Foundation · 2 min
What you need to know
What shipping metrics should ecommerce stores track?
Track processing time, shipped-on-promise rate, carrier arrival performance, correct-item fulfillment, damage, loss and actual cost by order. Define where processing ends and transit begins so teams can fix the right part.
What is average shipping cost per order?
Average shipping cost per order is the total included carrier costs divided by the number of orders under a chosen definition. Specify whether returns, multi-parcel orders, packaging, and surcharges are included. Averages can hide very expensive distant shipments.
What is order processing time?
Order processing time runs from the defined order-ready event to carrier handoff or pickup-ready notice. Do not compare a paid order with a pending payment order as if both started at the same point.
What is on-time delivery rate?
On-time delivery rate is the share of shipments delivered within the promised or recorded delivery window. Define how you treat split orders, exceptions and unscanned delivery. Compare promises made at checkout with actual tracking rather than using only a carrier standard.
What is fulfillment accuracy?
Fulfillment accuracy measures how often the intended items, variants, quantities, and addresses are prepared correctly. Check for a wrong option or size, not merely whether a box received a label.
How should merchants measure damaged shipments?
Track damaged shipments against shipped parcels with the same period and definition. Collect customer reports and carrier claims, then review patterns by product, box, and carrier. An increase may reveal inadequate packing rather than a new transit problem.
How should merchants measure lost shipments?
Count parcels confirmed lost using an explicit investigation stage and denominator. Separate temporarily delayed, delivered-not-received and confirmed lost shipments. Track cost and customer remedies as well as claim outcomes.
Foundation · 2 min
Frequently asked questions
How can shipping performance be compared by carrier?
Compare carrier service, destination mix, parcel size, pickup timing, on-time rate, damages, claims and invoice cost for comparable orders. One carrier handling mostly remote routes should not be judged against another serving nearby customers without adjustment.
How can shipping performance be compared by region?
Compare similar products and service levels by region, including actual carrier cost and delivery promise. Regional differences can reveal a zone error, remote surcharge, or stock-location problem. Small samples need cautious interpretation.