# What is on-demand delivery? Learn how on-demand delivery works, how it differs from same-day delivery, and what retailers need before offering faster delivery options. Canonical URL: https://starshipit.com/blog-content/what-is-on-demand-delivery **Summary:**_ On-demand delivery gives shoppers more control over when, where or how they receive an order. It can include same-day, scheduled or evening delivery, but the right option depends on your stock location, dispatch cut-off, fulfilment capacity and carrier coverage. Only show options your team can reliably fulfil._ **When it comes to eCommerce, customer choice is now the name of the game. Choice of product, choice of payment options and – increasingly – choice when it comes to shipping.** Recent Australia Post research shows that 69% of shoppers want a range of delivery options at checkout. For time-sensitive purchases, 26% expect same- or next-day delivery. Customers now want the option of receiving their orders in the shortest time possible, and to remain competitive, retailers need to offer these options. Welcome to on-demand delivery. In this article, we’ll outline what it is, how it works, the benefits and couriers offering it right now. ### Table of contents - [What is on-demand delivery?](#what-is-it) - [How does on-demand delivery work?](#how-it-works) - [On-demand delivery – key facts](#key-facts) - [What are the benefits of on-demand delivery?](#benefits) - [Should you offer on-demand delivery? Factors to consider](#factors-to-consider) - [How to get started with on-demand delivery – and be successful](#get-started) - [Top 7 on-demand delivery services for eCommerce retailers](#top-couriers) - [How Starshipit integrates with on-demand delivery couriers](#starshipit-on-demand) ### What is on-demand delivery? **On-demand delivery is about ****[giving your customers a choice](/choice-at-checkout)**** around when they want to receive an order. **For example, you might offer multiple delivery options including within 1, 2 or 4 hours, or same day, evening express, overnight, weekend and even click & collect – right at the checkout. It can help to think of on-demand delivery like Uber Eats. If you’re considering offering on-demand delivery, you’ll need to ensure your business is up to the task of following through and getting orders out within the expected timeframes. This means having stores in the right locations, or well-managed warehouses with appropriate stock. You’ll also need couriers who can offer express services. For these reasons, on-demand delivery is typically only realistic in metropolitan locations. ### How does on-demand delivery work? Functionally, on-demand delivery works in much the same way as the other delivery options you might offer as part of your shipping – and it all comes down to the technology and couriers. - **🖥️ Do you have the right systems in place?** Does your [shipping platform](/choice-at-checkout) let you [show delivery options at checkout](/choice-at-checkout)? Can you use rules to [automate carrier selection](/blog-content/what-are-shipping-rules-amp-why-do-you-need-them)? - **🚚 Do you have the right mix of couriers? **The key to making on-demand delivery work is having a reliable courier provider (or several) who can efficiently deliver your orders in the times you promise your customers. More on this below. ### On-demand delivery – key facts - **📈 Australians spent $82.6 billion online in 2025**, up **14% year on year**; online purchases represented **24% of all retail spend**. [Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026](https://auspost.com.au/business/ecommerce/ecommerce-report) - **🛍️ 69% of shoppers want a choice of delivery options at checkout**, including out-of-home collections such as Parcel Lockers. [Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026](https://auspost.com.au/business/ecommerce/ecommerce-report) - **⚡ 26% of shoppers expect same- or next-day delivery when an order is urgent**, while **43% are willing to pay extra** for same- or next-day delivery. [Australia Post eCommerce Report 2026](https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/ecommerce-report/australia-post-ecommerce-report-2026.pdf) - **🔁 Faster shipping can influence retailer choice:** **80% of Gen Z shoppers and 73% of Millennials** said they would switch retailers for faster delivery. [Australia Post’s October 2025 eCommerce update](https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/documents/quarterly-ecommerce-update-october-2025.pdf) ## Offer delivery choices your team can keep ### What are the benefits of on-demand delivery? **Generally, on-demand delivery is about giving customers greater choice and control over how they receive their orders, which translates to greater loyalty and repeat business. ** ##### Benefits for customers - Customers have more control over the delivery date and timeframe. - Customers can choose the delivery location. ##### Benefits for businesses - Enhance your shipping delivery experience. - Improve customer loyalty and repeat business. - Increase conversions at checkout. - Competitive advantage. A customer is more likely to go with a store who offers same-day delivery. - Develop your customer insights by better understanding when, where and in what timeframes customers want orders delivered. > "A large fashion retailer found their Friday orders were decreasing and when they explored why this was, they found their largest competitor started to offer same day delivery – which meant shoppers looking for the weekend would always pick their competitor " ### Should you offer on-demand delivery? Factors to consider **If you’re a retailer, the next question is naturally: “Should I offer on-demand delivery?”. The answer to this one is a little more complicated.** While the answer from a customer standpoint is a resounding “yes”, you may need to do a little more investigation to determine how you might get set up for on-demand delivery without impacting your business – or your staff. ##### Here are the main factors to consider: ### How to get started with on-demand delivery – and be successful **There are several factors that go into a successful ****[on-demand delivery](/blog-content/why-on-demand-delivery-is-no-longer-just-a-concept)**** strategy, and it all starts with the shipping platform. ** ##### Step 1: Put the technology in place Setup your automated shipping and fulfilment platform and integrate it with your eCommerce platform (like [Shopify](/partner/shopify)) and the couriers you already use. This system will act as the brains of your shipping operations, enabling you to manage the logistics of on-demand delivery without the stress. Starshipit, for example, lets you display different delivery options at checkout (like same day or overnight) and automatically assign orders to specific couriers or stores using smart rules. You can also use this system to send out delivery notifications, direct customers to branded tracking pages and automatically process returns. ##### Step 2: Choose your couriers With your shipping system in place, it’s time to look at your couriers. We support several couriers able to meet the needs of on-demand delivery. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the courier you choose for on-demand delivery – you may even find it useful to establish relationships with multiple couriers. ### Top 7 on-demand delivery services for eCommerce retailers ##### Uber Uber Direct uses Uber’s network of delivery partners to move goods between locations or directly to customers. Businesses can add delivery instructions and choose handling requirements for eligible orders. Delivery options: Proof of delivery can include photo, PIN verification, barcode scanning, signature and ID checks. Availability depends on the order type and integration. [Uber AU](https://help.uber.com/en-AU/merchants-and-restaurants/article/using-the-direct-dashboard?nodeId=a822d74c-3eaa-4ecd-80a4-65d433f7bb71) ##### Rendr Rendr uses crowdsourced and professional delivery networks to help retailers offer faster last-mile delivery. Delivery options: Fast (30 minutes to 3 hours), Same Day or Next Day, and Standard delivery. Available options depend on the retailer’s setup and destination. [Rendr](https://rendr.zendesk.com/hc/en-au/articles/15083652712719-Rendr-Shopify-Integration-Guide) ##### Australia Post Australia Post offers On Demand delivery in selected service areas. Check current serviceability before showing an option at checkout. Delivery options: On Demand Afternoon (1pm–5pm) and On Demand Tonight (6pm–9pm). Availability varies by region. [Australia Post](https://auspost.com.au/on-demand-expansion) ##### DHL Express DHL Express On Demand Delivery lets recipients manage eligible deliveries after dispatch. Delivery options can include changing the delivery date, collection from a ServicePoint or locker, signature release, delivery to an alternative address, delivery to a neighbour or concierge, and vacation hold. Options vary by country and shipment. [DHL](https://www.delivery.dhl.com/welcome.xhtml) ##### StarTrack Courier StarTrack Courier offers same-day metro delivery for eligible business customers. Delivery options: Standard (typically 3–4 hours), Express (typically 1.5–3 hours) and Immediate Priority for urgent deliveries. Coverage and booking times apply. [StarTrack Courier](https://auspost.com.au/business/shipping/parcels/startrack/freight/courier) ##### Zoom2u Zoom2u connects businesses with independent courier professionals across Australia. Delivery options: Same Day, 3 Hour, VIP and Interstate delivery. VIP sends the first available courier directly to the destination; interstate delivery uses the next available flight for eligible routes. [Zoom2u](https://www.zoom2u.com.au/delivery-services/) ##### Sherpa Sherpa is an Australian on-demand delivery platform that connects businesses with local courier professionals. Delivery options: Priority, 2-hour, 4-hour and same-day delivery. Availability depends on the location and daily delivery volumes. [Sherpa](https://www.sherpa.net.au/features) #### Learn more about couriers offering on-demand delivery ### Uber ### Australia Post ### Rendr ### DHL Express ### StarTrack ### Zoom2u ### Sherpa ### How Starshipit integrates with on-demand delivery couriers Successful on-demand delivery depends on two things: your couriers and your technology. Starshipit is an automated shipping platform that integrates directly with on-demand delivery couriers in just a few clicks, giving you [one dashboard](/fulfilment-automation) to flexibly manage your different couriers, reduce admin and save money. **Here are just a few of the ways Starshipit can set you up for on-demand delivery success:** - Starshipit links with your eCommerce platform or inventory management system to automatically pull through orders and writeback information. - Starshipit can link to your platform and show on-demand options at checkout. You can configure the times in which the courier displays (i.e. hide the same-day option after 2pm) or hide it for customers based on location. You could also offer it for free when customers spend over a certain amount. - After an order has come through, you can then send out automated post-purchase customer notifications and use branded tracking pages to keep customers informed and reduce support queries. ### Using the rules engine to create a seamless on-demand delivery process **Because Starshipit is an automated platform, you can also use the included rules engine to simplify your shipping. You can do things like split orders, assign couriers, set delivery options and more.** This makes it easy to offer on-demand delivery options while still offering your more standard shipping options. For example, you might set up a rule to only use Uber Direct for orders being sent within Sydney CBD but continue to use Australia Post and DHL Express for all other deliveries. ### Wrap up And that’s on-demand delivery! What can seem a complicated offering is quite simple when you pair the right shipping platform with a good mix of couriers. If you haven't yet tried Starshipit for yourself, [take a 30-day free trial today](/free-trial). ## On-demand delivery FAQs ##### What is the difference between on-demand delivery and same-day delivery? Same-day delivery is one type of on-demand delivery. On-demand delivery is the broader model: it may give customers a choice of delivery window, speed or preferred location. Before you add either option at checkout, check your dispatch cut-off, stock availability and carrier coverage. A fast option only improves the delivery experience when your fulfilment process can meet the promise. ##### How does on-demand delivery work for an online store? Your store shows eligible delivery options at checkout, then sends the order to a carrier that can meet the selected service and destination. To keep the promise realistic, set clear rules for cut-off times, stock location, service areas and exceptions such as public holidays or out-of-stock items. ## Ready to start automating?