You scoured the internet. You found the item you wanted. You typed in your info. You clicked purchase, and just like that you… have no idea what happens next until your package arrives.
More often than not, it isn’t the wait for a package that frustrates customers — it’s the lack of communication between the time of purchase and the receipt of their item.
For business owners, providing tracking can boost customer satisfaction and drive repeat sales. Thankfully, package tracking is easy. You just need the right tools, and we’ve compiled a concise list of precisely what those tools are below.
How to Track a Package
To track a package, you’ll first need to determine how your package is being shipped or delivered. Third-party couriers, such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx, provide their own tracking solutions, while businesses that manage delivery in-house need a software solution to be able to track packages.
Below, you’ll find specific tracking information for six major shipping companies. Plus, you can track a package right now via the link below each shipper as long as you have your parcel or package ID number.
1. How to track a UPS package
To track a UPS package right now, click this link.
The majority of respondents in a 2018 survey said UPS offered the best package tracking features out of the most popular U.S. shipping companies. United Parcel Service, Inc.’s (UPS) user-friendly web search functions and UPS Mobile™ App make tracking packages fast and easy.
If you have questions or run into issues, you can start a live chat with their Virtual Assistant right from the app.
2. How to track a USPS package
To track a USPS package right now, click this link.
Similar to UPS, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has their own mobile app. Once you create a USPS account, you can easily buy stamps, have your post office hold your mail, and calculate shipping costs in addition to tracking a package. USPS also offers a unique service called Informed Delivery® that sends customers images of letter-sized mail that is in the process of being shipped.
3. How to track a FedEx package
To track a FedEx package right now, click this link.
Federal Express (FedEx) is perhaps best known for their time-sensitive delivery services, such as FedEx International Urgent Delivery that promises to get your package on the very next flight out. Their mobile app is comparable to those of UPS and USPS, offering real-time order updates, and the FedEx website features a Virtual Assistant that can help answer tracking questions.
4. How to track a DHL package
To track a DHL package right now, click this link.
Like UPS and FedEx, DHL offers delivery in 220+ countries, which makes them a popular choice for international shipping and delivery. DHL offers a host of services and shipping options that cater specifically to eCommerce businesses. DHL does have their own mobile app, though it has a significantly lower user rating than its competitors, with two out of five stars in the Apple App Store.
5. How to track a China Post package
To track a China Post package right now, click this link.
The China Post is owned and operated by the Chinese government and partners with the government-run postal couriers of other countries when delivering internationally. For customers in the United States, this can often mean items shipped from China have both a China Post tracking number and a USPS tracking number.
6. How to track a Royal Mail package
To track a Royal Mail package right now, click this link.
Royal Mail has been around for more than half a millennium, but they went through a major shift in 2015 when they became completely privatized. Today, Royal Mail offers apps for both Android and iOS where consumers can track packages and schedule redelivery. Royal Mail also offers the option to have packages delivered to a neighbor if you’re not home when your parcel arrives.
Don’t see your shipping company listed here? Most couriers and shipping companies have a quick link to track a package on their website’s homepage. Additionally, Google now offers a package tracking feature that allows consumers to enter their tracking ID directly into the Google search bar and get updated tracking info from any courier enrolled in their program. Businesses that participate in this program show up in Google’s package tracking SERP feature when a customer enters their unique tracking ID number.
Customers Expect the Ability to Track Their Packages
Consumers expect to be able to track their purchased goods even when they’re ordering from small stores and restaurants. According to a study conducted by OSM Worldwide, “more than half (55 percent) of online shoppers expect order status updates to be current as of a few hours ago or even more timely, and 11 percent say up-to-the-minute reporting is a must.”
Whether you’re a restaurant delivering hot food or a boutique delivering floral arrangements, a simple package tracking solution can improve your customers’ buying experience dramatically. Real-time delivery updates also keep consumers from repeatedly calling you to check on their delivery status, which — given that 40% of eCommerce shoppers admit to checking their purchase order status daily — can save you a lot of time.
This article originally appeared on optimoroute.com.
