Tips for Streamlining Your Shopify Store's Shipping Process

Shopify offers its own shipping software called Shopify Shipping. The software offers a bunch of valuable features:

• Real-time shipping rates;
• Label purchasing and printing;
• Order tracking.

When you set Shopify Shipping, you need to specify some details, like the weight and size of the transported goods, the country of destination, the selected delivery speed, any applicable taxes or rules, etc. Based on this information, the tool offers you various shipping options:

• Standard shipping: the simplest delivery option. It implies the shipment taking two to eight business days to arrive.
• Express delivery: more costly than ordinary shipping and often takes 1 to 3 business days.
• Pickup in-store: with this model, your customers may pick up their orders in person rather than having them mailed. It's a good choice for businesses with brick-and-mortar stores.
• Dropoff point: this one enables your customers to pick up their orders from a predetermined dropoff point, similar to pickup in-store.
• International shipping: the best option if you want to sell your items online all over the world.

Shopify will automatically create a postage label for the customer and send it to the printer linked to your business if they choose a regular or express shipping option. You will be notified through email when the package is prepared for shipping. The tracking number will be included.

Shopify will generate a QR code for the customer to scan at the shipping point if you use pickup or dropoff models. 

As far as international shipping is concerned, Shopify will create a personalized label for the customer and provide them with all the relevant details regarding customs and tariffs.

Shopify Store’s Shipping: Best Practices

Seamless shipping isn’t just a logistical matter — it's a crucial chapter in your customer’s journey, one that can spin the tale of a single purchase into a saga of loyal patronage. Let's delve into the Shopify shipping waters and fish out some best practices that won’t just keep your store afloat but will set you on a course for smooth and efficient sailing through the digital ocean.

Establishing a Clear Shipping Policy

Statistics suggest that 54% of customers are more likely to repeat a purchase from a store that provides clear delivery terms.

A brief document or web page known as a shipping policy provides critical shipping-related information on client purchases. It provides information on problems such as shipping charges, order fulfillment procedures, delivery schedules, legal prerequisites, and how shipping disputes are handled. 

Whether lengthy or succinct, a shipping policy should be simple for customers to comprehend. Shipping policies can develop into extensive texts that cover return and exchange procedures, frequently asked questions, etc.

It not only provides customers with all the necessary information but also ensures legal protection for your business. With the policies and guidelines, you may reduce your customers' legal recourse and safeguard your brand.

Reduce the Cost

Every eCommerce enterprise must take shipping costs into consideration. Customers might be discouraged by high delivery costs if they feel that they are an unnecessary expense in comparison to the price of the products.

Look for strategies to lower your shipping expenses for online purchases. Your goal is to satisfy clients without going overboard with spending. Suppose you want to see whether you can reduce shipping costs for your online eCommerce shop. In that case, you should consider opting for selling smaller and lighter items and look into more favorable and affordable packaging methods.

Integrating Real-Time Shipping Rate Calculators

You may give your customers precise shipping prices at the moment of checkout by adding a shipping rates calculator. It will prevent any unpleasant surprises or additional expenditures. By inserting the technology, you can increase openness and foster loyalty.

A shipping rates calculator also makes it possible for you to automate the shipping process by calculating prices depending on several variables, including weight, size, destination, and carrier. By doing this, you may avoid any financial losses brought on by undercharging or overcharging consumers and guarantee that you are charging precisely what you ought to.

Efficiently Managing Inventory

You can watch stock levels, set up low-stock notifications, and even automatically replenish goods when they reach a given threshold, thanks to Shopify's comprehensive inventory management options. You can avoid stockouts and make sure you always have enough items on hand to fulfill client requests if you have a clear picture of your inventory.

You can automate inventory tracking with Shopify and get alerts when certain goods are running short. Doing this means you may proactively refill things before they are all sold and guarantee continuous fulfillment for your subscribers. You can also securely monitor your supply levels and avoid any possible disappointments or delays.

Streamlining the Returns Process

Customers and merchants may both gain a lot by streamlining the eCommerce return process. Customers are more loyal to your online business when they have a great return experience, which promotes client retention.

For merchants, automated return processes can result in higher productivity and quicker turnaround times. Additionally, as consumers are more likely to have a great experience even if they finally opt to return the item, a simple returns process can help prevent bad reviews or complaints.

Tracking Relevant KPIs

Tracking KPIs let you know what shipping issues exist in your eCommerce business and what you can change to make your online store function better. Here are some shipping KPIs to monitor:

• The number of lost items: A high rate can be a sign that you should consider other insurance options.

• Cart abandonment: High figures may indicate delivery or logistics problems, such as excessive shipping costs or lengthy shipping wait times.

• Returns: The statistic aids in demonstrating whether the goods your consumers receive meet their expectations. The high proportion might also be explained by customers receiving defective goods. Consider better packing methods and check your current insurance in this scenario.

Final Word

Shopify, a comprehensive platform, enables merchants to navigate through the often tumultuous waters of online retail with aplomb, providing not only the toolset in the form of Shopify Shipping but also the capability to mold and shape a shipping strategy that is unique and tailored for each store individually.

Crafting a streamlined shipping experience isn't just about moving goods from point A to B — it's about weaving a tapestry of customer satisfaction that spans from the initial click to the jubilant unboxing. Having plunged into the depths of Shopify's intrinsic shipping features, best practices, and multiple strategies to elevate customer service, it's clear that shipping isn't a mere operational detail but a pivotal part of the eCommerce customer journey.

Shopify and Multi-Channel E-Commerce Fulfillment

If your Shopify store is an important sales channel and you additionally sell your products via other channels, it’s safe to assume you’re experiencing increasing complexity due to various logistical setup running in parallel. byrd’s fulfillment solution for Shopify merchants allows you to seamlessly integrate your Shopify shop while enabling you to centralize your entire fulfillment process. The warehouse network with logistics centers across all major European markets also facilitates expansion and allows you to be close to your international customers.

About the author Art Malkovich is a co-founding partner and CEO at Onilab. The company develops eCommerce websites and progressive web apps on a turnkey basis, offers store migration and UX/UI design services. Art has a profound expertise in web development, project management, and data analysis. He strives to keep the team one step ahead with a current focus on headless commerce.