You scoured the internet. You found the item you wanted. You
typed in your info. You clicked purchase, and just like that you… have no idea
what happens next until your package arrives.
More often than not, it isn’t the wait for a package that
frustrates customers — it’s the lack of communication between the time of
purchase and the receipt of their item.
For business owners, providing tracking can boost customer
satisfaction and drive repeat sales. Thankfully, package tracking is easy. You
just need the right tools, and we’ve compiled a concise list of precisely what
those tools are below.
How to Track a Package
To track a package, you’ll first need to
determine how your package is being shipped or delivered. Third-party couriers,
such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx, provide their own tracking solutions, while
businesses that manage delivery in-house need a software solution to be able to
track packages.
Below, you’ll find specific tracking information for six major
shipping companies. Plus, you can track a package right now via the link below
each shipper as long as you have your parcel or package ID number.
1. How to track a UPS package
The majority of respondents in a 2018 survey said UPS offered the best package tracking
features out of the most popular U.S. shipping companies. United Parcel
Service, Inc.’s (UPS) user-friendly web search functions and UPS Mobile™ App
make tracking packages fast and easy.
If you have questions or run into issues, you can start a live
chat with their Virtual Assistant right from the app.
2. How to track a USPS package
Similar to UPS, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has
their own mobile app. Once you create a USPS account, you can
easily buy stamps, have your post office hold your mail, and calculate shipping
costs in addition to tracking a package. USPS also offers a unique service
called Informed Delivery® that sends customers images of letter-sized
mail that is in the process of being shipped.
3. How to track a FedEx package
Federal Express (FedEx) is perhaps best known for their
time-sensitive delivery services, such as FedEx
International Urgent Delivery that promises to get your package on the very next flight out.
Their mobile app is comparable to those of UPS and USPS, offering real-time
order updates, and the FedEx website features a Virtual Assistant that can help
answer tracking questions.
4. How to track a DHL package
Like UPS and FedEx, DHL offers delivery in 220+ countries, which
makes them a popular choice for international shipping and delivery. DHL offers
a host of services and shipping options that cater specifically to eCommerce
businesses. DHL does have their
own mobile app, though it has a significantly lower user rating than its
competitors, with two out of five stars in the Apple App Store.
5. How to track a China Post package
The China Post is owned and operated by the Chinese government
and partners with the government-run postal couriers of other countries when
delivering internationally. For customers in the United States, this can often
mean items shipped from China have both a China Post tracking number and a USPS
tracking number.
6. How to track a Royal Mail package
Royal Mail has been around for more than half
a millennium, but they went through a major shift in 2015 when they became completely
privatized. Today, Royal Mail
offers apps for both Android and iOS where consumers can track packages and
schedule redelivery. Royal Mail also offers the option to have packages delivered to a
neighbor if you’re not home
when your parcel arrives.
Don’t see your shipping company listed here?
Most couriers and shipping companies have a quick link to track a package on
their website’s homepage. Additionally, Google now offers a package tracking
feature that allows consumers
to enter their tracking ID directly into the Google search bar and get updated
tracking info from any courier enrolled in their program. Businesses that
participate in this program show up in Google’s package tracking SERP feature when a customer enters their unique tracking
ID number.
Customers Expect the Ability to Track Their
Packages
Consumers expect to be able to track their
purchased goods even when they’re ordering from small stores and restaurants.
According to a study conducted by
OSM Worldwide,
“more than half (55 percent) of online shoppers expect order status updates to
be current as of a few hours ago or even more timely, and 11 percent say
up-to-the-minute reporting is a must.”
Whether you’re a restaurant delivering hot food or a boutique
delivering floral arrangements, a simple package tracking solution can improve
your customers’ buying experience dramatically. Real-time delivery updates also
keep consumers from repeatedly calling you to check on their delivery status,
which — given that 40% of eCommerce shoppers admit to checking their purchase
order status daily — can save you a lot of time.
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