As online shopping continues to grow, so does the demand for faster and more reliable shipping options.
Yet lost in the buzz about ecommerce and online shopping is the need that brick-and-mortar businesses and other industries still have for reliable expedited delivery service.
Offering expedited shipping is now a must for many businesses, especially those that sell time-sensitive or high-value products.
This can include same-day auto parts deliveries, the exchange of contracts between lawyers and clients, or even medical specimens between doctors and laboratories.
However, with so many options available, choosing the right expedited shipping method can be a daunting task.
In this post, we’ll discuss four popular expedited shipping options: same-day delivery, next-day delivery, express, and standard, and provide tips on weighing the costs and timeliness of each option.
Defining The Expedited Shipping Option
Unlike next-day delivery or same-day delivery, the expedited shipping option isn’t always as obvious.
To better understand where expedited shipping fits in, let’s take a look at the commonly understood shipping options:
- Same-Day Delivery – Less than 1 business day
- Next-Day Delivery – Less than 2 business days
- Express Delivery – Within 3 business days
- Standard Delivery – From 5-7 business days
Now, expedited shipping can be a bit general. When we define expedited, it just means to accomplish something more quickly.
Because of that, the expedited shipping option doesn’t have an exact spot. It likely lands closer to same-day or next-day delivery, as the goal is to make this delivery happen as soon as possible.
Depending on the distance between the shipper and the recipient, expedited delivery could even refer to same-day or overnight delivery.
How Businesses Benefit From Having Expedited Shipping Options
Businesses that offer an expedited shipping option are able to offer their customers more control over the speed of the delivery. Even though that timing may come with a surcharge, this flexibility is likely to lead toward improved customer satisfaction.
For many businesses, timing is critical. When they can find a partner like Expedite Delivery Service that empowers them to provide faster deliveries, they are able to provide a higher level of convenience and service to their customers.
From businesses in the healthcare industry to ecommerce, auto parts dealers, and more, the ability to offer faster shipping can help create a stronger connection to their customer base.
Comparing Expedited Shipping Options
Expedited Shipping vs Standard Shipping
Expedited shipping and standard shipping differ primarily in terms of delivery time and cost.
Expedited shipping is a faster shipping option that delivers packages more quickly than standard shipping, usually within 1-3 business days, depending on the carrier and destination. Standard shipping, on the other hand, typically takes longer and can take anywhere from 3-10 business days or more, depending on the carrier and destination
Expedited Shipping vs Express Shipping
Expedited and express shipping are both faster shipping options.
Express shipping tends to be one of the faster shipping options, typically guaranteeing delivery within 1-2 business days, depending on the carrier and destination. This is useful for urgent or time-sensitive packages.
Expedited Shipping vs Next Day Shipping
One of the main differences between next day shipping and expedited shipping is when the order is processed. With next-day shipping, the order is processed right away and the shipment goes out for delivery by the following day. For expedited shipping, that process can take slightly longer.
Expedited Shipping vs Same Day Shipping
The main advantage of same-day shipping is that it offers the fastest possible delivery time, which is useful for extremely urgent or time-sensitive packages.
However, same-day shipping is usually the most expensive shipping option due to the high cost of delivering packages on such a tight schedule. Expedited shipping is a more cost-effective option for packages that need to arrive quickly, but do not require immediate delivery.
Get Faster Shipping With Expedited Delivery Service
We know that evaluating all these different options can take time. It’s even more complicated when different companies use the same terms for different services.
At Expedite Delivery System, we are here to help your business. We listen to your needs and develop a logistics plan that meets your business needs. Whether you need a dozen same-day deliveries or a few ones throughout the year, we’re here to provide you with the timeliness, reliability, and professionalism your business deserves.
You can learn more about the Expedite Difference here, then send us a message to get started.
