Omnichannel is “in.” Siloed channels are out.
Customers expect to get whatever they want, whenever they want, at the prices they want and the ability to change their minds up to the delivery time.
It sounds like a shipping nightmare, and in some respects, it is.
Shippers cannot hope to fulfill every possible demand at all times, but they can help ensure positive experiences.
This will require a less-than-truckload (LTL) and e-commerce focused shipping strategy.
In other words, shippers will need to combine their approaches to handling e-commerce and LTL.
Shippers need to know the benefits of combined strategy and a few best practices to develop a winning LTL and e-commerce plan.
Omnichannel means the ability to serve customers across any channel and blend all channels to create seamless experiences for customers.
Up to 60 percent of all transactions, including online and brick-and-mortar sales, involve the use of the internet at some point in the shopping journey.
As a result, companies must embrace the combined nature of omnichannel to realize its benefits, and the same is true of combined LTL and e-commerce shipping strategies.
Gaining the benefits of omnichannel-based LTL and e-commerce is excellent, but the path to full realization is not necessarily clear.
Shippers should follow these best practices to create a comprehensive, cost-saving strategy:
Shippers have to meet e-commerce customers’ needs.
Delivering as expected will require the use of new technologies and convergence of LTL and e-commerce management platforms.
Shippers should follow the tips listed above to bring harmony to their systems and streamline shipment processing.
Of course, shippers must also work to build positive experiences for customers up to delivery, installation and customer service, if necessary.
In a sense, the reputation of less than truckload service has evolved and grown more important, especially in the age of social media.
Related: Applying Vital Less-than-Truckload Capacity Best Practices When Freight Volume is Tight
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