With the current cost of living crisis, businesses are searching for ways to trim expenses while delivering the same value, and one way to do that is through your delivery service. Whether you are a new business or an established company looking to make a change, we’ll show you how to choose a logistics platform.
Table of Contents
What a logistics platform does
A logistics platform manages the delivery of your goods to your customers for you, from storage of your inventory to shipment and tracking. However, you also want a service that will improve efficiency, reduce costs, provide visibility, and ensure your customers are satisfied.
Rapid response
The ideal logistics platform will provide a rapid response and treat your customers as if they were their own. To achieve this, they need to receive your inventory and have it ready for sale within 48 hours of arrival at their warehouse. Choose a company whose fulfilment centres are designed to work with any container type so that they can respond to ticket times quickly. A dedicated account manager should also be appointed to process orders and keep track of inventory.
Scalable
Since your business aims to grow, it is important to choose a logistics platform that can accommodate your operations as you scale up. A logistics platform with AI solutions like Bezos can help optimise the distribution of your inventory and handle any growth you expect.
Affordable
Ensure your budget will be able to cover any unforeseen changes to your business needs by choosing a contract with no hidden fees. A monthly subscription that can be cancelled at any time is great if you don’t want to make a long-term commitment.
Flexible
Multi-channel fulfilment is essential if your orders need to be fulfilled from more than one marketplace. A good logistics platform will also be able to provide custom packaging, handle heavy and large items, ship in bulk, and deliver worldwide. Look for a company that can offer a variety of delivery options so that you can maintain a strong relationship with your customers by fulfilling their needs.
Sustainable
There is a growing demand to provide a green delivery service, with customers wanting to receive the same fast service but without impacting the environment. According to a 2019 study published by the UF Journal of Undergraduate Research, 90% of consumers prefer to purchase from companies that strive to be more environmentally friendly.
Providing sustainable delivery doesn’t mean that you can’t provide next-day delivery, just like some of the big brands. Some logistics platforms allow customers to specify a delivery window, such as same-day delivery within certain locations or provide a cut-off for delivery the following day.
Trackable
It’s also important for you to be able to access real-time data about your inventory and order status so that you can provide customers with accurate information. Furthermore, your logistics platform should provide you with analytical reports that allow you to make informed decisions about the future.
The takeaway
If you choose the right one, a logistics platform can do much more than just store and deliver goods for you. They could reduce costs while improving efficiency and sustainability. They can also provide flexibility and visibility, enabling you to maintain customer satisfaction and scale your business.
