Decision-making is a necessity across life expressions. Individuals like me and you make decisions on who to marry and countries to relocate to; likewise, business owners make salient decisions often from places to source their raw materials from, vendors to patronise, etc. Picking the right delivery partner can be a game-changer for businesses that depend on timely product delivery. To guide you through this decision, we interviewed three businesses- a small and medium enterprise (SME) in thrift clothing, a fintech company delivering cards, and an e-commerce retailer about their priorities when selecting a delivery service.
This would help you tailor your questions if you are at that crossword, or help you see what you ought to prioritize by what similar businesses are doing.
Our first conversation was with Aisha, who runs a thriving thrift clothing business in Lagos, selling curated second-hand fashion. For her SME, a delivery partner’s ability to cover specific routes and keep costs low is critical.
“Most of my customers are in Lagos and nearby cities,” Aisha shared. “I need a delivery company that knows these routes well - traffic spots, reliable shortcuts, all of it. If they can’t deliver to my core areas on time, it’s a no-go!.”
Affordability is equally important. “Thrift clothing is a low-margin business,” Aisha noted. “I can’t afford high delivery fees. I look for partners with clear, upfront pricing and no surprise charges like weekend rates or fuel surcharges that cut into my profits.”
Key Takeaways for SMEs:
Next, we spoke with Tolu, a business manager at a fintech company that delivers debit and credit cards across Nigeria. For this business, scale and versatility are top priorities.
“We serve customers in every state, from big cities to small towns,” Tolu said. “Our delivery partner needs nationwide reach. If they can’t get to a customer in a remote area, we lose business.”
Tolu also stressed the importance of varied vehicle options. “Cards are small, but we sometimes include welcome kits or promotional items. We need a partner with bikes for fast urban deliveries and vans for larger shipments. This range keeps our operations seamless.”
Cost-effectiveness matters too. “With thousands of cards shipped monthly, small price differences add up. We negotiate rates early and track performance to ensure we’re getting good value.”
Key Takeaways for Fintechs:
Finally, we talked with Chidi, operations manager for an online retailer selling fashion and electronics. For his e-commerce business, reliability and proactive communication are key, alongside affordability.
“Customers expect their orders to arrive on time,” Chidi said. “Late deliveries or lost packages hurt our brand. We only work with companies that maintain at least a 90% on-time delivery rate.”
Communication is another priority. “If there’s a delay - maybe traffic or bad weather - I expect the delivery partner to inform us or the customer right away,” Chidi explained. “Proactive updates keep trust intact. Partners who leave you guessing are out.”
Like Aisha, Chidi keeps an eye on costs. “E-commerce is cutthroat. We can’t charge customers high shipping fees. We need affordable rates without sacrificing reliability.”
Key Takeaways for E-commerce:
While each business has distinct needs, common themes stand out: affordability, reliability, and alignment with your operations. Here’s a checklist to help you decide:
By focusing on these points, you can find a delivery partner that supports your business and keeps customers satisfied. Whether you’re selling thrift clothing, delivering cards nationwide, or running an e-commerce store, the right partner is essential. Fortunately for you, Fez Delivery ticks all the points on the checklist. Want to get started? Visit Www.fezdelivery.co