What is Real-time Delivery Tracking Software?

The continued rise of e-commerce has drastically changed how consumers buy goods, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as shoppers became accustomed to ordering online as opposed to visiting traditional brick-and-mortar stores. 

Research has found that e-commerce sales are expected to grow by 8.8% in 2024, and 34% of shoppers shop online at least once a week, underscoring the growing reliance on quick and convenient deliveries ordered online.

Here we will cover what real-time delivery tracking is, the core benefits such functionality offers to businesses and consumers, and offer practical examples of current solutions on the market to help contextualise it.

Consumers increasingly expect real-time delivery tracking when ordering online

The online experience a consumer expects to receive continues to shift too. Gone are the days when customers were only satisfied with knowing their order had shipped; now they want complete visibility over their order as it passes through the supply chain from touchpoint to touchpoint. According to a recent study by ProShip, a staggering 97% of customers expect to be able to track their orders in real-time. 

This trend is driven by the desire for convenience, control, and transparency.

Real-time delivery tracking software (especially when used in tandem with delivery updates) offers consumers the level of transparency they desire; it allows customers to monitor their package’s journey to their doorstep, providing customers with access to all of the order and delivery tracking information they need, such as driver locations with up-to-date ETAs, in real-time. 

It creates greater visibility over the last-mile delivery for both customers and businesses since they are able to track the location of delivery drivers using live GPS tracking. 

Yet, not all businesses offer such functionality. Despite its importance, 73% of online retailers and shipping providers currently struggle to offer real-time tracking to their customers. For many e-commerce businesses, particularly smaller ones, investing in the technology needed for real-time tracking can be challenging. However, this gap in service represents a significant opportunity for businesses that can overcome these hurdles and provide a superior delivery experience.

Expectations that businesses offer real-time tracking to their customers have never been higher either. 90% of consumers expect to be able to track their order in real-time when they order online. It’s even enough to put customers off a brand for good and cause them to look elsewhere – more than 60% of consumers will consider looking for another retailer if they can’t track their order, while 85% of consumers will not return to shop from an online store after just one poor delivery experience. 

First impressions are critical in e-commerce, and often the first real interaction customers have with your brand, meeting their expectations with real-time delivery tracking straight from the buy button can help retailers to retain customers beyond the first order.

What are the benefits of a real-time delivery tracking system?

• Improved customer satisfaction: Keeping customers informed about their delivery’s progress reduces uncertainty, increases trust, and builds excitement.
• Reduced missed deliveries: Accurate tracking in tandem with ETAs helps ensure that packages are delivered precisely when the customer is expecting it, minimising missed attempts through transparency.
• Enhanced operational efficiency: Real-time data from delivery tracking can be used to optimise routes, improve driver productivity, and identify potential issues or bottlenecks in order to streamline their delivery processes. Transitioning an operation from being reactive to proactive on delivery or collection day.

Real-time delivery tracking software, such as Stream, provides customers with a map that shows the location of their delivery vehicle and information on where their order is on the drop sequence. 

Additionally, customers can receive regular updates on their estimated time of arrival by email and text message, allowing them to plan their day accordingly.

Offering real-time tracking helps businesses:

• Build customer service: Exceeding customer expectations is essential for long-term success.
• Stay competitive: In today’s fast-paced market, businesses that can deliver a superior customer experience can gain an advantage over the competition.
• Drive sales: Satisfied customers are more likely to make repeat purchases and recommend a brand to others.

In conclusion, real-time delivery tracking is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity for businesses operating in the e-commerce space. First impressions are critical in e-commerce, and your delivery service is often the first real interaction customers have with a brand. Customers expect regular updates more than ever, whether via real-time tracking updates, email and SMS notifications, or app notifications, and they have to ensure that customers feel valued and confident in the brand they are purchasing from. By investing in a robust tracking solution, companies can improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.