How to Choose the Right Software

Finding the right shipping software is crucial to ensure customer satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge. It can streamline your shipping processes, saving you time, money, and headaches. In this article, we will explore some key considerations when selecting shipping software for your promo business.

Understanding Customer Expectations

Before diving into the various shipping software options, it’s important to understand the top customer expectations when it comes to shipping. These expectations include:

• Fast and Reliable Delivery:?Customers value timely delivery. They expect their orders to arrive quickly and reliably. Optimizing your shipping processes can help you meet these expectations.
• Transparent Tracking and Updates:?Customers want to track their shipments in real-time and receive updates on the status of their orders. Providing transparent tracking information can significantly enhance the customer experience.
• Easy Returns and Exchanges:?Offering a hassle-free returns and exchanges process is essential for customer satisfaction. Simplifying this process can build trust and loyalty with your customers.
• Multiple Shipping Options:?Customers appreciate having a variety of shipping options to choose from, such as expedited shipping, standard shipping, or local pickup. Offering flexibility in shipping methods can cater to different customer needs and preferences.
• Free Shipping:?Many customers now expect free shipping, especially for orders above a certain value. While offering free shipping may impact your profit margins, it can attract more customers and increase overall sales.

Now, let’s explore some specific areas of shipping optimization:

Label Printing

Efficient label printing is a fundamental feature of any shipping software. Look for software that allows you to easily generate and print shipping labels with the necessary information, such as customer addresses, order details, and tracking numbers. Integration with label printers or the ability to generate printable PDFs can enhance your shipping workflow.

Tracking and Returns

Customers value transparency and visibility throughout the shipping process. A robust shipping software should provide real-time tracking updates, allowing customers to monitor the progress of their orders. Additionally, the software should offer seamless returns management, enabling you to generate return labels, track return shipments, and process refunds or replacements efficiently.

Cross-border Shipping

If your promo business operates internationally or deals with overseas customers, consider shipping software that supports cross-border shipping. Look for features such as accurate international shipping rates, customs documentation generation, and compliance with import/export regulations. Seamless integration with major carriers that offer international shipping services can simplify your global shipping operations.

3PL/Warehousing Integration

If your promo business partners with third-party logistics (3PL) providers or utilizes warehousing services, ensure that the shipping software can integrate with their systems. This integration can facilitate smooth communication and data exchange between your business and the 3PL/warehousing provider, leading to more efficient order fulfillment and shipping processes.

Dropshipping Capabilities

If you rely on dropshipping to fulfill customer orders, choose shipping software that supports dropshipping integration. The software should seamlessly connect with your dropshipping partners’ systems, allowing for automated order routing and fulfillment. This integration can streamline your operations and reduce the manual work associated with coordinating with dropshipping suppliers.

Carrier Discount Rates

When evaluating shipping software options, inquire about their carrier partnerships and whether they offer discounted rates. These discounted rates can help reduce your shipping costs, improve your profit margins, or allow you to offer competitive shipping prices to your customers. Be sure to understand the specific discounts and rates available from each shipping software provider, as they may vary depending on the carrier and your shipping volume.

Shipping Software Options

Here are a few popular shipping software options to consider for your promo business:

ShipStation

ShipStation?offers a comprehensive shipping solution with robust features like label printing, real-time tracking, and automation capabilities. It integrates with major carriers and e-commerce platforms, providing flexibility and scalability for your business. ShipStation offers a range of pricing plans to suit different business needs. Their plans start at $9.99 per month for smaller businesses and can scale up based on order volume and additional features required. ShipStation also provides discounted shipping rates from major carriers, allowing you to save on shipping costs and pass on the savings to your customers.

ShippingEasy

ShippingEasy?focuses on simplifying the shipping process with user-friendly features such as batch label printing, inventory management, and shipping automation. It also offers integrations with popular e-commerce platforms. ShippingEasy offers various pricing tiers depending on the number of shipments you process per month. Available free starter plans for up to 25 shipments per month and Growth plans to start from $19.99 based on shipping volume, allowing businesses to choose the most suitable option. Like ShipStation, ShippingEasy provides access to discounted shipping rates from carriers, helping you optimize your shipping costs.

EasyShip

EasyShip?is a cloud-based shipping platform that provides access to multiple shipping carriers and rates. It offers features like real-time shipping tracking, automated customs documentation, and returns management. EasyShip offers a free trial, free plan, and other Pro plans starting from $29 per month. They provide transparent pricing based on the destination, weight, and dimensions of each shipment. EasyShip also offers discounted shipping rates from multiple carriers, ensuring you get competitive rates for your shipping needs.

Shippo

Shippo?is known for its easy-to-use interface and robust shipping features. It offers integration with various carriers, label printing, real-time tracking, and analytics to help you optimize your shipping operations. Shippo offers a range of pricing options, including a pay-as-you-go plan and customized pricing for high-volume shippers. Their pay-as-you-go plan charges a small fee per label printed, while their customized pricing offers tailored rates for businesses with significant shipping volumes. Shippo also provides access to discounted shipping rates from carriers, helping you save on shipping expenses.

ShipBob

ShipBob?specializes in fulfillment services, including shipping, inventory management, and warehousing. It offers end-to-end solutions for e-commerce businesses, making it a suitable choice if you require comprehensive fulfillment support. ShipBob’s pricing structure includes fulfillment and shipping costs, as they specialize in providing comprehensive fulfillment services. Their pricing varies depending on factors such as order volume, storage requirements, and additional services required. ShipBob works with multiple carriers and negotiates carrier discount rates on your behalf, ensuring competitive shipping rates for your business.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shipping software for your promotional products business is crucial for efficient order fulfillment and customer satisfaction. Consider the key customer expectations, label printing capabilities, tracking and returns management, cross-border shipping support, 3PL/warehousing integration, and dropshipping capabilities when evaluating different shipping software options. By selecting the software that best aligns with your business needs, you can streamline your shipping processes and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

If you are wondering how to?integrate your shipping software?with your ERP If you are wondering how to?integrate your shipping software?with your ERP system, we suggest you PromoLink. PromoLink is an integration and automation software?specifically designed for the promotional products industry. With PromoLink, you can seamlessly integrate your chosen shipping carrier with your ERP system, ensuring a smooth and efficient flow of data and processes between the two.?By utilizing PromoLink,?you can enhance your shipping operations, streamline order management, and improve overall productivity in your promotional products business.