person holding wallet and US dollar bills

The COD model is a sales system whereby the customer is only required to pay for the product once it has been received. Nutra COD offers are of particular importance as they facilitate increased conversions. Cash on delivery offers are a popular choice in many regions due to the prevalence of poor logistics, a lack of credit cards and a general distrust of online payment. This article will examine the various types of COD offers, their respective advantages and disadvantages. 

Types of COD offers

Today, there are three major types of COD offers, each with unique features:

Cash on delivery. The most common type of cash-on-delivery (COD) offer is where the customer pays the full price of the goods upon receipt. Such an offer greatly enhances customer confidence in the company. Cash on delivery is a particularly popular method in regions where there is a lack of trust in financial institutions or limited access to bank payments. These regions are predominantly rural and remote from large cities, as well as regions with developing economies, including:

  • Southeast Asia;
  • South Asia;
  • Latin America;
  • Eastern Europe;
  • Africa.

This is due to the low level of trust in online payments in these regions, which presents a challenge for businesses operating in these areas. Payment on receipt represents an effective strategy for increasing conversions in these regions while simultaneously reducing bounce rates. 

Partial prepayment. In this instance, the purchaser makes a prepayment for the goods, which typically ranges from 5 to 50 percent. This method has the additional benefit of reducing the number of order cancellations and provides consumers with a high level of security. This offer is typically utilized by users in regions with an established level of trust in online payments, including countries such as:

  • Central and Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary;
  • South America, such as Chile, Peru and Colombia;
  • Middle East, such as UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia;
  • South Asia, such as Sri Lanka and Nepal;
  • North Africa, such as Egypt and Morocco.

A partial prepayment mitigates the seller’s risk exposure, as the user has already made a down payment on the products. Furthermore, it enhances the buyer’s confidence in the company and minimizes the incidence of cancellations.

Possibility of return with full refund. As an additional option, COD allows buyers to request a refund. Such offers are most effective for dietary supplements. This option is particularly popular in regions where there is a relatively high level of trust in online shopping.

The payment types described above are suitable for most nutra products, particularly those in the sports nutrition, dietary supplements, weight loss products, cosmetics and similar categories.

How to choose the right COD offer

To select the most appropriate nutra offer, it is essential to consider a number of factors, with the product specifics and target audience being of particular importance. We recommend that you consult the step-by-step instructions on how to choose the most appropriate COD offer.

Target audience analysis. First and foremost, when selecting the most advantageous COD offer, it is essential to consider all relevant buyer characteristics. It is vital to consider a number of key parameters:

  1. Age. A recent survey revealed that younger consumers are more inclined to trust online payments, while those over the age of 30 tend to favor cash on delivery or partial payment methods.
  2. Place of residence. In regions remote from major urban centres and in rural areas, cash on delivery without prior payment will be a more popular option.
  3. Income level. Those with lower incomes frequently opt for CODs with immediate refunds, as this enables them to exercise greater control over their expenditure.

Specifics of products. When selecting a nutra offer, it is also essential to evaluate the product’s features. There are a number of key factors that should be taken into account:

  1. Product type. In the case of dietary supplements for weight loss, a refundable cash on delivery (COD) may be a suitable option for consumers who wish to trial the product. In the case of vitamins and minerals that require regular use, a COD with partial prepayment may be the preferred option.
  2. Cost of goods. Classic COD can improve conversions for expensive and specialized products. 
  3. Shelf life. In selecting the optimal COD offer, it is essential to consider the product’s shelf life. It is possible to send perishable goods on a partial prepayment basis, but it is important to allow for the time required for delivery.

The optimal type of COD offer can only be determined once a marketing strategy has been analysed and drafted.

Impact of COD model on conversion

There are numerous advantages to COD offers for both consumers and advertisers. We will now examine the advantages of these payment types for the advertiser:

  • attraction of new customers, in particular those who do not trust online payments;
  • the opportunity to reach even those audience segments that do not use credit cards;
  • increase in customer loyalty and their willingness to make purchases.

Consumers also receive a great number of benefits related to safety and convenience:

  • reduced risk of fraud and the ability to check the quality of goods before making payment;
  • elimination of the need for bank cards, which is important for those who do not have access to bank services or who do not want to input card details on websites;
  • confidence in the credibility of the brand.

Disadvantages and risks associated with COD models

While there are numerous advantages to COD models, there are also a few disadvantages:

  • there is a risk of rejection of the product by the customer, which will lead to additional costs;
  • the capital turnover cycle slows down, as money is received only after delivery and payment for the products;
  • there is a risk of fraud by customers who may provide inaccurate information;
  • additional costs for processing returns and ordering couriers;
  • it is difficult to properly manage product balances and logistics.

The effective management of all processes can help to minimise these risks. To mitigate risks, we advise you to follow our guidance:

  1. Be sure to perform validation of the data provided and make sure that users are able to pay.
  2. Provide high quality customer support to reduce bounce rates.
  3. Optimise logistics.
  4. Use partial payment offers more often to increase your own security.
  5. Conduct regular analytics to forecast demand for goods and manage inventory.

Conclusion

Nutra COD is an effective method for increasing conversions and user trust. To select the optimal COD model, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the target audience and the product in question. By maintaining control at all stages and developing an appropriate strategy, risks can be minimized.