How to Add Order Tracking to Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Importance of Order Tracking
3. Setting Up Order Fulfillment in Shopify
4. How to Add Tracking Information After Fulfilling Orders
5. Automating Tracking Notifications
6. Creating a “Track Your Order” Page
7. Using External Tools for Enhanced Tracking
8. Managing Customer Expectations
9. Leveraging Tracking Data to Boost Sales
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Did you know that nearly 75% of online shoppers expect to receive tracking information about their purchases? This expectation has transformed the e-commerce landscape, making order tracking an essential feature for any online store. As Shopify merchants, we must adapt to these demands to not only enhance customer satisfaction but also to foster loyalty and repeat business.

In today’s digital economy, adding order tracking capabilities is more than a convenience; it's a powerful differentiation strategy. Effective order tracking can directly impact customer retention and improve overall user experience in our Shopify stores. The purpose of this post is to delve deep into the process of adding order tracking to Shopify, providing you with step-by-step instructions, technical insights, and best practices. With this knowledge, you can incorporate a vital feature in your online store that meets customer expectations and elevates their shopping experience.

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Understanding the Importance of Order Tracking

Order tracking is essential for several reasons:

1. Customer Transparency: Providing tracking information keeps customers in the loop regarding their purchases, helping them to stay engaged and informed.
2. Reduced Customer Inquiries: With accessible order tracking, customers will be less likely to reach out to customer service with questions about shipping status, allowing us to focus on more critical areas of our businesses.
3. Boosted Customer Trust: According to research by Metapack, 96% of consumers consider reliable delivery a fundamental element of their shopping experience. Proactive communication through tracking reinforces trust.
4. Enhanced Customer Experience: The convenience of tracking positively impacts the overall shopping experience, making customers more likely to return.

Incorporating order tracking in our Shopify stores equips us with powerful tools to meet these needs effectively. Now, let’s get into how we can seamlessly add this feature to our Shopify stores.

Setting Up Order Fulfillment in Shopify

Before we dive into tracking specifics, it’s crucial to set up order fulfillment correctly in Shopify. This setup ensures that you can manage your orders efficiently and provide tracking information to your customers.

1. Accessing Order Fulfillment Settings

To configure order fulfillment:

• Go to your Shopify admin.
• Navigate to Settings > General.
• Use the Order processing section to configure your order fulfillment settings.

Ensure that automatic fulfillment is disabled if you plan to fulfill orders manually. Keeping manual control allows flexibility in adding tracking numbers as needed.

2. Fulfilling Orders Manually

When fulfilling an order, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Orders: From your Shopify admin, click on the Orders tab.
2. Select Order: Click the specific order you want to fulfill.
3. Fulfill Items: In the Unfulfilled section, click Fulfill items.
4. Add Tracking Number: In the tracking number field, enter the tracking number provided by your shipping service. Shopify may automatically detect the provider based on the number format.

If you choose to send an email to notify the customer, make sure the option "Send shipment details to your customer now" is selected. By doing this, you ensure your customer receives real-time updates.

Follow these processes closely to maintain professional levels of service expected by today’s consumers.

How to Add Tracking Information After Fulfilling Orders

If you need to add tracking information after you've fulfilled an order, you can easily do so:

1. Go to Your Orders in Shopify.
2. Select the Fulfilled Order you need to update.
3. Add Tracking Information: Click on Add tracking in the fulfilled section. Enter the tracking number and select the shipping carrier (if not automatically detected).
4. Notify Your Customer: Opt to send a notification to your customer to ensure they stay informed.

By using this straightforward process, we keep our customer satisfaction at the forefront, paving the way for potential returns and promotions down the line.

Automating Tracking Notifications

In today's fast-paced e-commerce environment, automating tracking notifications can vastly improve customer service efficiency. As merchants, we can automate the order fulfillment process through Shopify's App Store, which will help reduce manual efforts and ensure timely communication.

Benefits of Automated Notifications

• Timeliness: Customers receive updates without manual intervention.
• Consistency: Ensure all customers are notified in the same format, leading to a uniform experience.
• Less Work for Your Customer Service Team: By reducing inquiries, your team can concentrate on resolving more complex customer issues.

To automate order tracking notifications:

• Install a reliable order tracking app from the Shopify App Store.
• Follow the setup instructions to ensure tracking notifications are sent automatically during the fulfillment process.

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Creating a “Track Your Order” Page

In addition to sending out tracking notifications, creating a dedicated "Track Your Order" page can significantly enhance the customer experience. This page serves as a self-service resource where customers can easily track their orders without needing to contact customer service.

Steps to Create the Page

1. Navigate to Online Store > Pages in your Shopify admin.
2. Click "Add page".
3. Title the Page “Track Your Order”.
4. Embed Code: In the Rich Text Editor, switch to HTML mode by clicking on the "<>" icon. Then insert the tracking code provided by your tracking solution.
5. Save: Save the page and customize the content as needed.

Enhancing Navigation

Once completed, ensure easy access to this page by adding it to your store's main navigation or footer:

• Go to Online Store > Navigation.
• Choose the menu where you want to add the link.
• Add Menu Item: Provide the title, linking it to the newly created "Track Your Order" page.

Creating a user-friendly track page positions your store as trustworthy, helping reassure customers about their purchases—a step that can lead to improvements in both conversions and customer retention.

Using External Tools for Enhanced Tracking

To further enhance order tracking capabilities, consider integrating third-party tools designed specifically for tracking.

Useful Third-Party Apps

Some popular options include:

1. AfterShip: This application allows you to add tracking links directly to your order confirmation emails and generates automated notifications.
2. Parcel Panel: With support for over 1,200 carriers, Parcel Panel provides comprehensive tracking and offers customization options for a tailored tracking page.
3. Tracktor: Known for its customizable tracking page, it offers robust features that help improve customer communication around order statuses.

Research the available options and choose one that aligns with your business needs.

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Managing Customer Expectations

When it comes to order tracking, one of the most critical aspects is managing customer expectations effectively. Here are a few best practices:

1. Establish Clear Communication: Inform customers before they check out that they will receive tracking numbers once their orders have shipped.
2. Monitor Fulfillment Speed: Ensure that order processing and shipping are timely so that your tracking updates align with actual shipping progress.
3. Address Queries Promptly: Develop a strong customer service policy for handling inquiries related to order status, making sure responses are timely and informative.

By proactively managing expectations, we help ensure a smooth shopping experience that encourages customer loyalty.

Leveraging Tracking Data to Boost Sales

As Shopify merchants, order tracking is not just about the delivery; it can also serve as a goldmine of insights for improving our product offerings and marketing strategies. With data collected from order tracking information, we can analyze customer behavior and identify trends.

Use Cases of Tracking Data

• Identify Low-Performing Products: If the tracking data reveals delays with specific products frequently, it may be time to evaluate suppliers or logistical methods.
• Improve Average Order Value: Utilize insights to influence upselling strategies. Automated recommendations based on tracking stages can lead to additional purchases during delivery periods, tapping into predictive behavior.

Integrating order tracking data into our overall business strategy is essential for staying competitive and responding proactively to market changes.

Conclusion

Incorporating order tracking into your Shopify store is not only a response to consumer expectations but also a crucial strategy that can boost brand loyalty and improve customer service. By following the steps outlined in this guide, we can enhance the shopping experiences we provide while minimizing the workload for our customer service teams.

We at Tevello are committed to empowering Shopify merchants like you to make the most of their e-commerce journey. Our all-in-one solution enables you to create, manage, and distribute online courses, while simultaneously facilitating vital features such as order tracking within your Shopify store.

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FAQ

How do I add tracking information in Shopify?

To add tracking information in Shopify, access the specific order through your admin, move to the fulfilled section, and click on Add Tracking. Enter the tracking number and select your shipping carrier.

Can I add tracking information after an order is fulfilled?

Yes, you can add the tracking information to an already fulfilled order by accessing the order in the Orders section of your Shopify admin.

What should I do if my shipping carrier isn’t supported by Shopify?

If your shipping carrier is not directly supported, you can manually enter the tracking URL provided by the carrier in the tracking field after selecting 'Other' from the shipping carrier drop-down.

Why is order tracking important for e-commerce?

Order tracking enhances customer satisfaction, reduces inquiries to customer service, and improves overall shopping experience, encouraging repeat business.

How can I automate the order tracking process?

Consider integrating third-party apps available in the Shopify App Store that specialize in order tracking. They can automate notifications and enhance order management.

By implementing these strategies, we can cultivate an environment of transparency and trust, ensuring that every customer feels valued and engaged throughout their shopping experience.