While courier companies are aplenty, they offer a number of services. These include international, domestic, same day, next day and overnight deliveries. In most cases, they all seem to offer the same service, but that is not the real picture.
With a courier company, you must evaluate the procedure they adopt and adhere to for daily work and services offered. Standards, values and practices distinguish the good from the bad.
As a small business or manufacturer, couriers have a great impact on your company image. The delivery aspect might be the main and only interaction with your customers, making it the only thing they recall about your company. While this aspect might be outsourced by you, this is immaterial to your customers and late deliveries, damaged goods due to the courier will reflect badly on your company. If your courier is late to collect a parcel from you; that is the first indication that you must find a courier that can be trusted.
If you are also forced to chase your courier to track your shipment, then it might be time to switch to one that offers real-time tracking of your packages.
The professionalism employed at the courier company is also a key factor when deciding whether to make the switch. Their customer service should be excellent, and of paramount importance to you.
When looking for a courier company look into factors such as maximum time frames for regular delivery, responsibility, reliability and of course, a good reputation in the business.