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Shipping Orders with Shopify and Shipstation | 800+ Orders Per Month! Full Process Explained (2021)

Introduction

Shipping items from your digital store to customers can be a complex, yet rewarding, process. As the owner of a Shopify store that processes approximately 800 orders a month (about 30 orders a day), I’ve streamlined the shipping process and organization to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction. Here’s a step-by-step guide to how I manage shipping in my e-commerce business, from order processing to packing and dispatching.

Getting Started: Tools of the Trade

To begin with, I use Shopify as my platform, as it provides a robust framework for managing my online store. Initially, I relied on Shopify's native shipping integration. However, as my order volume increased, I transitioned to Shipstation, which offers advanced features that cater to higher volumes.

  • Shipstation: A shipping software that allows for batch processing, label printing, and integrations with multiple shipping carriers.
  • Stamps.com: Integrated with Shipstation, providing the ability to print postage and manage shipping details.
  • Rolo Printer: This label printer is crucial for efficiency, allowing me to print shipping labels quickly.

Step 1: Order Management with Shipstation

When I start shipping for the day, I log into Shipstation to get an overview of my pending orders. The interface presents me with all necessary insights about my shipments, which helps me prioritize tasks.

Batch Processing

One of the major advantages of Shipstation is its batch processing feature. I can quickly categorize and select simple orders to manage first. By highlighting these orders, I can create a batch for them, allowing for easy label printing and shipping fee payments. Each order usually takes around two to three minutes to process, so batching them speeds up the workflow.

Step 2: Weighing and Packaging Orders

Once I have my orders organized, I begin the packaging process. I have a dedicated space in my home equipped with bins for various products, scales for weighing packages, and shipping materials.

Packaging Materials

  • Poly Mailers: I primarily use matte black poly mailers of different sizes for a clean presentation.
  • Custom Packaging: Depending on the order, I select the appropriate packaging type to optimize shipping costs and protect items.

Weighing Items

For orders with multiple items, I measure the weight using a scale, ensuring to select the correct shipping option based on this weight. This is critical to avoid overpaying for shipping.

Step 3: Purchasing Shipping Labels

After organizing and weighing my items, I return to Shipstation to confirm the weights and package types. If everything checks out, I can proceed to purchase the shipping labels. I also appreciate that I can pay for all labels in one go, which saves considerable time.

Printing Labels

I use the Rolo printer to produce shipping labels. It allows for quick label printing without the hassle of traditional office printers. With the integration of stamps.com, I can manage my shipping costs efficiently.

Step 4: Packing Orders

Once labels are printed, I start packing orders. Each order receives not just the purchased items, but also extra stickers or promotional materials to enhance customer experience.

Quality Control

As I pack, I double-check each order against my packing slips to ensure accuracy. This reduces the chances of sending out incorrect items, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Step 5: Sending Out Packages

Finally, once all packages are sealed and ready, I dispatch them through the selected carriers. I also track my work hours using Toggle, which helps me analyze time spent on this crucial aspect of my business.

Conclusion

Managing shipping for an e-commerce store can be daunting, but with the right tools and processes in place, it can also be efficient and rewarding. Using Shipstation and a solid organization method, I’ve scaled my shipping capacity to efficiently handle upwards of 800 orders each month.

Keyword

  • Shopify
  • Shipstation
  • E-commerce Shipping
  • Order Management
  • Batch Processing
  • Rolo Printer
  • Stamps.com
  • Packaging Materials
  • Poly Mailers
  • Shipping Labels

FAQ

Q: What tools do I need to efficiently ship orders from my e-commerce store?
A: You need shipping software like Shipstation, a label printer (like Rolo), and a reliable packaging solution.

Q: How do I handle high volumes of orders?
A: Use batch processing to group similar orders together, which saves time and makes the process more efficient.

Q: What type of packaging is best for e-commerce shipping?
A: Matte black poly mailers are recommended for their clean aesthetic. Choose sizes specific to the products you're shipping.

Q: How can I track my shipping expenses?
A: Integrate tools like Stamps.com with your shipping software to manage shipping fees and monitor costs.

Q: How long does the shipping process take?
A: On average, each order takes about two to three minutes to process, not including packing time.

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