How to Send Tracking Number to Customer on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how crucial it is for your customers to receive timely updates about their orders? In fact, studies show that 74% of customers are more likely to shop again if they receive regular shipping updates. As ecommerce merchants, we understand that keeping our customers informed is not just a courtesy; it’s a vital part of building trust and ensuring a seamless shopping experience. Providing tracking numbers is a key element of this communication, allowing customers to monitor their packages in real-time.

In this blog post, we will delve into the importance of sending tracking numbers to customers and provide a detailed guide on how to efficiently send tracking numbers using Shopify. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in sending tracking information, the tools available within Shopify, and the benefits of utilizing these features to enhance customer satisfaction and boost your business revenue.

We will cover various aspects, including the process of fulfilling orders and adding tracking numbers, the importance of notifications, and even some tips for optimizing your communication with customers. This post aims to serve as an authoritative guide on best practices for sending tracking numbers that keep your customers in the loop and satisfied with their purchase experience.

Let’s embark on this journey together, ensuring that every order we send is accompanied by the trust and transparency our customers deserve.

Why Sending Tracking Numbers Matters

Building Trust and Transparency

When customers place an order, they are entering into a relationship of trust with your brand. They expect timely updates and reassurance that their items are on the way. By sending tracking numbers, we not only fulfill this expectation but also enhance the overall shopping experience. Customers appreciate being able to track their packages and receive updates on delivery status, as it reduces anxiety regarding the arrival of their orders.

Reducing Customer Inquiries

A significant advantage of providing tracking information is the reduction in inquiries related to order status. When customers can easily access tracking details, they are less likely to reach out with questions about their shipment. This not only saves us time and resources but also allows us to focus on other essential aspects of our business.

Increasing Conversion Rates

Incorporating tracking numbers into our order fulfillment process can lead to improved conversion rates. When customers see that we prioritize their experience by keeping them informed, they are more likely to return for future purchases. Additionally, offering tracking updates can be a selling point that differentiates us from competitors, ultimately driving more sales.

How to Send Tracking Numbers in Shopify

In this section, we will walk through the step-by-step process of sending tracking numbers to customers on Shopify.

Step 1: Fulfill the Order

Before we can send a tracking number, we first need to fulfill the order. Here’s how:

1. Log into Your Shopify Admin Panel: Start by logging into your Shopify account.
2. Navigate to Orders: Click on the ‘Orders’ section to see a list of all your orders.
3. Select the Order to Fulfill: Choose the order that you want to fulfill.
4. Fulfill Items: In the ‘Unfulfilled’ section, click on ‘Fulfill items.’
5. Add Tracking Number: In the tracking number field, enter the tracking number provided by your shipping carrier. Shopify may automatically recognize the tracking format and select the correct shipping carrier for you. If not, manually select the shipping carrier from the dropdown menu.
6. Send Shipment Details: If you want to send a shipping confirmation email to the customer immediately, make sure to check the box that says “Send shipment details to your customer now.” This option is available only if you have the customer’s email address.
7. Click Fulfill Items: Finally, click on ‘Fulfill item(s)’ to mark the order as fulfilled.

Step 2: Sending Tracking Numbers after Fulfillment

What if you received a tracking number after fulfilling the order? Don’t worry; you can still add it. Here’s how:

1. Go to Orders: Log back into the Shopify admin and navigate to the ‘Orders’ section.
2. Select the Fulfilled Order: Click on the order you previously fulfilled.
3. Add Tracking: In the fulfilled section, click on ‘Add tracking.’
4. Enter Tracking Information: Enter the tracking number and select the shipping carrier if not automatically recognized.
5. Send Notification: If you want to notify the customer, ensure the option for sending notification emails is selected.
6. Save Changes: Click ‘Save’ to finalize the addition of the tracking number.

Step 3: Manual Notification of Tracking Numbers

If you forgot to send the tracking information initially, you can manually notify the customer by following these steps:

1. Edit Tracking: Click on the three dots next to the fulfilled order status and select ‘Edit tracking.’
2. Re-Enter Tracking: Temporarily change the tracking number to a placeholder, ensuring the notification option remains unchecked.
3. Save Changes: After saving, change the tracking number back to the original and check the notification option.
4. Final Save: Click ‘Save’ again, and your customer will receive a tracking update.

Utilizing Notifications Effectively

Automating Email Notifications

One of the most effective ways to keep customers updated is through automated email notifications. Shopify allows us to set up email templates that include links to order status pages. Here’s how to set this up:

1. Access Settings: From your Shopify admin, go to ‘Settings’ and then ‘Notifications.’
2. Edit Email Templates: Under the ‘Email templates’ section, select the ‘Shipping confirmation email template.’
3. Add Order Status Link: Ensure that your template includes a link to the order status page. If using customized templates, you may need to add Liquid code that includes the {{ order_status_url }} variable.
4. Test Functionality: After setting up your email templates, test the functionality by placing a test order to ensure everything works seamlessly.

Customizing Notifications

We can further enhance the effectiveness of our notifications by customizing them to reflect our brand’s voice. This could involve:

• Personalizing the email subject lines.
• Using friendly and engaging language in the body of the message.
• Adding our logo and branding elements to maintain consistency.

By customizing notifications, we can create a more memorable and pleasant experience for our customers.

The Role of Third-Party Apps

While Shopify provides built-in functionalities for sending tracking numbers and notifications, we can also leverage third-party apps to automate and enhance this process. Here are some benefits of using shipping notification apps:

Automation of Tracking Notifications

Many apps can automatically send out tracking notifications as soon as the shipping carrier updates the tracking status. This means we can spend less time managing notifications and more time focusing on our business.

Enhanced Tracking Visibility

Third-party apps often offer enhanced tracking visibility for customers, allowing them to view real-time updates and changes in delivery status. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction and reduced inquiries.

Integration with Multiple Carriers

If we use multiple shipping carriers, certain apps offer integration across various platforms, making it easy to manage tracking numbers without needing to switch between multiple systems.

Best Practices for Sending Tracking Numbers

Now that we’ve explored the nuts and bolts of sending tracking numbers, let’s discuss some best practices to ensure that we are maximizing their effectiveness.

Be Proactive

Whenever possible, send tracking numbers as soon as the order is fulfilled. Customers appreciate immediate updates, and being proactive can enhance their shopping experience.

Keep Communication Clear

In our notifications, we should aim for clarity. Providing concise tracking information along with estimated delivery dates can help manage customer expectations and reduce confusion.

Encourage Feedback

After sending tracking information, consider following up with customers to gather feedback about their experience. This can help us identify areas for improvement and ensure we are meeting our customers’ needs effectively.

Conclusion

Sending tracking numbers to customers on Shopify is not just about providing information; it’s about building trust and enhancing the overall shopping experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, we can ensure that our customers remain informed and satisfied with their orders.

As we have explored, the process involves fulfilling orders, adding tracking numbers, and utilizing automated notifications to streamline communication. Additionally, embracing best practices and considering third-party apps can further improve our shipping processes.

By prioritizing transparency and communication, we position our businesses for success, fostering customer loyalty and driving revenue growth. Together, let’s make every package matter by ensuring that our customers always know where their orders are and when they can expect them.

FAQ

1. Do I need an app to send tracking numbers on Shopify?

No, Shopify has built-in functionalities that allow you to add tracking numbers and send notifications directly from your admin panel. However, third-party apps can enhance automation and tracking visibility.

2. How do I ensure my customers receive tracking notifications?

When fulfilling an order, ensure that the option to send shipment details is checked, and consider setting up automated email notifications through your Shopify settings.

3. Can I customize the notification emails sent to my customers?

Yes, you can customize your email templates in the Shopify admin under the ‘Settings’ and ‘Notifications’ sections to reflect your brand’s voice and messaging.

4. What should I do if I forgot to send the tracking number initially?

You can edit the tracking number in the order fulfillment section, and if notifications are enabled, your customer will receive an email update with the tracking information.

5. How can tracking numbers help my business?

Sending tracking numbers can build trust, reduce customer inquiries, and improve conversion rates, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and repeat purchases.

By implementing these strategies, we can elevate our ecommerce operations and ensure that every customer feels valued and informed throughout their shopping journey. Let’s take the next step together by exploring our interactive demo and seeing how our shipping protection solutions can further enhance your post-purchase experience with ShipAid. Experience the demo here and install our app for free to start protecting your shipments today!