In a world driven by instant gratification, efficient product delivery is crucial to customer satisfaction and business success. Customers expect businesses to not only deliver their orders promptly, but also provide excellent customer service along the way. As such, companies are turning to third-party delivery services to get their products directly into the hands of consumers. A QSR study shows that third-party services fulfill more than 70 percent of all deliveries.
Utilizing third-party delivery services will help your business understand your customers’ requirements, increase sales, and improve customer loyalty. Our cutting-edge reverse logistics software will ensure you maximize orders and streamline the operation. Here’s everything you need to know about third-party delivery services:.
What Are Third-Party Delivery Services?
Third-party delivery services are outsourced companies that facilitate the delivery of products and services to customers. Instead of having your own vehicles and drivers, you leverage third-party delivery services to handle the logistical aspect of the delivery process. This allows them to reach and provide customers with convenient delivery options without relying solely on their delivery staff. With more customers shopping online, third-party services’ ease and convenience will ensure faster delivery times and increased business growth.
What Do Third-Party Delivery Services Do?
Typically, third-party delivery services partner with businesses to handle their delivery system. In short, businesses outsource them to fulfill their deliveries instead of completing the delivery themselves. This could be for a variety of reasons, whether it be that the business doesn’t own their own fleet, their drivers are too busy– the list goes on. Typically, established third-party providers also offer other benefits such as delivery tracking, real-time notifications, proof of delivery, and more.
In-House Vs Third-Party Delivery: Which One is Right for Me?
Businesses have two options for delivery services: create their own or use third-party services.
In-house delivery involves managing and operating your own delivery infrastructure. You’ll need a vehicle fleet and a dedicated space for storing, managing, and delivering your products.
Unfortunately, the initial investments aren’t the only thing you have to be wary of if you choose this route. You’ll have to hire and train personnel, cover fuel and maintenance costs, incur recurring costs for renting or maintaining warehouse space, and pay insurance coverage to protect your operation. Therefore, it’s best to only opt for in-house delivery when you’re ready to invest in the resources, delivery fleet, drivers, and all of the hassle that comes along with that.
That’s why it’s not uncommon for businesses opt for third-party delivery services. Third-party delivery involves partnering with a third-party service provider specializing in logistics and transportation to execute your deliveries. They use their own resources and take the delivery responsibility out of your hands. This allows you to focus your time and energy on other business areas while still delivering excellent customer experiences.
Dive deeper into the world of third-party logistics by downloading our latest white papers for free!
Case Study: Power Players of Delivery Network
In this case study, we examined the impacts of diligent use of our Delivery Network product among our power users. Check it out!
White Paper: Third Party Delivery Reimagined: The Delivery Network Model for 3PL
In this white paper, we discuss the Delivery Network model that reimagines third party delivery and modernizes delivery operations.
What Are the Top Third-Party Services?
At Elite EXTRA, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why we partner with various top third-party services, allowing you to compare and choose the best provider based on your goals. In no particular order, here are some of the third-party delivery services on our Delivery Network:
DoorDash
DoorDash is a top third-party delivery service provider for small and large businesses. Boasting over 500,000 local and international brands, DoorDash ensures that companies and customers receive a seamless delivery experience.
Features
- Quick and reliable delivery services
- Marketing tools to attract new customers
- Established marketplace to reach new customers
- On-demand delivery with DoorDash Drive
Uber
In addition to being a rideshare service, Uber also provides cost-effective third-party delivery through Uber for Business. This on-demand delivery service is available through the Uber app, allowing businesses to conveniently fulfill and track deliveries. Uber Eats is another service that offers a convenient way for customers to order food from their favorite local restaurants.
Features
- A larger user network
- Convenient tracking
- Widely recognizable
- Multiple Delivery Handling Options
Roadie
Roadies is a crowdsourced delivery platform that provides services across all 50 US states. The platform connects you with drivers already headed to the order’s destination, ensuring quick and efficient delivery of your products.
Features
- 24/7/365 availability
- Up to a 250-mile delivery range
- 20,000+ US Zip Code Coverage
- Same-day delivery in a 100-mile radius
Frayt
Frayt is another top last-mile delivery solution that can optimize your operations. The platform provides premium tools and technology that offer extensive customization options to meet your business needs. You can effortlessly find the right vehicle size and delight your customers with every delivery.
Features
- Real-time visibility
- Timely, same-day delivery
- Proactive issue resolution
- Automation and seamless integration
Curri
With over 2 million drivers, Curri can deliver any package. It boasts various fleet types, including semi-trucks, flatbeds, and dry vans catering to different business and customer needs. The platform offers everything from hotshot delivery to TMS software and other ERP integrations.
Features
- Commercial shipping vehicles
- Varied delivery capabilities
- Real-time tracking
- AI-powered delivery capabilities
Benefits of Third-Party Delivery Services
Businesses are under more pressure to improve customer service, increase efficiency, and speed up shipping procedures. Therefore, using third-party delivery services can have a wide range of benefits, from better customer service to reduced costs. Here are the benefits of joining a Delivery Network:.
Quick Market Entry
Third-party delivery services eliminate the need to curate a delivery infrastructure from scratch, allowing you to get into delivery almost immediately. They already have reliable resources to handle your business’s delivery needs. Additionally, third-party delivery providers also create an easy and streamlined way to add your products quickly. Therefore, you can start selling immediately without worrying about overhead costs.
Reach New Customers
Working with a third-party delivery service opens your business to a broader audience. These platforms often have their own loyal following of customers who rely on them for their delivery needs. Being listed on such popular platforms will introduce your business to this whole new customer base.
Additionally, third-party delivery services can deliver to distant locations, giving your business an extensive reach. You can have customers spread across different locations and still cater to their needs.
Grow Sales
In addition to growing your customer base, third-party delivery services ensure customer satisfaction and retention. They provide efficient delivery services that can help boost your profits and sales. This is because your customers will enjoy the convenience of having their orders quickly fulfilled and delivered to their doorstep. They are more likely to order from your business, especially during busy periods, leading to more sales and profits.
Lower Costs
While third-party delivery services require certain fees, they can save you expenses in the long run. When implementing in-house delivery, you’ll need to invest in vehicles, hire and train drivers, and manage the logistics of delivery. Outsourcing these tasks means you don’t have to worry about the overhead costs. The third-party delivery provider will handle all the operational aspects and expenses. You will only pay a small fee based on your deliveries rather than spending on maintaining an in-house delivery system.
Increase Brand Awareness
Offering delivery services through a third party allows you to deliver an exceptional shopping experience. They work relentlessly to ensure that products ordered are delivered on time, which helps build trust with your customers. Customers will remember your business as a brand offering quality delivery services, strengthening customer loyalty, and giving your business an edge over competitors.
Don’t Choose Just One! Join a Delivery Network
Rather than limiting your business to a single third-party delivery service, join our Delivery Network to utilize various providers based on your needs. A delivery network allows you to access multiple third-party delivery providers on a single platform. Therefore, you can enjoy the benefits of partnering with third-party services without committing to individual contracts. Here are some of the benefits of joining Delivery Network:.
Flexibility
A delivery network allows you to work with any provider of your choosing. Therefore, you can compare prices and offers to get the best deal for your business. Additionally, different customers prefer different delivery services. They may only proceed to check out if their preferred option is available. Therefore, working with a delivery network will give the different customer the flexibility to choose their favorite third-party delivery service.
Reliability
A delivery network can help ensure non-stop deliveries. Your business will have access to a broader network of vendors who can quickly and reliably deliver orders. This protects your business from the risks of relying on one provider, so you can still fulfill orders even when a provider runs into difficulties.
Such flexibility also allows your business to meet peak demand. During peak seasons, the higher demand can make it difficult for companies to meet customer expectations. This is especially true when you work with a single delivery partner handling deliveries for different businesses. A delivery network will allow providers to continuously handle various orders, ensuring non-stop delivery during peak times.
Scalability
Delivery Network also allows you to effortlessly scale your business up or down depending on customer needs. It will not only give you access to a much larger customer base but also ensure that your business can efficiently handle the growing orders. This also makes scaling your business at multiple locations easier without worrying about delivery.
Your business is not at risk of opportunistic behavior since you are not tied to a contract with a specific provider. You can work with any provider who delivers the best value for your needs.
Why Work With Elite EXTRA?
At Elite EXTRA, we aim to ensure convenience and flexibility in your logistics process. You will not only have access to millions of delivery drivers, but you will also have a single platform to handle your logistics operations. Here are the different ways we add value to your delivery process:
Connect
Our platform automatically connects you with top third-party delivery providers, including Uber and DoorDash. You can use their reliable delivery services to offer your customers a unique and personalized experience. Compare their prices, delivery times, and other features to choose a provider that aligns with your business preferences.
Dispatch
You will also have a Routing and Dispatch solution that simplifies the optimization and automation of route planning. This helps optimize your routes, minimizing the distance traveled. As such, you can ensure timely deliveries, complete more deliveries, and achieve higher customer satisfaction.
Automate
From choosing preferred providers to sending customer alerts, our reverse logistics software allows you to automate your delivery process. Our automation features will enable you to define business rules that save costs, speed up delivery, and monitor potential problems through the delivery process. You can also automate the return management process, allowing customers to return and get refunds seamlessly.
Track
We also provide real-time GPS tracking for your team and customers. They will receive regular updates on their order’s status from the moment the order is placed to its delivery. This can include email and text notifications informing your customers on the ETA, when they can expect a refund, or issues that arise during the delivery. Generally, you will give them visibility into the status of their deliveries and returns.
Manage
Our third-party delivery services also help empower your management team. Using our platform, your team can seamlessly manage your business inventory, payments, and Returns Automation. You will also get valuable analytics that can transform your shipping operations and pinpoint areas that need improvement.
Transform Your Logistics Operations With Elite EXTRA
From increased convenience to better business visibility, third-party delivery services can be a game changer for your business. They help improve your reach, skyrocket your sales, reduce overhead costs, and delight customers. Imagine having all the top third-party service providers on one platform—that will take your delivery process to a whole new level.
Elite EXTRA provides a powerful one-stop-for-all platform that streamlines your delivery operations. You will have everything from top providers to real-time tracking and visibility to seamless communication and coordination, ensuring successful and outstanding customer experiences. Our advanced technological solutions will ensure efficiency and eliminate complex or time-consuming tasks. Contact us today or request a demo to revolutionize your logistics operations.
