Can I Track The Exact Location Of A Parcel?

The rise of online shopping has meant that we now have an unprecedented amount of choice when it comes to where we buy our goods – and this can be both good news and bad news for retailers, as they have an increased responsibility to ensure that products are delivered safely and efficiently to customers.

This rise in eCommerce means that needing to track parcels is not more important than ever before, and the rise in technology has seen a huge increase in parcel tracking software available on the market today.

We took a closer look at the best ways to track the locations of parcels that you have both sent and ordered, as well as those which will help you find out if your order has been delivered or not.

How Can I Track The Location Of A Parcel?

The most common method of tracking parcels is to use a specialist third-party service; these services will take care of everything for you, and offer you the peace of mind that your parcels will reach the recipient safely.

Third-Party Services

There are many different services available that offer parcel tracking, but some of them are better suited to certain types of businesses than others.

For example, if you are sending large numbers of items to multiple addresses then a service such as DHL Global Mail may be suitable for you, whereas a company like Royal Mail offers a much cheaper option for smaller volumes.

There are also several factors to consider when choosing a third-party service provider, and these include:

Price

Price is a major consideration when choosing a parcel tracking service, as there are often hidden costs involved with using one.

Some companies charge per item tracked, while others charge for the whole bundle, and some even charge extra for additional features, including proof of postage or signed delivery at the other end.

It is therefore worth checking how much a particular service charges before committing to using it.

Speed

Another factor to consider is speed, as some services are faster than others.

If you need to know exactly where your parcel is within hours of sending it, then you should choose a service that provides this level of accuracy.

However, if you only require information about your package every few days, then a slower service might suit you just fine – these will also tend to be a little cheaper.

Security

Another key consideration is security for your packages, especially if you send sensitive materials.

Make sure that the service you choose will keep your packages or letters safe while they are being delivered – this can be achieved by encrypting all data transmissions between your computer and their servers.

Customer Service

Finally, make sure that the customer service provided by any company you choose is up to scratch, and that they can answer any questions or concerns that you may have,

There are a number of companies able to provide parcel tracking and the most popular include:

DHL Global Mail

DHL Global Mail is a popular option if you want to track your parcels, and they offer a range of options depending on your needs, including the option to pay for premium services such as priority shipping and guaranteed delivery times.

Parcels are tracked using GPS technology, and customers can view real-time updates on their progress via an online dashboard, using a dedicated tracking number to monitor progress.

Royal Mail

If you don’t mind paying less money for your parcel tracking, then Royal Mail is another good choice.

They offer a variety of services, including standard tracking, express delivery, and registered mail.

You can also check the status of your order online, and get instant alerts if anything goes wrong.

UPS

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, UPS is another popular choice.

Their services come at a range of prices, and this includes options that take care of basic tracking and delivery confirmation.

Customers can also choose to receive notifications of deliveries, which makes it easier to find out what’s happening with your package.

FedEx

FedEx is another popular choice for parcel tracking, and they offer a wide range of services, including standard delivery, express delivery, and international shipping.

They also offer a range of payment options, depending on factors such as location, time, distance, and package type.

USPS

The US Postal Service offers a similar range of services to those offered by FedEx, but they do not offer international shipping.

Instead, they focus on domestic shipments and offer a range of different services, including standard tracking and delivery confirmation.

How Does Parcel Tracking Technology Work?

Parcel tracking technology works in a similar way to other forms of internet connectivity, and involves the use of GPS.

This allows the system to pinpoint the exact location of your parcel, so you can see how far away it is from its destination. 

It does this by connecting to satellites orbiting above our planet, and comparing the position of your parcel against the satellite’s coordinates.

Once it has determined the location, it sends this information back to the tracking website, allowing you to access the details.

What Are The Advantages of Tracking My Parcel?

Tracking your parcel gives you peace of mind when it comes to knowing where it is at all times.

If something happens to your parcel during transit, you’ll be notified immediately, and you can follow the journey of your parcel until it reaches its final destination.

There are many advantages to tracking your parcel, including:

Peace Of Mind

Knowing exactly where your parcel is at all times will give you peace of mind, especially if there is any delay or problem along the way.

Safety

If your parcel gets lost or stolen, you’ll know right away, and you can contact the relevant authorities straightaway.

Security

If you have sensitive items in your parcel, you’ll know exactly who has them, and you won’t need to worry about anyone else accessing them.

What Information Can Be Viewed On Parcel Tracking Websites?

In most cases, you will be able to view the following information on most parcel tracking websites, to put you in control at every step of the delivery process:

Location

This shows the current location of your parcel and will be updated frequently depending on the service that you use and have paid for.

Delivery Status

This shows whether the courier company has confirmed that your parcel has been received, or whether it has been returned to the sender.

This also allows you a little extra security if a recipient claims that their parcel has not arrived.

Estimated Time To Arrival

This shows the estimated time that your parcel will arrive at its destination.

Tracking Number

This number is unique to each parcel, and it helps you identify your parcel if it goes missing.

Final Thoughts

Tracking your parcel online is an easy and convenient way to keep track of your shipment throughout the entire delivery process.

You can choose between various parcel tracking services, depending on what you want to achieve, and which one suits your needs best.