How to Send Customers a Live Tracking Link

Picture this: You manage a delivery service, but it’s not all smooth sailing. Your customers keep calling and asking where their deliveries are. It’s frustrating and time-consuming. But what if you could give them a live tracking link?

That’s where proof of delivery (POD) software and real-time tracking software come in handy.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to send customers a live tracking link. We’ll also discuss why it’s essential for the continued success of your business.

Why you need to send customers live tracking links

Providing real time tracking isn’t just a perk anymore. It’s a necessity.

Why? Because customers want faster, more efficient deliveries. The days of sending customers a 12-hour delivery window are long gone.

However, the benefits of sending a customer live tracking links goes beyond just keeping your clients happy.

While real time visibility reduces anxiety on their part and builds trust in your brand, it also benefits you as the supplier.

How? Simple: Fewer support calls.

Businesses save time and resources when they send customers live tracking links because they won’t have to deal with so many frustrated customers calling in about the status of their parcels.

Sending live tracking links also boosts operational efficiency. Since customers can now keep track of their own deliveries, your staff can focus on actually delivering instead of dealing with repetitive, time-consuming queries.

By providing live tracking links, you completely change the dynamics of customer service.

The benefits of live tracking links

Beyond improving customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, live tracking links also reduce the possibility of failed deliveries.

Here are some of the other benefits of sending customers live tracking links.

1. Fewer delivery failures

Missed deliveries can be an absolute pain, for both your clients and your support team.

When recipients know exactly when to expect their deliveries, the chances of a missed drop-off are greatly reduced.

ALSO READ: Attempted Delivery: What Does It Mean & What Happens Next?

2. Faster delivery resolutions

Real time tracking links enable the client and your team to handle any delivery issues as they arise.

For example: Say there is an unexpected traffic delay on the route. In the past, your driver would end up sitting in traffic, while an infuriated customer is left in the dark about the driver’s whereabouts.

Now, the client will know exactly what is happening along the way, and when to expect their parcel. They won’t need to put their entire day on hold just because they’re waiting for a delivery.

3. Increased transparency

When customers can see where their package is in real time, they feel more informed and in control.

This transparency reduces customer anxiety and improves trust in your service.

Why should you care about customer satisfaction? Because how customers feel they are being treated shapes their whole buying experience, and keeping them informed is one of the simplest ways to treat them well.

Challenges of sending live tracking links

While live tracking offers many benefits, there are challenges that businesses need to keep in mind.

1. Cost of setting up

Investing in real-time tracking software and GPS devices comes with an upfront cost.

However, the return on investment makes it worthwhile. The benefits of sending customers live tracking links far outweigh the cost of setting it up.

2. Data security and privacy

Customers might have concerns about how their location data is being used, but this issue can be overcome with transparency and clear communication of how it all works.

It’s important to have straightforward data policies in place. This will reassure your customers that their information is being handled responsibly.

Remember, customers trust brands who value their privacy.

3. Hardware and maintenance

GPS tracking systems and mobile networks can fail if not properly maintained. While it seems like a challenge, it’s also easy to navigate.

Ensure regular updates and maintenance sessions are carried out to prevent any downtime.

Sending live tracking links: How it works

At the heart of live tracking is the technology that powers it.

The demand for efficient and speedy delivery, along with real-time tracking, keeps growing as e-commerce continues to surge.

The technology and software provided by Locate2u help companies to keep up with this demand, while also reducing customer complaints.

To assist businesses in sending live tracking links to customers, Locate2u combines several key features to give businesses full visibility over their fleet and deliveries.

1. GPS integration

Locate2u uses GPS to track the real-time locations of vehicles and assets.

In addition, mobile networks transmit this data to cloud-based platforms. It’s from here that businesses can monitor all movements and delivery statuses.

2. Customizable live tracking links

You can also personalize the live tracking links you send to customers by adding your company’s logo. This ensures you create a branded experience for your customers.

Think of it as a professional touch to the delivery process, builds trust in your business and increases brand awareness.

3. Fleet management and driver monitoring

Want to know a secret? Locate2u goes beyond just sending tracking links.

You can also monitor driver behavior. This includes checking their driving speed and optimizing routes to improve efficiency.

And the best part? All of this relevant information can be shared with your customers in real-time.

How to send a live tracking link

Creating tracking links for customers is a straightforward process. It’s as easy as open, set and share.

1. Open the Locate2u app

First, open the app, either on your phone or web page. This is the control hub where you’ll find all the tracking features.

You can also customize the tracking process by adding your company logo, as well as the driver’s photo and contact details should the customer need to get in touch with the driver.

These details are set up per team member, so each customer sees the right driver for their delivery.

2. Share your live location

From the dashboard, choose the option for sharing your live location. This will generate a GPS-tracked link.

Tracking URLs are unique and will remain active while the booking is active.

3. Set the duration period

Next, set a time limit for how long the customer will be able to access the tracking URLs. It could be a few hours, a few minutes, or an entire day, you are in control.

You can change the time limit window in your tracking settings, where you can also set the tracking behavior for the driver.

4. Send your customer a link

Once the live tracking link is generated, you can send it directly to your client via SMS or email. They will be able to track their delivery from their side.

It will update in real time as the vehicle moves.

Automated SMS messages can be set to go out at key moments in the delivery, and you can customize the wording of each one.

5. Monitor your drivers

While your drivers are out delivering parcels, you can track their progress (and the location of their vehicles) from your dashboard.

The software will also optimize routes and address any delays as they arise.

At the end of the delivery, you’d also be able to get a rating from your customers.

As Locate2u founder and CEO Steve Orenstein explains: “That rating is super valuable because this means that at the completion of the booking [you know] if the customer was happy or not happy.”

Real-life use case: Madam Seafood

Madam Seafood is a small, second-generation family-owned e-commerce business.

They send live tracking links to their customers, and this has reduced the number of customer service inquiries they were saddled with in the past.

Madam Seafood’s manager, Jack Lee, says approximately 90% of their workload has been shifted thanks to the tracking link.

Madam Seafood’s customers can now check the status of the delivery for themselves. It’s such a straightforward addition to their service offer, but it makes a world of difference to their day-to-day operations.

Orenstein says the future of e-commerce comes down to two aspects: “Selecting the [delivery] date and showing the live tracking link.”

“That’s what customers and consumers are expecting these days.”

How live tracking of deliveries will evolve

The role of live tracking in the delivery industry is only set to grow in the coming years. These changes will be driven by consumer demand for transparency and the increasing complexity of logistics.

Real-time tracking technology, such as GPS and RFID, will also continue to evolve.

This technology provides accurate delivery estimates by adjusting for traffic conditions and other factors in real time.

We also cannot downplay the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and data analytics.

AI and analytics are increasingly integrated with live tracking systems. It then provides insights that help avoid delays and predict potential disruptions.

These advancements will allow companies to optimize delivery routes and improve overall efficiency.

More emphasis will also be placed on sustainability in the coming years. Many companies are exploring electric vehicles (EVs) and other eco-friendly delivery methods to reduce their environmental impact.

As live tracking becomes more standard, customers will expect seamless tracking experiences as part of any delivery service.

Let’s recap: Why you should send live tracking links

Sending customers a live tracking link is not just about meeting expectations, it’s about providing a seamless, transparent, and efficient service.

With the help of tools like Locate2u, businesses can now easily optimize their delivery processes, reduce customer inquiries, and improve overall satisfaction.

Whether you manage a delivery fleet for retail, food, or logistics, real time tracking will keep your customers informed and your operations smooth.

Start sending live tracking messages and links today with Locate2u and see the difference it can make for your business.