Delivery driver ratings are often the ultimate measure of how much customers enjoy their experience with your business and whether they will be coming back.
Delivering packages requires speed, order accuracy, and professionalism. It’s all about creating that perfect experience for your customers.
Using delivery driver ratings to implement strategies to improve your training and employee skills and fine-tune your day-to-day operations is smart.
In this article, you’ll learn ten actionable tips to help improve your delivery driver ratings.
1. First Impressions Last Long On Delivery Driver Ratings
Imagine a customer opening the door to find a delivery driver smiling warmly and greeting them by name.
It might seem like a small and insignificant gesture, but we all know positive first impressions build trust and set the tone for customer interaction.
The great part about it is that it doesn’t cost your business extra money, nor does it take time. The only result you’ll get is better delivery driver ratings. This will boost your company’s brand, too.
A friendly demeanor creates a personal connection, which increases the likelihood of a 5-star rating.
Pro tip: Train your drivers to be courteous and approachable from the first moment.
2. Consistently Arrive On Time to Boost Your Delivery Driver Ratings
Punctuality shows professionalism. Arriving on time for deliveries, especially within the designated delivery time window, makes an impressive difference in the customer’s life.
By using route optimization software, drivers don’t have to stress about the timing of deliveries. It’s all taken care of. The software works out the shortest and most effective route and updates in real-time, ensuring that drivers make up time when they fall behind.
Pro tip: Customers appreciate a reliable business, which boosts customer satisfaction. Using delivery management software with real-time route optimization helps drivers stay on track, keeping ratings high while meeting customer expectations.
WATCH: What is Delivery Management Software and Payments
3. Keep Customers in the Loop During Deliveries
If a customer receives a notification saying their order is 10 minutes away, complete with a link to track the driver’s location. This shows how professional and punctual your business and drivers are.
Why does this work? Communication reduces anxiety and builds confidence.
Pro tip: Customers feel prioritized and valued when drivers proactively communicate the next step in the delivery process, which translates into positive ratings.
4. You Break, You Get Low Delivery Driver Ratings
“Why is my package damaged?” Getting this message from a loyal customer leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. When you investigate and start filming drivers loading packages, you realize they now ensure they carefully handle each parcel.
Putting measures in place to ensure delivery drivers are held accountable can boost driver ratings and customer satisfaction.
Pro tip: Customers associate the condition of their package with the driver’s professionalism. Teach your drivers proper handling techniques. This will boost their confidence and lead to higher ratings.
5. Dress for Success And See Your Delivery Driver Ratings Spike
Let’s compare two scenarios. In the one delivery, you have a driver in a crisp, branded uniform delivering packages. In the second delivery, you have a driver in casuals, no branded uniform, but wrinkled clothes.
Which one would you be most impressed with if you were the customer?
Pro tip: A professional look reinforces brand trust and gives the impression of an organized, customer-focused team. Try implementing a neat uniform for drivers and see how the ratings climb.
6. Offer a Personal Touch To Your Deliveries For Extra Sars
Noticing and paying attention to the small details can make a huge difference.
Imagine a delivery driver notices a birthday banner on a customer’s porch. When handing over the package, they say, “Happy Birthday to someone in the house!” or add a small note on the receipt wishing them a great day.
This small, thoughtful gesture makes the customer feel seen and valued.
Pro tip: Remember this: It takes nothing from a person to make observations and create a lasting positive impression. It’s about standing out from the crowd. It will put a smile not only on customers’ faces but also on their driver ratings scorecards.
7. Anticipate Customer Needs For Better Delivery Driver Ratings
Sometimes, all it takes to meet customer expectations is anticipating and fulfilling customers’ unstated needs.
Think of this: You deliver heavy groceries to an elderly customer, and carrying them into their house would take a while. Why not offer to place them on the kitchen counter instead or even just inside the garage?
Pro tip: Being proactive and anticipating the customer’s needs shows that your drivers care and make the customers feel valued.
8. Apologize Gracefully When Things Go Wrong
Things can go wrong during the delivery process. But when they do, it’s an ideal opportunity to set your drivers apart from the average service.
A driver delayed due to bad weather but uses the driver app to text the customer and apologize, stands out from the crowd.
Pro tip: Customers understand that mistakes happen. But how you handle them matters more.
9. Delivery Driver Ratings Must Encourage Feedback
This is your time to get positive feedback from a happy customer. You want improvement, but it can only happen when you receive feedback.
Let your drivers ask customers politely to review their service and send feedback. Open communication can help your business grow.
Pro tip: Customers are more likely to rate you if prompted. Drivers who ask for feedback demonstrate confidence in their service.
10. Reward Top Performers
A delivery driver working hard to ensure only 4.8 or 5-star ratings on his schedule must be recognized. A “Driver of the Month” program is a great way to boost driver performance.
Other drivers will soon feel the need to do better and obtain a high score.
Pro tip: Driver performance is directly linked to recognition. It motivates drivers to be better and compete with their peers.
Create an incentive program to keep them engaged and focused on delivering exceptional service. This will boost morale and driver ratings.
Driver Delivery Ratings: In a Nutshell
Improving delivery driver ratings isn’t just about efficiency but crafting a customer-centric experience.
If you implement these ten tips, you’ll see how your driver ratings improve, and driver morale will also be boosted.
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About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
