Businesses like yours have been leading the way when it comes to finding innovative ways to keep your doors open. But returning to normal doesn’t mean that all of your hard work has to go down the drain. One pandemic favourite that is here to stay is curbside pickup, and we can’t blame your customers for wanting to keep this trend around. Ordering online from your favourite businesses and going to pick up at a time that works for you? Sounds like a win to us.
And curbside pickup is a win for you too. From helping with your in-store shopping capacity to easing your delivery cost, this hybrid alternative brings the best of in-person and online shopping together. Here are some ways to make sure you’re maximizing your curbside pickup potential.
Make your customer experience a breeze
From clear signage to timely communication, set up your curbside pickup process in a way that lets you set it and forget it. Whether that’s text or email updates that are sent directly to your customers to let them know their order is ready, or signage to show them where they can park or walk up to collect their order. You can even use the reservation feature on your Moneris Online website to schedule pickup times to ensure you have enough time set aside to help each new arrival.
Anything that helps to reduce confusion and boost efficiency will help to keep your customers coming back to use the service.
Protect your business from chargebacks
Accepting payments over the phone for curbside pickup orders may be riskier than you think. Chargebacks are a very real problem for businesses where a customer pays for their order online or over the phone and arrives to pick it up later.
One way to keep chargebacks at bay is to process payments through your Moneris Online website or the Moneris Virtual Terminal, both options allow you to send a receipt to your customer directly so you both have a record of the transaction. It’s also a good idea to ask for ID or the card used to process the transaction once your customer does arrive, confirming their identity and making sure the order makes it to the right person.
Alternatively, a wireless terminal like Moneris Go is a great option if you want to meet customers outside or at their cars once they arrive to pick up their orders. This not only keeps your processing fees low, but it also helps to keep your chargeback risk at a minimum just like your regular in-store transactions.
Make pickup an alternative to delivery
Delivery has seen a huge uptake since the pandemic took hold, and it shows no signs of slowing down either. But with rising popularity comes longer delivery times and potentially a higher cost to you or your customers. So, how do you take advantage of the boost in online shopping while offering a faster and cheaper alternative to delivery? Curbside pickup of course.
Empower your customers to stop by and pick up their orders at a time that works for them. It’s a great way for them to get to know your business beyond the computer screen and can give you an opportunity to upsell or make connections that will keep them coming back to support you. So make sure you highlight at checkout that they can do curbside pickup as a free alternative to delivery, and let them come to you.
Be prepared for unknowns and opportunities
As a business owner, you know the ups and downs of pandemic restrictions better than anyone. A great way to stay prepared as we transition into cooler temperatures and flu season in a few short months is to keep your curbside processes strong, so you’re ready for anything.
Curbside pickup is also a great way to cater to last-minute shoppers for the upcoming holidays without having to worry about capacity limits during busy shopping seasons. All they have to do is order online as soon as they remember, and pick up their order from you on their way to that anniversary dinner or holiday party.
Whether you’re a curbside pickup convert or just know it’s a good option to keep your business competitive, doing it well can have great results. This hybrid way of shopping is a low-lift, high-reward scenario that can keep your business going no matter the state of the world.
And curbside pickup is a win for you too. From helping with your in-store shopping capacity to easing your delivery cost, this hybrid alternative brings the best of in-person and online shopping together. Here are some ways to make sure you’re maximizing your curbside pickup potential.
Make your customer experience a breeze
From clear signage to timely communication, set up your curbside pickup process in a way that lets you set it and forget it. Whether that’s text or email updates that are sent directly to your customers to let them know their order is ready, or signage to show them where they can park or walk up to collect their order. You can even use the reservation feature on your Moneris Online website to schedule pickup times to ensure you have enough time set aside to help each new arrival.
Anything that helps to reduce confusion and boost efficiency will help to keep your customers coming back to use the service.
Protect your business from chargebacks
Accepting payments over the phone for curbside pickup orders may be riskier than you think. Chargebacks are a very real problem for businesses where a customer pays for their order online or over the phone and arrives to pick it up later.
One way to keep chargebacks at bay is to process payments through your Moneris Online website or the Moneris Virtual Terminal, both options allow you to send a receipt to your customer directly so you both have a record of the transaction. It’s also a good idea to ask for ID or the card used to process the transaction once your customer does arrive, confirming their identity and making sure the order makes it to the right person.
Alternatively, a wireless terminal like Moneris Go is a great option if you want to meet customers outside or at their cars once they arrive to pick up their orders. This not only keeps your processing fees low, but it also helps to keep your chargeback risk at a minimum just like your regular in-store transactions.
Make pickup an alternative to delivery
Delivery has seen a huge uptake since the pandemic took hold, and it shows no signs of slowing down either. But with rising popularity comes longer delivery times and potentially a higher cost to you or your customers. So, how do you take advantage of the boost in online shopping while offering a faster and cheaper alternative to delivery? Curbside pickup of course.
Empower your customers to stop by and pick up their orders at a time that works for them. It’s a great way for them to get to know your business beyond the computer screen and can give you an opportunity to upsell or make connections that will keep them coming back to support you. So make sure you highlight at checkout that they can do curbside pickup as a free alternative to delivery, and let them come to you.
Be prepared for unknowns and opportunities
As a business owner, you know the ups and downs of pandemic restrictions better than anyone. A great way to stay prepared as we transition into cooler temperatures and flu season in a few short months is to keep your curbside processes strong, so you’re ready for anything.
Curbside pickup is also a great way to cater to last-minute shoppers for the upcoming holidays without having to worry about capacity limits during busy shopping seasons. All they have to do is order online as soon as they remember, and pick up their order from you on their way to that anniversary dinner or holiday party.
Whether you’re a curbside pickup convert or just know it’s a good option to keep your business competitive, doing it well can have great results. This hybrid way of shopping is a low-lift, high-reward scenario that can keep your business going no matter the state of the world.
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