Package tracking: Tips, tools, and benefits

Understanding package tracking

Package tracking is a cornerstone of modern shipment monitoring, allowing businesses and shoppers to follow a package's journey from its dispatch location to its final destination.

The way package tracking systems work is simple. First, they assign a unique tracking number to each package. Next, advanced scanning technology records the package’s every move at each of the checkpoints along its journey. Customers can enter the tracking number into a carrier's website or app to view real-time updates on location, status, and estimated delivery times.

For businesses, package tracking could be key to maintaining customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Shoppers, on the other hand, benefit from the reassurance of knowing precisely when to expect their goods.

The importance of package tracking for businesses

With so many packages zipping around the globe at any time, package tracking has unsurprisingly become a critical element of e-commerce. Businesses can enjoy:

• Greater customer satisfaction. Providing them with timely and transparent details about their order's status could reduce the anxiety associated with waiting for orders to arrive.
• Higher operational efficiency. Effective package tracking systems allow businesses to reduce the burden on customer service teams, as well as improve overall operations. Consumers can check if their order delivery is delayed rather than contacting the customer service or shipping company.
• Better brand reputation. Businesses that offer reliable and efficient shipping services, underscored by robust package tracking capabilities, stand out in the market. This reliability could enhance the company's reputation, and can encourage customer loyalty, helping to attract new clients through positive reviews.

The benefits of package tracking solutions

Trust, security, and transparency are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of package tracking solutions.

The strategic use of package tracking can also help businesses preemptively reduce disputes. Real-time shipping information equips customers with the knowledge they need, potentially averting misunderstandings or concerns about order statuses.

Further, integrating package tracking with customer service processes can automate and simplify dispute resolution, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual reviews. By allowing customers to flag issues with specific items rather than disputing the entire order, businesses can minimise the costs associated with resolving these concerns.

Ultimately, these tracking benefits enhance the post-purchase experience, cementing customer satisfaction and loyalty and allowing businesses to solidify their reputation as reliable and customer-centric.

Tips for efficient package tracking

Ready to reduce those pesky “where’s my order” customer service tickets? Offer these tips to your shoppers:

• Manage tracking numbers properly. Always safeguard tracking numbers and organise them in a manner that allows for easy reference. This simple step can save time and reduce stress when you need to check on the status of shipments.
• Adjust notification settings. Activate email or SMS notifications to receive automatic updates on your shipment’s progress.
• Track orders proactively. Despite the convenience of notifications, it's wise to periodically check the tracking status yourself for real-time updates.

Tools to help track packages

Here are some common package tracking tools to encourage customers to use:

• Carrier websites. Tracking features on shipping carrier websites, such as DPD and Evri, offer the most accurate and up-to-date information about shipment statuses.
• Mobile apps. Many carriers and third-party services have dedicated mobile apps that allow for easy package tracking on the go, complete with push notifications for status updates.
• Third-party tracking services. Independent tracking services aggregate tracking information from multiple carriers into a single platform. This is especially useful for simultaneously tracking shipments from different carriers.

The future of package tracking

Like with other aspects of e-commerce, emerging technological trends are poised to redefine how shoppers and businesses monitor shipments. Some enhancements include:

• IoT integration. Internet of Things (IoT) smart devices can provide instant updates on a package’s location, condition, and even the environment it’s passing through.
• Blockchain tracking. Blockchain technology in package tracking introduces an unmatched level of security and transparency. By recording each step of a shipment's journey on a tamper-proof ledger, blockchain ensures that all parties have access to an accurate and immutable record, reducing the risk of fraud and lost packages.
• AI-powered analytics. AI analytics is set to transform package tracking by optimising delivery routes and predicting potential delays before they occur.

Using PayPal to help automate package tracking

No business owner wants to deal with frustrated customers demanding to know the whereabouts of their orders. Luckily, with comprehensive package tracking solutions that are part of PayPal Complete Payments, you don’t have to.

By using PayPal for checkout, orders and shipment statuses are automatically synced, streamlining the process from sale to delivery. This not only ensures customers are kept informed about their purchases in real-time but also reduces operational costs for businesses.

Developer documentation can be found here.