Any business owner knows that the key to success is delivering a quality product to your customers on time. But with so many delivery services out there, it can be hard to know which one is right for your business.
Here’s a guide to help you understand the different options and choose the delivery service that’s best for you.
| Courier Delivery | On Demand Pick Up & Drop Off | Last Mile Delivery Outsourcing |
| What does it do? | ||
A courier company transports packages from one location to another.Courier delivery services are frequently used for eCommerce fulfillment because they allow for a more localized and global service, delivering multiple packages simultaneously. |
On-demand delivery simply means that customers can choose not only where they want their products delivered but also when they want them delivered — that is, as soon as possible. | Last mile delivery is the final link in the e-commerce supply chain that links customers and brands by delivering the customer’s order on time, every time. |
| What is the pickup process like? | ||
| The courier delivery procedure is influenced by the business, contract, geography, and several other variables.Either a business delivers its own fulfillment to a local depot, where it is picked up by the courier and delivered to customers, or couriers pick up items directly from the seller. | Most on-demand delivery services use a similar pickup process. First, the customer places an order and provides a delivery location.
Then, the service assigns a nearby driver to the job. The driver arrives at the specified location and confirms the order with the customer. Once the order is confirmed, the driver loads the items into their vehicle and begins the delivery. |
The pickup process for a last-mile delivery service is straightforward.After receiving an order, the delivery rider or driver will head to the designated pick-up location.
Once reached, the delivery rider or driver will load the package into their vehicle and then head to the customer’s address. |
| What is the sorting & packaging process like? | ||
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In some cases, courier services will package goods safely as per customers’ requests. Using authorized cold-chain containers is one example of the specific packaging that specialty couriers can offer. |
On-demand delivery carriers sort packages individually and deliver them with little to no packaging. The responsibility of getting the goods delivered to the end-user lies in the carrier’s responsibility. | Last-mile delivery outsourcing partners do not provide packaging services. However, some outsourcing agencies that provide top-notch vehicle fleets like ours ensure goods of all types are delivered safely and professionally. |
| Do they provide real-time tracking? | ||
| Individuals and businesses can completely personalize tracking messages and the status of their shipments when using a specialized courier. Technology enablers can increase the visibility and security of every shipment by using features like GPS-enabled real-time monitoring. | Driver tracking using a customer app is one of the services that on-demand delivery providers could provide.It allows the consumer to locate the driver in real-time and track the order’s progress till delivery. | The option for real-time tracking depends on the carrier. Last-mile delivery businesses that are high on technology may provide real-time tracking in terms of delivery routes only. |
| What is the estimated delivery timeline? | ||
| Most courier services require 1-3 business days for domestic shipments and 3-7 days for overseas shipments. Each courier service provides a variety of services with various delivery periods, including both normal and urgent options. | On-demand delivery service significantly reduces delivery timelines from traditional 3-5 days to within a few minutes or hours. | Just like on-demand delivery service, last-mile delivery outsourcing services ensures that businesses’ goods are delivered to their customers within a few hours. |
| What is their costing model? | ||
Courier companies consider a few factors when pricing their customer’s deliveries:
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On-demand delivery services usually charge customers a variable fee per order depending on the delivery distance. | Last-mile delivery outsourcing companies like ours have an all-inclusive yet flexible subscription model package that covers:
And more… |
| Contract Duration | ||
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No minimum contract. Individuals and businesses can ship and pay for goods as per their needs – volume & frequency.
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No contract. Customers are required to make a one-off payment per delivery order. |
Businesses are required to opt for a Minimum of 6 months all-inclusive contract. |
| Customer Type | ||
Both private individuals and small-scale businesses use courier delivery services. |
Both private individuals and micro-businesses use on-demand delivery services. They send packages, letters, gifts, and other items using the fleets of courier companies that provide on-demand delivery services. |
Last-mile delivery outsourcing is solely used by local SMEs & large businesses within the country. Businesses usually outsource riders and drivers with a vehicle fleet to deliver goods to their customers. |
| Area of delivery | ||
Courier companies can deliver packages to both areas, locally and globally. |
On-demand delivery service is limited to local areas only. | Last-mile delivery outsourcing service is limited to local areas only. |
Get Started With Future Milez
Our riders and drivers with fleet outsourcing solutions are above industry standards. We aim to provide a premium service at a competitive price, from same-day delivery of packages in our small delivery vans to large shipments in our top-notch vehicles with dedicated riders and drivers exclusively for your business.
Get in touch with our last-mile logistics experts now.
