In the digital age in which everyone in the country is carrying around a smartphone, there’s no aspect of business that doesn’t benefit in some way from a specialised app. In the case of courier delivery services, apps can provide a particular sort of boon, keeping customers apprised of where their parcels are and when they’re likely to arrive. But for those putting together the software in question, there are several other design considerations to bear in mind. Let’s consider a few of them.
Reliability
An app that doesn’t work properly, or regularly becomes unresponsive, will be frustrating to use, and may reflect poorly on the organisation as a whole. Thorough testing, and a generous development cycle, will help to eliminate this possibility.
Status of Parcels
Through barcode scanning, it’s easy for hauliers to keep up-to-the minute records of the location of a particular parcel. The primary function of an app of this kind should be to convey this information to the customer.
Push Notifications
Whenever there’s an update on the status of a package, the customer will want to know as soon as possible. For this reason, the ability to send push notifications is essential. It’s important to restrict push notifications to essential, practical information – bombarding customers with promotional notifications is likely to get very tiresome, very quickly.
Admin Chat
Occasionally, a customer will have a specific request that needs to be posed to a human being. Providing the ability to chat directly with a human administrator will make the app much more convenient for customers, who’ll feel that their concerns are being taken on board.
Ease of Booking
It should be easy for a customer to specific exactly what they’re looking for in a parcel. That means not only providing the functionality, but ensuring that the interface is intuitive. Customers should be able to specify the size and weight of their parcel, along with the courier being used, all from the smartphone itself. Multiple orders should be easily trackable via an easy-to-read overview page.
Customers also value options when it comes to delivery. Sometimes, they want to pay as little as possible, even if it means waiting; sometimes, they’d prefer to pay the money and get the package as quickly as possible. A good courier delivery app should provide these options in a single place. This applies especially to cross-border shipping – international delivery can be a complicated thing, and anything which simplifies the process is sure to be welcomed.
Security
Restricting access to the app is important, especially if it’s going to be connected to bank accounts. For this reason, putting in place biometrics is especially valuable. Customers will need to not only have their phone, but be able to present a fingerprint, or their own face, to identify themselves. Two-factor authentication means fewer breaches, and happier customers.
