The Ultimate Guide to Adding Tracking Numbers in Shopify: Enhance Your Customer ExperienceTable of ContentsIntroductionAdding Tracking Numbers Before Fulfilling an OrderPost-fulfillment Tracking Number AdditionEnhancing Tracking Capabilities Through Third-party AppsFAQsIn today's e-commerce landscape, keeping customers informed about the status of their orders is not just an added bonus—it's a necessity. One way to ensure customer satisfaction and trust is by providing them with tracking numbers for their orders. If you're running a Shopify store, you might wonder how to efficiently add tracking numbers to streamline your order fulfillment process. Look no further; this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about adding tracking numbers in Shopify, making your operations smoother and boosting your customer satisfaction.IntroductionHave you ever experienced the anticipation of waiting for an online order to arrive? That curiosity and sometimes anxiety about when a package will reach the doorstep are feelings many online shoppers know all too well. In fact, a recent survey found that 97% of shoppers expect to be able to track their orders in real-time. This statistic underlines the importance of providing your customers with timely updates about their order status, primarily through tracking numbers. In this blog post, we'll delve into the world of Shopify and explore how you can add tracking numbers to your orders. Whether you're looking to add tracking numbers before fulfilling an order, or you need to update an order with a tracking number post-fulfillment, we've got you covered. This guide also touches on additional considerations like custom code modifications and utilizing third-party apps to improve the tracking experience on your Shopify store. By the end of this post, you'll have a clear understanding of how to streamline your order tracking process, enhance customer satisfaction, and possibly even reduce the number of inquiries your customer service team receives regarding order statuses.Adding Tracking Numbers Before Fulfilling an OrderIf you find yourself with a tracking number in hand before an order has been fulfilled, Shopify simplifies the process of adding this information during the fulfillment phase. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your customers are immediately informed:Start by accessing your Shopify admin dashboard—this is your control center for everything related to your store.Navigate to the Orders section to view pending orders that require fulfillment.Once you're in the Orders section, select the specific order you wish to update by clicking on its order number. Ensure this order's status is either Partially fulfilled or Unfulfilled .In the order's details page, locate the Unfulfilled section and click on Fulfill items . This action opens the order’s Fulfillment page.Within the Fulfillment page, you'll find the Tracking information section. Here, you can enter the tracking number you've received for the shipment.Shopify often recognizes the tracking number format automatically, selecting the appropriate shipping carrier for you. However, if Shopify doesn't recognize the carrier or selects the wrong one, you can manually choose the correct carrier from the Shipping carrier drop-down menu.If you have multiple tracking numbers for the same order, simply click Add another tracking number and input the additional numbers. Remember, all tracking numbers for an order must be from the same carrier.Optionally, if your carrier isn't fully integrated with Shopify, or you select Other from the drop-down menu, you have the option to enter the Tracking URL manually. Make sure this URL is complete and exactly as provided by your carrier.Post-fulfillment Tracking Number AdditionThere might be instances where you receive the tracking number after the order has already been fulfilled. Not to worry, as Shopify also allows you to add tracking numbers to orders post-fulfillment. Following similar initial steps as mentioned above, you would navigate to the fulfilled order and click on Add tracking in the Fulfilled section. Here, you can enter your shipment’s tracking number, select the appropriate carrier, and decide whether to notify your customer via email.Enhancing Tracking Capabilities Through Third-party AppsWhile Shopify provides a robust platform for adding tracking numbers and updating order statuses, leveraging third-party apps can significantly enhance this functionality. Apps like Trackr or AfterShip offer additional features, such as a branded tracking page on your store, automatic email updates for status changes, and integration with numerous carriers worldwide. These tools not only improve the transparency of the shipping process for your customers but also further reduce the workload on your customer service team by providing self-service tracking options.FAQsQ1: What should I do if Shopify doesn't recognize my carrier?A1: If Shopify does not automatically recognize your shipping carrier based on the tracking number format, you can manually select the carrier from the drop-down menu. If your carrier is not listed, choose Other and provide the tracking URL manually.Q2: Can I add tracking numbers to an order that's already been fulfilled?A2: Yes, Shopify allows you to add or update tracking numbers for orders that have already been fulfilled. Simply navigate to the order and use the Add tracking option in the Fulfilled section.Q3: Are there any Shopify apps that can improve the order tracking experience for my customers?A3: Yes, third-party apps like Trackr and AfterShip can enhance the order tracking experience by providing integrated tracking pages within your store, automatic status updates via email, and support for a wide range of carriers.Q4: How can I ensure my customers receive tracking updates?A4: Make sure the option to send a notification email to the customer is checked when you add a tracking number in Shopify. For a more engaged approach, consider using a third-party app that offers automatic status change notifications.By incorporating efficient tracking number addition practices and possibly integrating with powerful third-party apps, you can significantly enhance the post-purchase experience for your customers. Transparency in order processing and fulfillment not only builds trust but also encourages repeat business, setting your Shopify store up for success.