Five Best Practices for Last-Mile Delivery

Mastering last-mile delivery is crucial in today’s competitive delivery landscape. This final stage—where packages journey from a distribution hub directly to the customer’s doorstep—is often the trickiest and most critical part of the delivery process. With growing consumer expectations for speed and transparency, businesses must employ best practices that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure a seamless customer experience. Below, we explore five essential practices to help businesses streamline their last-mile delivery operations and deliver the best possible experience.

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Table of Contents

1. Optimize Route Planning for Cost and Time Efficiency
2. Provide Real-Time Tracking for Enhanced Communication
3. Utilize Robust Delivery Management Software
4. Embrace Sustainable Delivery Practices
5. Build an Adaptable Delivery Strategy

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1. Optimize Route Planning for Cost and Time Efficiency

Effective route planning is a game-changer in last-mile delivery. By mapping out the most efficient delivery routes, companies can reduce fuel costs, avoid traffic delays, and enhance delivery speed. Route optimization software, like EasyRoutes, factors in traffic patterns, delivery density, and customer availability to create the fastest, most efficient routes. Route planning not only cuts fuel expenses but also reduces overall delivery time, boosting customer satisfaction.

According to research, efficient route planning can reduce fuel expenses by as much as 20%, a significant cost-saving over time. Additionally, companies that prioritize optimized routes contribute to environmental sustainability by lowering emissions, a point that resonates with the 64% of consumers willing to pay more for sustainable packaging and shipping options.

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2. Provide Real-Time Tracking for Enhanced Communication

Consumers today expect visibility into the status of their orders, making real-time order tracking essential. Implementing real-time tracking not only keeps customers informed but also reduces inquiries about delivery status, saving time for customer service teams. Statistics reveal that 93% of customers appreciate proactive updates on their shipments, which build trust and reduce last-mile anxiety.

By integrating real-time tracking with their systems, businesses can provide timely updates and estimated delivery times, a critical piece of information valued by 68% of consumers. For example, Drink Juice Co., a customer of Roundtrip, uses delivery tracking to enhance customer experience by providing transparency in their service. Implementing such features doesn’t just inform customers; it actively enhances their overall experience.

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3. Utilize Robust Delivery Management Software

Investing in comprehensive delivery management software is essential to last-mile success. Software solutions designed for delivery optimization—like EasyRoutes—offer functionalities such as driver tracking, order status updates, and performance analytics. This holistic approach simplifies complex delivery logistics, reduces administrative work, and allows businesses to focus on other areas of growth.

A delivery driver app allows drivers to access routes, update statuses, and notify customers of their arrival—all while keeping businesses informed about real-time operations. This minimizes errors, reduces delayed deliveries, and improves the overall efficiency of the fleet. Many successful companies use delivery management software to keep operations running smoothly, even during peak demand periods like Black Friday and holiday seasons.

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4. Embrace Sustainable Delivery Practices

As environmental concerns grow, consumers increasingly look to support businesses that embrace sustainability in their delivery practices. Incorporating eco-friendly delivery options, such as electric vehicles or consolidated routes, can reduce carbon emissions and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. In fact, 42% of consumers prioritize brands actively working to reduce their carbon footprint.

For businesses delivering items such as groceries, plant-based foods, or even pet supplies, sustainable delivery can be a key differentiator. Sustainable delivery practices also serve as a public demonstration of corporate responsibility, a value that’s increasingly important to today’s consumers.

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5. Build an Adaptable Delivery Strategy

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, flexibility is critical. An adaptable delivery strategy enables companies to respond effectively to changing conditions—whether that’s unexpected traffic, a sudden surge in orders, or last-minute customer requests. This adaptability is crucial in last-mile delivery, where variables such as weather or time-sensitive deliveries can disrupt even the best-laid plans.

A flexible approach might involve offering multiple delivery options, such as scheduled deliveries or flexible time slots, to accommodate customers’ needs. With the right strategy, companies can provide options like grocery delivery or meal kit delivery, catering to specific industries or consumer preferences. This flexibility not only enhances the customer experience but also increases loyalty, as customers appreciate having a say in how and when they receive their orders.