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6 Best Shipping Apps for Shopify Store Owners in 2024

Written by Troy Patterson | Jul 22, 2024 5:18:23 PM

Jane had always dreamed of turning her love for jewelry into a business. After months of planning and perfecting her designs, she launched her Shopify store. Orders started coming in, but Jane quickly realized that managing shipping took more work than she thought. 

She was buried in shipping labels, tracking numbers, and customer questions. One day, Jane saw a surprising statistic: 84% of online shoppers don't return after a bad delivery experience. She knew she needed a solution fast.

Finding the right shipping app is essential for many Shopify store owners like Jane. With so many options available, choosing the best one can be overwhelming. How can you ensure your customers get their orders on time without losing your mind or money?

Are you ready to improve your e-commerce business and give customers a great delivery experience? Read more and find the perfect solution for you.

ShipStation

ShipStation is a popular choice for Shopify merchants due to its features and ease of use. It integrates with multiple carriers, providing real-time shipping rates and tracking information.

Key Features:

  • Multi-carrier shipping
  • Batch shipping method
  • Customizable shipping labels
  • Automated order processing
  • Detailed analytics and reporting

Why Choose ShipStation: With its ability to handle large volumes of orders and streamline processes, ShipStation is ideal for growing businesses looking for efficiency and scalability.

Shippo

Shippo simplifies the shipping experience by offering discounted rates with major carriers and an easy-to-use interface. It's perfect for small to medium-sized businesses.

Key Features:

  • Discounted delivery rates
  • Easy integration with Shopify
  • Branded tracking pages
  • Automated return labels
  • Shipping insurance options

Why choose Shippo? Shippo’s affordability and straightforward setup make it an excellent option for businesses looking to cut costs without compromising service quality.

Easyship

Easyship provides a comprehensive solution with a global reach, making it ideal for businesses with international customers. It offers a transparent view of all options, including taxes and duties.

Key Features:

  • Global shipping solution
  • Real-time rates and delivery times
  • Automated tax and duty calculation
  • Multiple carrier integrations
  • Branded tracking and notifications

Why choose Easyship? For businesses aiming to expand globally, Easyship offers the tools to manage international delivery efficiently, ensuring customers receive orders without unexpected costs.

AfterShip

AfterShip focuses on post-purchase customer experience by providing excellent tracking and notification services. It’s designed to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce delivery-related inquiries.

Key Features:

  • Branded tracking pages
  • Automated shipment notifications
  • Analytics and performance reports
  • Multi-carrier tracking support
  • Seamless Shopify integration

Why choose AfterShip? If you aim to improve customer communication and satisfaction, AfterShip’s robust tracking and notification features can significantly enhance the post-purchase experience.

Ordoro

Ordoro is an all-in-one solution that combines efficient shipping with inventory management. It's suitable for businesses looking to manage operations and track their stock.

Key Features:

  • Inventory management
  • Multi-channel integration
  • Discounted rates
  • Automated drop shipping options
  • Kitting and bundling

Why choose Ordoro? For merchants needing both accurate shipping and inventory management, Ordoro offers a unified platform that simplifies operations and ensures precise stock levels.

Visigistics Integrated Parcel and LTL Solution

When it comes to choosing a shipping solution for your Shopify store, Visigistics stands out from the competition by offering a comprehensive suite of services that go beyond basic shipping functionality for businesses that are outgrowing the other shipping solutions above. Visigistics offers the best of of an integrated shipping solution with the buying power and strategic relationships with Fedex and USPS.

Here's why Visigistics is better than the options listed above:

  • Enterprise-Level Pricing with Fedex and USPS
  • Multi-Carrier Rating for Parcel and LTL Carriers
  • Seamless Integration with Shopify
  • Dedicated Support, Invoice Auditing and Claims Processing
  • FedEx Premier Account Support
  • Comprehensive Shipping Solution (Return Labels, Shipment Notifications, Shipment Reporting and Analytics, and more)
  1. Enterprise-Level Pricing

Visigistics provides enterprise-level pricing through FedEx and USPS, ensuring you get the best rates available. Unlike other apps that might only offer standard discounted rates, our partnerships allow you to access significant savings on shipping costs, which can directly improve your bottom line.

  1. Multi-Carrier Rating for Parcel and LTL Carriers

While other apps offer multi-carrier integration for small package, Visigistics goes a step further by having the ability to include Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) carriers in its platform. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that need to ship larger, heavier items that do not require a full truckload, offering flexibility and cost savings.

  1. Seamless Integration with Shopify

Visigistics seamlessly integrates with Shopify, providing a smooth user experience. Our platform handles multi-carrier shipping, automated order processing, and real-time rate calculation, all within your Shopify interface. This eliminates the need for multiple tools, reducing complexity and increasing efficiency.

  1. Dedicated Support, Invoice Auditing and Claims Processing

Unlike other shipping apps, Visigistics offers a dedicated team that audits your invoices and processes claims on your behalf. This service ensures that you are not overcharged and that any shipping issues are resolved promptly, saving you time and money.

  1. FedEx Premier Account Support

With Visigistics, we provide tier one user support and we have access to FedEx premier account support. This exclusive benefit means you get priority assistance through our support group, ensuring any shipping issues are resolved quickly and effectively, enhancing your overall shipping experience.

  1. Comprehensive Shipping Solution

Visigistics is more than just a shipping app; it’s a complete logistics solution that offers a wide array of features to streamline your shipping operations and improve efficiency. In addition to enterprise-level pricing and multi-carrier rating, Visigistics includes:

Return Labels: Simplify the returns process for your customers by providing easy-to-generate return labels, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Shipment Notifications: Keep your customers informed with automated shipment notifications, ensuring they know the status of their orders at all times.

Shipment Reporting and Analytics: Gain valuable insights into your shipping operations with detailed reporting and analytics. This feature helps you track performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your logistics.

Multi-Carrier Support: Choose the best carrier for each shipment with our multi-carrier support, providing flexibility and cost savings.

Automated Order Processing: Save time and reduce errors with automated order processing, ensuring that orders are handled efficiently and accurately.

Visigistics’ comprehensive approach ensures that your entire shipping process is efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. Our platform is designed to meet all your logistics needs, making it the superior choice for Shopify store owners.

Key Features to Look for in a Shipping App for Shopify

When searching for the best shipping app for your Shopify store, it's essential to consider critical features that can enhance your operations and improve customer satisfaction. The right app can significantly impact your e-commerce business, from accurate pricing to streamlined processes. Below are some features you can look for when choosing a shipping app: 

Shipping Rate Calculators and Real-Time Rates

Look for apps that include shipping rate calculators to ensure accurate pricing for different options, providing transparency for customers at checkout. Real-time delivery rates are also essential as they offer up-to-date shipment costs, reflecting current rates from carriers.

Discounted Shipping Rates

Selecting an app that offers discounted rates is essential for cost management and competitiveness. Look for apps that grant access to exclusive carrier discounts and negotiated rates you might not obtain independently. 

Multi-Carrier Support and Label Printing

Multi-carrier support is beneficial as it integrates with multiple shipping carriers, allowing flexibility in choosing the best carrier for each shipment. The ability to print labels easily is essential for streamlining the process.

Order Tracking and Return Management

Order tracking enhances customer satisfaction by keeping them informed. Efficient return management simplifies the return process for customers, providing return labels and tracking for returned items.

User-Friendly Interface

A user-friendly interface ensures easy navigation and usability, significantly reducing the learning curve for business owners and their staff. An intuitive design with clear instructions and accessible features helps prevent errors and saves time.

While identifying the critical features of a shipping app for Shopify is crucial for enhancing your store's logistics, it's equally important to be aware of the common challenges you might face when selecting the right app.

Common Challenges When Selecting a Shipping App for Shopify

Choosing the right app for your Shopify store involves navigating several common challenges. Here are some of the key issues you might face:

Selecting the Right Shipping Carrier

Different carriers offer varied advantages, so you should select the best one for your business complex. You must consider delivery speed, reliability, coverage areas, and pricing structures. Some carriers may offer better rates for specific regions or shipments, while others might provide more comprehensive tracking options or superior customer service.

Managing Delivery Costs Efficiently

Balancing cost-efficiency with quality service is essential for maintaining profitability. Shipping costs can quickly increase, especially for international or expedited deliveries. Finding an app that provides accurate rate calculations, offers discounts with various carriers, and allows you to pass on savings to your customers without compromising service quality is essential.

Ensuring Consistency in Shipping Operations

Inconsistent delivery practices can lead to delays and errors, impacting customer satisfaction. A good app should streamline your processes, automate routine tasks, and integrate seamlessly with your existing workflows. This includes generating labels, managing order tracking, and ensuring timely and accurate deliveries.

Handling International Shipping Complexities

International shipping involves additional complexities like customs, taxes, and duties. Each country has its regulations, and failing to comply can result in delays, fines, or even confiscated goods. An app should help you navigate these challenges by providing tools for calculating duties and taxes, generating necessary customs documentation, and staying up-to-date with international shipping rules and laws.

Enhancing Customer Experience

Providing a seamless customer experience is essential for retention and satisfaction. This includes clear communication about costs, delivery times, and tracking information. An app that offers branded tracking pages, real-time updates, and easy returns can significantly improve your customers' experience. In addition, offering multiple options at checkout can cater to different customer preferences, such as faster delivery or lower costs.

Choose the Best Shopify Shipping App and Carrier with Visigistics

While there are many good shipping apps available for Shopify store owners, Visigistics distinguishes itself by offering enterprise-level pricing, multi-carrier and LTL rating, seamless Shopify integration, dedicated invoice auditing, and premier account support with FedEx. Our comprehensive approach to logistics ensures that your shipping operations are efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. If you are paying over $50,000 in outbound parcel shipping annually, contact us today to see how Visigistics can enhance your Shopify store's shipping processes and help you grow your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the top 6 best shipping apps for Shopify store owners in 2024?

The top 6 best shipping apps for Shopify store owners in 2024 are ShipStation, Shippo, Easyship, AfterShip, Ordoro, and Visigistics. Each of these apps offers unique features to enhance your shipping process, but Visigistics stands out with its enterprise-level pricing, multi-carrier and LTL rating, and dedicated support services.

Q: How can I choose the best shipping app for my Shopify store?

When choosing a shipping app for your Shopify store, consider factors such as pricing, features offered, ease of use, customer reviews, and integration with your existing systems. Visigistics excels in these areas by providing comprehensive features like enterprise-level pricing, seamless Shopify integration, and dedicated support to streamline your shipping operations.

Q: Are there any free shipping apps available for Shopify store owners?

Yes, there are free shipping apps available for Shopify store owners, such as Easyship and Printful, that offer basic shipping features at no cost. Additionally, Visigistics provides our shipping solution at no cost, offering powerful features without the financial burden, making it an excellent choice for cost-conscious businesses.

Q: How can shipping apps help optimize my shipping process?

Shipping apps can help optimize your shipping process by providing accurate shipping rates, generating shipping labels, automating order fulfillment, and tracking shipments in real-time. Visigistics enhances these benefits with multi-carrier support, automated order processing, and detailed shipment reporting and analytics to ensure your operations are efficient and cost-effective.

Q: Can you provide a list of the best shipping apps for Shopify store owners?

Some of the best shipping apps for Shopify store owners include ShipStation, Shippo, Easyship, ShippingEasy, Printful, and Visigistics. Visigistics stands out by offering a comprehensive suite of services, including enterprise-level pricing, multi-carrier and LTL rating, seamless integration, and dedicated support to meet all your logistics needs.

Q: What are the key features to look for in a shipping app for Shopify?

When selecting a shipping app for Shopify, look for features such as accurate shipping rates, easy label printing, order tracking, carrier integration, and the ability to customize shipping options for your customers. Visigistics excels by providing additional features like return labels, shipment notifications, shipment reporting and analytics, and dedicated invoice auditing and claims processing, making it a superior choice for enhancing your shipping operations.