.
Find a Provider for Your Courier Service
It’s important to know what you want from your courier service provider and what they can offer to help grow and streamline your delivery process. Not every courier service will be for you and it’s easy to overlook a few red flags until they become a large disruption to your business.
To make the right decision, check out our helpful checklist on how to pick the right courier.