ShipStation Shipping Software: Honest Review

One of the trickiest tasks for an e-commerce business is order fulfillment. But shipping software like ShipStation can be one of your solutions.

Hello everyone, Jeffery is here! If you have an e-commerce business and want Shipstation to handle your order fulfillment, this review will help you decide.

So, let’s jump into the ShipStation review and find out if it’s suitable for you or not.

What is ShipStation?

ShipStation is an online shipping solution that integrates real-time with well-known marketplaces and shopping cart platforms to simplify the order fulfillment process for online retailers.

With ShipStation, you can connect with the leading carriers worldwide and save time and money when shipping your online orders.

Whether you’re an established business or just starting, ShipStation can simplify your order fulfillment.

Shipstation is Best For:

• Smaller shops who rely on the GAP program.
• If you ship packages more than 3 days per week, ShipStation is your best option out there.

Now let’s take a look at the reasons why you should use the shipstation shipping software.

Reasons To Use ShipStation

Here are why e-commerce businesses and online retailers choose shipstation:

Global Shipping Solutions with 50+ Integrations

ShipStation offers seamless integration with over 50 carriers globally, including USPS, UPS, DHL, and FedEx. This extensive network helps e-commerce businesses navigate the challenges of global supply chain disruptions. By providing access to a diverse range of carriers, ShipStation ensures that your orders can be fulfilled efficiently, allowing your business to thrive regardless of potential shipping complications.

Efficient Returns Management with a Dedicated Returns Portal

ShipStation understands the importance of streamlined returns for online retailers. With a dedicated Returns Portal designed for handling branded returns, the platform saves you valuable time and enables you to identify and address return trends effectively. This feature enhances your overall customer experience by simplifying the return process and helping you make data-driven decisions to improve your products and services.

Seamless Integration with Etsy for Quick Order Processing

For those utilizing Etsy as a selling channel, ShipStation offers direct integration. This means that your Etsy orders can be automatically imported into ShipStation, allowing you to commence shipping promptly. The seamless connection between Etsy and ShipStation eliminates manual data entry tasks, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring a swift order fulfillment process for online retailers.

Features of ShipStation

Web-Based Shipping

• Effortless Access: ShipStation’s web-based platform eliminates the hassle of standalone applications. Log in, and you’re ready to ship orders efficiently without worrying about updates or platform compatibility.

Multiple Selling Channels

• Universal Integration: ShipStation integrates with major selling channels like Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. Connect one or multiple channels effortlessly, streamlining your order management process.

Quick Setup

• Swift Onboarding: ShipStation’s quick setup gets you operational in minutes. Once your selling channels are configured, you can start generating shipping labels promptly.

Ship Fast

• Time Savings: Experience significant time savings with ShipStation’s speedy order fulfillment. The platform’s pick, pack, and ship operations efficiency makes it the go-to choice for those seeking a swift shipping solution.

Batch Shipping

• Efficiency at Scale: Batch printing capabilities allow you to simultaneously process up to 500 orders. Whether handling a large volume or a few orders at a time, ShipStation’s batch shipping ensures efficiency and time savings.

Simple or Advanced

• Flexible Functionality: ShipStation caters to both simplicity and complexity. Start with basic functions and gradually add advanced presets or workflows as needed, tailoring the platform to your evolving order fulfillment processes.

USPS Discounted Rates & Free Stamps.com Account

• Cost Savings: Benefit from USPS discounted rates and a complimentary Stamps.com account with ShipStation, effectively offsetting the platform’s cost.

Real-time Shipping Rates

• Best Deals: Enjoy real-time shipping rates that ensure you get the most cost-effective deals available.

Mobile Shipping

• On-the-Go Management: ShipStation’s mobile app for iOS and Android allows you to stay connected with your shipments. Manage orders, push through shipments, and keep things running smoothly, even when you’re away from the office.

Automation

• Effortless Integration: Automate and systematize various fulfillment processes with ShipStation, connecting seamlessly with mail carriers, retail sites, shopping carts, and other essential business tools.

Automatic Shipping Confirmation

• Customer Communication: Customize shipping confirmation emails in ShipStation settings, and the platform will automatically send them to your customers along with tracking information after each shipping label is printed.

Automatic Order Retrieval

• Efficient Order Management: ShipStation handles order retrieval automatically, minimizing manual tasks. If needed, manually refresh orders with a simple click.

Returns & RMA

• Easy Returns Processing: Streamline returns and RMA processes effortlessly with ShipStation.

Custom Branding

• Brand Identity: Optionally add custom branding and messages to shipping labels, packing slips, and confirmation emails, enhancing your brand identity throughout the shipping process.

ShipStation Pricing

• Starter: $9.00/mo (50 Shipments/mo)
• Bronze: $29.00/mo (500 Shipments/mo)
• Silver: $49.00/mo (1,500 Shipments/mo)
• Gold: $69.00/mo (3,000 Shipments/mo)
• Platinum: $99.00/mo (6,000 Shipments/mo)
• Enterprise: $159.00/mo (Unlimited Shipments/mo)

How ShipStation Works: Streamlining Your Order Fulfillment

ShipStation stands out as the go-to software for shipping fulfillment, offering a comprehensive solution that simplifies the entire process. Here’s a breakdown of how ShipStation works:

Connect Your Stores

• Automated Order Import: Connect your selling channel(s) to ShipStation. This enables the platform to automatically import your orders from various selling channels, creating a centralized hub for order management.

Setup Your Shipping Carriers

• Tailored Carrier Selection: Depending on your business needs and the nature of your shipments, set up one or multiple shipping carriers from a range of options, including USPS, FedEx, UPS, Stamps.com, DHL, and more.

Setup Your Shipping Presets/Processes

• Customizable Setup: ShipStation offers a straightforward setup process. Customize the platform to your preferences upon subscription, ensuring that ShipStation adapts to your workflow. The flexibility extends from the beginning to the end of the process.

Import Orders

• Centralized Order Dashboard: ShipStation pulls all your orders from diverse selling channels into a convenient dashboard. This centralization allows you to efficiently organize orders and apply shipping presets and preferences.

Ship Orders

• Efficient Printing Options: Once ShipStation imports orders, you can begin printing. Whether one by one or in batches (the recommended method), ShipStation generates everything you need, including shipping labels, return labels, packing slips, and more. Customization options are available in the settings.

ShipStation Sends Shipping Confirmations

• Automated Customer Communication: ShipStation goes the extra mile by automatically sending shipping confirmations to your customers. This email includes the product status and tracking information. Additionally, ShipStation communicates this data to your e-commerce store (Amazon, WooCommerce, Shopify, and more), updating the order status within your selling channels.

ShipStation streamlines the entire order fulfillment journey, offering a user-friendly experience. But their customer support is the worst compared to others.

Final Words

While ShipStation offers undeniable benefits, consider customer support and stability concerns before onboarding. It’s a top choice for businesses but comes with a word of caution.