The global eCommerce logistics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030, reaching USD 1,526.42 billion by 2030.
Clearly, the eCommerce market is a rapidly growing industry with no signs of slowing down. The rise in the number of smartphone users, increasing internet penetration, and the convenience of online shopping have all contributed to its growth.
With great growth come pretty big (but not insurmountable) challenges and the eCommerce industry is no exception. In 2025, the increased demand for quick and reliable delivery has put pressure on both eCommerce and logistics companies to improve their services and keep up with the changing market landscape.
On top of that, global scaling (or cross-border scaling), and the increased number of returns make it difficult for eComm businesses to stay ahead of the curve.
“Difficult” is not “impossible”, though–and that is precisely why investing in good eCommerce delivery management software is so important.
How come, you may ask?
And what do you need to know about eCommerce delivery management that actually helps?
Keep reading and find out more.
eCommerce delivery management includes a wide range of processes designed to ensure that products are delivered to customers efficiently, accurately, and on time. At its core, this involves the management of order fulfillment, which includes tasks like picking, packing, and shipping products. With some exceptions, eCommerce delivery management also includes returns, as they are an essential part of providing a seamless customer experience and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Additionally, eCommerce delivery management encompasses route optimization to ensure timely deliveries by determining the most efficient paths for drivers. A reliable delivery management solution also monitors package tracking, allowing businesses and customers to observe shipment progress in real-time, enhancing transparency and trust.
Another critical aspect of eCommerce delivery management is coordinating multiple carriers and delivery methods. Companies often rely on a mix of shipping partners to handle varying delivery needs, such as same-day, next-day, or international shipping.
Effective integration with these carriers is essential to maintain flexibility and meet customer expectations. Furthermore, eCommerce delivery management also includes handling returns and exchanges, an integral part of the modern online shopping experience, ensuring these processes are seamless and hassle-free for customers.
To remain competitive, online retailers are adopting innovative practices and technologies that enhance the delivery experience. Below are some of the key trends shaping the future of eCommerce delivery.
Same-day delivery has become a critical differentiator for many businesses, as customers increasingly expect their orders to arrive almost instantly. By optimizing logistics networks and leveraging local fulfillment centers or partnerships with gig economy drivers, companies are making same-day delivery a viable option even in dense urban areas.
Establishing regional delivery centers is another trend gaining momentum, allowing businesses to store inventory closer to customers.
For example, in the European Union, Poland is becoming a delivery center for shoppers in CEE (Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and so on). In contrast, Romania is becoming a delivery center for customers in SEE (Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and so on).
This type of organization reduces shipping distances and times, enabling faster delivery while reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions. These centers are particularly effective in improving delivery times in suburban and rural areas.
Sustainability has become a priority in eCommerce, with companies investing in environmentally friendly delivery methods. Trends such as using electric delivery vehicles, reusable packaging, and carbon offset programs are helping businesses reduce their ecological footprint while appealing to eco-conscious consumers.
Customers increasingly value real-time visibility into their delivery status. Advanced tracking systems and delivery transparency tools are becoming widely adopted, allowing customers to monitor their orders every step of the way. This enhances customer satisfaction and builds trust and loyalty in the long run.
For example, Postis will enable you with a control tower that not only offers real-time tracking of your orders, but also provides you with data points meant to help your inventory, logistics, delivery performance, and overall business strategy.
Customers want options. Customers want choices regarding registration, payment, and delivery options. That is precisely why it's important to know about the main types of eCommerce delivery (and how delivery management software can help with that). Here are some points to keep in mind, for example:
Standard delivery is one of the most common and cost-effective options businesses offer. It typically involves a predictable delivery timeframe, often ranging from a few days to a week, depending on the location and logistics network. While it may lack the speed of other delivery methods, it remains a reliable choice for many customers, especially when cost savings are a priority.
Implementing delivery management software can significantly enhance the efficiency of standard delivery. Such software enables businesses to organize shipments, track orders in real-time, and communicate updates to customers seamlessly.
Delivery management software optimizes routes and automates dispatch processes, ensuring that even standard delivery services maintain high reliability and customer satisfaction.
Expedited delivery services cater to customers who need their orders quickly, often within the same or next day. Industries like e-commerce, healthcare, and food delivery rely on these services where timing is crucial. However, managing such deliveries involves challenges like tighter timeframes and high customer expectations.
Delivery management software helps address these issues by streamlining operations with features like route optimization, real-time tracking, and automated scheduling. It also ensures proactive customer communication, enhancing their experience and building trust.
The demand for same-day delivery has skyrocketed, with customers expecting quick and seamless service. Businesses are pressured to fulfill orders in record time while maintaining accuracy and quality. Meeting these expectations requires a well-coordinated approach that minimizes delays and optimizes resources.
Delivery management software plays a vital role in achieving this efficiency. By leveraging tools like dynamic route planning and real-time order tracking, businesses can ensure faster and more reliable deliveries. These features enable companies to reduce transit times and improve operational efficiency, both critical for same-day services.
Additionally, the software fosters improved transparency and communication with customers. Real-time updates on delivery progress and estimated arrival times not only enhance customer satisfaction but also build trust. For companies aiming to thrive in the fast-paced world of same-day delivery, such solutions are indispensable.
Shoppers want more flexibility than ever–and scheduled deliveries help with that. By allowing customers to choose a specific date and time for their delivery, companies can ensure the packages arrive when it is most convenient for the customer. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the risk of failed deliveries due to recipient absence.
Scheduled deliveries also give businesses better control over their operations, as they can plan and allocate resources more efficiently. With advanced scheduling software, companies can optimize their routes and minimize fuel costs, ultimately increasing profitability.
Moreover, scheduled deliveries allow for better inventory management. Companies can accurately forecast demand based on scheduled orders, reducing the risk of overstocking or stock shortages. This helps businesses save money on storage costs and avoid lost sales opportunities.
Click & Collect services offer exceptional flexibility for customers, allowing them to choose a time and location that suits their busy schedules. This approach aligns with the modern consumer's preference for convenience, enabling them to avoid long lines and delivery wait times. By allowing customers to pick up their orders at their convenience, businesses can create a more personalized shopping experience that caters to diverse needs and lifestyles.
For businesses, the flexibility of Click & Collect also comes with operational advantages. It reduces the pressure on delivery logistics and allows for streamlined fulfillment processes. Delivery management software can further optimize these operations by tracking orders in real-time and ensuring efficient coordination.
Aside from the different delivery models and expectations eComm businesses face, there is also a distinction between local and cross-border deliveries (which might make things a little more complex, particularly without good software to help).
Local delivery refers to domestic shipping within a country or region, while cross-border delivery involves international shipping across different countries or regions.
Each type of delivery presents unique challenges and considerations. Logistics are generally smoother for local deliveries, as they involve shorter distances and familiar territories. However, the competition in the local market can be intense, with many players vying for the same customer base. This means that eComm businesses need to constantly improve their delivery strategies to stay competitive.
On the other hand, cross-border deliveries come with their own set of complexities. They require compliance with various customs regulations and additional fees such as duties and taxes.
“What eCommerce delivery management solutions do, in a nutshell, is help you connect the dots, make your processes more efficient, and increase customer satisfaction. To achieve this, you need to understand the key components of a delivery management solution and how it can benefit your business.”
– Mircea Stan, Postis
There are many types of solutions available. Some are more niche, and others are more generalized, but as long as they make your delivery process easier and more seamless, they're worth considering. Below are the key components you should look for in an effective eCommerce delivery management solution:
Your order management system (OMS) is the core of your delivery management solution. It allows you to manage orders from different sales channels, consolidate them into a single platform, and track their status throughout fulfillment.
With a good OMS, you can efficiently manage customer expectations by providing accurate shipping estimates and real-time tracking information. This helps reduce the risk of late or missed deliveries, leading to dissatisfied customers.
Warehouse management systems (WMS) allow you to optimize your inventory storage and fulfill customer orders quickly and accurately. With a WMS, you can track inventory levels, receive real-time updates on stock availability, and automate the process of picking, packing, and shipping orders.
One key benefit of a WMS is its ability to optimize warehouse layout and organization. By analyzing sales data and order patterns, a WMS can suggest the most efficient locations for storing popular items, reducing picker travel time.
Additionally, a WMS can help prevent stockouts by providing alerts when inventory levels are low. This ensures that you always have enough products on hand to meet customer demand.
To truly streamline your ecommerce operations, it's important to have a delivery management system that can seamlessly integrate with your other systems. This includes your ecommerce platform, as well as any ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) or accounting software you may use.
With good integrations, inventory levels and order information can be automatically updated in real time across all systems. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and greatly reduces the risk of human error.
Furthermore, integrating your delivery management software with your eCommerce platform allows for more accurate and timely order fulfillment. As soon as an order is placed on your website, the inventory levels are updated in the WMS, and pickers can begin fulfilling the order immediately.
Last-mile delivery, the final step of getting goods from a distribution center to customers, is crucial for customer satisfaction and business success. It’s often the most costly and complex part of the supply chain, requiring speed and precision while navigating challenges like traffic and diverse destinations. Optimizing this stage can lower costs, speed up deliveries, and improve customer experiences.
Technology is key to overcoming last-mile challenges. Tools like route optimization, real-time tracking, and automated notifications help ensure efficient deliveries. Some companies are even exploring drones and autonomous vehicles to enhance the process. Streamlining last-mile delivery not only reduces costs but also builds customer loyalty in a competitive market.
Who Needs eCommerce Delivery Management Software?
eCommerce delivery management software is essential for businesses that operate online and manage high volumes of orders (but not only). Retailers, both large and small, rely on this type of software to organize and streamline their delivery operations.
What delivery tools do is help them manage multiple delivery channels, ensure accurate tracking, and provide timely updates to customers. Here are some (but definitely not all) the applications delivery management software has, across the board:
"Okay, but can't we use some sort of spreadsheet for all that?", you may ask.
Well, yes, but eCommerce delivery management software helps you:
Good delivery management software helps you cut unnecessary costs with smarter solutions that optimize your budget, allowing you to allocate your funds to other areas of your business. By automating processes, reducing manual labor, and minimizing errors, you can save on operational costs such as inventory management and last-mile delivery logistics.
The right delivery management software will help your operations focus on what matters most. Spend less time on repetitive tasks and more on strategic goals. Let our tools help you work smarter, not harder.
Using reliable processes and tools helps to minimize errors by ensuring consistency and accuracy. With accurate systems in place, it becomes easier to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
You definitely want to deliver faster, more personalized assistance to your customers – and software helps with that. Happy customers lead to stronger relationships and better retention–and customer loyalty will pay off in the long run, as maintaining customers is, statistically, less expensive than acquiring new ones.
Scaling an eComm business isn't for the faint of heart. Good software helps you lay down a foundation that supports effortless growth as your business expands. With the right tools and strategies, scaling becomes seamless.
With the speed of change and the growth of customer expectations, you need to know how to adapt quickly to changing needs and market demands. Flexibility ensures your business stays ahead of the curve. Embracing change helps you uncover new opportunities and stay competitive.
Efficient return processes are key to customer satisfaction and loyalty. A hassle-free policy shows your commitment to convenience and trust, turning frustrations into positive experiences. Streamlined returns also offer insights into product quality and customer preferences, helping you improve offerings and reduce return rates.
Okay, but when push comes to shove, what features help online stores optimize their operations, deliver faster, and be more reliable for their customers?
While many features can help you with that, it can all boil down to three main ones:
Carrier aggregation simplifies logistics by combining shipments from multiple carriers into a single, streamlined process. This approach helps businesses save on shipping costs and maximize efficiency by utilizing the best carriers for specific routes or services. By consolidating shipments, businesses can reduce delays and improve overall delivery speed.
Additionally, carrier aggregation provides more flexibility and options for meeting customer demands. With access to a wider pool of carriers, companies can adapt quickly to changes in shipping needs, ensuring reliable and cost-effective service for local and international deliveries.
By leveraging advanced algorithms and real-time data, businesses can select smarter delivery options that minimize delivery time and avoid delays. This not only enhances delivery speed but also reduces environmental impact.
By providing efficient and reliable delivery that anticipates customer needs, companies can improve customer satisfaction by meeting delivery timeframes with greater accuracy. It also allows for better resource allocation, ultimately reducing the overall operational costs.
Last-mile delivery transparency gives customers real-time insights into their orders as they move through the final stage of delivery. This includes tracking updates, estimated delivery times, and notifications about any delays. Transparency builds trust and enhances the overall customer experience.
For businesses, last-mile visibility helps identify inefficiencies and resolve delivery issues before they affect customer satisfaction. By using tools that provide real-time tracking and data, companies can ensure smoother operations and better communication with customers, driving loyalty and repeat business.
So, say you have it all clear: your delivery strategy, your delivery model(s), the features you are looking for, and the big "why" behind it all. How do you go about actually choosing one software provider (from what seems to be a pretty wide range of options?)
To make the decision easier, it's crucial to evaluate key criteria that will help you identify the best eCommerce delivery management software for your business needs – criteria such as:
Transparency is key to building trust in any system. By providing clear, accessible information and ensuring accountability, users can confidently engage without worrying about hidden practices or unclear processes.
Data drives decision-making and innovation. Proper collection, analysis, and security of data enable better insights, personalized services, and improved outcomes for both businesses and users.
Simplicity is everything. Systems and tools must be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing anyone—regardless of technical skill—to navigate and achieve their goals efficiently.
In a globalized world, seamless cross-border operations are a must. Breaking down barriers in communication, transactions, and compliance ensures smoother interactions and expanded opportunities worldwide.
Integrated systems streamline workflows by connecting tools and platforms. This ensures data consistency, reduces manual work, and creates a unified experience for users and organizations.
Automation eliminates repetitive tasks, saving time and resources. By leveraging technology to handle routine processes, businesses can focus on innovation and growth while maintaining accuracy and efficiency.
Modern eCommerce comes with a unique set of challenges–no one can deny that. But technology makes it all better. Aside from the actual eCommerce delivery management tools you can use in your business, additional tech could enhance the customer experience and boost sales.
Automation and robots are revolutionizing industries by taking over repetitive tasks, increasing efficiency, and reducing human error. From manufacturing to healthcare, these technologies streamline operations, saving time and costs while boosting productivity.
Drones are transforming sectors like delivery, agriculture, and surveillance by offering fast, cost-effective, and precise solutions. Whether delivering packages, monitoring crops, or conducting aerial inspections, drones provide a versatile and innovative approach to modern challenges.
Advanced analytics leverages data to uncover insights, predict trends, and make informed decisions. Businesses use these tools to optimize performance, personalize customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge in today’s data-driven world.
AI-powered customer support uses chatbots and machine learning to deliver quick, personalized assistance. By addressing queries 24/7 and streamlining interactions, it improves customer satisfaction while reducing operational costs.
Okay, maybe people don't like interacting with a chatbot all the time. But if they're looking for quick answers, a chatbot can be a time-saver and a game-changer. AI-enhanced customer support can also analyze data from previous interactions to identify patterns and improve responses, leading to a more seamless and efficient customer experience. Furthermore, with the ability to handle multiple inquiries simultaneously, AI-powered bots can significantly reduce customer wait times, ensuring prompt and timely assistance.
Over the past 20 years, eCommerce has undergone a dramatic transformation, evolving from simple online storefronts to expansive digital marketplaces that cater to virtually every consumer need. The rise of mobile commerce, the integration of AI-driven personalization, and the growing influence of social media on purchasing behavior have reshaped how businesses engage with their customers.
Additionally, advancements in logistics and fulfillment processes have set new expectations for speed and efficiency in delivery. This rapid evolution has made modern ecommerce more convenient and competitive.
Central to this shift is the emergence of robust ecommerce delivery management software, which empowers businesses to streamline their operations, optimize last-mile delivery, and meet the demand for fast, reliable shipping in today’s on-demand economy.
There's growth ahead in the eCommerce industry. But riding the tide comes with a caveat - the competition is fierce. To stay ahead in this fast-paced, highly competitive market, businesses must invest in the right tools and strategies to ensure efficient and effective delivery management.
Now is the time to do it.
Delivery management software helps businesses plan, track, and optimize the delivery of goods. It streamlines tasks like route planning, real-time tracking, and communication between drivers and customers, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The best delivery partner for eCommerce depends on your needs. Popular options include FedEx for reliability, UPS for global reach, DHL for international shipping, and USPS for affordability. Platforms like ShipBob or ShipStation can also help integrate multiple delivery partners.
The best order management software depends on your business size and goals. Options like Shopify, Zoho Inventory, and Brightpearl are great for small—to mid-sized businesses, while Oracle NetSuite or SAP are ideal for larger enterprises.
