Impact Customer Loyalty in 3 Ways
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Working to impact customer loyalty is extremely important. Happy customers turn into loyal customers, which leads to repeat business. Customer loyalty results from a company consistently meeting and exceeding customer expectations – in every aspect of your business, including shipping. Without new, returning and happy customers continuing to buy from you, your business can’t thrive, and possibly may not survive. So, customer retention and loyalty should be one of the top priorities for every small business. One often overlooked aspect of customer loyalty is the shipping process. A good shipping experience will usually lead to repeat and returning customers who will praise your small business and the products or services you offer. Understanding the relationship between shipping and customer loyalty will help you with retaining long-term customers. Here are 3 ways shipping can impact customer loyalty.
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- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
1. Meeting Expectations
In order to meet expectations, it’s important to keep in mind and stay on top of changing consumer behaviors. The rise of online shopping and eCommerce is expected to be the main way customers do business, and that in turn directly impacts the expectations customers have for the businesses they are buying from. This is especially true for shipping expectations. Delivery and transit times have always been some of the main things customers care about most with their online orders, and with tighter market conditions and capacity strains, these delivery and transit times are often subject to change.
The ability for a business and their supply chain to meet the expectations of their customers in terms of delivery times is a crucial part that can directly impact customer loyalty. Cost expectations is also a driving factor in customer retention. Keeping shipping costs low means you keep product costs low. Want to hear the numbers on just how important shipping expectations are to customers?
- 7 out of 10 shoppers say they consider shipping speed and cost more today than they did just one year ago.
- 84% of customers will not return to a retailer after one poor delivery experience.
- 1% of shoppers say that delivery impacts their brand loyalty.
As you can see, meeting the expectations of your customers through your shipping strategy is a key part of achieving customer loyalty. But how can you meet these expectations? When developing your shipping strategy, remember to figure out what times of year are busiest for both your business and the shipping industry. For many retailers, some of the busiest times for them are also the busiest for shipping, such as the holiday season. Plan ahead for these times when capacity is tight, and your customers’ needs are high.
2. Returns
Did you know that 72% of today’s shoppers say return policies directly influence their online purchasing decisions. Needless to say, a smooth, transparent return process impacts customer loyalty. Return shipments fall under a category of supply chain logistics known as reverse logistics, which is products or raw materials going back from the end consumer to the initial shipper. Some examples of reverse logistics include:
- Redirecting cargo back to the manufacturer or separate facility rather than the selling business.
- Providing shipping labels or arranging the pickup of returning cargo.
- Having the capacity to repair and resell damaged products.
While reverse logistics is easily seen as a way to salvage value from bad inventory, reverse logistics is actually meant to increase customer satisfaction. In the event a shipment goes wrong, there is a smooth, easy return policy customers can follow to make a bad experience a good one. Optoro found in a study that 97% of consumers are more likely to be repeat customers after a positive return experience. So, having an efficient reverse logistics strategy as an integral part of your overall shipping strategy helps you maintain customer loyalty even when things go wrong.
3. Predictability
When shoppers buy online, the only surprise that’s a good surprise is that their shipment arrived earlier than anticipated. Any other surprise risks losing them as a loyal customer. Your shipping strategy should account for delivering stability and peace of mind to your customers. How can you make things more predictable for your customers?
The ability to track a shipment or even reach out to the customer in the event something happened during transit enhances the customer experience. While many of these types of practices are seen as a “customer service” category, your shipping strategy works hand-in-hand to operate as a sort of engine running your business. Everything starts and stems from your shipping process, especially in the eyes of your customers.
Working with a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can give you access to innovative transportation management system technology that can help you track your shipment and keep your customers aware of any hiccups during transit.
Nobody wants to feel left in the dark only to find out their shipment was delayed. Should an issue arise during the shipping process, alert your customers of the issue and how you are working to resolve it. Clear communication goes a long way with customers and could make an otherwise bad shipping experience a little better.
Let FreightCenter Help Impact Your Customer Loyalty
FreightCenter specializes in providing customer-centric freight shipping solutions that help you maintain and increase customer loyalty for your small business. We have a vast network of vetted carriers, discounted rates, and the TMS technology to provide a smooth shipping experience.
See how working with FreightCenter can positively impact your customer loyalty. Start by getting a free online quote or call 800.716.7608.
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