How to reduce the number of failed deliveries by tens of percent

Every failed delivery costs you money, time, and customer trust. Yet it is still common for e‑shops to have 5–15% of orders that cannot be delivered on the first attempt. In many cases, this is a combination of small mistakes and overlooked details. In this article, we show you 5 concrete steps on how to reduce the number of failed deliveries by tens of percent — without massive investments.

✅ TL;DR – How to reduce the number of failed deliveries?

1. Introduce the option to choose a delivery time
2. Work with SMS and notification emails
3. Allow customers to add a note for the doorbell/delivery
4. Use couriers with access to detailed instructions
5. Track and analyse reasons for failed delivery — and adjust logistics accordingly

🔍 1. Give customers the option to choose a time

A fundamental difference is made by the simple option to choose the delivery day and time window. When customers know that their parcel will arrive on a specific day between 5:00–7:00 PM and plan for it, the probability that they will receive it increases dramatically.

📌 In practice, slot‑based delivery has 30–40% fewer failed deliveries than standard “stay at home all day” delivery models.

✉️ 2. Send reminders in time

Make sure customers know when and how their parcel will arrive:

• SMS with delivery information and a tracking link
• Email the day before and again on the morning of delivery
• Option to change the time or contact customer support

👉 DODO offers informational notifications and direct contact between the courier and the customer.

🏷️ 3. Let customers add instructions

Couriers often hesitate — “The doorbell doesn’t work”, “The company entrance is on the other side”… Add a field in the checkout for delivery notes. It’s a small detail that can save a delivery.

🧠 4. Deliver with a human approach

When a courier has detailed instructions, knows where to ring, can call, or arrives exactly within the selected time window, the customer is prepared. At DODO, couriers deliver with a “last‑mile with care” approach — not anonymous delivery, but a service with a human face and flexibility.

📊 5. Track and evaluate

Not every parcel gets delivered — that’s a fact. But analyse every failed delivery:

• Was there an error in the address?
• Did the courier not reach the customer?
• Was the parcel damaged or refused?

These data points are a gold mine. And they are the main difference between an e‑shop that is constantly “putting out fires” and one that has its logistics under control.

❓ Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How many parcels typically fail to be delivered?
In the Europe, the usual range is between 5–15%, depending on the type of goods, location, and delivery method.

Which delivery method has the fewest failed deliveries?
Shipments with the option to choose a delivery time (slot‑based delivery) achieve significantly better results than standard delivery.

What if the customer is not at home?
Consider a repeat delivery, direct coordination with the courier, or offering an alternative time slot. Flexibility is key.

🚀 Summary

Reducing the number of failed deliveries is possible — and often it simply means communicating better, listening more closely to customers, and choosing smarter logistics solutions. Slot‑based delivery, smart notifications, and delivery notes in the checkout are simple but extremely effective tools today.