Today’s customers track everything, following their orders from initial processing all the way through final delivery. With expectations around shipments higher than ever, reliable tracking, automatic updates and regular communications have become more than just “nice-to-haves”—they’re now industry standards.
To keep up in an increasingly competitive landscape while earning customers’ trust, shippers must focus on providing a seamless and transparent tracking experience.
Why Transparent Delivery Tracking Matters
Today’s discerning consumers expect a personalized and immersive post‑purchase experience with a range of options for staying up to date—whether through texts, emails or in‑app notifications. They also want these updates proactively, with 94% of consumers saying they expect brands to tell them when their order will be delivered before they even have to ask.[1]
Consumers also expect insights into the progress of the delivery along the way, allowing them to plan and stay abreast of any changes or delays.
Customers expect insights into each stage of delivery
- Order Received
48% of consumers want a confirmation notification when their order is received.[2] - Order Delayed
57% want a notification when their order is delayed.[3] - Order Out for Delivery
70% want a notification when their order is out for delivery.[4] - Order Delivered
72% want a notification when their order is delivered.[5]
Leveraging United States Postal Service® application program interfaces (APIs) and tools can help meet the growing demand for delivery visibility.
Using USPS® Tools to Power Reliable Delivery Tracking
The following USPS tools and APIs can make it easy for brands to offer the insights customers want:
- USPS Tracking® APIarrow_right_alt— This API provides customers with automated delivery status updates via email, SMS or e-commerce integrations for any packages sent via USPS.
- Informed Delivery® featurearrow_right_alt— This free feature provides customers with digital previews of incoming mail and status updates for all USPS® packages. Viewable via email or the online dashboard, the Informed Delivery feature makes it easy for customers to track and manage their packages in one convenient place. They can also leave USPS Delivery Instructions® for their carrier, add unique package nicknames or schedule a Redelivery for another day.
- USPS Ground Advantage®arrow_right_alt— A cost-effective shipping solution for expected two- to five-day delivery within the United States, USPS Ground Advantage comes with USPS Tracking®, making it easy for both shippers and customers to consistently monitor delivery progress. Customers can track through the USPS® website or mobile app.
Business Benefits of Proactive Tracking
Providing reliable tracking options isn’t just good for your customers; it’s also good for your business. When your customers feel supported and understood throughout the post-purchase journey, they’ll be more inclined to make future purchases, recommend your brand to friends and family, and leave positive reviews. At the same time, they’ll be less likely to require assistance from customer service.
Providing frequent order updates can alleviate customer anxiety while reducing the number of “where is my order” (WISMO) inquiries, freeing up your team for other work and increasing efficiencies. A smooth, seamless experience can also reduce feelings of buyer’s remorse and build positive feelings around your brand, helping to forge long-term trust and loyalty.
And when customers have tracking visibility, so do internal teams—making it easy to monitor shipments and proactively address any delivery issues along the way. With three out of four consumers saying they’ll spend more with businesses that provide a good customer experience,[6] tracking can be a major differentiator.
Key Takeaway
With today’s customers expecting tracking data, regular updates and transparent communications at every step of the post‑purchase journey, shippers must think strategically and plan proactively.
Leveraging USPS® APIs can transform the customer experience, enhancing visibility while streamlining your own internal operations. Sign up todayarrow_right_alt to get started.
Footnotes
keyboard_arrow_down- [1]“Driving Long-Term Loyalty with Post-Purchase Innovations,” Retail TouchPoints, sponsored by Narvar, 2024. arrow_right_alt
- [2]Ibid. arrow_right_alt
- [3]Ibid. arrow_right_alt
- [4]Ibid. arrow_right_alt
- [5]Ibid. arrow_right_alt
- [6]Mozhdeh Rastegar-Panahm, “92 customer service statistics you need to know in 2025,” Zendesk, Aug. 12, 2025. arrow_right_alt
