What to Look for When Comparing Shipping Software

So, you've decided you're going to use shipping software for all your fulfilment needs.

Whether you're an ecommerce store starting to see the number of sales increase or a logistics manager for a corporation that needs to process large volumes of orders, a shipping platform can help you save a lot of precious time and reduce your operating costs.

But what should you be looking out for when comparing shipping software? There is no shortage of options available, but there are specific features that are must-haves as they can make a significant improvement to your fulfilment strategy.

If this is your first time comparing shipping software, then this guide will help you narrow down your decision by providing you with the essential elements you need for your business.

Choice of Suppliers

One of the most critical factors when comparing shipping software is the list of suppliers that will be available to you. Not only do you want reliable partners that won't negatively impact your brand, but you need to reduce the risk to your business by having access to multiple carriers, so you don't put all your parcels in one basket.

While you'll want to see logos for TNT, Couriers Please, DHL and other prominent companies, the shipping software should also help you save money on delivery costs. You'll want access to exclusively negotiated rates that are usually only reserved for larger corporations who pay for service agreements.

Number of Integrations

One of the reasons you might be comparing shipping software is to reduce the time you waste on bureaucracy and manual processes. Without a platform, the alternative would be copying and pasting address information into a courier website, which isn't practical when processing dozens of orders.

An ideal solution is to have your shipping platform integrate with the ecommerce platform you use to sell your products or make it simple to upload a CSV file to import your orders. It should also allow you to connect to multiple locations if you're using Shopify or WooCommerce and offering goods on marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon.

Ability to Process Large Order Volumes Easily

Your business is your passion, shipping isn't. You don't have to block out time in your calendar to fulfil your orders. You can save hours by importing your orders into one place on a shipping platform.

Whether you've integrated the software with your ecommerce platforms or uploaded a CSV file, sending large volumes of orders should only take you minutes to process. Keep an eye out for an address validation and correction feature to save you even more time having to eyeball every single address.

International Shipping Options

When choosing the shipping platform for your needs, you also have to consider the future. One day, your ecommerce business might scale to include overseas delivery, or your organisation might partner with companies in other countries. Either way, you'll want software that can enable you to send parcels globally.

If you sell lightweight products or need to ship smaller items, it's worth exploring a bulk collection solution. It's not something all shipping platforms will include, but it can make a significant difference to your bottom line when you find the right provider. Speak to the customer service team and ask about these offerings if it's not listed on the website.

Customisation Options

The shipping platform you choose should adapt to your business. Not the other way around. You will want to customise the software to display the information you want to show on your website and automatically select courier services based on your preferences.

Look for a platform that includes tracking notification solutions too. Will it allow you to customise portals to match your branding and colour scheme? You want to provide customers with a consistent sales journey so you can welcome them back when they're ready to buy from you again.

Choose an Easy, Uncomplicated Shipping Platform

You no longer have to keep shipping in the too-hard basket. You just need a simple software solution that will give you time back in your day while also providing you with the support you require to offer outstanding customer experiences.

The Interparcel Shipping Manager provides you with an extensive range of courier companies, can integrate with many popular ecommerce platforms, allows you to process large volumes of orders locally and overseas, as well as enables you to customise the software to your needs. Our highly recommended Australian-based Shipping Software Solution Consultants are also available to talk you through your unique requirements.

Head over to this page to learn more about the Interparcel Shipping Manager and how you can start using it today!