Can You Combine Orders on Shopify? A Comprehensive Guide for Merchants

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Need for Combining Orders
3. Current Limitations On Shopify
4. Utilizing Third-Party Apps for Automatic Merging
5. Best Practices for Merging Orders
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that nearly 50% of e-commerce sales come from repeat customers? This astonishing figure highlights the importance of customer retention and creating seamless shopping experiences. However, managing multiple orders from the same customer can become a logistical nightmare—especially when those orders are placed within a short time frame. What if there was an effective way to streamline the order process and enhance customer satisfaction by reducing shipping costs?

This blog post aims to guide you through the challenges and solutions surrounding order combining on Shopify. As Shopify merchants, we understand the unique hurdles you face in streamlining operations while keeping your customers happy. With insights drawn from industry best practices and the innovative capabilities of Tevello, we’ll explore your options for combining orders effectively.

Throughout this post, we’ll specifically address whether it’s possible to combine orders on Shopify, review the available methods, and examine best practices that can lead to improved operational efficiency. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how merging orders can better your fulfillment strategy. So, are you ready to simplify your Shopify experience and enhance your customer interactions? Let’s dive in.

Understanding the Need for Combining Orders

Before we delve into the details, it’s essential to grasp why order combining is a worthwhile endeavor. When customers place multiple orders—whether on the same day or within a short window—shipping these separately can be detrimental. Here’s why merging orders should be top of mind:

1. Cost-Effectiveness: Shipping multiple items separately leads to increased shipping costs. By combining orders, both the merchant and the customer can save money on shipping fees.
2. Simplified Tracking: Customers typically prefer to track a single order, as it enhances their shopping experience. This reduces confusion and improves overall customer satisfaction.
3. Operational Efficiency: Merging orders can streamline your fulfillment process considerably. As Shopify merchants, we know how critical it is to maintain an efficient operation while also managing customer expectations.
4. Environmental Benefits: Fewer shipments mean less packaging waste and lower emissions from transportation. Adopting eco-friendly practices can enhance brand loyalty.

Understanding these advantages sets the stage for exploring how to merge orders on Shopify effectively.

Current Limitations On Shopify

As we mentioned earlier, Shopify does not currently offer a native feature to combine or merge multiple orders automatically. Each order retains its unique order number and identity for tracking, inventory management, and reporting purposes. This may seem like a limitation, but it opens up options for creative workarounds that we’ll cover later in this guide.

Manual Order Merging: The Workaround

If you don’t wish to invest in a third-party app for order combining, there’s a manual process you can utilize — although it’s certainly not as efficient.

1. Create a Draft Order: Go to the Orders tab in your Shopify Admin, locate all relevant orders, and create a new draft order. This involves adding products manually from the original orders into the draft order.
2. Fulfillment Steps: You’ll have to print packing slips for each order and fulfill them in the draft order, while managing inventory levels from the original orders.
3. Tracking Numbers: After the draft order is created and shipped, you’ll need to return to the original orders, mark them as fulfilled, and add tracking numbers manually.

While this method can work in a pinch, it requires significant manual effort and is prone to errors—especially with tracking inventory levels.

Utilizing Third-Party Apps for Automatic Merging

The limitations of Shopify have led to the development of third-party applications that help automate the order merging process. While there’s a cost associated with these apps, they significantly enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. Below are a couple of popular options:

1. Mergify: Merge, Combine Orders

Mergify allows merchants to combine multiple orders effortlessly. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:

• Ease of Use: After installing Mergify and following the onboarding process, you have the option to set conditions for automatically merging orders.
• No Impact on Analytics: The unique aspect of Mergify is that it creates draft orders in "Test" mode, ensuring they don't affect your store analytics.
• Flexibility in Order Management: You can choose what to do with the original orders—archive, cancel, or keep them active.

To explore Mergify further, you can install the app here.

2. TrioM Combine & Merge Orders

Another versatile application, TrioM enables you to define rules for merging orders based on conditions such as shipping address and order value.

• Customizable Rules: You can automate merges according to your criteria, saving precious time and enhancing your workflow.
• Handling Shipping Fees: The app allows you to adjust shipping costs and provides options for refunds.

If your store frequently experiences situations where combining orders can save costs, this app could be worth the investment.

Comparing Features of Merging Apps

While selecting an app, it's vital to compare features and pricing:

When choosing between the two, consider your business size and merging frequency.

Best Practices for Merging Orders

If you decide to implement order merging, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

1. Set Clear Customer Communication

Inform your customers that their orders have been combined for shipping. Transparency can help alleviate any confusion and enhance customer trust.

2. Monitor Shipping Costs

Regularly assess the shipping fees before and after merging orders to ensure you’re genuinely providing cost savings.

3. Maintain Inventory Accuracy

Use merging applications that don’t affect your inventory to avoid discrepancies. Always verify that your stock levels are correct post-merging.

4. Flexible Return Policies

Review your return policies as combining orders can complicate how you handle product returns. Ensure customers understand how returns work for combined shipments.

5. Regularly Evaluate the Tools

Periodically reassess the tools and processes in place for merging orders. Technology is always evolving, and it’s essential to ensure you’re using the most efficient platforms available.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ability to combine orders on Shopify is an essential feature that boosts operational efficiency and enhances customer satisfaction. While Shopify lacks a native merging function, third-party applications like Mergify and TrioM provide robust solutions to help merchants automate this process, saving time and money.

As we navigate the complexities of e-commerce, we encourage you to consider how improved order management can positively impact your Shopify store. At Tevello, we’re committed to empowering merchants like you by providing an all-in-one solution that makes managing your online courses and digital products a breeze.

Are you ready to streamline your order management with Tevello? Start your 14-day free trial today and unlock new revenue streams while building meaningful connections with your audience.

FAQ

1. Can I merge orders directly through Shopify?
No, Shopify does not offer a built-in feature to combine orders. However, you can use third-party apps or manual workarounds for this purpose.

2. What are some reliable apps for combining orders on Shopify?
Mergify and TrioM are two popular options for merchants looking to combine orders efficiently.

3. Will merging orders affect my inventory?
Using apps like Mergify, which create merged orders in "Test" mode, ensures there’s no impact on your inventory. Always verify inventory levels post-merging.

4. How do I communicate with customers about their merged orders?
Clear communication is key. Notify customers via email or your store’s order confirmation system when orders are combined for shipping.

5. Is it worth investing in a merging app?
If your store frequently encounters scenarios requiring order merging, investing in an app can save time and enhance customer satisfaction in the long run.

With this knowledge, you can improve your fulfillment strategies and provide a seamless shopping experience. For more insights on how we can empower your Shopify journey, don’t hesitate to explore our powerful features and consider our simple pricing model.