Successful businesses run on efficiency. Business owners invest in systems that help them do everything from delivering orders on time to maintaining open lines of communication with customers — and a common tool they turn to is Informed Delivery.
Originally introduced by the United States Postal Service (USPS), Informed Delivery notifies people about incoming letters and packages before they arrive. But, while the USPS Informed Delivery feature is popular with businesses, it’s not the only option on the market.
Understanding what each Informed Delivery alternative offers can help you decide which platform to use to stay on top of deliveries and lower your chances of overlooking important incoming correspondence, like tax or legal information.
In this post, we take an in-depth look at Informed Delivery and explore some USPS Informed Delivery alternatives.
Informed Delivery is a free service provided by shipping and mail entities. Originally introduced by the USPS in 2014 to improve the overall mailing experience, DHL, UPS, and FedEx have since adopted similar programs. The idea is to give customers a way to preview their incoming mail before it arrives.
To enroll in an Informed Delivery service:
Once you enroll in an Informed Delivery service, you will receive images of shipping labels or envelopes via email to give you an idea of what mail to expect that day (or over the course of the week, depending on the service).
Informed Delivery is undoubtedly a game-changer for people who are always on the go, as it lets them know what to expect. However, it does have some limitations that may lead businesses to seek alternative solutions:
If you need comprehensive mail management services for your business (for all types of packages and mail), a virtual mailbox provider like Stable may be a better option.
While they may sound similar, note that a virtual mailbox isn't the same as a virtual address — it’s more similar to a P.O. Box. With a mailbox, you don't just get an address for your business. You also get additional services like mail scanning, forwarding, shredding, and more!
With virtual mailbox services, you get email notifications when mail arrives at the receiving facility. Then, you can choose whether to forward the physical mail items to your address or have them opened and digitized so you can access them online.
This level of convenience is especially beneficial for home-based business owners who don't want junk mail filling up their residential mailboxes — and any business that doesn't have a physical office location. It's also a lifesaver for entrepreneurs who are always on the move, as it allows them to keep up with correspondence regardless of where they’re working.
There are many informed Delivery alternatives in the market, some of which may be better suited for your business than others. When choosing one, consider your operational needs, budget, ease of use, and security. Ideally, you want a service that seamlessly meets all your needs without compromising your security or going over budget.
However, assessing all your options can be exhausting and time-consuming. We've cut through the noise to bring you some top choices to consider.
Stable is a virtual mailbox service that provides permanent virtual business addresses in various popular business hubs across the U.S., including New York, Delaware, Texas, Wyoming, and California.
Stable is similar to USPS Informed Delivery in that we'll notify you about expected mail if you choose to have it forwarded to your address. But that's as far as the similarities go — we're more business-focused than USPS Informed Delivery and offer a broader range of mail management services.
Some of Stable's key features include:
Stable's pricing ranges between $49 to $89/month, depending on your business needs. We also offer custom pricing for enterprises that require high-volume mail management, BAAs for HIPAA compliance, and custom workflows.
Thanks to our virtual addresses and comprehensive mail management services, we are suitable for remote or home-based businesses as well as companies that handle high volumes of mail or deal with confidential documents.
PrintComm is a direct marketing service provider that offers mailing and print services. Like USPS, it provides a digital mail preview option, allowing you to get in front of your mail and make necessary arrangements before delivery.
However, unlike USPS, it's primarily tailored for businesses, not consumers. Further, it offers direct mail printing services, which can support your marketing efforts. Some of its key features include:
PrintComm customizes pricing based on the scope of your project. Costs are typically based on factors like the number of mail pieces ordered and your preferred designs. Because of its focus on printing and mailing services, it may be best suited for marketing businesses.
GrayHair is a software company that specializes in mail tracking systems. Like USPS, it lets you know when mail is expected to reach target consumers.
But, it does so on a larger scale — it tracks mail and packages from the moment they enter the USPS system to when they actually reach customers.
Some of its key features include:
GrayHair offers custom pricing based on the level of service required (e.g., basic mail tracking vs. advanced tracking and reporting) and the number of mail pieces to be tracked. It may be a suitable solution for large mailers looking for detailed tracking and reporting, as it can give them a visual of their mailing processes.
PackageX offers scanning and receiving software designed to give you better control of your packages. It tracks your mail pieces throughout the logistics journey and provides delivery updates, just like USPS Informed Delivery.
However, unlike USPS delivery, it doesn't just send delivery updates. You also have the ability to trigger email notifications and text messages when there are expected delays or when items reach specific milestones during the delivery process.
Some of PackageX's key features include:
As with many service providers on this list, you need to contact PackageX for pricing information. It may be worth considering if you're an ecommerce brand or a multi-tenant building manager who frequently receives packages on behalf of your tenants, thanks to its tracking capabilities and quick scanning and notification features.
Shop is a mobile app powered by Shopify that offers package tracking services for online orders. Like the USPS Informed Delivery service, it's a consumer-facing solution that lets recipients know when incoming packages will arrive.
However, it stands out from USPS's solution in that it supports orders from multiple retailers and carriers. Further, customers don't just get email notifications on package delivery — they get to follow a live map that shows them exactly where orders are at any given time.
Some of its notable features include:
The Shop app is free to download and offers tracking information at no charge. It may be a suitable option for consumers who enjoy online shopping thanks to its centralized order management hub and real-time tracking information, but may not offer the level of flexibility that business users need.
Informed Delivery is an innovative solution that provides greater visibility into the mail delivery process. However, while undoubtedly convenient, it primarily caters to residential addresses and doesn't really allow users to manage their mail deliveries. As such, you may want to consider alternatives.
Stable is a leading mail service provider that streamlines mail management. We offer an online dashboard that acts as your one-stop shop for mail management, ensuring you have access to all business correspondence at all times, regardless of your location. Whether you're a small business without a physical location or a large enterprise looking for reliable and efficient mail management, Stable can help.
Sign up for Stable today to conveniently access and manage all your correspondence.
