In today’s digital age, it seems hard to think of a world where e-commerce does not exist.
After all these years, e-commerce has evolved and changed drastically over the years. It has transformed the way we shop, live, work and do business and in many other related things.
After the recent pandemic, the world has come to rely and depend on ecommerce delivery for almost everything, including basic and essential items. The pandemic also saw groups of people who were previously unused to online shopping turning to e-commerce in order to fulfill their day-to-day needs.
Benefits
Since its development, the industry continues to grow, and business and going into the many benefits it offered. In the process, it had changed the world of business in so many ways.
For one, global e-commerce sales jumped to $26.7 trillion (2019). This is four times more than the preceding year (UN data). By the looks of it, this trend is here to stay, with consumers realizing the convenience of online shopping and home delivery.
Wider reach / access
For small and medium industry companies, especially those who did not previously have the means, e-commerce provided access to global markets, wider customer reach and the chance to grow and become immensely profitable.
The only caveat is that they have to put in place an effective delivery system. The main reason is that they need to fulfill the requirements that orders must be fast, accurate and must be delivered without any issues.
On the other hand, merchants generally have two options in the process. One, they will work with aggregator online marketplaces that have delivery partners in their business ecosystems. Two, they have to put in place their own delivery mechanisms.
E-commerce shipping
Generally, e-commerce refers to online shopping or trade, where individuals or firms can buy and sell their goods and services from a website or mobile app, and have these products delivered to them.
E-commerce shipping is the best way in which products ordered online are delivered to the location of the buyer.
At present, so many direct consumer brands are now increasingly relying on online channels for sales. This is in addition ontheir reliance to the management and the handling of the delivery logistics which are very important aspects for them.
In the majority of cases, logistics and delivery are not even a core competency of the company. Typically, they prefer to go with an e-commerce delivery partner that can fulfill their orders and deliver these orders safely to the customer.
These are some of the services.
Inventory and warehousing
E-commerce businesses may not find it feasible to hire their own warehouses. The logistics companies have the advantage of scale across geographies. They can offer e-commerce businesses a customized network of warehouses with as much or as little space as they require.
In addition, they could also scale this as their businesses grow, without the hassle of having to find new warehouses or increased space on their own. Several e-commerce logistics providers have sophisticated inventory management systems that can help businesses to maintain their supply and demand.
Shipping and delivery
E-commerce logistics providers play an important role as a critical business partner. They do this in the form of particular services from packing the product as per the unique specifications and requirements to fulfilling all the documentation and regulatory requirements, and delivering this to the customer.
Likewise, real-time tracking and quality checks are part of the technology systems that e-commerce providers have invested in, so that small and medium or even large companies don’t have to struggle with this.
Coordinating with the customer and ensuring that the product is delivered in time is taken care of by the logistics expert. This, actually, is one critical business activity that is taken care of for the company.
Returns and exchanges
Returns are part of the e-commerce business environment. Consumers may have issues with sizes, wrong orders, or quality-related issues. Managing returns in a smooth and seamless manner is an important aspect of the customer journey, strengthening the relationship between the e-commerce company and their customers.
The e-commerce logistics company takes care of the returns aspect, offering online merchants a full solution for the last mile connection with the customer, all in the name of the company.
Delivery types
There is no fixed formula where only a particular type of shipping and delivery system works. Based on the nature of business, targeted customers, product type, shipping strategies vary.
Usually businesses can work with e-commerce logistics providers to understand what works best for their business. Companies can expect variations of these: two-day shipping, same day delivery, overnight shipping and international shipping.
Shipping costs are also a factor to be considered, these are usually based on the volumes expected, destination, size, dimension value of contents. Sometimes e-commerce businesses also offer ‘free shipping’, and these are factored into the product cost.
Delivery as strategic advantage
Delivery in e-commerce is a strategic advantage and drives business success. Logistics companies play an important and vital role in the success of the e-commerce business, with customer satisfaction being directly related to the handling of the shipment.
The packaging and safe delivery of the product is a factor that keeps the customer happy and usually the reason for ordering more from the e-commerce site. An e-commerce business needs to have a strong and effective strategy in place for the shipping and delivery of goods and services.
This is also a competitive differentiation as well in the market.Responding to this need for efficiency and professionalism, the logistics industry has evolved its processes, and many members had invested in state-of-the-art delivery systems.
The main reason is that as e-commerce relies on shipping and transportation, with everyone agreeing that the shipping services should be top-notch – reliable, knowledgeable and with an extensive network as well as technology-enabled tracking and monitoring.
Projections
It is projected (Euromonitor International)that the half of the absolute value growth for the global retail sector will be digital by 2025, reaching 1.4 trillion USD.
Likewise, with e-commerce, there is a demand for efficient, cost-effective and faster delivery alternatives. The whole business relies on e-commerce logistics to deliver its products.
Today, logistics companies are investing in innovative and smart technology solutions that integrate human aspects, analyze data for efficiency explore new ways of delivering using drones or automated vehicles.
For retailers, small businesses and startups, e-commerce logistics providers have made it all easier to enter the market and succeed. The focus should be on a great product and their brand, and the experts will look after e-commerce delivery.