Improving Post-Purchase Experience: 15 Essential Shipping Notifications for Your Customers

When it comes to e-commerce, the post-purchase experience is just as important as the buying process itself. As online retailers, it’s our responsibility to keep our customers informed and satisfied throughout the shipping and delivery stages. This is where shipping notifications come into play. In this article, we’ll discuss the 15 essential shipping notifications that ensure your customers stay informed and happy.

Keeping Your Customers Informed: 15 Shipping Notifications You Need

If you want to keep your customers happy, you need to keep them informed about their purchase. Shipping notifications are the best way to do that. These notifications provide customers with real-time updates about their order and delivery status, so they always know what to expect. By keeping them informed, you’re also reducing the likelihood of customer inquiries and complaints. Here are the 15 essential shipping notifications that every online retailer should provide:

One important thing to keep in mind when sending shipping notifications is to make sure they are personalized and relevant to the customer. For example, if a customer has ordered a fragile item, it’s important to include a notification that the package contains fragile items and to handle it with care. Additionally, if a customer has opted for expedited shipping, it’s important to provide updates on the delivery status to ensure they receive their package on time. By providing personalized notifications, you can increase customer satisfaction and build trust with your customers.

1. Order Shipped: What You Need to Know

The “order shipped” notification is the first notification a customer receives after they’ve placed an order. This notification confirms that their order has been packed and sent out for delivery. It usually includes the order’s tracking number, so customers can track their package.

It’s important to note that the estimated delivery date provided in the “order shipped” notification is just an estimate and not a guarantee. Delivery times can vary depending on the shipping carrier and any unforeseen circumstances, such as weather delays or customs inspections. If a customer has any concerns about the delivery of their order, they should contact the seller or shipping carrier for more information.

2. Out for Delivery: Your Package is on Its Way

The “out for delivery” notification alerts customers that their package is on its way to the delivery address. This notification is important because it gives customers a heads-up that they should be home to receive their package. It also helps reduce missed delivery attempts.

It is important to note that the estimated delivery time provided in the “out for delivery” notification is an approximation and may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as traffic or weather conditions. Customers can track their package in real-time using the tracking number provided in the notification to get the most up-to-date information on their delivery status.

3. Delivered: Your Package Has Arrived

Once the package has been delivered, customers should receive a notification stating that their package has arrived. This notification is important because it confirms that the package has been delivered successfully, and lets customers know that they can retrieve their order.

It is important for customers to check the notification as soon as possible, to ensure that their package is not left unattended for an extended period of time. If the package is left unattended for too long, it may be at risk of theft or damage.

If customers are unable to retrieve their package in person, they should consider setting up a delivery arrangement with a trusted neighbor or friend. Alternatively, they can contact the delivery company to arrange for a redelivery or pickup at a nearby location.

4. Delays Happen: Here’s What You Need to Know

Despite all the precautionary measures, delays can sometimes happen during package delivery. It’s essential to keep your customers informed about these delays. The “delays happen” notification should include the estimated delivery time, and the reason for the delay (if known). You can offer an apology for the inconvenience and reassure customers that you’re doing everything possible to ensure their package arrives as soon as possible.

One of the most common reasons for package delivery delays is weather conditions. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, snowstorms, and floods can disrupt transportation and cause delays in package delivery. In such cases, it’s crucial to keep your customers informed about the situation and provide them with regular updates on the status of their package.

Another reason for package delivery delays is incorrect or incomplete address information. If the address provided by the customer is incorrect or incomplete, it can cause delays in package delivery. To avoid such delays, it’s essential to double-check the address information provided by the customer and ensure that it’s accurate and complete before shipping the package.

5. In-Transit Delays: What to Expect

This notification is different from the “delays happen” notification because it’s sent when a package is experiencing delays while still in transit. It’s essential to send this notification because customers might get worried about the package’s whereabouts if there are no updates on the shipment status.

When a package is experiencing in-transit delays, it’s important to keep customers informed about the situation. This notification should include an estimated delivery date, if possible, and any relevant information about the cause of the delay. Providing this information can help alleviate customer concerns and prevent unnecessary inquiries about the package’s status.

It’s also important to note that in-transit delays can occur for a variety of reasons, such as weather conditions, customs clearance, or transportation issues. While these delays can be frustrating for both the customer and the seller, it’s important to remain transparent and communicative throughout the process to maintain a positive customer experience.

6. Failed Delivery Attempt: What You Need to Do

If a delivery attempt fails, it’s important to notify the customer immediately. This notification should include the reason for the failed delivery attempt and provide instructions on what the customer should do next. You can also schedule another delivery attempt or offer different options, such as picking up the package at a nearby location.

It’s important to note that failed delivery attempts can result in additional costs for your business, such as return shipping fees or storage fees if the package is held at a facility. To avoid these costs, it’s crucial to have accurate and up-to-date customer information, including their address and contact details. Additionally, consider implementing delivery tracking and notifications to keep both you and your customers informed throughout the delivery process.

7. Possible Delay: What You Need to Know

The “possible delay” notification is an alert that informs customers of a potential delay in the shipping process. This notification is important because it gives customers enough time to adjust their schedule if they need to be present when the package arrives.

There are several reasons why a package may experience a delay during the shipping process. One common reason is due to weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, which can slow down transportation and cause delays. Another reason could be due to unexpected high demand, which can cause a backlog in the shipping process.

If you receive a “possible delay” notification, it’s important to keep an eye on the tracking information for your package. This will give you the most up-to-date information on the status of your shipment and any potential changes to the delivery date. Additionally, if you have any concerns or questions about the delay, don’t hesitate to reach out to the shipping company’s customer service team for assistance.

8. Suspected Lost Order: What to Do Next

If a package seems to be lost during delivery, it’s important to notify the customer immediately. This notification should include the steps you’re taking to locate the package. You can also offer a timeline for when the package will be found or issue a refund if necessary.

It’s important to note that sometimes packages may not actually be lost, but may have been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather or transportation issues. In these cases, it’s important to keep the customer informed of any updates and provide an estimated delivery date. Additionally, it’s a good practice to have a clear policy in place for lost or delayed packages to ensure that both you and the customer are protected.

9. Lost or Damaged Order: How We’ll Handle It

If the package is lost or damaged beyond repair, it’s important to notify the customer immediately. This notification should offer two options: replace the order or issue a refund. Providing options will allow the customer to choose the best course of action that suits their needs.

10. Return to Sender: What You Need to Know

If a package is returned to the sender due to an incorrect address or an unclaimed package, it’s important to notify the customer. This notification should provide customers with the reason for the return and offer the option to reschedule the delivery or issue a refund.

11. Returns Request Rejected: Here’s Why

If a customer starts the returns process but their request is rejected, it’s important to notify them why. This notification should provide the reason for the rejection and offer suggestions to rectify the issue. It’s important to be transparent with why their request was rejected.

12. Returns Request Approved: What Happens Next

Once a return request has been approved, it’s important to notify customers what will happen next. This notification should provide an estimated timeline for when they should expect their refund or exchange. It’s good practice to keep customers informed of the status of their returns process.

13. Return Initiated: How to Send It Back

The “return initiated” notification should be sent when a customer has initiated a return. This notification should provide instructions on how to prepare the package for return and any associated charges, if applicable. It’s important to make the returns process easy and understandable, so customers don’t get frustrated.

14. In-Transit Return: What to Expect

If a package is in transit during the return process, it’s important to keep customers informed about the progress of the shipment. This notification should provide estimates for the return’s delivery timeframe and any other relevant updates, such as delivery delays.

15. Return Received: What Happens Next

The “return received” notification should be sent once the return has been successfully accepted at the warehouse. This notification should offer an estimated timeline for when the customer should expect their refund or exchange. It’s important to keep customers informed even after the return process has ended.

Conclusion

Effective communication is essential to a successful post-purchase experience. By providing customers with the proper shipping notifications, you’re not only keeping them informed but building trust with your brand. These 15 essential shipping notifications will ensure that your customers are informed and happy throughout the shipping and delivery stages, resulting in a satisfied customer base.