A Complete Guide on How to Automatically Send Tracking Number in Shopify

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. The Importance of Automatic Tracking Updates
  3. Setting Up Automatic Tracking Updates in Shopify
  4. Leveraging Third-Party Apps for Enhanced Automation
  5. Conclusion
  6. FAQ Section
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Introduction

Have you ever found yourself drowning in a sea of orders, manually updating each one with a tracking number? The repetitive task is not only time-consuming but also increases the risk of errors, potentially harming your customer experience. Thankfully, Shopify offers solutions to automate this process, saving you time and enhancing your customer's post-purchase experience. In this blog post, we're diving deep into how to automatically send tracking numbers in Shopify, ensuring your customers are always in the loop about their orders. We'll cover everything from setting up auto-tracking updates to utilizing third-party apps for a seamless fulfillment process. This guide aims to streamline your operations and keep your customers satisfied with timely and accurate shipping updates.

The Importance of Automatic Tracking Updates

In the ecommerce landscape, transparency and communication are keys to building trust with your customers. Providing timely tracking updates is more than a courtesy; it's a way of demonstrating reliability and professionalism. Automatic tracking updates not only save you precious time but also significantly enhance your customer's shopping experience. They no longer have to wonder about their order's status, reducing customer service inquiries and increasing customer satisfaction. Let's explore how Shopify facilitates this crucial aspect of your business.

Setting Up Automatic Tracking Updates in Shopify

Shopify’s robust platform includes features that allow merchants to automatically add tracking numbers to orders, streamlining the fulfillment process. Here's how you can leverage Shopify's features to automate tracking updates:

Before Fulfilling an Order

1. When you have a tracking number before fulfilling an order, you can add it during the fulfillment process. This tracking number is then included in the shipping confirmation email sent to your customer.

Important: If you use Shopify Shipping and the label includes tracking, the number is automatically added.

Steps for Desktop Users:

  • Go to Orders in your Shopify admin.
  • Click an order number with a status of "Partially fulfilled" or "Unfulfilled".
  • In the "Unfulfilled" section, click "Fulfill item(s)".
  • Enter the tracking number and select the shipping carrier. If your carrier isn’t fully supported or you're using a different one, enter the tracking URL provided by your carrier.

After Fulfilling an Order:

If you receive a tracking number after fulfilling an order, you can still add the number to the fulfillment record and notify your customer.

Leveraging Third-Party Apps for Enhanced Automation

While Shopify’s built-in features provide a solid foundation for automatic tracking updates, third-party apps like AutoDS and Multi Carrier Shipping Label app offer enhanced functionality. These apps can further automate the process, including auto-updating tracking numbers from emails and supporting a broader range of carriers. Here’s a closer look:

AutoDS:

AutoDS simplifies the process of updating tracking numbers, providing a comprehensive solution for merchants. It can update tracking information from various orders, including those fulfilled by AutoDS, ensuring that your customers receive timely updates.

Key Features:

  • Automatic Tracking Number Updates: As soon as tracking information is available, it's updated in your Shopify store and AutoDS.
  • Order Status Updates: Automatically changes the order status from "ordered" to "shipped".
  • Multi-Carrier Support: Supports all known shipping carriers worldwide, enhancing your operational flexibility.

Getting Started with AutoDS:

  1. Activate the Automatic Order Processing Add-on.
  2. Forward tracking emails to your unique tracking email address provided by AutoDS.
  3. Optionally update your order ID for manually processed orders.

Royal Mail Click & Drop Integration

For UK-based merchants using Royal Mail's Click & Drop, automatic dispatch and tracking updates bring an added layer of automation. Shopify's integration with this service means that once you mark an order as dispatched in Click & Drop, Shopify updates the order status accordingly. However, adding the tracking number in Shopify ensures the customer receives the tracking details via email.

Conclusion

Automating the process of sending tracking numbers in Shopify not only streamifies your operations but also significantly improves customer satisfaction. By utilizing Shopify's in-built features or leveraging third-party apps like AutoDS, you can ensure your customers are always informed about their orders’ whereabouts. Adopting these automated solutions allows you to focus on scaling your business while maintaining high levels of customer service and operational efficiency.

FAQ Section

Q: Can Shopify automatically send tracking numbers to customers? A: Yes, Shopify can automatically send tracking numbers to customers through email once the tracking number is added to an order as fulfilled.

Q: Do I need to manually add tracking numbers for orders fulfilled through Shopify Shipping? A: No, if you purchase shipping labels through Shopify Shipping, the tracking number is automatically added to the order.

Q: Can third-party apps automatically update tracking numbers for all carriers? A: Apps like AutoDS offer broad carrier support but ensure to check if your specific carrier is supported for automatic updates.

Q: What should I do if a customer hasn't received their tracking number? A: Verify that the tracking number was correctly added and marked as fulfilled in Shopify. If using a third-party app, ensure the tracking information has been updated. Contact customer service for the app if issues persist.

Q: Will my customers receive updates throughout the delivery process? A: Yes, depending on the carrier and the updates provided, customers can receive ongoing updates about their order's delivery status.

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