How Does Expedited Shipping Compare to Standard Shipping? A Complete Comparison Guide(2023)

Speed is everything in the world of online shopping.

Customers now expect instant gratification when it comes to their orders, which is where expedited shipping comes in.

But what exactly is expedited shipping, and how does it work?

In this blog, we will delve into the ins and outs of expedited shipping, exploring its benefits, comparing it with other shipping options, and considering its relevance for businesses.

What Exactly is Expedited Shipping?

Expedited shipping is a faster shipping method that enables the delivery of goods to customers more quickly than standard shipping methods. It involves loading goods into trucks at the pickup point and delivering them to the destination without prolonged stops in between, significantly reducing transit time. In some cases, drivers may work in shifts to ensure the fastest possible delivery.

Do you know how Fast Expedited Shipping is?

The speed of expedited shipping can vary depending on factors such as regions, brands, specific products, and more. For example, while standard shipping in the US typically takes 3-5 days, expedited shipping can deliver the product to your doorstep in under 2 days. It’s important to note that shipping time is calculated from the moment an order is processed, not when it is placed. So, if an order is placed over the weekend or during a holiday and takes a couple of days for the store to process, the “two days” for expedited shipping will start after the order is processed.

Expedited shipping times also depend on the nature of the product. In the world of e-commerce deliveries, same-day shipping or 2-day shipping are considered expedited options for being really fast. However, for ordering vegetables or groceries, delivery in 10 or 15 minutes can be considered expedited, as normal deliveries can take anywhere from 1/2 an hour to a couple of hours or longer.

How Does its Delivery Time Compare to Other Alternatives?

To compare expedited shipping with other options, let’s briefly look at standard shipping and express shipping:

Standard Shipping: Standard shipping refers to regular shipping, which is usually the cheapest and slowest option. It involves delivering products at a normal rate with stoppages along the way. Standard shipping can take anywhere from 2 to 8 days, or even longer, depending on the product and delivery location.

Express Shipping: Express shipping is faster than standard shipping. It includes special provisions to deliver orders more quickly, often utilizing air shipping and other expedited channels. Express shipping aims to deliver products in 1-3 business days, focusing on faster delivery but without extreme urgency.

Expedited shipping, on the other hand, means priority shipping where products are delivered overnight or the next day without any intermediate stops. Businesses may apply an additional fee for expedited shipping in order to ensure prompt delivery of products to customers’ residences.

Benefits of Offering Expedited Shipping

In a survey, half of the clients stated they will wait for one or days to get their order, no longer more than that. Expedited delivery not just delivers products to customers quickly, but it also offers more advantages to the business store as well.

Product Usability: Perishable items, urgent medical supplies, groceries, and other time-sensitive products require timely delivery. Expedited shipping ensures that such items reach their destination on time, avoiding expired or delayed deliveries.

Cargo Protection: Expedited shipping with non-stop deliveries reduces the risk of fragile or expensive items getting damaged or stolen during transportation. This helps protect the integrity of the products and reduces potential losses for businesses.

Reduce Cart Abandonment: Offering expedited shipping options can decrease cart abandonment rates. Many customers abandon their carts when they don’t find a same-day delivery option. Providing flexible delivery options can encourage customers to complete their purchases, increasing fill rates and closed sales.

Improved Customer Experience: A significant percentage of customers (88%) are willing to pay more for same-day delivery. Delivering products quickly and conveniently contributes to a positive customer experience, leading to repeat purchases and customer loyalty.

When Expedited Shipping may not be Suitable?

There are scenarios where expedited shipping may not be suitable:

Low-Value Orders: If the order value is less than the average order value, and the cost of expedited shipping exceeds the product cost, it may not be financially viable to offer expedited delivery.

Distance Limitations: If the delivery location is too far, and there is no nearby warehouse to guarantee two-day delivery, offering expedited delivery may not be feasible.

Operational Limitations: During long holidays, inventory restocking periods, or emergencies when prioritized deliveries cannot be guaranteed, offering expedited delivery without being able to fulfill it may negatively impact the customer experience.

Fragile or Customized Products: Products that require special handling or customization may take longer to deliver than other items, making expedited shipping impractical in these situations.

Is Expedited Shipping Worth It?

When it involves turning in merchandise within a specific time-frame and enhancing the consumer experience, expedited shipping proves to be a valuable investment. As long as right packaging substances and shipping options are utilized, expedited shipping can be implemented for any product.

Implementing expedited shipping efficiently can lead to improved sales. Customers generally tend to decide upon identical-day shipping, with nearly 55% of US customers expressing this choice. By providing faster shipping, you could encourage repeat purchases and ultimately improve sales.

The advantages of integrating expedited delivery into your corporation’s supply chain strategy can outweigh the related expenses. It has the capability to pressure profitability and decorate purchaser delight.

How can companies harness the power of expedited shipping with the help of WMS?

Expedited shipping is worth considering as it improves delivery timeframes and enhances the overall customer experience. By integrating a Warehouse Management System (WMS) like FOS Desk, businesses can optimize their supply chain and expedite the shipping process.

A WMS helps improve inventory control, streamline warehouse operations, increase labor efficiency, and provide increased visibility into expedited orders. Implementing expedited shipping options with the right infrastructure and processes can lead to increased revenue and customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Expedited shipping has become a popular choice in the e-commerce industry, catering to customers’ increasing demands for faster delivery.

It offers significant benefits to both businesses and customers by ensuring timely delivery, protecting goods, reducing cart abandonment, and improving the overall shopping experience. However, it’s essential to consider factors such as order value, distance limitations, operational constraints, and the nature of the products before offering expedited shipping.

By leveraging warehouse management systems like FOS Desk, businesses can optimize their expedited shipping processes and gain a competitive edge in the market.