Scheduled Delivery: What is it and Why do Customers Love it?

When you order anything, from paper towels to a new computer, you want it delivered quickly and securely. The same goes for your customers. Scheduled delivery options provide every party involved with a quick and secure option for delivery. 

In this article, we'll examine how scheduled delivery can enhance shipping options for retailers, shipping companies, and consumers. So no matter what you're selling, shipping, or ordering, you'll know exactly when a package will be delivered.
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What is Scheduled Delivery?

Scheduled delivery is a service that lets customers choose a specific date and time for their package delivery. This type of delivery is usually offered by shipping companies and is designed to provide convenience and flexibility for the recipient, the shipping company, or the consignee.

Scheduled delivery is a popular option for customers who value convenience and control in the delivery process. It is a great tool for businesses to improve the customer experience and increase the efficiency of the shipping process. Using word-of-mouth marketing, satisfied customers can spread the word to others, helping businesses to acquire new customers and retain existing ones. Scheduled delivery can be offered by any company that sends a significant volume of packages and wants to give customers more control over the delivery process.

If you're an online retailer, you can enhance the experience by implementing an online ordering system, allowing your customers to place their order and schedule delivery in one seamless process.
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How Scheduled Delivery Works

Scheduled delivery typically involves the following steps:

• Order placement: The customer places an order for a product and selects a shipping method.
• Scheduling: The customer is given the opportunity to choose a specific delivery date and time that is convenient for them from a list of available options based on  lead time (how long it will take for a product to be in stock and delivered).
• Package preparation: The package is prepared for shipment by the vendor or retailer and is sent to the shipping company for delivery. This may be done using custom shipping boxes or not, depending on the item ordered.
• Delivery: On the specified date and time, the shipping company delivers the package to the recipient. The recipient may receive a text or email notification before delivery, providing them with a time window. Notifications are also used to alert customers to delays caused by weather or unexpected events.
• Confirmation: Upon delivery, the recipient is sometimes asked to sign for the package to confirm they have received it.

Why Customers are Crazy for Scheduled Delivery

Customers love scheduled delivery for many reasons:

Convenience: Scheduled delivery allows customers to choose a specific delivery date and time for their package, ensuring they will be home to receive it when it arrives. This means they don’t have to wait around all day or make arrangements for someone else to receive it on their behalf.

Improved planning: Scheduling a delivery at a specific time allows individuals and businesses to better optimize their schedules and plan appointments or meetings around the delivery time. 

Peace of mind: Knowing when a package will be delivered can provide peace of mind for the recipient, as they don’t have to worry about missing a delivery or having to reschedule it.

Security: Scheduled delivery provides an added layer of security. The recipient can choose to have the package delivered to a secure location, such as their workplace if they are not at home during the day.

Overall, scheduled delivery is a popular option for customers who value the convenience and control it provides and are willing to pay for its added benefits. But it also benefits companies using it as a tool in their eCommerce sales funnel strategy.
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Other Types of Delivery

On-Demand Delivery

On-demand delivery is a delivery option that allows the recipient to receive their package as soon as possible. With on-demand delivery, the recipient doesn’t have to schedule a delivery time in advance and can receive their package within a few hours of placing their order. This type of delivery is best suited for individuals and businesses that need their packages delivered quickly and have a more flexible schedule, like food or convenience items.

Choosing between scheduled delivery and on-demand delivery will depend on your business's specific needs and requirements. Those who value convenience and the ability to plan their day around a delivery will prefer scheduled delivery, while those who need their packages delivered quickly and have a more flexible schedule will prefer on-demand delivery.

Subscription Delivery

Subscription delivery is a recurring delivery service that allows customers to receive regular deliveries of a particular product or service. 

With a subscription delivery, the customer sets up a recurring delivery schedule, and the vendor delivers the products or services regularly, typically weekly or monthly. This type of delivery is best suited for individuals and businesses that need to receive regular deliveries of products and want the convenience of having them delivered automatically, at the same recurring date or time.

For example, with Amazon Subscribe and Save, customers can subscribe to frequently purchased items and set their desired delivery frequency.
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The Challenges of Scheduled Delivery

Setting up scheduled delivery may change the future of supply chain optimization at your company, but it won't be without its own challenges. Here are some particulars to keep in mind as you work on implementing scheduled deliveries: 

• Logistics: Scheduling deliveries at specific times and ensuring that packages are delivered on time can be logistically complex. You need to have the resources and infrastructure in place to manage the volume increases and ensure that packages are delivered on time.
• Cost: Scheduling deliveries at specific times can be more expensive than regular delivery services. Shipping and courier companies may charge a premium for the added convenience and control.
• Flexibility: Although scheduling a delivery at a specific time gives customers more control and convenience, it may also limit their flexibility. If the recipient is unavailable at the scheduled time, they may need to reschedule the delivery, which can be inconvenient.
• Weather and traffic: Weather conditions and traffic can impact delivery time, leading to delays and missed deliveries. Be prepared to deal with these types of disruptions and ensure that you have contingency plans in place.
• Customer service: Dealing with customer inquiries and complaints related to scheduled deliveries can be challenging. For example, if the page load speed on your website is slow and customers have trouble completing orders, they won’t be very happy. Companies must have the resources and systems in place to provide prompt and effective customer service and be able to resolve any issues that arise in a timely manner.

Despite these challenges, many companies continue to offer scheduled delivery services, as the benefits they provide to customers increase sales and outweigh the costs and difficulties associated with the service.

How to Create a Scheduled Delivery System

So how can you set up a scheduled delivery system? The below steps explain how to implement scheduled delivery for your business in an efficient, straightforward way.

• Determine customer demand: Before offering scheduled delivery, it's important to understand the need for this type of service among your customers. You can survey your customer base to gauge interest and identify the types of delivery times and windows that are most appealing.
• Define the delivery process: To define your delivery process, determine the steps involved in getting a package from the warehouse to the customer. This will help you see where you can improve efficiency and optimize the delivery process.
• Choose a delivery partner: You'll need to work with a shipping or courier company that offers scheduled delivery services. Choose one with a good reputation for reliability and customer service that provides the type of delivery times and windows your customers are looking for. Build strong partnerships with shipping and courier companies to ensure that packages are delivered on time and in good condition.
• Integrate your systems: You'll need to integrate your order management and shipping systems with your delivery partner's systems. This will allow you to schedule deliveries, track packages in real time, and provide your customers with up-to-date delivery information. It is also a good idea to work with an online appointment booking system to allow customers to book their delivery slot online. Systems like that provided by TIMIFY specialize in making this process digital, automating key customer communications so notifications and reminders are never missed. 
• Promote the service: Once you've set up your scheduled delivery service, promote it to your customers. Invest in website, mobile, and word-of-mouth-marketing campaigns. 
• Streamline the order process: You need orders to be processed and shipped quickly and efficiently. Invest in software that takes the guesswork out of inventory management, like compatible Amazon inventory management software. This will help reduce the time between the order being placed and the package being delivered. It will also improve the customer's overall delivery experience.

• Optimize routes: By optimizing delivery routes, you can reduce the time it takes to deliver packages and reduce the cost of delivery. Route optimization software can help to identify the most efficient routes and minimize the time and distance traveled by delivery drivers.
• Provide real-time updates: Provide customers with real-time updates on the status of their deliveries, including delivery times and tracking information. This will help to keep them informed and reduce the number of inquiries and complaints related to delivery. Consider automating scheduled notifications for maximum efficiency. 
• Plan for contingencies: Weather disruptions, traffic, and other factors can crop up and impact delivery times. Have contingency plans in place to minimize the impact of these disruptions and ensure that deliveries are made on time.
• Monitor and evaluate performance: Regularly monitor the performance of your scheduled delivery service, and make any necessary adjustments to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Evaluate the service regularly to determine if it's meeting your customers' needs and providing the results you're looking for.

By following these steps, you can successfully offer a scheduled delivery service to your customers and provide them with a better delivery experience.
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Why Choose Scheduled Delivery?

Everyone is trying to get the most out of the limited time they have each day. Take advantage of the assurance scheduled delivery can bring to your business, and don't be afraid to use it in combination with other types of delivery. Scheduled delivery allows both you and your customer to plan your day more predictably - who doesn't like that?