As the peak season approaches, it is worth making sure your online store is ready for higher order volumes. Preparing in advance will help both you and your delivery partner plan operations more effectively during the busiest period.
We have put together the key things worth checking before the peak season begins.
1. Are you expecting a significant increase in parcel volumes?
If you are planning Black Friday, Christmas or other campaigns that are likely to generate significantly higher parcel volumes than usual, let the SmartPosti team know. This will help us plan the necessary resources for the busiest periods.
You do not need to provide exact forecasts – the most important thing is to let us know in advance when you expect a significant increase in parcel volumes.
2. Will your current courier collection schedule be sufficient?
More orders also mean more parcels for our courier to collect from your business. Before the peak season, review your current courier collection schedule and consider whether it will be sufficient for higher parcel volumes.
If you expect to need additional collections or other changes to your schedule, contact the SmartPosti team so that we can arrange them in advance.
3. Is your order processing ready for higher volumes?
As the number of orders increases, so does the workload throughout the order processing flow. Review whether order picking, packing and preparing parcels for courier collection will run smoothly even on the busiest days.
Check your SmartPosti integrations as well and make sure they are working correctly. APIs and available e-commerce platform integrations can automate several delivery-related processes, including transferring shipment data and displaying delivery options in your online store.
4. Do your customers have enough delivery options?
Customer needs vary, so the same delivery method will not always be the best choice for everyone. Some customers may prefer to collect their parcel from a parcel locker, while others may find courier delivery to the recipient’s address more suitable.
Before the peak season, review the delivery methods available in your online store and make sure your customers can choose the option that best suits their needs.
5. Is your delivery time information clear to customers?
Delivery times become particularly important before the holidays, when customers often need their purchases by a specific date. Make sure up-to-date information about order processing and delivery times is easy to find.
As the holidays approach, clearly communicate the date by which customers should place their orders to receive them in time for the holidays. When setting this date, take into account both your own order processing time and the delivery time of the selected delivery method.
6. Is your delivery information up to date throughout your online store?
Check not only the checkout process but also other sections of your online store where customers may look for delivery information. If SmartPosti is available as a delivery option at checkout, make sure information about it can also be found in relevant sections, such as your delivery information or FAQ page.
Also check that the SmartPosti brand name is written correctly everywhere – with a capital P and ending in i. Where possible, we recommend adding the SmartPosti logo to make the delivery option easier to recognise.
7. Are you prepared for an increase in returns?
The peak season does not end with the last Christmas order. The number of returns may also increase after the holidays, so it is worth preparing for them in advance.
Check that information about returns is up to date and easy to find in your online store. Clear return terms and a simple process will make things easier for both your team and your customers.
Ready for the peak season?
The more you can prepare before the peak season begins, the easier it will be to plan your operations when order volumes are at their highest. If you expect a significant increase in parcel volumes, need to adjust your courier collection schedule or would like to discuss the SmartPosti delivery solutions that best suit your online store, contact our team.