Shopify shipping apps can be a powerful competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded ecommerce marketplace.
A 2021 SearchNode study found that 84% of ecommerce store owners considered competition in their markets “tough” or “very tough.” (Thanks, Amazon.)
As an ecommerce decision-maker, it’s tempting to focus on apps that get customers “in the door.” While these apps are crucial, it’s equally important to invest in Shopify apps that help retain the customers you already have.
Customer retention means focusing on the post-purchase experience, which includes shipping. According to a 2021 ShipStation survey, 83% of respondents would likely switch brands after a negative delivery or shipping customer experience.
It doesn’t matter whether you self-fulfill, dropship, or outsource the shipping process. The right combination of Shopify shipping apps can mean the difference between keeping or losing a customer you’ve worked hard to acquire. Here are nine shipping apps to consider (organized alphabetically):
Arka allows you to create branded, environmentally friendly packaging that enhances the experience of getting a package on time and intact.
This app doesn’t calculate shipping rates, but it allows you to slap your logo and branded color scheme on a box without compromising your commitment to sustainability.
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Boxify matches purchased products with correctly sized shipping boxes, giving customers accurate shipping rates and reducing the environmental footprint of your packaging.
A 2022 IBM survey found that 51% of respondents say environmental sustainability is more important to them today than it was a year ago.
For companies that make sustainability a key feature of their marketing efforts, Boxify is an app to consider. Not only does it reassure customers they’re getting the best shipping rates, but it also demonstrates that you’re putting your values into practice.
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As a certified Shopify Plus partner, Extend’s shipping protection plans safeguard your brand and your products from shipping mishaps. While you can automate returns and control packaging, you can’t prevent a highway accident that damages your products on the way to their destinations.
The most important Extend benefit is peace of mind — for your customers and for you. While shipping protection plans come at a modest cost, they reassure customers that their investment in your brand is secure. And you have the assurance that the claims process protects your brand and your bottom line.
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Unlike Extend, whose solution manages replacements rather than returns, Loop Returns makes it easy for customers to return and replace undamaged but unwanted items.
According to the National Retail Federation, about $218 billion of online purchases were returned in 2021. Loop has found a way to help merchants retain more revenue from returns.
When customers begin a Loop return request, the app automatically furnishes a list of styles and sizes from your Shopify inventory for the customer to consider. You can even upsell the customer on certain items, using the value of their initial purchase as a credit.
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ShipBob is a third-party logistics (3PL) shipping platform that handles all elements of the fulfillment experience, from inventory management to warehousing.
If you self-fulfill and face a growing number of monthly Shopify orders, you’ll eventually spend most of your time managing order fulfillment and not acquiring new customers. Apps such as ShipBob take the shipping minutiae off your hands while providing the branded and personalized experiences your customers expect.
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ShippingEasy is a shipping solution for inventory tracking, order management, and shipping updates. For growing businesses, handling these tasks manually is time consuming and pulls you away from other important marketing and operational activities.
Unlike 3PLs such as ShipBob, ShippingEasy doesn’t ship products. But its sophisticated and affordable software helps smaller ecommerce businesses automate key shipping tasks, saving time and money.
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Shipping Rates Calculator Plus (SRCP) calculates shipping rates based on a customer’s location and displays them before checkout. Customers no longer need to be surprised by higher-than-expected shipping costs after entering their shipping and billing information.
SRCP is a bare-bones option that puts customers at ease about shipping prices.
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The Tracktor plugin integrates with thousands of global logistics partners to give you and your customer real-time delivery updates.
According to a 2022 report from DispatchTrack, 27% of customers want shipping updates “as often as possible even if that means multiple times a day.”
Not only do customers get a branded tracking page where they can view the status of their orders, but they also get a 3D interactive globe for monitoring all active shipments.
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Zendrop connects you with millions of dropshipped products while allowing you to customize them with brand-specific logos and inserts.
Dropshipping is a popular option for ecommerce companies that want to establish their own brand but not source, store, or ship inventory. Unlike Zendrop, ShippingEasy requires you to do these three things, in addition to establishing your brand.
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The best Shopify shipping apps for your online store depend on a number of factors — your number of monthly orders, whether you self-fulfill or outsource, and your staffing levels. Expect some trial and error as you work with the apps above.
You’ve found the best mix of apps when you start seeing a rise in repeat purchases and a manageable internal workflow. But as customer expectations change, you’ll need to audit your app choices to make sure you’re keeping up.