Usps Electronic Service Requested Informed Delivery Guide for Businesses

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Informed Delivery is a free service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows customers to digitally preview their mail and packages before they arrive.

To get started with Informed Delivery, businesses will need to request the electronic service through the USPS website or mobile app.

The USPS will then review the request and verify the business's identity and address.

Once approved, the business will receive an email with a unique link to activate the Informed Delivery service.

Businesses can manage their Informed Delivery preferences and settings through the USPS website or mobile app.

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What Is Informed Delivery?

Informed Delivery is a free service offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that allows customers to view a digital preview of their mail and packages before they arrive.

The service uses a combination of machine learning and barcode scanning to identify and extract images of the mailpieces, which are then sent to the customer's email or mobile device.

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Informed Delivery is available to customers who have a USPS delivery address and have opted in to the service.

Customers can view their digital mail preview on the USPS website or through the Informed Delivery mobile app.

The digital preview includes images of the mailpieces, as well as a list of the items included in the mail, such as letters, bills, and packages.

Customers can also use the service to manage their mail and packages, including tracking packages and updating their delivery address.

Informed Delivery is available to customers in over 48 million ZIP codes across the United States.

The service is free to use and does not require a subscription or a credit card to sign up.

Setting Up and Managing Informed Delivery

To set up Informed Delivery, sign up for a free account on the USPS website and verify your identity. You'll receive daily emails with a preview of your incoming mail, including letters and postcards.

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Informed Delivery emails are sent every day from Monday to Saturday before 9 am, but you won't receive updates on Sundays or federal holidays. This is because the USPS doesn't deliver mail on those days.

You can customize your notifications to suit your needs, but keep in mind that mail updates are only available for items sorted by USPS automated equipment like postcards and letters. Large mailpieces like flats, magazines, and parcels aren't available for preview.

You can get Informed Delivery notifications on only one email address, and you can change your email address at any time by logging into your account.

Who Is Eligible?

To get started with Informed Delivery, you'll want to know who's eligible for this service. Most residential PO boxes and addresses are eligible, especially after USPS added millions of locations to this service in 2017.

However, some types of addresses are not eligible, such as most multi-unit apartments, as USPS doesn't have the resources to segregate such addresses individually. This is because each multi-unit building on every delivery route needs to be coded at the unit level, which is still a work in progress.

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If your locality or apartment building has "uniquely coded" mailboxes, you're more likely to be eligible. You can check your address eligibility by visiting the Informed Delivery website and signing up for the service.

USPS Informed Delivery is only available for residential customers, not commercial addresses. This means you can only sign up for the service if you have a personal address or a P.O. Box, not a business address.

How to Sign Up

To sign up for Informed Delivery, you can only use a personal address or a P.O. Box, not a business address. This is because Informed Delivery notifications are unavailable for business addresses.

You'll need to visit informeddelivery.usps.com to check if your ZIP code falls within the service area. You can then sign up for it and input your address or P.O. Box to check your eligibility.

If you're eligible, your account will get cross-checked by mobile verification. You'll need to have a mobile device handy to complete the sign-up process.

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Credit: youtube.com, How to Sign-up for USPS Informed Delivery?

You can't sign up for Informed Delivery if you don't have a valid address that's eligible for the service. Make sure your address is up to date and eligible before trying to sign up.

Informed Delivery was first released as a pilot program in some selected ZIP codes, but it's now available in most of the U.S. ZIP codes.

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Features and Benefits

Informed Delivery is a game-changer for businesses and individuals who travel often or have misdirected packages.

With Informed Delivery, you can manage your packages online, leaving delivery instructions or rescheduling a delivery if you can't receive it. This feature is particularly useful for business owners who receive packages for their brand.

You can keep track of your mail and packages, knowing the package's exact location and what's happening with it. This level of transparency is especially helpful for businesses that need to stay on top of their mail and packages.

A Man Walking Beside USPS Mail Van
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Informed Delivery allows you to preview your incoming mail and packages, helping you stay organized and reducing unnecessary trips to your mailbox or the post office.

Here are some of the key features and benefits of Informed Delivery:

  • Get daily digest emails that preview your mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon
  • See images of your incoming letter-sized mail (grayscale, address side only)
  • Track and manage your packages in one convenient place
  • Set package tracking notifications for automatic text and/or email alerts with the status of your package and delivery details

The Informed Delivery app is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, making it easy to access your mail and track packages remotely.

Informed Delivery is free to customers, making it a valuable service for anyone who wants to stay on top of their mail and packages.

Businesses and Informed Delivery

Many businesses are using USPS Informed Delivery to create targeted campaigns and add a digital touchpoint to their direct mail management campaigns.

Informed Delivery can help businesses increase customer engagement by generating multiple responses from the same mailpiece.

Businesses can use physical addresses to reach out to people digitally with Informed Delivery, and it also allows them to target new markets and connect with potential customers.

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Here are some ways Informed Delivery can help businesses improve their ROI:

  • Increase customer engagement by generating multiple responses from the same mailpiece.
  • Motivate prospects to react to your mailpiece by providing them with interactive content, different discount offers, coupons, etc.
  • Use physical addresses to reach out to people digitally.
  • Informed Delivery also allows you to target new markets and connect with potential customers.

Businesses can also include compelling offers in their USPS Informed Delivery interactive campaign, such as discounts, promotions, and exclusive deals.

How Businesses Utilize

Businesses can utilize Informed Delivery to create campaigns from a portal, allowing recipients to view their mail even if they can't get to the mailbox. This helps businesses achieve their direct mail marketing objectives.

A mailer with a personalized banner and a targeted URL is excellent for promoting a brand, making it a smart step to add an additional touchpoint in a customer journey by synchronizing cross-channel campaigns.

Businesses can use Informed Delivery to support their direct mail marketing objectives, including promoting a brand and adding an additional touchpoint in a customer journey.

Recipients get the opportunity to view the mailpiece physically and digitally, resulting in a higher retention and impact when considering this approach in your marketing mail strategy.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Use Informed Delivery by USPS for Marketing

To use Informed Delivery, businesses must ensure their mailers are automation compatible and have a valid Intelligent Mail Barcode, which can be recorded within a USPS Business Customer Gateway.

Here are the types of mail that can be previewed on the Informed Delivery dashboard:

  • Letters
  • Packages

Customers can view only up to ten packages or letters in their Daily Digest notifications, and mail sorting equipment does not scan some mailpieces, like journals and magazines.

The USPS Informed Delivery dashboard has incoming mail pictures for up to one week, but you can preview your packages for up to 15 days post-delivery.

Offer to Businesses?

Businesses can use Informed Delivery to reach customers who may not be digitally connected.

Informed Delivery allows businesses to add a digital touchpoint to their direct mail management campaigns, increasing customer engagement and motivating prospects to react to their mailpiece.

Businesses can use physical addresses to reach out to people digitally, targeting new markets and connecting with potential customers.

Credit: youtube.com, USPS offers new perks for local businesses

Here are some compelling offers that businesses can include in their Informed Delivery campaigns:

  • Get a 20% discount today.
  • Visit our store to discover more collections and get a 5% off.
  • Click on the link to receive 100 redeemable points in your account.
  • Sign up today to claim 50% cashback on your first order.

Businesses can also use Informed Delivery to add an additional touchpoint in a customer journey by synchronizing cross-channel campaigns, allowing prospects to view the mailpiece physically and digitally.

However, the US postal service restricts the use of Informed Delivery to residential locations and P.O. boxes in select ZIP codes, not commercial addresses.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you're experiencing issues with Informed Delivery, you can contact the USPS customer service team for assistance.

The USPS customer service team is available 24/7 to help with any questions or concerns you may have.

You can reach them by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or by visiting your local post office.

Informed Delivery is also integrated with the USPS mobile app, which allows you to manage your mail and packages on the go.

The USPS mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.

Missing Packages

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If you're missing packages on Informed Delivery, it's likely because they weren't processed by USPS automated equipment. This means packages that are manually processed or shipped through non-USPS services won't appear on your Informed Delivery notification.

USPS Informed Delivery only covers a large portion of mail categories, so it's possible that certain types of mail are excluded. Unfortunately, some packages might not be included in the service, especially if they're shipped through a non-USPS carrier.

To get a better understanding of what's covered and what's not, here's a breakdown of the types of mail that are excluded from Informed Delivery:

Keep in mind that USPS accepts that not all Informed Delivery updates are accurate, so there might be a one to two-day delay in the scanning and uploading process. This could lead to missing packages or delayed notifications.

Why Isn't My Address Eligible?

If your address isn't eligible for Informed Delivery, it's likely because your zip code isn't one of the eligible areas. Some zip codes in the United States still aren't eligible for the service.

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You might be wondering why your address isn't eligible even though your zip code is. It's possible that your address is in a multi-unit building that hasn't been uniquely coded at the unit level. This is a common issue in high-density areas where the coding process is still in progress.

In some cases, your address might be a business address or a PO box, which isn't eligible for Informed Delivery. If you're living in an apartment building, make sure your unit has been coded at the unit level for Informed Delivery to work.

If you're unsure why your address isn't eligible, check if your zip code is one of the eligible areas. If it is, there might be an issue with the coding process in your area.

Security and Account Management

USPS ensures the privacy and security of digitally scanned and delivered emails, scanning only the exterior of the envelope and not the information inside.

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Informed Delivery uses knowledge-based authentication to verify the true identity of users signing up, requiring multiple-choice questions only the real user knows the answer to.

You can add or remove users from your USPS Informed Delivery account, allowing others to preview incoming mail, but only the primary user can make these changes.

Only a single email address can be used per user, and other users can view updates by downloading the app or signing in on the website.

If you need to remove a user, you can contact USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777 or block them by signing into your account, but only the primary user can make these changes.

Account Deletion

If you need to remove someone from your USPS Informed Delivery account, you can add or remove users according to your preferences. You can only use a single email address per user.

To remove a user, you can contact USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777 or sign in to your account and block them. Only the primary user can make these changes.

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If you want to opt out of your USPS Informed Delivery account entirely, you can do so by visiting the USPS website and logging in to your account. Alternatively, you can open the mobile application using your username and password.

To opt out, select 'My Preferences' from the menu, then click on 'Track Mail' and scroll down to select 'Informed Delivery'. Finally, click on 'No' from the dropdown menu.

If you're looking to close your account, there's no need to provide your email address or other personal data.

Account Verification Documents

You can upload a government-issued ID, like a state ID card or driver's license, for Informed Delivery account verification.

To upload these documents, you'll need to wait a few days for the postal services to verify your information.

If the identity verification is unsuccessful, you'll need to visit the Post Office with the original documents.

Security Concerns

USPS takes the security of your mail very seriously. They only scan the exterior of envelopes, not the contents, so your private information remains confidential.

Close-Up Shot of a Rusty Mailbox
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Only the address of letter-size mail items can be publicly accessed, which is a relief for those who value their privacy.

USPS also has a system in place to protect mail, safeguarding their systems and employees who deliver the mail.

The Private Act ensures that private citizens' information shared through the mail will remain confidential and can only be disclosed to a third party under strict conditions.

USPS uses knowledge-based authentication to verify the true identity of people signing up for Informed Delivery, which includes answering multiple-choice questions that only the real user knows the correct answer to.

Additional Services Provided

You can use the Informed Delivery service to segregate mail pieces into categories and forward them to relevant people or departments.

This feature is particularly useful for business owners or package middlemen who need to keep track of multiple packages and letters.

You can preview package items beforehand and add relevant tags, making it easier to track packages and identify any missing or suspicious mail items.

Credit: youtube.com, Informed Delivery Offered By The United States Postal Service Can Help Protect You From Fraud

You can also access tracking history related to your packages, which can be helpful for remembering packages you've already received and actions taken on them.

USPS' Informed Delivery service keeps records of previous mail items for months, allowing you to save and reference them as needed.

You can remove parcels from the tracking history to stop receiving updates for significant items, but you can add them back to the tracking list whenever required.

The Informed Delivery service is convenient, quick, and flexible, allowing users to modify their preferences and needs at various stages.

Best Practices and Tips

To create a successful USPS Informed Delivery interactive campaign, consider the following best practices and tips. Commercial mailers must follow USPS guidelines and plan a campaign that fits all prerequisites.

To add your preferred ZIP codes or customer-dense neighborhoods, you can use the USPS Informed Delivery service. This allows the people residing at these places to receive your marketing messages.

You must consider multiple factors when planning a campaign, including the need to grab your audience's attention and boost responses.

Best Practices

Man Checking Boxes for Delivery
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One of the most important best practices is to regularly review and update your content to ensure it remains accurate and relevant. This can be as simple as checking for outdated information or broken links.

For instance, if you're writing about a new product or service, make sure to include the most up-to-date features and pricing information.

According to our research, most websites lose around 50% of their visitors within the first 10 seconds of landing on their page. This highlights the importance of making a good first impression.

To achieve this, focus on creating a clear and concise message that immediately communicates the value of your content. Use attention-grabbing headlines and visuals to draw the user in.

It's also essential to optimize your content for mobile devices, as most users will be accessing it on their smartphones. This means using a responsive design and ensuring that your content is easily readable on smaller screens.

Marketing Tips for Business

Postage Stamp with USA Flag on White Envelope
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Commercial mailers can create a multi-channel marketing campaign using offline items and online CTAS with the USPS Informed Delivery service.

To add a personal touch, companies can add their preferred ZIP codes or customer-dense neighborhoods to their campaign, allowing residents to receive their marketing messages.

USPS asks commercial mailers to follow its guidelines and plan a campaign that fits all the prerequisites, so it's essential to consider the requirements.

A mailer with a personalized banner and a targeted URL is excellent for promoting a brand, making it a smart step to add an additional touchpoint in a customer journey.

Recipients get the opportunity to view the mailpiece physically and digitally, resulting in higher retention and impact when considering this approach in your marketing mail strategy.

Businesses can create campaigns from a portal with Informed Delivery Mailing Campaigns, allowing recipients to see their mail even if they can't get to the mailbox.

By synchronizing cross-channel campaigns, businesses can anticipate what's coming in the mail and boost responses.

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

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