There’s loads of opportunity in eCommerce, from sellers who find the ideal market fit and enjoy huge margins, to inventors and artists who find loyal patrons of their craft. However, with that opportunity comes some challenges, such as increasing competition and constantly shifting consumer demands.
In this article, I’ll discuss how eCommerce sellers can use fast shipping to protect their margins, gain more conversions, keep customers happy, and stand out from the crowd.
It’s getting harder to stand out in marketplaces
eCommerce marketplaces are growing increasingly competitive, making it harder for sellers to stand out. This is especially true when you consider eBay’s new data initiative, which follows Amazon’s lead and groups similar items together so that only the top listing is visible.
We will begin seeing more and more marketplaces do this, as sellers flood the platforms with similar items, creating choice paralysis for some buyers.
But fast shipping programs are here to save the day. For sellers wise enough to invest in them, getting your items on programs like Amazon Prime and eBay Guaranteed Delivery will reap the rewards of last-minute shoppers, consumer trust, and higher rankings.
How fast shipping will help your eCommerce business
It increases your listings’ visibility
Marketplaces are getting more and more crowded with merchants and items. To help buyers shop more conveniently, marketplaces have started allowing consumers to filter items based on a range of options. One of the most highlighted features is fast delivery, so shoppers can opt to only see items with fast shipping tags.
If you take a look at the filtering options on eBay, shoppers can prioritise speed. Even if they don’t select guaranteed delivery filters, eBay still highlights their fast shipping options.
It reflects well on your seller account health
Many of the metrics required to get on fast shipping programs are also metrics that every seller should aim for, regardless. Things like low cancellation rates, little to no late deliveries, and low return rates all reflect well on your seller account health.
If you enrol in fast shipping programs, the requirements you’ll have to adhere to should help you boost your overall account health, which leads to higher rankings and more conversions.
Fast shipping helps reduce shoppers’ fears
Fast shipping programs usually come with an assured delivery date. For Amazon Prime, it may say next day delivery. For eBay Guaranteed Delivery, buyers can see the exact date of delivery 1 to 4 days away.
With these safeguards in place, shoppers can make their purchases with confidence that the items will arrive at their doorstep, quickly and reliably.
It can encourage good reviews
Stellar customer service includes reliable shipping, no hiccups, and quick delivery. If you take a look at the eBay seller reviews above, many of them appreciated fast shipping and a smooth transaction.
Since reviews do so much to boost your chance at conversions, fast shipping contributes to yet another conversion factor.
Buyers are willing to pay for convenience
Here are some numbers to think about; 61% of consumers are willing to pay more for same-day delivery, 47% have paid extra for faster deliveries (that number jumps to 54% for millennials), and speed can even trump brand loyalty.
The headline here is that your consumers are willing to pay a premium for faster and more convenient deliveries. We’ve seen this first-hand as well, when one of our sellers won the buy box using fast shipping, without having to compete on price.
The bottom line is that fast fulfilment will help your eCommerce business stay competitive, even in a saturated market. It keeps your customers happy, encourages repeat business, boosts your listings’ visibility, and helps your conversion rate.
About the author
This is a guest post from Michael Krakaris of Deliverr. Deliverr provides fast and affordable fulfilment for your eBay, Walmart and Shopify stores, helping to boost sales through programs like Walmart Free 2-Day Shipping and eBay Guaranteed Delivery.
Deliverr’s FBA-like multi-channel fulfilment comes with clear pricing, easy onboarding and a hassle-free experience so you can focus on growing your eCommerce business.