Working out how goods reach customers.
THE OPTIONS
Your own delivery, within your immediate area A dispatch rider, for local deliveries A courier company, for wider coverage Customer collection A combination, by area
WHAT TO DECIDE
Which areas you deliver to What it costs you, per delivery, honestly What you charge How long it takes, realistically Who handles failed deliveries
COSTING IT PROPERLY
Include the cost of failed and refused deliveries. If one in ten is refused on a cash-on-delivery order, that is a real cost on every order.
Under-charging on delivery erodes margin on every sale, and it is a common reason small online businesses are busy and unprofitable.
STATING IT CLEARLY
Delivery cost and time, on the product page and before checkout. Unexpected delivery charges are the most common reason carts are abandoned.
REALISTIC TIMESCALES
Overpromising produces complaints. Say what actually happens, including the slower cases.
START SMALL
One area you can serve reliably beats nationwide coverage you cannot.
