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Delivery Management Software ROI: Is It Worth It for SMBs?
Is delivery management software worth it for SMBs? Discover how it improves efficiency, cuts costs, and delivers strong ROI without adding overhead.
Is delivery management software worth it for SMBs? Discover how it improves efficiency, cuts costs, and delivers strong ROI without adding overhead.
Running deliveries efficiently isn’t just a logistics challenge—it’s a make-or-break factor for many small and medium-sized businesses. Whether you’re bringing boxes of cookies, organic kale, or fresh-cut flowers to local customers, the process behind getting your product to the doorstep matters just as much as the product itself. That’s why delivery management software has become a hot topic for SMBs looking to save time, cut costs, and stay competitive.
But is it actually worth the investment? Will your return on investment (ROI) justify the subscription cost, onboarding effort, and process changes? The short answer: yes—if you choose the right software. Let’s break down the numbers, the hidden benefits, and the real-world outcomes to help you decide.
At its core, delivery management software automates the process of planning, dispatching, tracking, and communicating deliveries. It removes the guesswork from route planning, sends real-time delivery notifications to customers, and helps drivers stay on task with an intuitive driver app. Think of it as the air traffic control system for your delivery operation—keeping everything on schedule and out of chaos.
These tools are especially useful for SMBs operating in spaces like meal kit delivery, grocery delivery, or subscription box delivery, where volume is high and accuracy is non-negotiable.
The key benefit? You gain visibility, control, and the ability to scale without hiring more staff or spending hours building routes manually.
Many businesses still rely on manual processes—paper printouts, shared spreadsheets, or a good old-fashioned map and marker combo. While this might work for five deliveries a day, things get ugly fast when that number grows to 20, 50, or 100.
Inefficiencies pile up in ways that aren’t always obvious:
And for sectors like butcher delivery or flower delivery, where freshness is time-sensitive, these issues don’t just cost money—they cost trust.
Calculating ROI for delivery software isn’t just about comparing subscription fees to savings. It’s about looking at the complete picture: how much time you save, how many extra deliveries you can complete, and how many customer support tickets you prevent.
For instance, research shows that using delivery routing tools can reduce total fleet mileage by up to 20%. Fewer miles mean lower fuel costs, less wear and tear, and shorter delivery windows—all contributing to a stronger bottom line.
Add to that fewer planning hours per week, improved delivery accuracy, and higher customer retention, and it’s easy to see why the numbers tip in favor of software.
Let’s break it down: If you spend 90 minutes a day planning routes manually, that’s 7.5 hours a week—or nearly 400 hours per year. With the right tool, you could cut that planning time down to minutes. That’s not just time saved—it’s capacity gained.
Companies handling auto parts delivery, laundry delivery, or hardware delivery can complete more deliveries in less time simply by optimizing their routes. That means higher daily volume without hiring more drivers or vehicles.
More efficient routes also lead to fewer delays, which helps avoid overtime pay and missed delivery windows—costs that quietly eat away at margins.
Speed and accuracy are just the beginning. Modern customers expect transparency—especially with local deliveries. Whether you're managing bookstore delivery, produce delivery, or furniture delivery, customers want live order tracking, timely updates, and easy communication.
88% of consumers say the experience a company provides is as important as its products or services. That’s why delivery software with real-time tracking and notifications isn’t just nice to have—it’s crucial for retention.
Fewer failed deliveries and happier customers mean more repeat business and fewer support headaches.
For Shopify merchants, EasyRoutes delivers maximum ROI with minimal learning curve. It pulls your orders directly from Shopify, generates optimized routes in seconds, and provides your team with a smooth driver app and live customer notifications.
It’s an ideal fit for SMBs offering coffee shop delivery, medical supply delivery, or mobile cleaners—especially those looking to scale delivery without adding headcount.
By minimizing planning time, increasing route efficiency, and improving communication, EasyRoutes offers a streamlined way to reduce costs while elevating your delivery experience.
Bloomen, a Canadian flower delivery business, needed a way to handle a surge in orders while maintaining the quality of service that made them a customer favorite. Manual routing was holding them back, especially during high-demand times like Valentine’s Day.
After implementing EasyRoutes, Bloomen reduced time spent on route planning, streamlined internal communication, and improved on-time deliveries. Their customers received proactive updates and a smoother overall experience. Most importantly, they were able to handle increased order volumes—without increasing delivery costs.
Their story highlights how software ROI isn't just about what you save, but also about what you gain: time, scale, and loyalty.
So, is delivery management software always the right move? Not necessarily. If you’re running a side hustle with five orders a week, a spreadsheet might still get the job done. But once deliveries become a daily operation, investing in software pays off quickly.
Here’s when it’s time to make the switch:
The sooner you invest, the sooner you save—and the smoother your operations become.
Delivery management software isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a strategic one. For small and mid-sized businesses, the right platform can transform daily operations, reduce hidden costs, and create better experiences for everyone involved.
Whether you’re managing a fleet of two or twenty, the returns from automation, efficiency, and better communication add up quickly. If you’re ready to reduce planning chaos, scale delivery operations, and improve customer satisfaction, Roundtrip.ai can help you unlock the ROI your business deserves—without the sticker shock.
Trusted by 5,000+ Businesses
Roundtrip.ai's mission is to equip every business with the software tools they need to deliver products to their customers in a delightful way. Thousands of worldwide choose EasyRoutes to power their local deliveries across dozens of product categories, from meal kits and groceries to coffee, cupcakes, kibble, and so much more. Our easy-to-use route planning and delivery optimization app is certified Built for Shopify, a two-time Shopify staff pick, and the top rated local delivery app on the Shopify App Store.