How To Offer Same-Day Last Mile Delivery: 3 Steps To Follow

Customers value convenience and often that means instant gratification. According to a study by Capital One Shopping, 80% of customers expect same-day delivery for their purchases and 41% will pay extra shipping fees to make it happen. How can shippers accommodate their customers by offering same-day shipping without decreasing their bottom line? We at USA Last Mile Logistics have the answer—and it starts with roadmapping your final mile strategy in 3 steps.

Key Takeaways

• Customers expect same-day delivery to be available for their orders. As a result, 51% of shippers now offer same-day delivery.
• Shippers may run into challenges, like fuel and vehicle expenses, when they offer same-day deliveries. However, increased order fulfillment and repeat business are the rewards.
• There are 3 steps to scale final mile delivery for same-day shipments: Streamline your delivery routes, partner with local 3PL warehouses, and use advanced tracking software to pinpoint delivery windows.

Here’s how to grow your customer base with speedy deliveries.

Same-Day Delivery Is Necessary for Customer Satisfaction

Whether it saves time, money, or both, customers appreciate getting their goods as soon as possible. That said, fast shipping can take on a variety of services. 

Here are the most fast shipping timeframes that businesses provide after an order is placed.

Keep in mind that fast shipping times can vary depending on the size and weight of the product and its final location. 

We understand it’s not always easy to implement a new delivery method. You have to consider things like your supply chain’s bandwidth for a leap in orders and your last mile insurance coverage before you roll out a reliable same-day delivery system that gets products to customers on time, every time.

Let’s take a closer look at these obstacles before we tackle how to overcome them.

Same-Day Delivery Challenges

You may have heard of “the last mile problem” shippers face when scaling their order fulfillment.

When you want to include same-day deliveries in the final leg in your logistics journey, consider the following obstacles.

Customers Want Free Shipping

When 43% believe free shipping is as valuable as same-day shipping, it’s up to the shipper to calculate how to meet that demand without going over their budget. 

Fuel and Vehicle Expenses

Shippers are at the mercy of market fuel and vehicle rates. These fees can stack up depending on how many vehicles you need and the miles between your warehouse and customer.

Urban Density Is Tough On Deliveries

Busy streets, crowded parking lots, and narrow roads can put a strain on same-day deliveries. Drivers have to navigate these areas safely, but sometimes their truck won’t fit in a building’s receiving area or loading dock.

3 Steps for Same-Day Last Mile Delivery

No matter if you run a small or large business, every shipper has the same goal in mind: Scale without sacrificing your budget and supply chain quality. 

Here’s how you solve the last mile problem and offer your customers same-day last mile delivery.

1. Streamline Shipping Routes

Whether you’re shipping to a residential neighborhood or a retail business in the city, your carrier will need a clear route to deliver on time.

Bundling together zip codes and ensuring your carriers understand the weather and traffic conditions prior to driving saves on time and fuel expenses. 

Related: Urban Last Mile Logistics: The Future of City Parcel Delivery

2. Partner with Local Warehouses and Distribution Centers

The closer your warehouse is to your customers, the quicker your carriers can deliver. This is where 3PL warehousing comes to the rescue.

USA Last Mile Logistics operates 3PL warehouses in multiple cities across the US to meet shippers where they are and deliver goods on time.

Working with local warehouses and distribution centers in areas you receive the most orders also cuts down on shipping costs like fuel expenses for faster shipping. 

3. Secure Your Inbound Strategy

Keeping tabs on your shipment en route is just one part of a successful final mile delivery.

Set up your inbound logistics to include how you receive new orders before sending them back out onto the road with the right equipment (like a liftgate) and vehicles for the job. 

For quick last mile deliveries, straight trucks are the best vehicle to use. They can carry different types of freight (like refrigerated products or big, bulky goods) and navigate dense urban areas easier than a standard dry van.

Quick and Seamless Deliveries with USA Last Mile Logistics 

The final stretch in your logistics doesn’t have to be a pain. 

Provide your customers with fast turnaround and scale your business using our last mile logistics team. They’re skilled in providing swift transportation services to any destination.

Call our freight experts at (866)-569-1445 to learn how we can help. Already know what you need? We’re at your service. Click here to submit your request for proposal today.