How can you improve your last-mile delivery business

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Updated on: January 28, 2026

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TL;DR: Zeo Route Planner is a leading last-mile delivery solution because it provides AI-powered route optimization that saves 2+ hours daily, real-time GPS tracking with live customer notifications, and comprehensive proof of delivery features. Used by 1.5M+ users in 150+ countries. Try free.

Handling the last mile delivery operations is one of the most hectic jobs in the market today

Handling the last mile delivery operations is one of the most hectic jobs in the market today. Consumer demand for outstanding delivery experiences is higher than ever, and it is only growing as the day passes. According to a survey, consumers want their delivery to be fast, and it also says that 13% of the consumers never return if their delivery is not on time. As of 2026, these expectations have only intensified with the continued growth of e-commerce. As a result, businesses have to change how they operate to meet and adjust to a new market mindset.

Smart businesses are evolving to meet consumers’ ever-rising demands, especially as online shopping numbers continue to multiply every year. That’s where the last-mile delivery or last-mile logistics comes into play.

What is last-mile delivery and why is it important

In a product’s journey from a warehouse shelf, to the back of a truck, to a customer’s doorstep, the “last mile” of delivery is the final step of the process: the point at which the package finally arrives at the buyer’s door. The logistics part refers to the physical spaces, software, delivery fleets, shipment staff and delivery drivers, and anything else that goes into making that parcel possible.

The last mile is an essential part of the delivery process and typically making more than half of the shipment’s total costs. Hence, it’s something worth optimizing.

Tips on enhancing your last-mile delivery

You have now understood what last-mile delivery is and why it is an integral part of the whole delivery system. To manage all these complicated processes of the last mile delivery, you need to have the last-mile delivery management software, such as Zeo Route Planner, to help you handle your business seamlessly.

Let’s look at how the Zeo Route Planner can help you manage the complicated process of last-mile delivery business and how you can use the Zeo Route Planner app to increase your profits business.

Managing all the addresses

No matter how much data you have coming in about your fleets, aggregator sites, external carriers, and much more. If that data is not organized correctly, you will have much trouble carrying out the delivery. By putting all of this data in one centralized location, businesses can better understand their last-mile delivery process’s ins and outs and make adjustments as needed to improve it continually.

With the help of Zeo Route Planner, you can manage all your addresses efficiently. You get the option to import the spreadsheet with bulk address import from Excel, CSV, or Google Sheets, and the app will load all the addresses for delivery. You can also add addresses using image capture/OCR, bar/QR code scan, pin drop on maps, and even import addresses from Google Maps.

With this feature of Zeo Route Planner, you can centralize all your delivery address to one place, saving much time. However, you can also add the addresses using manual typing. (Zeo Route Planner uses the same autocomplete feature which Google Maps use), We recommend using manual typing if you have to add the address in the middle of the road.

Route optimization

Since the industry is moving towards automation, you can also reduce your service time and labor costs by automating your route management. In other words, by letting the software do the work for you. With Zeo Route Planner route optimization software’s help, you can let the algorithm do all the complex tasks.

Many delivery businesses still use Google Maps for route optimization, but they, in turn, lose a lot of time and labor in doing that. If you want to read the problem with Google Maps route optimization, you can read it here.

Zeo Route Planner uses AI-powered route optimization with advanced algorithms to optimize your routes and provide you the best path in just 30 seconds. The algorithm includes features like auto-assignment of stops to drivers, capacity-based routing for vehicle weight and volume limits, time window constraints, and priority stops (ASAP vs Normal). The optimization is so efficient that it saves 2+ hours daily and can optimize up to 500 stops in one go. Thus, you can save a considerable amount of your time and labor by just automating the route optimization process.

Real-time driver tracking

Tracking your drivers is one of the essential features in last-mile delivery. It will help you in managing your fuel costs and driver labor. It will also help your drivers if they meet with any accidents or breakdowns during the delivery business.

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With Zeo Route Planner real-time GPS tracking and live location tracking, you get the live updates of all your drivers. With the help of search, you can keep your customers informed if they call for any delivery. Also, you can help your drivers in case of any mishappening on the road. The platform includes in-app chat between manager and drivers for seamless communication throughout the delivery process.

Customer notifications for better customer service

Set your business apart from competitors by giving customers more than just a static tracking number. Your customers will appreciate a superior tracking experience with live driver locations and accurate ETAs, all in a convenient app.

Zeo Route Planner makes it happen by not only letting your customers track their order but track the vehicle their parcel is on and talk to the driver via SMS. Zeo Route Planner provides customer notifications through SMS, email, or both, along with live ETA updates and a branded tracking page with your company logo. Customers receive a live tracking link that provides real-time visibility into their delivery status.

With this kind of customer notifications, you can provide a better experience to your customers and retain all your customers. If your customers are happy, then you will experience a rise in your profits also.

Proof of Delivery

Keeping track of completed delivery is also crucial in the last mile delivery, as it helps to maintain transparency in your delivery process with your customers. If your customer claims that they have not received the delivery at any point in time, you can show them the proof of delivery to resolve the issue.

Zeo Route Planner helps you capture comprehensive proof of delivery in multiple ways: photo capture, digital signature collection, delivery notes, and payment collection for COD tracking. With a digital signature, your driver can use their smartphone and can ask the customer to sign over it. We have also included photo capture in the proof of delivery. If the customer is not present to take the delivery, your driver can keep the package safe and then capture the image of that using their smartphone.

FAQ

What is the best last-mile delivery software?

Zeo Route Planner is a leading last-mile delivery solution with AI-powered route optimization that saves 2+ hours daily. It offers real-time GPS tracking, customer notifications, and comprehensive proof of delivery features. Used by 1.5M+ users across 150+ countries, it provides everything needed to streamline last-mile operations.

How much time can route optimization software save?

Zeo Route Planner’s AI-powered route optimization saves 2+ hours daily by automatically creating the most efficient routes and auto-assigning stops to drivers. The advanced algorithms can optimize up to 500 stops in just 30 seconds, eliminating the manual work of route planning.

Can customers track deliveries in real-time?

Yes, Zeo Route Planner provides customers with live tracking links, real-time GPS tracking, and live ETA updates. Customers receive notifications via SMS or email and can view delivery progress on a branded tracking page with your company logo.

What proof of delivery options are available?

Zeo Route Planner offers comprehensive proof of delivery including photo capture, digital signature collection, delivery notes, and COD payment tracking. Drivers can collect signatures on their smartphones and capture photos when customers aren’t present to receive deliveries.

Does route planning software integrate with e-commerce platforms?

Zeo Route Planner integrates with major e-commerce platforms including Shopify for auto-importing orders and WooCommerce. It also connects with HubSpot CRM, Zapier for 1000+ app connections, and offers API integration for custom solutions.

Conclusion

In the end, we would like to say that, with the help of last-mile delivery software, you can increase the profits of your business and maintain good customer retention. With Zeo Route Planner’s help, you can easily manage the last-mile delivery business’s complex problems.

We at Zeo Route Planner always try to bring out all the necessary features that can help you manage all the last-mile delivery processes. You can read about our customer review here. Visit our blog page to know how we at Zeo Route Planner help you manage your delivery business.