Delivery, Ecommerce

How to set up multi-carrier shipping quickly and efficiently

There is good reason why online retailers should incorporate a multi-carrier shipping strategy. Chief among them is the ability to provide the best possible customer experience.

With the growing demand for timed delivery slots, next-day delivery, flexible delivery and click and collect, there are now more delivery options to consider. We know that 86% of UK shoppers prefer when retailers offer a variety of delivery options.

Adding new carriers and expanding the range of shipping services on offer makes total sense. However, creating a multi-carrier shipping strategy can be a resource intensive business.

Here we identify the main challenges, and explore how they can be overcome.

Why adopt multi-carrier shipping?

Convenience and speed are usually the key reasons why customers choose to shop with a retailer. The same could be said for adopting a multi-carrier shipping approach.

Speed of carrier integration doesn’t have to be a roadblock for scaling your business. With the right technology you can quickly bring new carriers into your delivery mix.

Carrier contingency planning

When delivery delays occur on behalf of the carrier, retailers need to act fast. By being able to switch carriers on and off through a delivery management platform, brands can respond to shipper issues immediately.

Retailers need to be able to devise a contingency plan if a carrier contract comes to an abrupt end. Believe it or not, this is happening more as the shipping crisis continues and carriers reach capacity thresholds.

Rapidly selecting preferred carriers means that customers are not impacted if something goes awry.

Cross-border commerce

Expanding into new territories requires retailers to observe any cultural nuances that exist in different countries. This means using local, more obscure carriers to manage deliveries. If you can’t integrate a particular carrier’s technology with your own, you could be missing out.

Fresh dog food subscription brand Butternut Box faced cross-border challenges in trying to find carriers tailored to their specific needs.

“To grow the business, it was natural that we would start looking at markets outside of the UK. There were challenges in terms of both selecting and integrating with local carriers in these new markets. It was clear to us from day one that if we wanted to go down the road of having multiple carriers in each market, it would be easier to start with a better platform. Instead of working directly with multiple carriers and having to constantly maintain or rebuild connectivity.”
Read the full Butternut Box customer story here.

Access to delivery intelligence

Truly knowing your customers is what separates good retailers from great ones. It’s all well and good having multiple delivery options available.

Drilling into your own data through a delivery management platform helps identify shifts in customer behaviour. From there, you can respond to any customer experience-specific demands, and quickly introduce any new carrier options as required.

Escalate carrier integration speed

Integration speed is key when focusing on a multi-carrier shipping strategy. A delivery management platform lets retailers connect with every type of carrier in just a couple of clicks. So there’s no waiting months for a new carrier to be integrated. No major investment into each individual carrier you choose to partner with.

Thanks to a single API integration, you can simply choose from a global directory of carriers, and add or change them when you need to.

Want access to our global network of over 700 carriers? Book a consultation with a delivery management specialist now!

More about Scurri

Multi-carrier shipping FAQ

Q: What is multi-carrier shipping?

A: Multi-carrier shipping is the process of using multiple shipping carriers to fulfill orders instead of relying on a single carrier. It allows e-commerce businesses to choose the best carrier for each specific shipment based on factors such as cost, delivery speed, and destination.

Q: What are the benefits of using multi-carrier shipping?

A: The benefits of using multi-carrier shipping include lower shipping costs, faster delivery times, improved shipping reliability, and the ability to offer customers more shipping options.

Q: How does multi-carrier shipping work?

A: Multi-carrier shipping works by integrating multiple shipping carriers into a single system. E-commerce businesses can then use this system to compare carrier rates, track shipments, and generate shipping labels and documentation. Once an order is placed, the system automatically selects the best carrier for the shipment based on factors such as weight, destination, and delivery speed.

Q: How do I know which shipping carriers to use for my business?

A: The shipping carriers you choose will depend on factors such as the type of products you sell, your customer base, and your shipping volume. Some popular shipping carriers for e-commerce businesses include USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Amazon Shipping.

Q: Can I use multi-carrier shipping with my existing e-commerce platform?

A: Yes, many e-commerce platforms offer integrations with multi-carrier shipping software. Check with your e-commerce platform provider to see what integrations are available.

Q: How do I manage my shipments with multiple carriers?

A: Multi-carrier shipping software allows you to manage all of your shipments in one place. You can track shipments, print shipping labels and documentation, and manage returns from a single dashboard.

Q: What is the cost of using multi-carrier shipping?

A: The cost of using multi-carrier shipping will depend on factors such as the shipping volume, carrier rates, and the cost of the software. However, most e-commerce businesses find that using multiple carriers leads to cost savings over time.

Q: Can I offer customers more shipping options with multi-carrier shipping?

A: Yes, multi-carrier shipping allows you to offer customers a range of shipping options, including expedited and international shipping. This can help improve the customer experience and increase sales.