This blog was last updated on the 21st of June 2022 to include the most up to date information and insights about DHL on-demand delivery.
DHL “On Demand Delivery” is a self-service portal designed to give parcel recipients the ability to choose from a number of flexible delivery options. The portal also enables online retailers to send their customers tracking notifications to keep them updated along the delivery journey.
Keeping track of eCommerce orders has become more of a priority as more people turn to online shopping. Currently there are 3.4 billion online shoppers in the world.
Tracking notifications are also a priority for shoppers as they have come to expect a higher level of customer service as they become accustomed to shopping online. In particular, shoppers expect a certain amount of flexibility and choice around the delivery method they receive, which the portal provides.
To ensure online retailers are able to deliver an excellent post purchase shipping experience, this article will explain the following:
The self-service portal is used by merchants to send customers shipment alerts during the post purchase journey - from the moment of checkout to when they receive the parcel.
Your customers can use DHL “On Demand Delivery” to choose how, when and where they would like their shipment.
For example, customers can change delivery dates and set preferences, and priorities that best suits them.
Here are the delivery options customers can choose from.
In the on-demand digital economy, shopping online has increased all over the world. Businesses are leveraging this trend as retailers who sell online to more markets stand to make 10-15% more revenue than e-tailers who only sell online, locally. However, there are many factors to consider when sending parcels cross-border.
DHL’s “On Demand Delivery” portal assists online retailers in navigating some of these factors by providing visibility of the entire delivery process. For example, SMS and email notifications of the parcel’s ETA are updated and sent to customers throughout the post-purchase, cross-border journey.
This level of transparency provides reassurance, which makes global online selling and shopping a lot easier for all stakeholders.
Here are some of the main benefits of the portal for online retailers navigating international shipping:
“On Demand Delivery is more than a customer interface, it’s an enhancement of our global network, as we tailor our last-mile operations to meet the demands of cross-border e-commerce deliveries”
— Charlie Dobbie, DHL Express Executive Vice President
You have the choice of registering as a guest user, but if you complete the full registration you will receive additional benefits. For example, registered customers can set all future delivery preferences.
“On Demand Delivery” can be accessed from smartphones, tablets, and PCs, and offers receivers up to six delivery options.
Shippers can also incorporate their own branding into customer notifications.
Online retailers can access these options, by clicking on the “Manage your delivery” link, which is included in the Tracking and Invoice confirmation e-mail that is sent once the order ships.
For current DHL ODD account holders, visit your account settings to ensure the account is optimised to make the most of the service.
Here are 4 ways to optimize your “On Demand Delivery” service:
If you require more information about DHL’s ODD services, speak to your DHL account manager or contact one of the advisors on telephone number 01332 828402 or email gettingstarted@dhl.com.
In summary, as eCommerce continues to increase, DHL “On Demand Delivery” enables online retailers like yourself to provide customers with more flexibility and visibility along the post-purchase journey. This keeps all stakeholders informed of estimated delivery times and ensures a good customer delivery experience.
Starshipit integrates with DHL Express, to provide online retailers with one dashboard to manage all couriers and easily integrates with your eCommerce platform and inventory software to automatically pull through orders (no more cut and paste).
You can print shipping labels, manage returns, and automate time-consuming tasks, saving you up to 80% in handling time. Most importantly, you can send automated post-purchase customer notifications and use branded tracking pages to provide customers with reassurance.
Automate your entire shipping process while delivering better experiences for your customers.
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