\ud83d\udca1 To that end, this article will explain how to set up WooCommerce shipment tracking, send the tracking numbers to customers, and manage every order’s tracking number from your WooCommerce site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcda Table of contents:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n- Is shipment tracking really that important?<\/a> \ud83e\udd14<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to set up WooCommerce shipment tracking<\/a> \ud83d\udd27<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- All WooCommerce shipment tracking plugins to consider<\/a> \u231b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t \t\n\t\t \t\tComplete guide on how to set up #shipment tracking in #WooCommerce \ud83d\ude9a \ud83d\uded2<\/a>\n\t\t \t<\/div>\n\t\t \t\n\t\t \tClick To Tweet \n\t\t \t\t<\/span>\n\t\t \t<\/a>\n\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Is shipment tracking really that important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Shipment tracking codes provide several benefits to your customers, and they help streamline your own ecommerce operation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTracking codes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Cut costs:<\/strong> It’s expensive to deal with customer questions and complaints about deliveries. Tracking codes minimize customer support costs from shoppers asking about delivery times. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make customers happy: <\/strong>80% of customers want the ability to track an order from start to finish [1]<\/small>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help control the fulfillment operation: <\/strong>The merchant can view shipping statuses as well, allowing them to address issues by contacting the carrier, answering customer questions, or even giving refunds. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Reduce fraud:<\/strong> One aspect of ecommerce fraud involves customers receiving items but reporting them as undelivered for a refund. With tracking, the merchant sees if packages get delivered (and where they get delivered to). There are also options to require a delivery signature or have carriers take pictures of the package when delivered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Decrease shipping errors with automation:<\/strong> Shipment tracking tools help automate messaging, shipping code generation, and the processing of orders in general, cutting down on human error. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to set up WooCommerce shipment tracking <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You have a number of options for setting up WooCommerce shipment tracking. The option you choose depends on which shipping provider(s) you’re using<\/a>, whether you’re using a tool to help you fulfill orders, and whether you need merchant tracking or are just looking to provide tracking to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe’re going to cover three different methods. You can use a single method by itself. Or, these methods will also integrate with one another if you need more comprehensive functionality:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Official WooCommerce shipping extension<\/a><\/strong>– if you’re already using the official WooCommerce Shipping tool, it provides a built-in feature to add shipment tracking. The only downside is that it only supports USPS and DHL at this time. <\/em>If you’re using a different provider, or you just don’t want to use the WooCommerce Shipping extension, this method won’t work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Advanced Shipment Tracking plugin (AST)<\/a><\/strong> – this plugin lets you add shipment tracking for any shipping carrier, with thousands of supported options. The free version is capable enough, while the premium version adds more useful features. It offers standalone functionality, but you can also integrate it with the official WooCommerce Shipping extension if desired.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- TrackShip for merchant tracking<\/a><\/strong>– while the other two methods are focused on helping you provide shipment tracking to customers, a tool like TrackShip can also help you<\/em> keep track of all your shipments, which is another important aspect of WooCommerce shipment tracking. TrackShip also integrates with AST, which lets you create a full shipment tracking stack.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
1. Official WooCommerce Shipping extension (USPS and DHL only)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By default, WooCommerce<\/a> has no way of adding a tracking code to orders. There are some workarounds, but they only make sense for stores with extremely low sales volume. Those workarounds involve creating tracking codes in a small business portal from your carrier (USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have these), then either sending a direct email to the customer with the tracking information or adding it to the order notes (and sending it as a Note To Customer). <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"add](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:1024\/h:531\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/add-note.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHowever, that method is both tedious and unrealistic for growing businesses. We’re interested in achieving a more automated solution that’s still free and available from one of the default WooCommerce extensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make it all work, you must first install the WooCommerce Shipping extension<\/a>. You may already have it installed, since the WooCommerce onboarding process usually installs it automatically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"WooCommerce](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:1024\/h:417\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/WooCommerce-Shipping-WooCommerce.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOnce activated, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > WooCommerce Shipping<\/strong>. This is a new section added by the WooCommerce Shipping extension. Here, you should link a payment account (for printing labels) and choose a paper size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"woocommerce](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/shipping-settings.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nUnder the Packaging headline, click the Add Package<\/strong> button to pick the types of packaging you plan on using. The WooCommerce Shipping extension links directly to DHL and USPS for selecting standard packages from those services and generating labels with tracking numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAdd whichever boxes, envelopes, and other packages you plan on using. Then click the Save<\/strong> button at the bottom of the page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"add](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/adding-packages.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOpen an order by going to WooCommerce > Orders<\/strong> and selecting from the list of orders. On the Edit Order page, click the Create Shipping Label <\/strong>button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"create](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/an-order.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nCheck to make sure that the Origin Address <\/strong>and Destination Address <\/strong>are accurate. Under the Packaging <\/strong>tab, pick the type of packaging to use with the Packaging Details<\/strong> drop-down field. Also fill in the Total Weight (With Package)<\/strong> field. Click the Use These Packages<\/strong> button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"pick](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/use-these-packages.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThis brings you to the Shipping Rates <\/strong>tab, which displays pricing for all shipping methods based on the packaging you decided upon. In order to generate a shipment tracking code, double check to see if your shipping method includes that with your purchase. Most USPS and DHL methods have tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCheck the box that reads “Mark this order as complete and notify the customer.”<\/em> This changes the order status and sends an email to the customer with a shipment tracking number. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo finish the process, click the Buy Shipping Label <\/strong>button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"buy](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/notify.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAs a result, you should now see the shipment tracking number (with a link) under Shipment Tracking<\/strong> on the Edit Order page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"WooCommerce](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/tracking-code.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nAdditionally, the customer receives an email with the tracking code and link included. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"and](\"https:\/\/mllj2j8xvfl0.i.optimole.com\/cb:c5QE.37290\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/themeisle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/tracking-email.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAdvanced Shipment Tracking plugin (supports all carriers)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The previous method has its advantages since merchants can print shipping labels, generate tracking numbers, and send out notification emails with the tracking information. And much of it’s done automatically. The only downside is that you’re limited to using USPS and DHL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if you’d like to ship with providers like UPS or FedEx, or even country-specific carriers, like Australia Post, Deutsche Post, or La Poste? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 In that case, you must turn to a third-party plugin with access to those providers. For that, we recommend the Advanced Shipment Tracking plugin (AST)<\/a> – here’s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\nPair your provider’s business account with the Advanced Shipment Tracking (AST) plugin<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
This method requires some manual work with the free version of the plugin, but it’s more automated in the premium version, and it provides access to hundreds of global carriers. Essentially, you’re generating shipping labels and tracking codes using the small business portal from your shipping provider. After that, the plugin lets you paste the tracking code into any order and specify the carrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The true automation comes into play when you activate the plugin’s premium plan, since that allows you to skip the manual tracking code generation and instead print shipping labels with tracking (using a wide variety of carriers) from the WooCommerce Shipping plugin<\/a> (covered in the previous method). <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo begin, install and activate the plugin from WordPress.org.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
Is shipment tracking really that important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Shipment tracking codes provide several benefits to your customers, and they help streamline your own ecommerce operation<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tracking codes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have a number of options for setting up WooCommerce shipment tracking. The option you choose depends on which shipping provider(s) you’re using<\/a>, whether you’re using a tool to help you fulfill orders, and whether you need merchant tracking or are just looking to provide tracking to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re going to cover three different methods. You can use a single method by itself. Or, these methods will also integrate with one another if you need more comprehensive functionality:<\/p>\n\n\n\n By default, WooCommerce<\/a> has no way of adding a tracking code to orders. There are some workarounds, but they only make sense for stores with extremely low sales volume. Those workarounds involve creating tracking codes in a small business portal from your carrier (USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have these), then either sending a direct email to the customer with the tracking information or adding it to the order notes (and sending it as a Note To Customer). <\/p>\n\n\n However, that method is both tedious and unrealistic for growing businesses. We’re interested in achieving a more automated solution that’s still free and available from one of the default WooCommerce extensions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To make it all work, you must first install the WooCommerce Shipping extension<\/a>. You may already have it installed, since the WooCommerce onboarding process usually installs it automatically. <\/p>\n\n\n Once activated, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > WooCommerce Shipping<\/strong>. This is a new section added by the WooCommerce Shipping extension. Here, you should link a payment account (for printing labels) and choose a paper size. <\/p>\n\n\n Under the Packaging headline, click the Add Package<\/strong> button to pick the types of packaging you plan on using. The WooCommerce Shipping extension links directly to DHL and USPS for selecting standard packages from those services and generating labels with tracking numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Add whichever boxes, envelopes, and other packages you plan on using. Then click the Save<\/strong> button at the bottom of the page. <\/p>\n\n\n Open an order by going to WooCommerce > Orders<\/strong> and selecting from the list of orders. On the Edit Order page, click the Create Shipping Label <\/strong>button. <\/p>\n\n\n Check to make sure that the Origin Address <\/strong>and Destination Address <\/strong>are accurate. Under the Packaging <\/strong>tab, pick the type of packaging to use with the Packaging Details<\/strong> drop-down field. Also fill in the Total Weight (With Package)<\/strong> field. Click the Use These Packages<\/strong> button. <\/p>\n\n\n This brings you to the Shipping Rates <\/strong>tab, which displays pricing for all shipping methods based on the packaging you decided upon. In order to generate a shipment tracking code, double check to see if your shipping method includes that with your purchase. Most USPS and DHL methods have tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check the box that reads “Mark this order as complete and notify the customer.”<\/em> This changes the order status and sends an email to the customer with a shipment tracking number. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To finish the process, click the Buy Shipping Label <\/strong>button. <\/p>\n\n\n As a result, you should now see the shipment tracking number (with a link) under Shipment Tracking<\/strong> on the Edit Order page. <\/p>\n\n\n Additionally, the customer receives an email with the tracking code and link included. <\/p>\n\n\n The previous method has its advantages since merchants can print shipping labels, generate tracking numbers, and send out notification emails with the tracking information. And much of it’s done automatically. The only downside is that you’re limited to using USPS and DHL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What if you’d like to ship with providers like UPS or FedEx, or even country-specific carriers, like Australia Post, Deutsche Post, or La Poste? <\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udc49 In that case, you must turn to a third-party plugin with access to those providers. For that, we recommend the Advanced Shipment Tracking plugin (AST)<\/a> – here’s how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This method requires some manual work with the free version of the plugin, but it’s more automated in the premium version, and it provides access to hundreds of global carriers. Essentially, you’re generating shipping labels and tracking codes using the small business portal from your shipping provider. After that, the plugin lets you paste the tracking code into any order and specify the carrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The true automation comes into play when you activate the plugin’s premium plan, since that allows you to skip the manual tracking code generation and instead print shipping labels with tracking (using a wide variety of carriers) from the WooCommerce Shipping plugin<\/a> (covered in the previous method). <\/p>\n\n\n\n To begin, install and activate the plugin from WordPress.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to set up WooCommerce shipment tracking <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
1. Official WooCommerce Shipping extension (USPS and DHL only)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\nAdvanced Shipment Tracking plugin (supports all carriers)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pair your provider’s business account with the Advanced Shipment Tracking (AST) plugin<\/h4>\n\n\n\n