With the country’s rapidly growing economy and tech-savvy consumers, India presents opportunities for businesses looking to take their products to new heights. But there’s one crucial element that can make or break your success in this market: Delivery.
With over 1.4 billion people spread across vast geographical regions, delivering products to customers in India can be a logistical nightmare. The challenges are plenty, from navigating complex regulations to managing the expectations of diverse consumer segments.
However, with the right strategies and partnerships, businesses can overcome these hurdles and tap into the immense potential of this market. In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the ins and outs of delivering products to customers in India.
How to Deliver Products to Customers in India?
Understanding the Indian Market
Understanding the Indian market is crucial for any business looking to enter this market, as it can help you tailor your products, marketing, and delivery strategies to meet the needs of the Indian consumer.
Indian consumers are known for being price-sensitive and value-conscious. Therefore, they will likely compare prices and quality across different brands and platforms before purchasing.
In addition, Indian consumers value convenience and flexibility when it comes to delivery options. They prefer delivery methods that offer real-time tracking and the ability to choose delivery slots that suit their schedule.
Calculate Estimated Shipping Charges
Calculating the estimated shipping charges is an essential step in delivering products to customers in India. It helps you understand how much it would cost to ship your products to your customers and, in turn, helps you set the right prices.
One of the easiest ways to calculate the estimated shipping charges is by using online tools such as NimbusPost’s eCommerce shipping rate calculator. This tool allows you to enter the pickup and delivery locations, package weight, and dimensions and select the mode of transport. Based on this information, it provides you with an estimated shipping cost. Using such online tools can save you time and effort and help you make informed decisions.
Developing a Delivery Strategy
Developing a delivery strategy involves a series of decisions businesses must make to ensure timely delivery, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.
One of the most critical decisions businesses must make is choosing the best courier partner. A courier partner can help companies to navigate the complex logistics infrastructure in India and ensure that their products are delivered to their customers on time.
Another important aspect is developing the most efficient delivery methods. This involves evaluating the different delivery options, such as air, road, or rail, and selecting the most suitable for your business needs.
Businesses also need to ensure that they are not overpaying for shipping and are utilizing their logistics partner’s services efficiently. This can be achieved by negotiating favourable shipping rates, optimizing shipping routes, and tracking shipments in real-time.
The Packaging of the Courier
When it comes to packaging products for delivery, businesses should follow a few best practices. These include using high-quality packaging materials, such as bubble wrap or foam peanuts, to protect the item from damage. It is also important to use the right size and type of packaging material to ensure that the item fits snugly and securely in the packaging.
Businesses also need to understand customs and import regulations related to packaging. For example, certain items may be prohibited from being shipped in specific types of packaging, or there may be specific labeling requirements for certain items. It is important to understand these regulations to avoid any potential legal issues or delays in delivery.
Print Shipping Labels
Once you have packaged your product and are ready to ship it to the customer, printing shipping labels is next. Shipping labels are an essential component, as they contain important information about the customer’s address and contact details and your details as a seller.
Fortunately, you can easily generate shipping labels for your products using online tools. Many eCommerce courier companies or shipping aggregators like NimbusPost offer this service to their customers. All you have to do is input the relevant information into their online panel, and they will generate the shipping label for you. You can then print the shipping label from your printer and affix it to the package.
Handover The Package
When handing over your package to a logistics provider, you need to ensure that the logistics provider you choose can deliver the package to the desired location in the stipulated time frame. You should also provide accurate and complete information about the pickup location and the delivery address.
Tracking The Delivery
Tracking the delivery of your products not only helps you keep an eye on your shipments but also ensures that you can provide accurate information to your customers.
Once you have selected the tracking option, you must communicate the tracking information to your customers. You can do this by sending them an email or SMS with the tracking details or providing them with a tracking link on your website or eCommerce platform.
This helps build trust and transparency with your customers, as they can track their shipment’s progress and estimated delivery time.
Top 6 Shipping Services in India
Nimbuspost
NimbusPost, one of India’s leading shipping and logistics aggregators, has positioned itself as the top provider of tech-enabled shipping and warehouse fulfilment services to e-commerce businesses in international and domestic markets. They leverage a highly integrated platform to bring together the country’s leading carrier partners and e-commerce marketplaces such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, etc.
NimbusPost offers various services to businesses such as same-day and next-day domestic shipping services across 29,000+ pin codes with cloud-based NDR management. On the global front, their customized shipping and freight forwarding services encompass 196+ countries and territories, covering B2B and B2C segments. The strategic location of their well-equipped warehouses and fulfilment centres lets e-tailers conduct seamless e-commerce trade globally.
What makes NimbusPost unique from its competitors is its economical shipping rates, automated supply chain solutions, and upgraded customer experience.
Blue Dart
Blue Dart is one of India’s leading courier companies, known for its reliable and efficient delivery services nationwide and globally. With its extensive network, Blue Dart serves over 36,000 pin codes in India and more than 220 countries worldwide. Blue Dart is a subsidiary of the global logistics giant Deutsche Post DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce Solutions division.
The company’s focus on customer-centricity, innovative products and value-added services, and cutting-edge technology has made it one of India’s most innovative and awarded express logistics companies. The company used a hub and spoke model that enables faster distribution to and from its network of locations across the country.
Blue Dart offers various distribution services, including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance, and more. With its state-of-the-art technology, the company provides features such as Track and Trace, MIS, ERP, Customer Service, Space Control, and Reservations, which make it easy for customers to track their shipments and get real-time updates.
Delhivery
Delhivery, established in 2011, is one of India’s leading courier firms offering comprehensive logistical services to B2B and B2C customers. Over the years, the company has processed over 650 million deliveries, establishing itself as a reliable and efficient logistics partner.
Delhivery offers an array of domestic and international courier services, including on-demand, same-day, and next-day delivery options. With 85 fulfilment centres and over 3000 direct delivery locations, Delhivery has built a nationwide network, servicing over 18,500 pin codes. Its primary objective is to offer a variety of express delivery alternatives, making it possible for customers to operate flexible, reliable, and resilient supply chains at the lowest costs.
One of the key features of Delhivery’s service is its efficiency in offering reverse logistics and cash-on-delivery services. This ensures that customers have a hassle-free experience when dealing with the logistics of their products.
Also Read: Best Courier Partners for Reverse Logistics
XpressBees
XpressBees is one of India’s fastest-growing express logistics service providers, with a wide network of operations spanning over 8500 pin codes. With its cutting-edge technology, fool-proof processes, and a passionate team of self-starting entrepreneurs and experts, XpressBees offers a range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
DHL
DHL has operated for over 50 years and has established itself as an efficient logistics partner for businesses of all sizes. Founded in 1969, DHL has grown into a multinational company with over 380,000 employees and operations in more than 220 countries. The company is known for its high-quality freight transportation, warehousing, and distribution services and innovative supply chain solutions.
DHL logistics services to customers include air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, warehousing and distribution, customs and trade solutions, and supply chain management. The company also provides express delivery services for urgent shipments and e-commerce logistics solutions for online businesses.
Ecom Express
Ecom Express is a reputable courier company in India that offers quick and affordable delivery services. The company has established a strong foothold in the industry due to its differentiated business model built on delivery service capability, scalability, customization, and sustainability.
With an extensive presence in all 29 states of India and operating in over 2650+ towns across 27,000+ pin codes, Ecom Express offers countrywide express delivery options. In addition, the company specializes in providing logistics services to e-commerce enterprises that handle high-value goods like jewelry, offering additional protection throughout storage and transit.
In addition, Ecom Express offers express delivery, doorstep quality checks (QC) on returned items, and guarantees all deliveries within 3 days. Ecom Express uses cutting-edge technology and automated solutions to enable first-mile pickup, processing, network optimization, and last-mile delivery.
Conclusion
Delivering products to customers in India can be challenging but highly rewarding. With the country’s growing e-commerce market, there is a significant demand for fast and reliable shipping services that can reach all corners of the nation. By partnering with trusted courier companies, you can offer their customers a wide range of shipping options that suit their needs and preferences.
In addition to finding the courier companies, you can partner with logistics aggregators who help brands to find the best, most cost-efficient logistics solution. For instance, NimbusPost, one of the best aggregators, helps small and large eCommerce, B2C, and D2C brands partner with reliable best courier services with cutting-edge technology.
