What is the best carrier for your e-commerce?

What is the best carrier for your e-commerce?

Julie Ribeiro

Julie Ribeiro

April 2, 2021

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Are you tired of watching customers abandon their shopping carts? It's time to take a closer look at your logistics. 82% of online shoppers have abandoned their shopping carts because they found the delivery options unsatisfactory.

 In this article, we'll uncover the unique features of various carriers to help you find the perfect fit for your business.

1. Carriers at the best price:

Once your orders are ready to hit the road, the next step is choosing the right carrier to deliver them to your customers' doors. As an e-commerce business, you want to keep your margins healthy without breaking the bank on shipping.
The solution? Carefully select a carrier with competitive rates. This way, you can offer affordable delivery without sacrificing the quality of your service. Happy customers and a healthy profit? It's a win-win!

For standard packages:

1. Metropolitan France: 

With coverage of 85% of French postal codes and a reputation for swift dispute resolution, Colis Privé is a top choice for e-commerce businesses looking for affordable and reliable shipping in metropolitan France,

2. Overseas department deliveries:

Sending orders to France's overseas departments is easy and affordable with Colissimo Access. Your customers will receive their packages within 5 to 7 business days.

  • Postal network delivery means customs control and duties are not always required.
  • Packages are only transferred upon signature for added security.

Please note: All overseas deliveries with Colissimo Access are made by air.

3. Shipping to Europe: 

For affordable and reliable shipping to Europe, B2C Europe is the way to go. This aggregator uses local postal networks and carriers like DPD to deliver packages to your customers within 5 to 10 days.

Please note that B2C Europe does not serve all European countries, such as Belgium. In these cases, you may need to use a complementary solution like Colissimo.

4. Shipping to the rest of the world:

When it comes to delivering orders to the rest of the world, you have two main options: Colissimo and express companies like UPS and DHL

These carriers offer reliable and affordable shipping solutions for businesses of all sizes. With a variety of options to choose from, you can find the right solution for your customers' needs.

The solution for small packages:

As an e-commerce business, you may need to ship smaller, lighter products such as a pair of socks. Are there specialised solutions for sending this type of product?

1. Metropolitan France and Overseas department: 

The best way to send small parcels at an affordable price is to use La Poste.s tracked letter service. In addition to offering unbeatable shipping rates, this service uses postal services for added convenience and security.

However, please note that packages cannot exceed 3 cm in thickness, so be sure to choose a carrier that can accommodate the size of your products.

2. Shipping to Europe and the rest of the world:

If you need to send small packages to Europe and the rest of the world, La Poste has a solution for you: Delivengo. This service offers delivery within 4 to 12 days, depending on the destination.

There are still some constraints:

  • The total size of the package (Length + Width + Height) must be less than 90 cm
  • The length must not exceed 60 cm
  • The weight must not exceed 2 kg

2. The fastest carriers:

Express delivery is becoming increasingly popular in e-commerce, and many customers appreciate the convenience and speed of this option. If you want to offer express shipping on your e-commerce site, which carriers offer the best solutions?

1. Metropolitan France: 

For fast and reliable express delivery in metropolitan France, we recommend Chronopost 18. With this service, your customers:

  • can choose the delivery location,
  • select a delivery time slot,
  • and even reschedule their delivery.

At Bigblue, we offer this option to our customers with preferential rates, and all orders placed before 1pm are delivered the next day.

2.Transport to the rest of the world

For express delivery from France to the rest of the world (including overseas departments, Europe, and the rest of the world), DHL express is the most efficient carrier. Your package will arrive within 2 to 4 days, depending on the destination. DHL delivers to over 220 countries, giving you the flexibility to expand your business.gives you the choice to expand your business! 

Please note: Express shipping to other parts of the world is often done by air, which can have a greater environmental impact. It is, therefore, a solution that should be used sparingly.

3. Environmentally friendly carriers:

With more and more consumers concerned about the environmental impact of their online orders, choosing eco-friendly carriers can showcase your commitment to sustainability. According to Fevad, 53% of online shoppers consider environmental issues before placing an order.

For example, Loom, a company that promotes environmentally-friendly e-commerce, avoids offering express shipping to reduce carbon emissions from empty trips.

1. Do not offer express shipping:

If your customer wants to receive his parcel as soon as possible, for example, the next day. The carrier in charge of his parcel may make an empty trip. He will surely not have had time to accumulate other orders during the night. 

A traditional delivery option will give your carrier time to consolidate deliveries and reduce the carbon footprint of each package. 

Carriers who make the environment their priority:

In addition to avoiding express shipping, you can also select carriers that prioritize the environment, such as Colissimo and Chronopost. La Poste, the parent company of Colissimo and Chronopost, works to offset the environmental impact of deliveries through various initiatives.

For example, Colissimo finances environmental projects that offset nearly 1.5 million tons of CO2 each year, and has the largest fleet of electric vehicles globally.

Favor relay points: 

Delivering to relay points can help reduce the impact of the "last mile" by consolidating deliveries to a single location.

For example, 2 customers who are geographically close order online and have their goods delivered on the same day: 

  • if both choose a relay point near their homes, the carrier will make one trip for both packages.
  • If they choose to be delivered at home, the carrier will travel to both homes. The impact of the last mile makes sense in this case. 

However, this option is most effective in urban areas, where customers can easily access the relay point by public transport or on foot. In rural areas, the benefits may be negated if customers have to drive to the relay point to pick up their packages.

4. To sum-up...

There are a variety of carriers to choose from, each with its own strengths and priorities. Some carriers prioritize speed, others focus on accessibility, and some prioritize sustainability. It's important to consider your own needs and goals when selecting a carrier, and to choose one that aligns with your values.