With a stay-at-home order currently in effect, here in Ontario, most citizens are spending more time at home than usual. The ongoing pandemic is forcing us all to continue to adhere to safety protocol in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus. For business owners, that means that either their doors are closed to the public or they’re seeing a significant decline in foot traffic. Offering delivery has never been more important.
As we pointed out in our last blog, curbside pickup is a viable option for consumers looking to get their hands on products during the pandemic. However, if you offer delivery, you make things that much more convenient for customers who would prefer to stay at home.
Here are three top benefits of delivering products directly to your customers:
1. It gives your brand a competitive advantage.
If your competitors are offering delivery options and you are not, you’re practically asking your target audience to shop elsewhere. If your competitors are not offering delivery options, you stand to get a significant leg up in your quest to be an industry leader. Simply put, by delivering your products to your customers, you set your company apart. This is especially true if you’re able to offer same-day delivery – a vital way to be successful during the current pandemic.
“The uptake of same-day delivery services by retailers has been huge, and recent studies show that up to 49% of shoppers say that same-day delivery makes them more likely to shop online,” informs Robert Fuller of Consignor, “Same-day delivery was ground breaking some years ago and demonstrates that if you are at the forefront of new delivery options, you can really drive sales as a retailer.”
2. Millennials prefer ordering online.
If you’re looking to secure a customer base made up of young people, it’s wise to offer delivery options. Millennials are known for their penchant for placing online orders. Unlike their parents and the generations that came before them, millennials are accustomed to being able to do just about everything on their mobile devices. Today, a person doesn’t have to get out of bed in order to make a purchase and receive it within the day.
“Millennials are greatly contributing to the rise of the online ordering and delivery industry,” informs Zuppler.com, “57% of millennials say they’d prefer to have their food delivered so they can stay home and stream movies and TV shows. 59% of restaurant orders placed by millennials are takeout or delivery.”
3. Consumers appreciate options.
In today’s world, people greatly value the ability to choose. Consumers want to be able to select their methods of payment. This is why cash-only businesses are suffering. Allowing for people to choose between cash, credit cards or debit cards is a vital way to remain relevant in your marketplace. As well, letting your customers decide between pick up or delivery is another great way to ensure their satisfaction.
“The most obvious argument for offering different delivery options is that it gives customers the option to choose,” says Fuller, “A retailer needs to offer several different options for delivery and returns to be able to meet each request of their customers’ and if they don’t, someone else just might.”
With Unity Payments’ Virtual Terminals, you can turn your smartphone or tablet into a credit card terminal. This solution enables you to easily accept payments at the doorstep of each of your deliveries! To learn more, call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
