How to keep customers happy despite Aliexpress’ long shipping times.

AliExpress is one of the most popular sites to import products onto dropshipping stores.

12:27 02 July 2020

So you would think that Aliexpress would have instant shipping of one to two days available. Unfortunately, they do not. Shipping times on AliExpress can vary greatly. It is common for some orders to take as many as long as eight weeks to arrive at the customer's destination, even if the location is a first world country. However, you shouldn't be deterred from using AliExpress. Here's what you must do to make your business appealing despite long shipping times.

Tell the customer how long it will take before they buy

 

On the page of every product, always place the average shipping time so the customer can see it. You may think that it will deter some people from purchasing your products, especially if it has more than three weeks of shipping time, but it does not. Customers are more likely to get angry if they are told the item will arrive within one or two weeks, actually arrives a month later. Waiting longer than they have to will make them feel like they have been lied to.

 

Add a shipping time calculator to your site

 

In the right-hand corner of your online store, you can place a shipping time calculator for customers to use. When a customer uses the shipping calculator, they can add their zip code or country of origin, and the calculator will adjust the entire website. It will change the currency, and it will show the average shipping time for each product to the customer's location. By adding a shipping calculator, there will be no surprises, and the customer will know how long they can expect to wait. If adjusting the entire site puts a strain on the framework of your store, then add the shipping time calculator to the checkout order. And make sure the customer can see it. Put the calculator in an obvious area, like at the top for the cart. Do whatever it takes to inform the customer that the wait time will be longer than usual.

 

Always give the customer a tracking number

 

Never partner with a supplier that cannot provide tracking information. If you do, not only will your customer be frustrated because they are always wondering where their package is, you'll be frustrated and concerned every time an order nears its arrival date. Also, always provide the customer with their order's tracking number so they can know where it is at all times. Send them an alert whenever it is shipped, every time it passed through a warehouse, and when it is about to arrive.

 

Conclusion

 

So here are just a few ways to keep customers happy and content while they're waiting for their product to arrive. You should never trick or lie to customers and say that your shipping times are faster then they are. If you do lie, you will anger customers who will send complaints to your customer service line. Your store will develop a bad reputation, and you could be out of business within a few months.