A simple search of Shopify shipping software yields more than twenty thousand results with most of those solutions offering the same or similar features at similar prices. The thought of sifting through all of them can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to start researching with a few priorities in mind. Each ecommerce business has its own set of needs, and not every solution can meet them. After all, not all are created equal. With that being said, there are a few necessities that most Shopify businesses have in common. These are seven things to consider before choosing a Shopify shipping software.
It’s All About Great Rates
One of the major benefits of using shipping software with your Shopify store is the access to low shipping rates, which can save you thousands of dollars every year. The best software companies have solid relationships with major shipping carriers, which means they get to sidestep consumer pricing and give their users steep discounts. When you’re considering investing in a Shopify shipping software, take a look at what you currently spend on shipping. Don’t forget to include your busy season in that assessment, and also factor in the time you spend at the post office because time is money. Then, visit the software’s website and find its shipping rate calculator to determine how much you’d save by subscribing. If the software you’re considering isn’t offering you great rates and won’t save you enough time to justify the spend, then it’s not worth the expense.
Ease of Use Is Very Important
Software has come a long way even in the last few years, and shipping software is no different. That’s why software companies offer onboarding sessions for new subscribers to help them navigate the product and integrate it into their daily workflows. However, there are some Shopify shipping software programs that are difficult to use, even after onboarding. This is frustrating because chances are by the time you realize the software is too complex for your liking, you’ve already paid for a month-long (or even year-long) license. You’ll want a software that’s easy to use and enhances your order fulfillment, rather than unnecessarily complicating it. Be sure to look for a free trial so you know what you’re getting into before entering any credit card information.
Added Features Should Be Considered
If the Shopify shipping software you’re investigating requires you to have multiple tabs open, then it’s not worth getting. Instead, look for an all-in-one solution with plenty of added features and the ability to integrate with your existing systems. Two add-ons that can seriously enhance your Shopify business workflows are CRM and returns. By connecting your Shopify CRM to a new shipping software, you get additional information automatically added to each customer profile. You’ll see how often a customer gets shipments so you can remind them to reorder at regular intervals. Additionally, you want shipping software that offers returns so in the event a customer needs to send back an item, it’s just as smooth of a process as when they placed their order. Hassle-free returns then earn you repeat business because shoppers are confident that there is less risk associated with shopping on your Shopify site and will come back again and again.
Cloud Hybrid Solutions Are the Most Proficient
When you’re looking for shipping software, there is always the debate of cloud-hosted versus on-premises-hosted, but what about a cloud hybrid solution? This system utilizes a private cloud and an on-premises device with some help from a third party cloud service to provide a highly proficient end result that gives you the security you need without the limitation of only being able to access your account from one place. Cloud hybrid Shopify shipping software can show you what’s happening with your ecommerce business from anywhere. Simply log in on your mobile device to get insights into your shipping.
Cost Per User Adds Up
Some shipping software solutions will hook you with the promise of a low price, only to reveal later that there are exorbitant charges for additional users. If there is more than one person in your company who handles order fulfillment and shipping, you can’t really avoid needing multiple licenses. Look for a Shopify shipping software that lets you add more users to your plan at a low cost, somewhere in the ballpark of $20/month. This gives more access to the tool that will make your processes more efficient without breaking the bank.
Is the Software Company Reliable?
The wide variety of Shopify shipping software options is overwhelming, especially because many of them claim to offer the same features. This showcases the importance of doing your due diligence and researching each company before investing in the software they’re selling. Is the company new, or has it been around for quite a few years? Will it still be up and running multiple years down the road? These are questions you need to ask, and most of them can be answered in customer reviews. Verified users who share their experiences provide an invaluable worth so you can ensure the company you’re looking into is reliable and sells a quality product that can boost your business for years to come.
Compatibility with Your Existing Carriers
Whether you’re an ecommerce novice or an experienced veteran, you probably have preferred carriers for handling your shipping. USPS, UPS, Worldship, Stamps.com, Endician, Pitney Bowes, FedEx and DHL are all widely used among Shopify sellers, so those carriers should also be available in any shipping software. This is something to keep in mind while comparing Shopify shipping software solutions—you don’t want to have to make a major switch, create a whole new account with an unfamiliar carrier and risk disrupting your shipping workflows. Look instead for a solution that’s compatible with the carriers you’re already using.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed!
If you’re looking for your first Shopify shipping software, congratulations! This is a big step for your ecommerce business that signifies it’s scaling and bringing in enough revenue to justify an additional expense that will save you time and money in the long run. If you’re simply looking to upgrade, you have a great opportunity to give your business an extra boost with a more robust and efficient shipping software. There are plenty of options on the market, but not all of them are created equal. Keep these seven things in mind before clicking “Pay Now.”
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