Online shopping is a growing trend, especially for the newer generation. Thanks to continuous innovation, eCommerce offers countless possibilities that make it vital to people’s routines. Shopping online is quick and straightforward, and it enables customers to compare prices, discover discounts, and read reviews in ways that are impossible to accomplish in traditional shops.
Since the pandemic, there has been a significant spike in the number of online shoppers. Because of the rapid shift in shopping habits, there has never been a better time for business owners to take this opportunity. That’s why many manufacturers and retailers are gradually making a shift to online businesses.
Online Shopping Experience
As online shopping gains traction and popularity, many are still not fully aware of how it works. Even today, innovations in delivery and shipping systems are altering the landscape of online shopping. So, what should one expect after checking out their orders?
Below is the basic process flow that your orders go through before it reaches your doorsteps.
1. Check-Out
Once the seller receives an order, they must verify your information. The process of validating and ensuring the accuracy of order data is known as processing a client order. From there, they also check if they have adequate inventory on hand to fulfill your purchase.
Technology and software are often used in this procedure, which can assist in speeding up the transaction process. The providers might also inform customers that their order is handled through software that publishes order status in real-time.
2. Packaging and Handling to Courier
The order fulfillment step might commence after the order has already been processed. It involves selecting the appropriate products for the request and packaging them for shipment.
Dropshipping and self-fulfilling orders are two standard options for eCommerce companies, although outsourcing fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider is the most common choice. Depending on the size of the item, the courier will charge the respective fees to the seller.
It can also contain insurance which shippers can avail of to ensure their product’s protection.
3. Sorting Center
The courier will hand the package to the respective sorting center depending on where it will be delivered. In the case of international shipping, the item must first undergo customs clearance before it reaches a sorting center.
From there, the warehouse will group the packages to their respective destinations and the type of package. One of the most common problems in this stage is the mishandling of parcels. Since hundreds of packages go in and out of the sorting facility, a package can end up in the wrong shipping location.
4. Cargo Vehicle
The carrier or cargo is responsible for securely delivering the order to the country or state after it has been sent. This process can be by land, air, or sea. Carriers are large vehicles with enough storage capabilities that allow any products to be transported in every location. Typically, it has a built-in freezer for items requiring cold storage and a silicone drum heater for volatile products.
Since cargo vehicles handle many packages, it is highly prone to accidents. Due to mechanical and human error, malfunctions can happen, resulting in the loss of the package. That’s why most shipping companies have built-in GPS systems in their cargo to locate its whereabouts.
5. Delivery Man
Local couriers, also known as the delivery guy, will pick each parcel from the carrier centers depending on the area they cover. They are also the ones that will deliver the item to each customer.
The majority of the issues in this stage are human errors and personal interests. Some designated delivery staff can lose or mishandle the item or, worse, keep the parcel. While courier providers reprimand these employees, there are still others who get away with this practice.
6. Customer
Customers will then receive their much-anticipated orders. It can take one to two weeks when shopping online from an international seller and three to five days if it is only local.
From there, customers can open the package, check the items, and make sure it’s in their best quality. Customers have the right to get a refund if the product is wrong or mishandled. Other companies also offer quick return policies if their product fails to satisfy customers’ requirements.
Wrapping Up
After check-out, collecting, processing, and shipping orders are the three main areas online purchases go through. Each phase affects how fast and correctly you can expect an order to reach its intended location.
These systems are intended to integrate a logistic solution into your online shopping experience as satisfying and straightforward as possible.