Deliveries can go wrong in so many ways. A missed turn here, a delayed drop-off there, a frustrated customer refreshing their tracking page for the tenth time. Small mistakes that could turn into big, expensive problems without the right delivery management software.
That’s why delivery management software has become more than just a logistics tool. Instead, it’s a lifeline for businesses trying to balance speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction without losing their margins.
And the market agrees. According to Verified Market Research, the delivery management software space is expected to more than double in size, growing from $2.17 billion in 2024 to just shy of $5 billion by 2031.
In this article, we’ll look at the most common delivery mistakes businesses make, and how the right software can help fix them before they cost you customers (and profits).
7 costly mistakes to fix with delivery management software
It’s easy to assume your delivery process is “good enough,” until all those small mistakes start piling up and become bigger problems.
Whether it’s inefficient routes, missed ETAs, or drivers working with incomplete info, these issues often fly under the radar until they start costing you time, money, and customers.
Let’s look at the most common delivery management mistakes and how the right software can keep your business running on the right track.
1. Inefficient route planning
For years, decades even, delivery companies have been relying on manual route planning methods. It works, sure, but it’s a tedious process with room for human error.
It also leads to longer delivery times, increased fuel usage since drivers aren’t following the most efficient routes, and higher operational costs.
How delivery management software helps:
You need software that offers real-time tracking data and optimized routing.
Locate2u’s delivery management software can, for example, optimize routes in real-time and continuously. It takes into account traffic conditions, the weather, and other factors to ensure drivers stay on the best route.
2. Lack of real-time tracking
Another common mistake is not monitoring deliveries in real-time. Unfortunately, this leads to customer dissatisfaction since getting delivery updates would make their lives just so much easier.
In many instances, customers need to plan their work and family schedules around delivery windows, so not having access to real-time tracking or live tracking links can be frustrating. It could even cost you business.
How delivery management software helps:
Delivery management software can provide real-time tracking features. You want something that can send automated notifications to customers.
The simple truth is this: If you’re delivering to your customers and they don’t know when you’re arriving, you’re wasting your time and theirs.
It’s not something you should even consider skimping on, because a survey conducted by Alix Partners found that 94% of shoppers want the ability to track their orders live.
3. Poor communication with drivers
Miscommunication between drivers and customers (and even internal miscommunication) can lead to delivery errors.
Unclear instructions can cause delays along the trip, or even missed deliveries and failed attempts.
How delivery management software helps:
The right delivery management software should enable instant messages and updates between dispatchers and drivers, as well as between drivers and customers.
With Locate2u’s driver app, you can send bookings, deliveries and instructions to your team instantly, while also enabling your customers to follow the real-time status of their parcel.
ALSO READ: Want better reviews? Start with the right delivery management software
4. Inaccurate delivery time estimates
Inaccurate delivery times could mean either missing the promised ETA or overcompensating with unrealistic ones. Both scenarios will frustrate your customer to no end.
This is a sure-fire way to lose customer trust, ruin your business’s reputation, and most likely get bad reviews, too.
How delivery management software helps:
So, why not opt for software that calculates accurate ETAs based on real-time data?
Locate2u uses real-time traffic data, driver location, and route conditions to calculate accurate ETAs so customers know exactly when to expect their delivery. It’s so much better than just giving customers a rough guess.
5. Inefficient Proof of Delivery Processes
Paper-based proof of delivery methods are prone to loss and errors. It’s so easy to misplace a delivery note. And it’s also hard to verify completed deliveries.
So, a decent delivery management system should include digital proof of delivery: signatures captured and stored securely, along with a photo as proof.
How delivery management software helps:
Get a software solution that means less paperwork (which is bound to be misplaced or damaged anyway).
You’d want a proof of delivery system that captures signatures electronically, something a driver can collect using their mobile device. The system should also provide digital records that are easy to retrieve, manage, and analyze.
6. High rate of failed deliveries
A lot of deliveries are attempted when customers simply aren’t available. This could be due to any of the reasons mentioned above, like lack of communication or lack of accurate ETAs.
Unfortunately, attempted deliveries and missed deliveries increase costs, but you’d have to go through the entire process again with the re-delivery attempt.
How delivery management software helps:
Your business should allow customers the flexibility of scheduling deliveries, choosing delivery time windows, and even providing special instructions if they need to.
7. Lack of data analytics
If you don’t know how your deliveries are performing, how can you fix what’s not working?
Operating without data means your business is flying blind. You won’t know which drivers are falling behind, which routes are slowing you down, or where the bottlenecks are.
It’s guesswork, not strategy.
How delivery management software helps:
Delivery management software gives you access to real-time dashboards and post-delivery reports that help you track key metrics like on-time performance, delivery duration, failed deliveries, and driver efficiency.
With this kind of insight, it’s not a matter of just putting out fires anymore. You’re making smarter decisions to improve your entire operation.
Final thoughts on delivery management software
Fixing these common delivery mistakes will smooth out day-to-day operations while also keeping customers happy and your business moving forward.
The right delivery management software won’t just patch things up, it will set your business up to grow smarter and faster.
With the delivery game changing every day, investing in tools that actually work is how you stay ahead, stand out, and keep delivering the kind of experience your customers won’t forget.
About the author
Cheryl has contributed to various international publications, with a fervor for data and technology. She explores the intersection of emerging tech trends with logistics, focusing on how digital innovations are reshaping industries on a global scale. When she's not dissecting the latest developments in AI-driven innovation and digital solutions, Cheryl can be found gaming, kickboxing, or navigating the novel niches of consumer gadgetry.
