10 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Delivery Provider

For retailers and ecommerce entrepreneurs, a reliable delivery provider not only adds a significant competitive edge but also enhances customer satisfaction and ensures smooth operations.

However, choosing the wrong partner can lead to delayed deliveries, increased costs, and damaged reputations.

To help you make the best decision, here are 10 common delivery partner mistakes to avoid when selecting or partnering with a delivery provider.

1. Insufficient Research into Provider Capabilities

Before engaging with a delivery provider, it is essential to define your specific requirements and research their capabilities.

Questions to ask–and answer—might include the following: - Do you need same-day or next-day delivery? - Are international shipments a priority? - What is the provider’s geographic reach and technology integration? - Can the provider handle specific delivery types such as refrigerated or oversized items?

Impact: If your research is not thorough, you may find your business has partnered with a provider that cannot meet your specific needs effectively—possibly leading to service failures and customer dissatisfaction.

2. Neglecting Customer Service Quality

Issues will inevitably arise in delivery execution, and when they do, responsive customer service is critical. If support from your chosen delivery provider is slow or ineffective, resolving delivery problems can become a major headache. That’s why it’s always best to test prospective provider’s customer service responsiveness before making a final decision.

Impact: Poor customer service on the part of a delivery provider can negatively affect your brand, perhaps even resulting in lost sales and reduced profit.

3. Prioritizing Cost Over Quality

As with many procurement decisions, while affordability is important in delivery outsourcing, the cheapest option is not always the best.

A low-cost provider may cut corners in reliability, customer service, and package handling. Instead of focusing solely on cost, consider value. Look for a balance between price, service quality, and reliability.

Impact: Cheaper services may compromise quality, leading to higher costs in the long run due to re-delivery attempts, customer complaints, and potential damage to your brand.

4. Insufficient Attention to Delivery Service Performance

Customers expect fast, dependable deliveries. Partnering with a provider that frequently experiences delays or inconsistencies can hurt your brand’s reputation.

Always check provider’s willingness to commit to a service level agreement (SLA) that safeguards your customer promise and performance metrics. This is a vital element of service-provider selection.

Impact: Failure to check providers’ delivery times, reliability, and service track record can lead to delays and unhappy customers.

5. Overlooking Tracking and Technology Integration

Today’s consumers expect real-time delivery tracking, and businesses need robust logistics tools. Choose a provider like Shipa Delivery that offers GPS tracking, proactive notifications, and provides a platform that integrates with your order management system.

Impact: A lack of real-time tracking and delivery updates can frustrate businesses and customers.

6. Not Checking Reviews and References

A provider may present an impressive sales pitch, but actual performance matters. During provider selection, check each candidates’ reputation. Online reviews, industry forums, and references from other businesses can all be helpful here.

Similarly, customer testimonials and case studies can reveal whether the provider meets expectations.

Impact: Failing to check online reviews, testimonials, and key performance indicators (KPIs) like delivery success rates can result in a partnership decision that you may come to regret.

7. Disregarding Sustainability and Ethical Practices

Consumers increasingly value eco-friendly and ethical business practices. Check whether, like Shipa Delivery, each prospective partner uses fuel-efficient vehicles, carbon offset programs, or sustainable packaging options. Do they optimize routes to reduce emissions?

Impact: Partnering with a provider that lacks environmental responsibility can harm your brand's reputation and contribute to environmental degradation.

8. Overlooking Security and Insurance

Safeguard your shipments and protect your business from financial losses by selecting a delivery provider, such as Shipa Delivery, which offers adequate security measures and insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance coverage ensures you will be recompensed for unforeseen delivery mishaps.

Impact: Theft, damage, and loss can occur during transit, and without proper security protocols in place—such as tamper-proof packaging, GPS tracking, and secure handling—your goods may be at risk.

9. Failing to Assess Scalability

Your business may grow, and seasonal spikes can occur. If your delivery provider cannot scale with you, you might face bottlenecks during peak seasons. Choose a provider such as Shipa Delivery that can handle demand fluctuations without compromising service quality.

Impact: If the provider cannot scale with your business, you may face capacity issues and service disruptions.

10. Not Reviewing Hidden Fees

Some providers lure businesses in with low base rates but have hidden charges for fuel, weekend deliveries, surcharges, or failed deliveries. Always request a detailed pricing structure and understand all costs upfront before signing a contract.

Impact: Without fully assessing all the costs your deliveries will incur, you can quickly exceed your logistics budget, perhaps to a substantial degree.

Avoid Delivery Partner Mistakes: Assess, Evaluate, Research, Test

Circumventing shipping partner errors requires careful evaluation. By avoiding the 10 common mistakes above, you can establish a successful, lasting partnership that benefits your business and keeps your customers satisfied.

Take the time to research, test, and choose a provider that aligns with your operational needs and brand values.—and always be on the lookout for delivery service red flags.

As part of your selection process, why not put Shipa Delivery to the test? We’ll be pleased to demonstrate why, with our team on your side, common delivery outsourcing pitfalls will not trouble your business.

For more detailed—and totally free—advice on implementing a logistics solution and meeting your specific last-mile logistics needs, contact Shipa Delivery today.