Top 6 Software Solutions for Effortless E-Commerce Shipping
Updated June 7, 2023.
E-commerce shipping is a crucial process for any e-commerce merchant who wants to optimize their business. It can make or break your customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty.
However, shipping isn't easy. Up to 45% of e-commerce merchants find it challenging to meet their customers' delivery expectations. This is because shipping involves many steps, including inventory management, order processing, packaging, labeling, tracking, and delivery. Each step can have its own challenges like delays, errors, damages, or losses.
That’s why you need the right software solution to streamline your e-commerce shipping. A good software solution can help you automate and optimize your shipping processes, reduce costs and errors, and improve customer experience.
Best Software Solutions for Effortless E-commerce Shipping
We looked at each solution's key features, integrations, and unique selling points to help you choose the best one for your dropshipping business.
- Shopify Shipping: Best Overall.
- ShipStation: Best for Multi-Carrier Options.
- Shippo: Best for Complex Customizable Integration.
- ShipBob: Best for Fulfillment Optimization.
- EasyShip: Most Flexible Shipping Pricing.
- Shiphero: Best for Inventory Management.
1. Shopify Shipping: Best Overall
Pros
- User-friendly interface and dashboard
- Discounted shipping rates with major carriers
- Wide global network of fulfillment centers
- App store with hundreds of easy integrations
Cons
- Only available for Shopify stores
Shopify Shipping is a built-in feature that comes with every Shopify plan. It lets you manage your shipping process directly from your Shopify admin, eliminating the need for third-party apps or services. You can print shipping labels, track purchases, and get discounted prices from major carriers including USPS, UPS, DHL, and others.
Shopify Shipping also links with the Shopify Fulfillment Network where you can manage your inventory, packing, and shipping, thereby providing fast and dependable delivery to your customers. Plus, the Shopify app store offers limitless integration possibilities with other solutions like dropshipping apps and order-tracking tools.
Offering a seamless and hassle-free experience for both beginners and advanced users, Shopify Shipping is easy to use, has a wide global network, and offers discounted shipping rates.
» Check out our full Shopify Shipping review for more details
2. ShipStation: Best for Multi-Carrier Options
Pros
- Robust reporting and analytics tools
- Streamlines your order management process
- Compare rates and delivery times of different carriers
- Supports over 40 carriers worldwide
Cons
- Some carriers may have limited features or integrations
ShipStation is a cloud-based e-commerce shipping platform that allows you to manage and ship orders from multiple sales channels with ease. Whether you sell on Amazon, Shopify, eBay, or your own website, ShipStation can help you automate your shipping processes and save time and money.
Because of ShipStation's multi-carrier support, you can compare rates and delivery times of over 40 carriers worldwide, including USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Canada Post. Finetune your shipping further with any of ShipStation's integrations for inventory management systems, payment gateways, marketing software, and accounting software.
ShipStation is a comprehensive and customer-friendly e-commerce shipping solution that gives you access to the best carriers, putting you on equal footing with competitors.
3. Shippo: Best for Complex Customizable Integration
Pros
- Access to multiple carriers worldwide
- Discounted shipping rates
- Address validation and tracking
- Custom branding and notifications
Cons
- Requires technical skills to set up the API
Shippo can help you streamline your shipping process regardless of your shipping volume or business model. You can integrate Shippo with your online store, marketplace, or ERP system and access all your orders in one place. Shippo also offers a developer-friendly API that lets you customize your shipping workflow and automate tasks like label printing, tracking, and returns. With Shippo, you can save time and money on shipping and focus on growing your business.
Shippo lets you integrate with multiple carriers and platforms, choose the best rates and services for your needs, and personalize your customer experience.
4. ShipBob: Best for Fulfillment Optimization
Pros
- Warehousing and fulfillment services
- Integrates with all major e-commerce platforms
- Uses machine learning to optimize shipping times
- Transparent and real-time tracking and reporting
Cons
- Limited control over inventory and fulfillment
ShipBob is a cloud-based platform that integrates with your online store to automate the entire shipping process from inventory management to order fulfillment.
You can store your products in one or more of ShipBob's warehouses across the US and Canada, and ShipBob will pick, pack, and ship your orders to your customers using the best carrier and service level for each order. By using machine learning, ShipBob analyzes your shipping data and gives insights on how to optimize your shipping strategy and reduce shipping costs.
ShipBob is a comprehensive and scalable fulfillment partner that automates your shipping process and tracks relevant data to help you improve logistics.
5. EasyShip: Most Flexible Shipping Pricing
Pros
- Access to over 250 shipping solutions
- Transparent and competitive shipping rates
- Save costs by showing you the best shipping options
- Automates label generation and printing process
Cons
- May charge extra for some features depending on your plan
EasyShip is a web-based shipping platform that connects e-commerce sellers with global couriers. With EasyShip, you can easily compare and choose the best shipping option for your orders, based on price, delivery time, and features. You can also automate the total shipping process, from label generation to customs clearance, and send branded tracking emails to your customers.
Plus, EasyShip helps you save money on shipping by offering exclusive discounts from over 250+ shipping partners, including USPS, FedEx, DHL, and UPS.
EasyShip is suitable for businesses of all sizes and niches because it offers a wide range of shipping options and features, allowing you to choose options that easily fit your budget.
» Follow these steps to calculate your shipping costs
6. Shiphero: Best for Inventory Management
Pros
- Fast and accurate picking and packing
- Real-time inventory management
- Live tracking and notifications
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Cons
- Requires compatible hardware
Shiphero is an e-commerce platform that offers both a warehouse management system (WMS) and a fully outsourced fulfillment service. As an inventory management solution, Shiphero lets you control your stock levels, allocate orders, set replenishment levels, and perform cycle counting. You can also create kits and bundles, track expiration dates, and manage serial numbers. With Shiphero, you can streamline your warehouse operations and reduce errors and costs.
Shiphero is a reliable and scalable e-commerce shipping software that can handle your inventory management needs.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Software Solution for E-commerce Shipping
There's no software that can suit every e-commerce store perfectly. The best choice will depend on your store's specific needs, goals, and budget. Here are some factors to consider when comparing different software solutions for e-commerce shipping:
- Ease of use: How user-friendly is the software? Does it have a clear and intuitive interface? Can you easily set up and manage your shipping options, labels, and tracking?
- Customization options: How much control do you have over the look and feel of your shipping process? Can you customize your shipping rates, zones, and methods? Can you create branded labels and packing slips?
- Integrations: How well does the software integrate with your e-commerce platform and other tools you use? Can you sync your inventory, orders, and customer data? Can you automate your workflows and streamline your operations?
- Scalability and shipping volume: How does the software handle your current and future shipping volume? Does it offer discounts or incentives for high-volume shippers? Can it support multiple warehouses and fulfillment centers?
- Customer support: How responsive and helpful is the support team? Do they offer 24/7 assistance via phone, email, or chat? Do they provide training and resources to help you get started and troubleshoot issues?
- Cost: How much does the software cost per month or per year? Are there any hidden fees or charges? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each pricing plan?
» Discover more shipping benchmarks and insights for your e-commerce store
Optimize Your E-Commerce Shipping With BeProfit
Partnering with the right e-commerce shipping solution can help you streamline the logistics side of shipping. But you need an effective way to measure shipping performance and how your current shipping process is influencing your profit. Profit analysis dashboards like BeProfit can help you to:
- Stay updated with shipping costs reports
- Integrate shipping data from different sources
- Manage multiple shipping profiles from one dashboard
