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, locate the tracking number sent to you and enter it on the shipping
carrier’s website. If the shipper uses self-delivery or in-house shipping, they
may have a specific tracking solution they will electronically send to you.
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 tracking 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.
How Can I
Offer Package Tracking If My Business Self-Delivers?
The best way
to offer tracking is to let software and GPS do the work for you. Delivery and
routing software like OptimoRoute with built-in customer notification features
and live tracking will let your customers know precisely when their delivery
will arrive with minimal effort from delivery managers.
Set up
delivery tracking with a route optimization software
· Input orders
· Have your
drivers download your chosen route optimization software
· Plan routes
using the software
· Make route
changes when necessary
· Set up
custom notifications for your customers
· Send routes to drivers and watch
your packages get delivered
A Route
Optimization Software Helps Deliver More Than Packages
Customer
notifications and live tracking are just two of the many features that make a
good route optimization software. Driver workload balancing can be customized
to your business’s and delivery team’s needs. Deliveries can be assigned to
specific drivers if certain skill sets are needed, and multi-day long-haul
routes can be planned for businesses with large geographical territories.
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