Ecommerce technology changes so quickly that it can be hard to know which tools you need in order to remain competitive. You might be using outdated software or methods that are no longer effective.
In order to keep up with the competition and thoroughly follow social distancing guidelines, it is necessary for retailers to offer Curbside Pickup as a service.
More and more shoppers are expecting the option of curbside pickup (infographic), but it can be difficult for retailers to set up and manage.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best curbside pickup software and tools you need in order to offer this service to your customers. These tools will make it easy for you to manage orders, track inventory, and keep your customers happy.
Curbside Delivery: What You Need To Know
It’s no secret that online shopping alongside click-and-collect services has taken over these past several years. Customers want the convenience of having their purchases delivered to their doorstep without any hassle.
However, managing in-store and curbside pickup orders can be a daunting task, especially when orders are spread out across the store or when the store is short-staffed. Retailers need to take a load off their store associates and not compromise customer satisfaction with poor organization, lacking systems, or overwhelmed staff is necessary.
What is the solution?
Taking control over the situation and implementing a solution that enables them to have all curbside orders in one place, that notifies the customers every step of the way and increases the likelihood of a customer returning to the brand.
Top 5 Curbside Fulfillment Management Software
The retail world is in a constant state of change, and no one knows for sure what the future holds. However, one thing is certain: in the omnichannel environment, physical stores will continue to remain an essential part of the equation.
No doubt, picking up your order directly from a physical store can be more convenient and time-effective and it provides an opportunity for customers to inspect the products before receiving them and make sure no damage during transit has occurred.
And to make the most of them, we’ve compiled a list of the 5 curbside pickup software you need to consider for your business in order to create a fantastic and memorable experience for your customers:
1. WeSupply
WeSupply is a complete post-purchase solution that encompasses in-store and curbside pickup order fulfillment, tracking, and returns management.
With real-time order tracking, status update notifications, and dedicated in-store and curbside pickup features, WeSupply makes the entire experience frictionless and streamlined for both employees and customers alike.
Customers can check in upon arrival or after they’re finished with other business around your store, so your staff members know exactly when to bring out their orders. And together with “Order ready for pickup” confirmation notifications, no one will ever have to wait around again for the other party, clearing up any confusion!
Moreover, in today’s technological world, curbside delivery is more than just a convenience—it’s a powerful marketing tool. WeSupply is fully integrated with the SMS marketing solution, Attentive, to make it easier for you to connect with existing customers whenever you need.
Yes: Branded SMS and email notifications
Yes: Attentive SMS marketing app integration
Yes: Automated & intuitive curbside pickup process
2. Swipeby
In terms of curbside pickup, Swipeby is a great tool to connect with customers as easily as possible without spending hours on the phone or emailing back and forth with them when you could be focusing on more productive tasks.
As part of their solution, you can also access real-time analytics, send out marketing texts and push notifications, or set up custom coupons.
Just like most of the software in this list, it only focuses on the curbside part with a little post-purchase marketing thrown into the app.
It works well for small retailers just getting their feet wet, wanting a taste of what Buy Online, Pickup At Curbside (BOPAC) means.
Yes: Automated promotions
Yes: Automated marketing retargeting
No: $0.99 fixed per delivery
3. Infillion Curbside
Infillion comes with a complex curbside tool that enables brick-and-mortar stores and restaurants to offer curbside pickup for their customers.
It comes both with a mobile app and a browser-based one to help business owners of different types and sizes create a smooth curbside pickup experience. Moreover, it is simple and easy to integrate and set up to save you precious time!
On the other hand, although being able to track where your customers are and when they’re going to arrive, they have to manually put in the parking spot or vehicle information since the app relies on geolocation alone.
Yes: Quick setup and integration
Yes: Works well with restaurants
No: Location-based only
4. SimpleTexting
Although it’s not exactly a curbside fulfillment management software per se, SimpleTexting is definitely worth mentioning in this list.
This tool enables you to mass-notify customers whenever their orders are ready for pickup and let them know about any shipping delays to make sure they’re not heading to your store before everything is in place.
In addition to sending notifications about upcoming curbside delivery, they’re allowing you to gather contact information for future marketing messages, helping you keep customers informed, or send them special offers and discounts via SMS.
Yes: Automated SMS workflows
Yes: Also SMS for HR & recruiting or marketing
No: Not built especially for retail needs
5. Curbspot
Very simple, minimalistic, and straight to the point, Curbspot enables retailers to better organize their curbside pickup experience.
It doesn’t come with complex functionalities, but it does the job well when it comes to curbside fulfillment management.
It comes with no integrations, which can be a plus or a downside, depending on your business needs. It can be nice to disconnect from any distractions or 3rd-party apps, but having integrations can help you stay one step ahead of your competition.
Whether or not integrations are a must-have for your store is something you’ll need to determine on your own!
Yes: Easy and quick to launch
Yes/No: No other app integrations
Last thoughts on curbside pickup software
From a customer’s perspective, there’s nothing more frustrating than arriving at a store only to find that your order isn’t ready.
By offering a curbside service that enables you to keep an eye on your orders and send out text messages to update your customers all the way, you can eliminate that problem entirely.
By keeping all of your customer orders in one place, you can ensure that they’re all fulfilled promptly and efficiently and that the customer won’t head to your physical location before their order is ready for pickup.
After all, if you have the opportunity to organize and track all your customer orders in one place, why wouldn’t you? No more phone calls when a customer arrives!
Learn how WeSupply can help you achieve this, and watch our eCommerce operations demo to see the platform in action!