Being a delivery driver, most of your working time is spent on the road. Your goal is to ensure that every delivery goes smoothly and is as efficient as possible for both the merchants and the customers.
A bad delivery experience results in re-delivery, complaints, and revenue loss. Thus, to make the customers satisfied and loyal and increase your income, your delivery should be fast and efficient.
Whether you’re a seasoned delivery driver or just starting, here are some tips to optimise your delivery process and increase your income:
1. A happy driver makes for happy customers
Customer satisfaction with each delivery is possible only with a positive attitude. If you are happy, you are more likely to deliver quality customer service.
Selecting the right platform to work with is very important. If you are unhappy with your pay or angry with the performance of the platform, this can affect your work. Choose a platform that makes your work easier and is well compensated. The happier you are, the happier your customers will be. An efficient platform also facilitates timely deliveries, increasing tips and customer satisfaction.
2. Drive Safely
Delivery drivers must always prioritize their safety. Although you may be under pressure to deliver orders or pick them up, do not endanger yourself in the process.
Follow these safe driving tips:
- If you are tired, take a break; do not drive when you are sleepy.
- Comply with the set speed limits, no matter if it means that the delivery will be slightly delayed.
- Park in appropriate areas to ensure that you do not obstruct the road and cause an accident.
- Expect unfavourable weather that makes roads unsafe for use. If so, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and proceed at a slow speed.
If you keep a positive outlook and make safety a priority, you will be able to deliver the product effectively, make your customers happy, and earn more profits.
3. Safety of all orders
The most important advice given to delivery drivers is to ensure that the orders are protected. Consumers will not be happy when their goods are in bad shape or have been treated roughly during transportation. Ensuring the safety of all orders assists your employers in retaining their customers and contributes to the development of a healthy business relationship.
When delivering packages, protect items and store delicate orders appropriately. Do not scratch or crack a customer’s order so as not to make them unhappy and lose trust in you. Damaged orders result in returns which lead to losses and more pressure on the company which might affect your payout or incentives.
4. Conduct regular performance reviews
It is crucial to know what strategies are effective and which ones are not in your delivery operations in order to plan and enhance your system. It is important to define which deliveries bring the most profit, and this can be done only with the help of frequent performance evaluations.
Employ professional software to enhance delivery and review the record of delivery for the last six months or one year. Analysing metrics and data makes it possible to gain more insights into your performance and focus on the most profitable deliveries. Performance appraisals also assist you in properly utilising your delivery time and make you an excellent delivery driver.
5. Provide exceptional customer service
It is not enough to deliver packages on time; it is crucial to ensure that customers receive 5-star service. When working as a delivery company employee, you have an impact on the business’s development.
Always be polite to restaurant workers and other people you meet and be responsive to customers’ needs. Developing good people skills and offering excellent customer service enhances the quality of the relationship and guarantees satisfaction with the service. It is advisable to introduce yourself if you are meeting a customer for the first time and try to make a good first impression.
Due to the stiff competition in the delivery industry, customers can easily move to your competitor if you provide them with a substandard service, are always unavailable, or have bad communication skills. Be polite despite the fact that some of the customers may be rude to you. If you are delayed, inform the customers of your current position to ensure that they are aware of the progress and are not dissatisfied.
6. Take care of your car and keep it clean
As a delivery driver, your vehicle is your most valuable asset, so maintaining its optimum condition is paramount. For ordinary services like an oil change or a tyre rotation, schedule them to keep your car running smoothly and safely. It is advisable to have the car inspected by a mechanic every six months, with a focus on components that need frequent use such as brakes and steering.
Every day, ensure that you wash your car and clear all the items such as food leftovers, newspapers, etc. , which were left by previous customers. A clean car enables you to work effectively and avoid cross-contamination between old stock and new stock. Thus, a clean car speaks volumes about your professionalism, which can only be beneficial when it comes to dealing with merchants and customers.
7. Prioritize timely pickups and deliveries
Getting better tips and ensuring the satisfaction of the customers is highly dependent on your performance in picking and delivering items. undefined
- Ensure that there is enough time for pickups and deliveries and avoid rush hour.
- Get familiar with the proper ways of getting around, always having GPS to track the traffic.
- Take assignments that are possible if you have to work from your current area to avoid delays.
8. Don’t use platforms that will deduct a part of your income
Most delivery platforms take a cut from the earnings made by the drivers normally ranging from 20% to 40%. Since you have to cater for other expenses such as gas, car maintenance, and insurance, these charges may cut your earnings considerably.
Choose a program that enables you to retain all your delivery charges and tips. It is wiser to pay a small fee every month than to give a percentage of every delivery. Thus, keeping all your earnings can significantly raise the income, particularly if one works more hours.
9. Invest in delivery gear
It is essential to have the right equipment to make work easier and also to be assured that the products get to their destination in the right condition. Consider investing in:
- A thermal insulated delivery bag which will keep food hot and will not spill.
- This is a cooler that is used to store foods and other items that need to be kept cool.
- A divider with sections to minimise the chances of items falling over during transportation.
- Tags to facilitate the identification of orders.
- Appropriate and relaxed clothing and shoes that allow the person to move around easily when making deliveries.
10. Select the orders that best fit you
Delivery drivers are self-employed and can choose their working hours and the orders they like to accept. Choose an application that will let you plan orders based on your lifestyle. If you love long hours on the road, choose gigs that will make you spend long hours on the road. If you like many short walks within a small area, arrange your working schedule to work within the said area.
