What Is Expedited Shipping? A Comprehensive Guide

Today, online buyers want their orders to be shipped in record time. Digital shopping stores are using the fastest shipping to draw consumers, and this has led to overnight shipping, two-day delivery, same-day delivery, next-day delivery, etc., making expedited transportation a popular option.   

But what is expedited delivery? Over the past few years, there has been a significant surge in the number of customers who want to receive their orders in a few days rather than in a week. The recent global pandemic of coronavirus disease also added fuel to this trend, with a staggering $20 billion worth of packages being transported across the United States in 2020.  

More than 80% of online shoppers choose to buy products from Amazon owing to its rapid one-day shipping option. This has led to increasing businesses integrating in-house fulfillment and expedited shipping to maintain competitiveness and guarantee fast product delivery to their customers. In today’s blog, we will discuss what expedited shipping is and how long an expedited shipping.

What Is Expedited Shipping?

It is a transportation option that gets a parcel to its final destination faster than standard delivery. It varies depending on the standard delivery of the expedited shipping company, but typically expedited delivery refers to 2-day, same-day, or overnight shipping. 

At the pickup point, products are loaded into the trucks and transported to the destination without any extended stops in between. This decreases transportation time significantly. If the destination is considerably distant, drivers can work in shifts to guarantee that the delivery is done in the shortest time possible. 

How Fast Is Expedited Delivery?

The speed of standard vs. expedited shipping can differ depending on factors such as brands, regions, the goods being shipped, etc. For example, standard delivery in the United States is 3-5 days, while expedited shipping will transport the goods to customers’ doorstep in less than two days. 

You need to know that transportation time is calculated from the minute an order is processed, not when it is placed. So, if a business offers 2-day delivery but the order was placed over a holiday or during the weekend, and it took a few days for the brand to confirm and process it, those 2 days will commence after it was processed.  

Expedited shipping also varies depending on the specific product being shipped. 2-day or same-day delivery is considered expedited for eCommerce deliveries. Nevertheless, delivery in 15 minutes is considered expedited for groceries because standard delivery can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.

Why Should Companies Offer Expedited Shipping?

By providing expedited shipping, you can offer your consumers a level of service that will distinguish you from your competitors. Here are the top reasons you should provide expedited delivery to your customers. 

• Product Usability  

Timely delivery is necessary for perishable or urgently needed items such as food items, medicines, medical equipment, groceries, and other products. 

Customers don’t want to obtain products that are expired or shipped later than needed. You can ensure that perishable products reach their final location promptly with expedited shipping.

• Build Customer Loyalty

Approximately 43% of revenue for a typical eCommerce store comes from repeat purchases. When customers receive their deliveries quickly and on time, they are highly likely to buy from your store again in the future. 

Conversely, 38% of buyers are likely to avoid shopping from a store again after a negative shipping experience. Negative reviews related to delivery time or charges can also discourage prospective buyers from making a purchase.   

• Cargo Protection

According to NRF’s report, in 2020, American retailers lost approximately $400 billion in sales due to product returns. Among all the reasons for returning products, 20% of shoppers do it because they received a damaged item.  

Shipping costly and fragile products in a start-stop manner with numerous stops and jerks along the way enhances the likelihood of theft or damage. However, you can lower this risk significantly by using expedited shipping services.

• Reduce Cart Abandonment

Over 45% of buyers abandon their carts during the purchase process just because they did not discover the two-day or same-day delivery option. You can inhibit cart abandonment and increase your digital store’s conversions by offering an affordable expedited shipping option.

Conclusion

Expedited shipping plays a critical role in today’s world, catering to the growing demand for faster deliveries. As of 2019, over 65% of stores provide same-day or two-day delivery services. 

With its priority handling, quicker transit time, and guaranteed delivery dates, it is an outstanding option for both companies and customers. While it may come with higher costs, the added convenience and peace of mind make it a valuable investment when time is of the essence. 

Whether you are a business seeking to boost customer satisfaction or an individual looking for a quick shipping solution, expedited shipping is the key to accomplishing fast and efficient transportation of products worldwide.