Every day, consumers are expecting more and more when it comes to their online shopping habits. Clients want to engage with a brand that has a user-friendly interface, a seamless check-out, and a fast delivery date.

Most small companies can create an online platform that works, but they struggle to keep up with customers’ expectations when it comes to fast and affordable delivery. These companies look to nation-wide or international courier services, only to quickly realize that these companies are out of their budget. In the meantime, they’re losing clients to bigger e-commerce companies.

Is this resonating with you?

An in-house delivery system also has its appeal to businesses that are trying to keep up with consumers’ expectations. There is something special about having everyone on the same team—and you probably think that a direct employee of yours will likely care more about the outputs than a third-party (although we would argue that we care just as much). However, the reality is that most e-commerce businesses lack the golden resources needed to make this happen. Money, time, materials, expertise, and people. 

Here's the thing though… ‘MC’ Dispatch has exactly what you need for fast, reliable deliveries that will make your clients fall in love with your brand.

We are more than happy to help your e-commerce business thrive, starting with this article that outlines seven ways a local courier can boost your online sales.

#1 Premium Customer Service

There is nothing more frustrating for a customer than ordering something online and running into issues at the delivery stage. Once they’ve made the payment, the rest of the purchase should be seamless. Don’t put your trust in regular mail or major courier companies that don’t understand the importance of every single package or the people receiving them.

Instead, select a local company that puts care into every single delivery. Here’s what you can expect by choosing local:

• Packages that arrive safely, without damaged items or scuffed boxes.
• Shipments arrive on time, so your client is never left wondering when they’ll receive their purchase (or if they’ll get it at all).
• Positive interactions with your clients, so that their entire experience with your company was a great one.

Don’t take the risk of choosing the seemingly cheapest option—like snail mail—for your deliveries. Clients often make the mental connection that a delivery company represents your brand. If they have a negative experience, like a broken item or delayed package, they’ll more-than-likely leave that 2-star review on your business’ website.

#2 More Reach

Employing a local delivery company means that you’ll be able to reach clients that you may not have otherwise been able to access. According to BigCommerce, COVID-19 has changed the way 67% of consumers shop; that means your business needs to change too!

Even though the pandemic has evolved drastically since 2020, many consumers want a COVID-friendly delivery that gets dropped off right at their doorstep. In today’s world, businesses that don’t offer direct delivery lose business, including once-loyal customers. 

Local delivery will also open options for reaching people who don’t have access to a local depot or post office (or aren’t willing to travel to go pick something up). You can broaden your delivery area by using an experienced courier company that knows every street in its local area.

PRO TIP: After partnering with a trustworthy courier service, advertise the convenience and speed that clients can expect from their delivery service! Your clients need to know that your business has a competitive edge in e-commerce. We recommend a banner at the top of your page that boasts “same day delivery!” or “free shipping for orders over $20!”

#3 Compete with the Giants

Major companies, like Amazon and Wal-Mart, offer delivery services that are fast, cheap (sometimes free), and convenient. Their clients are used to a user-friendly experience and almost instantaneous results, without leaving their houses.

Don’t let that scare you!

Now more than ever, consumers are inclined to choose a small business over one of the major giants. They want to support their local economy, choose environmentally friendly products, and purchase high-quality items. However, all of this doesn’t matter if a small business can’t offer relatively affordable delivery within a few business days (once you get over 5 business days, you may start to lose clientele). That can feel like a daunting challenge for local business owners, especially if they’re still using traditional postal services.

All it means though is that you’re going to need to find your edge when it comes to your delivery service. If your business wants to be competitive in the e-commerce world, you’ll need to work with a local courier company that can keep up with your order fulfillment. A designated delivery team will be able to keep up with your orders. Companies like ‘MC’ Dispatch base the majority of their business models on fast (and we mean FAST) deliveries.

#4 Lower Shipping Costs

We want your e-commerce business to earn you money; that means you’re going to need to find the best solution on how to spend it. Local couriers are often far more affordable than a big carrier or even shipping through the post office.

Big couriers usually pack a lot (no pun intended) into pricing. You aren’t just paying for the cost of your package; you’re paying for the cost to move other people’s items as well. You gotta admit it—sometimes it’s pretty shocking to see how much a delivery is going to cost you.

Local couriers are different. Because we operate locally, we’re spending a lot less on fuel and fleet maintenance. That means we can give our own clients fair pricing, and they in turn can offer their e-commerce clients a more affordable price.

A local company is also going to be very transparent about how much a delivery is going to cost you. We’re upfront about it, because we know that the success of both our businesses depends on honest transactions.

PRO TIP: Always look for a way that you can give your clients discounted prices on shipping. Whether it’s an incentive to spend more, subscribing to your newsletter, or referring a friend… that little extra touch goes a long way with a consumer’s brand loyalty.

#5 Variety of Delivery Options

If you partner with a local courier company, your clients are going to love the variety of delivery options that they can select from. Major companies, like Amazon, will often tell a client when they’re going to get a package. That doesn’t always work in the best interest of the client—sometimes a package comes much too late, or even too early! 

Local companies, like ‘MC’ Dispatch, can work with you and your client to find the best solution for all parties.

For example, ‘MC’ Dispatch offers these types of delivery options:

1. Same-Day Courier Services: We offer several types of same-day courier services that guarantee your package will get there within 2, 3, or 4 hours… That's pretty impressive for any client!
2. Point to Point Services: Have a client you really need to impress? We’ll drop everything and make sure your client gets their package as fast as humanly possible.
3. Scheduled Delivery Services: Find the time that works best for both parties, whether it’s the next day or the next week. Once you choose a time, we’ll handle the rest.
4. Next flight out services: We’ve partnered with major airlines so that your package can get on a plane as quickly as possible if you secure a client that’s not exactly local.

All of that sounds pretty great, right? Learn more about ‘MC’ Dispatch’s next-level services here.

PRO TIP: It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can use a combination of in-store pickup, local couriers (like us!), national services, and in-house drivers. Find the balance that works for your business.

#6 Improved Tracking

Okay, here’s something that benefits both you AND your client: A local courier company can improve all your parcels’ tracking, so you’re never left to wonder when something will arrive.

Once your client places an order and their package is out the door, you’ll always be able to find out where the package is and when it will get there. Companies like ‘MC’ Dispatch have direct contact with their drivers and are able to use GPS tracking to locate them.

That means you can have real-time updates about when your package will get to its destination. This is extremely important for e-commerce businesses because you need to instill trust in your clients. You won’t be able to do that with unreliable tracking models.

FUN FACT: A lot of major courier services’ customer service departments are restricted from contacting their drivers once they’ve dispatched from a warehouse. That means they legally cannot contact a driver directly and instead need to wait for a driver to update the tracking on a package. This can cause delays getting an update on your parcel when you need it.

Clients who are using e-commerce won’t settle for anything less than transparent updates about their orders—trust us!

#7 Help Other Local Businesses Thrive

And finally, when small, local businesses—like yours—support other small, local businesses, everyone wins. Here are just a few of the reasons you should use a local courier service:

1. Your local economy will thrive; instead of putting overhead costs into major delivery companies, support the company that works just down the road from you.
2. Create an extensive network with other small businesses that support each other. You may not realize it, but by hiring a local courier company, you could also be gaining a customer. 
3. Build a relationship that understands your business needs and requirements (and meets those needs!). Your business isn’t just another number when you hire locally.
4. Opportunities for cross-promotion and marketing—combine forces to do good within your community.

Some of the hardest workers out there are those entrepreneurs who are running small businesses… and you’re one of them! You can appreciate the drive and passion that it takes for a local courier company to thrive.

Summing Up Why You Need Us

There are so many reasons why you can feel good about choosing a local company, like ‘MC’ Dispatch, to be your designated courier service.

Firstly, we care about your customers as much as you do (after all—we consider them our clients too)! You’ll get phenomenal service with a local company, because every package matters to us. Every. Single. Package. You can be sure that your packages will be on time and in the same state that you sent them out.

You’ll also be able to extend your reach to people who want deliveries right to their door. After the pandemic, people don’t want to travel to depot stations to pick up their parcels—they want it safely dropped off directly to them.

Choosing local is the only way you’re going to compete with major e-commerce giants. They have so many resources that they can promise their clients fast & free shipping. You need to show the world that you can keep up (and trust us, you can)!

A huge appeal for using local couriers? We’re cheaper than most alternatives. We specialize in local deliveries, which reduces our own operation costs. This is a huge bonus for businesses specializing in e-commerce, because what your client will save on shipping fees can be a huge selling point.

Local companies can also give you a variety of delivery options that just aren’t an option everywhere. We specialize in same-day delivery, which is a true “wow” factor that Amazon can’t even beat! However, that’s not all we can offer—you tell us when you want your package picked up and delivered.

Once that package is on its way, your clients will be thrilled with accurate tracking and updates on delivery. They’ll get their package exactly when promised, and never too soon or late.

And lastly, you can feel good about your choice to partner with a fellow small business. We have a few things in common: Hard work, passion, and a vision for success. Support your local economy by working with us.

Let us help your e-commerce sales take off! Contact us for a partnership that will leave your clients impressed.