Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Setting up Basic Tracking in Shopify
- Utilizing Third-Party 'Track Your Order' Solutions
- Tailoring the Post-Purchase Experience
- Conclusion
- FAQ Section
Introduction
Did you know that one of the most frequent questions received by e-commerce stores is "Where's my order?" It reveals a fundamental customer concern: delivery transparency. As e-commerce grows, the importance of efficient and effective order tracking does as well. For any Shopify store owner, ensuring customers can track their orders within your site is not just a good practice; it's essential for maintaining trust and enhancing the shopping experience.
Why is 'Track Your Order' function vital today?
With an increasing expectation for speed and an online retail landscape becoming more and more competitive, offering a tracking facility is no longer a luxury but a standard customers have come to expect. It reduces customer anxiety, cuts down on support queries, and can potentially lead to repeat business — if they can follow their purchase to their doorstep, they are more likely to shop again.
The purpose of this post is straightforward: to guide you on how to add a 'Track Your Order' feature to your Shopify store. By the end, not only will you be able to set this up confidently but also understand why integrating this streamlined post-purchase transparency into your customer's journey is a game-changer.
Setting up Basic Tracking in Shopify
Upon the successful purchase of a product, Shopify can send an order confirmation email to the customer with a tracking number, which is fantastic for starters. But let's delve deeper.
Automatic Integration with Major Carriers
Shopify has built-in functionality that automatically integrates tracking for several major carriers, including: - USPS - UPS - FedEx - DHL Express - Canada Post
Easy Logistics
When you fulfill an order within Shopify, you can include a tracking number. Shopify might auto-select the shipping carrier based on the number format. If it's incorrect, or if you use a different carrier, you'll need to choose or input manually. The tracking info will sow up on your customer's order status page.
Instructional steps to add tracking numbers:
- In Shopify admin, navigate to Orders
- Select an order to fulfill and click Fulfill items
- Enter the provided Tracking number
- Optionally, select or edit the Shipping carrier and enter the Tracking URL if non-standard
- Complete by clicking Fulfill items again.
Remind yourself that if you’re using a carrier not fully integrated within Shopify, the system allows you to enter a tracking URL manually to connect your customers directly to the carrier's portal.
Enhancing the Shopify Order Status Page
Consider upgrading the order status page by integrating third-party apps if your carrier isn't supported or you're looking for more functionality.
Utilizing Third-Party 'Track Your Order' Solutions
Several Shopify apps cater to tracking requirements efficiently, striking a balance between functionality and cost. Here’s why you might consider turning to Shopify Apps:
Beyond Basic Tracking
While Shopify’s functionality is handy, it doesn’t cover all carriers or offers that deeply personalized and engaging post-purchase experience. Third-party apps typically also allow far more carriers and provide a more branded experience.
Customer Habits Insights
These advanced solutions can also give you actionable analytics, offering insights into customer behavior after purchase, which can be invaluable for enhancing customer services.
Incorporating Free and Paid Apps for Tracking
Choosing between free and paid order tracking solutions depends on your bandwidth for potential upsells and sustainability of services. Options like 17track provide a comprehensive, free service that's easy to integrate and can be an excellent place to start for a new store with a tight budget.
Branded Experience with Paid Apps
Contrastingly, paid solutions offer a branded customer tracking page that reignites their shopping experience by taking them back to your store; this could mean significant upsell and customer retention potential.
A Selection of Noteworthy Apps
Here are a few apps that are lauded for their order tracking services:
- AfterShip: This app is revered not just for its tracking solutions across multiple carriers, but also due to excellent customer communication interfaces.
- Parcel Panel Order Tracking: An all-encompassing internal management tool within Shopify exuding prowess with intuitive tracking pages.
- Tracktor: A significant addition especially for identifying shipping issues early and keeping customers in the know.
- Rush - Ship, Track, Notify: Ideal for those looking for automated tracking with a branding edge.
- TrackingMore: This offers 700+ carrier integration, catering to a global audience with its robust tracking features.
Implementation Steps for a Free Tracking Service
Implementing a free tracking service like 17track within your Shopify store requires no monetary investment, only the allocation of time to integrate it within your system. Here's a simplistic rundown:
- Download the 17track app from the Shopify store
- Embed the tracking field in your store, and voila
- Send preview emails to yourself as a test
Tip: Look for coupons and know the limits of your chosen free service. Often, growth spurts might require switching to a premium service seamlessly.
Tailoring the Post-Purchase Experience
Finally, remember that adding a 'Track Your Order' feature is more than just setting up a functionality; it's about enhancing the post-purchase customer experience. Efficient tracking serves up opportunities for upselling — integrating it into the order confirmation process can boost the customer retention rate and encourage repeat business.
Use the implementation as a chance to reconsider the customer journey. Does your tracking page invite further exploration? Does it offer discounts or related items? Crafting an engaging tracking experience can have valuable long-term effects on brand loyalty and revenue.
Conclusion
Empower your customers with the full visibility of their orders by embedding a seamless 'Track Your Order' system into your Shopify store. This critical feature assures your clientele, saves your resources, and potentially burgeons your business with repeat customers. Now equipped with knowledge, tools, and a strategic angle, scaffolding your order tracking mechanism could well be your next big win in the online marketplace. Remember, the real journey starts after the checkout.
FAQ Section
Q1: Is it essential to use a third-party app for order tracking on Shopify? Even though Shopify comes with built-in tracking capabilities, those wanting more features, such as increased carrier options and a branded tracking experience, can benefit from third-party apps.
Q2: Can I let my customers track multiple orders at once? Yes, depending on the service or app you use, customers can often track multiple orders simultaneously. Providers like 17track allow the tracking of tens of orders in one go.
Q3: How does adding 'Track Your Order' impact customer service? It significantly reduces the volume of customer inquiries related to order statuses and fosters trust by providing transparency and control to the customer over their purchase.
Q4: Can I integrate tracking for carriers outside of Shopify's automatic system? Yes, if Shopify doesn’t support your carrier, you can manually enter a tracking URL to direct customers to the carrier’s tracking service.
Q5: Will adding order tracking to my store lead to more sales? While it's not guaranteed, having an efficient tracking system can enhance customer satisfaction and foster loyalty. By bringing shoppers back to your site to check their order status, it may also lead to additional purchases.
