Are your customers tired of long lines, crowded stores, and the hassle of in-person shopping? Yes, they are. Here is what the recent data by Incisive Inc. commissioned by Manhattan Associate says, “85% of shoppers have preferred curbside pick-up since COVID-19, 79% say a contactless store pickup is very important to them.” So, considering the rising need it’s time to offer a contactless and convenient solution: curbside pickup. The convenience and safety of curbside pickup have made it a staple in modern shopping experiences as businesses continue to innovate their services to meet growing consumer demand. For example, companies like Target are even expanding their curbside offerings. They now allow customers to return new, unopened items directly from their cars through their Drive Up option. So, let’s see how curbside systems work, what features to look for, and how they’re changing the way businesses operate. Table of Contents Basics of Curbside Pickup Meet Upper: A Curbside Pickup Assistant Top 7 Curbside Fulfillment Management Software Let’s Understand How Curbside Pickup Software Works What are the Essential Features to Look for in Curbside Pickup Software? Check How Curbside Pickup Solutions Can Be Fruitful FAQs The Final Words Basics of Curbside Pickup Curbside pickup is a growing trend in retail and food service. It offers a convenient alternative to traditional in-store shopping and last-mile delivery. Like Buy Online, Pick Up In Store (BOPIS), curbside pickup allows customers to place online pickup orders—whether through an eCommerce store, a restaurant’s website, or an app—and then drive to a designated pickup location to collect their items. Here’s how it works: Before the customer arrives, the merchant prepares the order. Once the customer reaches the curbside pickup location or a designated area, staff quickly bring out the packaged goods and place them directly into the customer’s vehicle. This streamlined process requires minimal physical interaction, making it a preferred option for those looking for quick, contactless service. Here is Walmart’s curbside pickup delivery process. Check the entire video to get complete knowledge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuEm8QTQ_58 While curbside pickup sounds simple, it requires precise coordination to run smoothly. Businesses need to: Accurately track the customer’s estimated arrival time. Monitor how long the customer has been waiting at the pickup point. Ensure that the order is ready and correct before the customer arrives. Quickly identify the customer’s vehicle to avoid delays. Ensure each customer receives the correct order promptly. Efficiently manage multiple pickup points or stores without confusion. Without the right systems and processes, managing these tasks can become overwhelming. However, businesses implementing curbside pickup software can automate and streamline many operations, allowing for efficient and error-free service. Meet Upper: A Curbside Pickup Assistant Upper offers a robust solution for efficient curbside pickup operations. Its advanced features enable drivers to optimize their routes and minimize delivery times. Critical features for curbside pickups: Curbside delivery preferences: Specify whether pickups should be made from the left, right, or either side of the street. This helps avoid unnecessary U-turns and reduces overall delivery time. Pickup and delivery flexibility: Easily mark each stop as a pickup or delivery location. This adaptability ensures that drivers can seamlessly handle curbside pickups and regular deliveries. By leveraging Upper’s curbside pickup functionalities, businesses can enhance delivery efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce operational costs. Beyond Curbside: You Have Upper’s Full Routing Potential Curbside pickup is just the beginning with Upper. Enjoy route optimization, scheduling, live tracking, and more—all in one centralized platform. Try it Free Top 7 Curbside Fulfillment Management Software 1. WeSupply WeSupply is a complete post-purchase solution that offers in-store and curbside pickup order fulfillment, tracking, and returns management, ensuring a seamless experience for customers and employees. Aspects Details Best for Retailers looking for a comprehensive post-purchase solution with curbside pickup and tracking features. Features Branded SMS and email notifications, Attentive SMS marketing integration, Automated curbside pickup process Pricing Not mentioned Pros Easy curbside process, SMS integration Cons No pricing transparency 2. Swipeby Swipeby provides a simple curbside pickup solution with geofenced arrival notifications and real-time order tracking, which is ideal for small retailers looking to enhance curbside efficiency. Aspects Details Best for Small retailers exploring curbside pickup with some post-purchase marketing tools. Features Geofenced arrival notifications, Custom coupon codes, Analytics dashboard, Order Scheduling Pricing $0.99 per delivery or $58/month. Pros Menu customization, finding third-party drivers Cons Requires app download, no inventory management 3. Infillion Curbside Infillion offers a curbside pickup tool for brick-and-mortar stores and restaurants, enabling a smooth customer experience with mobile and browser-based apps. Aspects Details Best for Restaurants and stores looking for a quick and easy curbside tool. Features Quick setup, GPS tracking, Mobile and browser apps Pricing Not mentioned. Pros Quick setup, easy integration. Cons Location-based only, manual entry of vehicle info. 4. SimpleTexting SimpleTexting is an SMS marketing platform that allows businesses to notify customers when their curbside pickup orders are ready for pickup and gather contact info for future marketing. Aspects Details Best for Businesses focusing on SMS notifications and marketing with minimal curbside needs. Features Automated SMS workflows, Two-way messaging, POS system integration Pricing Starts at $29/month. Pros Affordable, easy to adapt. Cons No geo-fencing, text-based only. 5. Curbspot Curbspot is a straightforward curbside fulfillment management tool that helps retailers manage customer orders and alerts without complex integrations. Aspects Details Best for Retailers wanting a simple curbside solution without the need for third-party integrations. Features Cloud-based platform, Built-in communication Pricing Starts at $79/month Pros User-friendly, quick setup Cons Limited feature information, no third-party app integrations. 6. Zapiet Zapiet is a store pickup and local delivery solution for Shopify. It integrates with Shopify POS and offers multi-location inventory management and fraud prevention features. Aspects Details Best for Shopify retailers looking for a local delivery and pickup solution. Features Multi-location inventory, Order management, POS integration Pricing Starts at $20/month Pros Fully integrated with Shopify Cons Requires Shopify or third-party integration. 7. FlyBuy FlyBuy enhances curbside pickup by providing staff with real-time location updates, allowing for precise, timely order handoffs with minimal wait time. Aspects Details Best for Businesses focused on reducing wait times through advanced location technology. Features Automated curbside experience, Third-party delivery integration, Real-time staff notifications Pricing Available upon request. Pros Precise location tracking, and third-party integrations. Cons Additional fees for location-beacon hardware. Let’s Understand How Curbside Pickup Software Works 1. Order placement and system integration Customer orders: Customers place online orders through an eCommerce or food delivery app, selecting the curbside pickup option. Pickup time, location, and customer information are included in the order details. System integration: Once the curbside orders are placed, the system integrates with the business’s backend operations—whether a POS, order management system, or route planning and optimization software—to log and organize the orders for fulfillment. 2. Optimizing multi-stop routes Route planning: With 10 different stops for curbside pickup, the system calculates the most efficient route based on customer pickup times, distance between stops, and traffic conditions. Route optimization software helps to streamline this process by minimizing travel time and maximizing order handoff efficiency. Priority scheduling: The system may also prioritize stops based on time-sensitive curbside pickup orders, ensuring that urgent pickups are handled first. Once the optimal route is determined, it’s sent to the assigned driver. Accelerate Multi-Stop Routing Efficiency by 20% Optimize multiple stops with our smart route planning and priority scheduling. Our advanced system reduces travel time and improves order delivery. Get Started 3. Real-time updates and communication Customer notifications: Customers receive notifications via the app, updating them about their order status, estimated pickup time, and specific instructions for contactless curbside pickup. Driver updates: The system constantly updates the driver on the next stop, factoring in real-time traffic or route changes. If a customer changes their pickup time or location, the system adjusts the route dynamically. 4. Arrival and handoff coordination Automated alerts: As the driver approaches each curbside pickup location, the system uses GPS tracking and geo-fencing to notify both the driver and the customer. This ensures staff are ready to bring the order out when the customer or driver arrives. Vehicle identification: The curbside pickup technology often allows customers to input their vehicle details in advance so staff can easily identify the car and complete the handoff quickly. 5. Efficient pickup handoffs Contactless delivery: Staff deliver the order to the designated vehicle once the driver arrives at a pickup stop. Contactless interaction is a key feature, where the staff can confirm the order and place it directly into the customer’s car without needing physical interaction. Order confirmation: The system automatically marks the pickup as complete, updating the customer and business in real-time. 6. Managing multi-stop logistics Optimized navigation: The driver follows the route, ensuring minimal delays between stops. The system automatically adjusts the route if disruptions occur, such as traffic or customer pickup times. Efficient handovers: The system ensures that orders are ready when the driver arrives, reducing idle time for both the customer and the driver. 7. Analytics and Reporting Data tracking: The system provides insights into the pickup process, such as how long each customer waited, average pickup times, and route efficiency. These analytics help businesses understand areas for improvement and enhance their curbside operations over time. Customer feedback: After pick-up, businesses can gather feedback on customer satisfaction, allowing for continuous improvement of curbside service. What are the Essential Features to Look for in Curbside Pickup Software? When selecting curbside pickup software, it’s crucial to consider features that enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Here are the essential features businesses should look for: 1. Dynamic order statuses Curbside pickup technology should provide real-time, dynamic order statuses. This allows businesses to track every stage of the order—from placement to customer arrival. Key updates include: When the order is placed for curbside pickup. Estimated arrival time for the customer. How long the customer has been waiting at the pickup point? Confirmation of completed pickups. Impact: Improves efficiency and ensures staff are ready for each pickup at the right time. 2. Customer tracking portal A customer-facing tracking portal is essential for providing transparency and reducing support inquiries. Through this portal, customers can: View their order status & pickup time. Navigate to the pickup point using integrated GPS maps. View pickup point location details, operating hours, and the estimated drive time to the location. Impact: Reduces customer uncertainty and improves the overall experience by providing real-time visibility into their pickup status. 3. QR code-based order confirmation The software should support QR code-based confirmation to streamline the handoff process. Upon arrival, customers can present a unique QR code, which staff can scan to confirm the correct order automatically. This minimizes errors and speeds up the pickup process. Impact: Ensures fast and accurate order fulfillment while maintaining contactless service. 4. Contactless payment integration Offering contactless payment options is a must in today’s curbside pickup environment. The software should allow customers to complete payments through the app or website, reducing the need for physical payment exchanges during the pickup. Impact: Enhances customer safety and convenience while speeding up the pickup process. 5. Route optimization and multi-location management Route optimization is key for businesses with multiple pickup points or those handling multi-stop deliveries. The software should calculate the most efficient routes, considering traffic, distances, and time-sensitive orders. It should also allow seamless management of multiple store locations from a centralized dashboard. Impact: Saves time, fuel costs, and labor by handling pickups across multiple locations efficiently. 6. Real-time driver updates Drivers should receive real-time updates about changes in customer pickup times or order status. This ensures that routes and pickup schedules can be adjusted on the go to avoid delays or unnecessary wait times. Impact: Improves operational flexibility, ensuring businesses can adapt to last-minute changes and keep things running smoothly. 7. Automated notifications and customer communication Curbside pickup software should automate communication with customers. Key notifications might include: Confirmation of order placement. Estimated pickup time and instructions. Alerts when the customer’s order is ready or when the customer arrives at the pickup location. Impact: Keeps customers informed throughout the process, reducing confusion and increasing satisfaction. 8. Data analytics and reporting The curbside pickup technology should offer detailed analytics and reporting features. Businesses can track key metrics such as average wait times, the number of pickups, customer satisfaction, and peak hours. These insights can help improve staffing, reduce wait times, and enhance service delivery. Impact: Empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions and improve their curbside operations. Check How Curbside Pickup Solutions Can Be Fruitful Now that we understand how curbside pickup software works let’s explore the specific benefits it delivers, both to your customers and your business operations Reduced wait times: Real-time updates and GPS tracking shorten customer wait times, enhancing satisfaction and encouraging repeat business. Improved order accuracy: Automated tracking and confirmation ensure error-free order fulfillment, boosting customer trust and reducing return costs. Optimized resource allocation: Efficient scheduling and route optimization reduce operational costs and employee strain. Seamless multi-location management: Centralized control enables smooth coordination across multiple stores, improving scalability. Enhanced customer communication: Automated notifications build customer confidence and reduce inquiries with real-time updates. Data-driven decision making: Analytics-driven insights help businesses optimize operations and continuously improve customer experience. Flexibility and scalability: Scalable solutions adapt to demand changes, allowing businesses to grow without sacrificing service quality. Frequently Asked Questions How does online ordering work with curbside pickup? Customers place an order online, receive a confirmation and updates about their order status, and check in upon arrival for curbside pickup. The business staff is notified to prepare the order for handoff. How does in-store pickup differ from curbside pickup? In-store pickup requires customers to enter the store to retrieve their order, whereas curbside pickup allows customers to stay in their vehicle while the staff hands off the order. How can store associates manage curbside pickups efficiently? Store associates can manage pickups efficiently by using software that tracks curbside orders in real-time, notifies them of customer arrivals, and ensures the correct order is handed off quickly, delivering a smooth curbside pickup experience. What is BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store)? BOPIS is a retail strategy where customers purchase items online and pick them up in-store, offering convenience and avoiding shipping fees. What are the advantages of curbside delivery for businesses? Curbside delivery minimizes in-store congestion, increases operational efficiency, and enhances customer satisfaction by offering a convenient and safe order pickup option. How do online pickup and in-store work? Customers order items online and select in-store pickup during checkout. They receive a notification when the order is ready and can visit the store to pick it up without needing to browse or wait. Name the best curbside pickup software. The best curbside pickup software depends on your business needs. Popular options include WeSupply for complete post-purchase solutions, Swipeby for small retailers focusing on geofenced notifications, Zapiet for Shopify-based businesses, and FlyBuy for advanced real-time location tracking and minimal customer wait times. For whom curbside pickup software is ideal? Curbside pickup software is ideal for retail stores, grocery stores, restaurants, and service-based businesses that want to offer a convenient, contactless pickup option. It’s especially beneficial for businesses aiming to reduce in-store traffic while enhancing the customer experience with fast and efficient pickups. What are the must-have curbside pickup features? Must-have curbside pickup features include real-time order tracking, automated notifications, customer check-in options via GPS or manual input, vehicle identification to ensure correct handoff, integration with POS systems, and geofencing to track customer proximity and alert staff for timely order preparation. The Final Words As we’ve explored, curbside pickup software provides invaluable tools for optimizing delivery processes. From real-time customer notifications to dynamic route adjustments, these technologies ensure a seamless customer experience. Implementing the right software can significantly improve operational efficiency and customer loyalty. Author Bio Jeel Patel Jeel Patel is the Chief Executive Officer at Upper. With 5+ years of experience in dev, outbound, and inbound sales, He is committed to growing conversion through inbound and outbound activities. Outside the office, Jeel loves to spend time with his dog and take him on long walks. Read more. 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