From today, DHL customers can add and save their what3words address to their profile in the DHL Parcel App, enabling them to specify deliveries to a very precise location – be it the front door, specific apartment complex entrance, or a tucked-away side passage. The DHL Parcel App gives customers power and flexibility over their delivery – and the addition of what3words will make the process even more efficient.
what3words has essentially divided the world into a grid of 3m x 3m squares and given each square a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. For example, ///chemistry.cloth.woke points to the precise entrance of Brighton Palace Pier. It’s an easy way to find, share and navigate to precise locations, anywhere in the world. DHL customers can discover their what3words address via the free what3words app – available for iOS and Android – or the online map at what3words.com. They can then save their what3words address in the DHL Parcel App, under ‘Delivery Addresses’. Their future orders fulfilled by DHL UK will be dropped off at that exact location.
The e-commerce boom has led to a rise in deliveries, and today as many as 85% of UK internet users place orders online. However, 74% of the UK population say guests, deliveries or services struggle to find their homes on a daily basis. Inaccurate addresses cost businesses time and money, and damage customer satisfaction. In fact, 56% say that they won’t shop with a retailer following a poor delivery experience.3
The last mile accounts for up to 55% of the delivery cost, largely as street addresses and postcodes guide delivery drivers to a street or broad area, but often not to the exact door the order needs to be delivered to. By using a what3words address, DHL drivers can find delivery locations at the first attempt so routes can be better optimised, helping DHL cut out the inefficiencies that create surplus emissions in the last mile.
“New technology plays an important role in improving operations, reducing costs and enhancing customer service,” says Chris Sheldrick, Co-founder & CEO of what3words. “DHL continues to innovate in its approach, and we’re looking forward to helping their drivers find and make deliveries with ease, giving customers the peace of mind that their parcel will arrive exactly where it needs to go.”
