Without thinking much about their company needs, most startups and expanding businesses simply choose a courier whose name or brand they are familiar with. But when you're looking for a courier for your business's needs, it's worth investigating a little deeper and researching the service to get the best value for your money.
Consider what your actual needs are, ask them about which collection and delivery options they offer, and compare them to get a reasonable rate. Here are some questions to ask before selecting a courier service for your business needs.
Do you have any special needs, and can the company cater to them?
If your business operates in the medical sector and other industries, you will likely need special requirements. Consider what special requirements your collections and deliveries would need, and ask your courier to tailor their service. If you are sending huge boxes that are not a standard size, do you need loading and offloading services, and are the items dangerous, fragile or perishable? A courier such as Reliable Couriers provides exceptional services that cater to your needs for transporting items out of the ordinary.
What is it that you are sending?
Courier services with a regional or national freight service will be necessary if you are sending large quantities over long distances and would offer the best value. The pharmaceutical couriers should have a well-established local service for same-day smaller deliveries.
Airfreight is the best bet if your delivery is urgent, especially for sending perishable, fragile items or items of value. It would cost a bit more. You should also consider whether your needs require local, international, or a mixture of both.
How much can you spend?
Airfreight is the most expensive option, but you will adjust your needs to your budget. Road freight is often best for cost-effectiveness and more oversized heavy items or bulk deliveries. Creating a courier budget to suit your business's finances is crucial.
When does the package need to be at the destination?
Consider a courier service that offers a range of different options for delivery in terms of methods and time frames. You should familiarize yourself with a few words like same-day or next-day delivery. The more votes the courier provides, the more likely you won't have to re-evaluate your choice later.
What mode of service do you need?
Again there would be different modes of service offered by the courier, like port-to-port, door-to-door and door-port, amongst others. They are also differently priced.
Reliability and quality services are essential when choosing a courier for your business. The company should be insured and bonded and should offer some kind of proof of delivery. In addition, you should also consider how secure your packages will be.
Is the service convenient?
Research the company to find out how efficient, fast and convenient they are. You would want to know if you can track your parcel online and whether they have various options like door-to-door and door-to-port deliveries. You should also check their invoicing procedure to ensure there are no surprise costs and that the terms are clearly understood.
