The peak season for online sellers – which begins with Black Friday and Cyber Monday and continues through Christmas and the New Year is a great opportunity, but it comes with challenges. Customers still expect fast deliveries, but you could find yourself dealing with much higher volumes of orders than usual. Without proper preparation, your business could struggle to keep up. Here are our 10 top tips to help you plan, reduce stress and keep your customers happy during peak season.
Manage customer expectations
Let your customers know upfront that delivery may take longer than usual. This helps avoid complaints and negative reviews. Add clear banners or notes on your website and checkout pages about possible shipping delays, estimated delivery times, and order cut-off dates. This will help you build trust and makes it easier for your customers to plan their purchases.
Confirm courier cut-off dates
Each courier will have a final date for pre-holiday delivery. These dates can vary between couriers, so it is important to check and display the details clearly on your site. Highlighting cut-off dates helps customers place their orders on time and reduces the risk of receiving orders that you can’t fulfil on time. Share these dates with your team so they can plan accordingly.
Double-check waybills and addresses
Incorrect waybills or addresses can cause major delays. Always print them correctly, and attach them securely. Always double-check addresses, postal codes, and contact numbers before shipping because even small mistakes can add up to big delays.
Stock up on packaging and stationery
Running out of boxes, tape, flyers, or waybill sleeves during peak season can really slow down fulfilment. Order all the supplies you need well in advance so your team can work without interruptions. Planning also prevents last-minute trips to the store, saving time and reducing stress during the busiest time of the year.
Test your fulfilment setup
A full dry run of your order process can prevent problems later. Check that orders import correctly from your sales channels, and make sure that all your printers and other devices are working properly. Training your team and testing your setup helps identify potential issues before they become peak season problems.
Confirm courier collection times
During peak season, couriers have to stick to strict schedules. Parcels must be ready when couriers arrive, or collection may be delayed. Only book shipments for orders that have been packed and are ready for shipping. If you need truck collections, book them well in advance. Make sure you and your staff know collection times and that parcels are packed and labelled correctly.
Monitor problem parcels daily
Keep an eye on flagged or delayed parcels on your Bob Go dashboard – this will reduce customer frustration and help avoid complaints. Acting quickly to resolve issues can reduce the delays that your customers experience. For example, if a parcel is delayed due to an incorrect address, contact Bob Go immediately and update your customer.
Review your courier setup and backup options
Check that all couriers and rates are correctly set up in your system. We’d also recommend having a backup courier on standby just in case. In peak season, you need to keep orders moving even if your first-choice courier is experiencing problems.
Manage account balances or limits early
During peak season, you may well experience a higher than usual; number of shipments, so request account limit increases before the rush starts and avoid delays during peak season. Running into account issues during busy weeks can disrupt your operations and delay shipments.
Keep calm, stay hydrated, and keep proof of collections
Peak season can be stressful, but staying calm helps your team work better. Make sure your staff takes breaks and stays hydrated to maintain their energy and focus. Also, keep signed proofs of collection for all parcels, just in case you have to manage any delivery claims or disputes. A calm, organised team and proper documentation make for a smoother and more successful peak season.
What does this mean for you?
Preparation is key to surviving the busiest weeks of the year. By managing customer expectations, checking courier dates, stocking up on supplies, and keeping your team calm, you can reduce stress and ensure a smooth, successful peak season. Following these 10 tips will help you deliver all your orders on time and keep your peak season customers happy.