How to Track Orders on Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

1. Are You Ready to Improve Your Order Tracking?
2. The Role of Shopify in Order Tracking
3. How to Track Orders on Shopify: A Step-by-Step Guide
4. Enhancing Customer Experience Through Order Tracking
5. Conclusion

Introduction

In the vast landscape of e-commerce, customer satisfaction hinges largely on effective communication—especially when it comes to order tracking. Did you know that 63% of consumers expect delivery updates throughout the shipping process? With such high expectations, how effectively can we manage and communicate order statuses to our customers? Understanding how to track orders on Shopify is not just a logistical necessity; it’s a critical component of customer service that can significantly enhance the shopping experience and build trust.

At Tevello, we believe in empowering Shopify merchants to unlock new revenue streams through seamless integrations. We understand that every interaction with a customer is an opportunity to build engagement and cultivate loyalty. This blog post aims to provide an in-depth look at tracking orders on Shopify, addressing common challenges and offering practical solutions that integrate directly with your Shopify store.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the mechanisms behind order tracking in Shopify, tips to enhance customer experience, the integration of tracking apps, and how Tevello’s all-in-one solution can help elevate your business. If you’re eager to streamline your order tracking process and improve your customers' experience, you're in the right place.

Understanding the Importance of Order Tracking

Order tracking is not merely a logistical task; it is vital to the modern shopping experience. Customers now expect transparency regarding their purchases, and meeting these expectations can improve customer retention rates. Here are a few critical reasons why effective order tracking should be a priority for every Shopify merchant:

1. Customer Trust and Satisfaction: Customers who can easily track their orders are more likely to feel satisfied with their purchase. Transparency builds trust, leading to repeat business.
2. Reduced Support Inquiries: When customers receive timely updates about their order status, inquiries concerning order status can drop significantly. A trackable transit means fewer customer service interactions for the same question.
3. Enhanced Communication: Providing clear shipment updates and tracking results not only reassures customers but allows merchants to establish a consistent communication channel with their audience.

Are You Ready to Improve Your Order Tracking?

To transform your existing approach to order tracking, it’s crucial to understand the tools and techniques available to you. Whether you’re a seasoned Shopify merchant or new to the platform, our exploration of Shopify's built-in features and additional integration options will provide actionable insights.

The Role of Shopify in Order Tracking

Shopify includes several built-in features that facilitate order tracking, enabling both merchants and customers to stay informed about order statuses. Here’s how order tracking works on the Shopify platform:

1. Activation of ‘Track with Shop’: This feature allows customers to track their purchases via the Shop app, which provides real-time updates and a delivery timeline.
2. Fulfillment Notifications: As a merchant, you can send notifications whenever an order is fulfilled, ensuring customers receive timely updates.
3. Order Status Page: Each order comes with a unique status page that customers can visit to check their order's progress at any time.

How to Track Orders on Shopify: A Step-by-Step Guide

This section will detail how you can effectively track orders on Shopify from both the merchant's and customer’s viewpoints. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Activation of ‘Track with Shop’

The first step in providing your customers with a streamlined order tracking experience is activating Track with Shop:

1. Access the Shopify Admin Panel: Log in to your Shopify admin account.
2. Navigate to Sales Channels: In the sidebar, click on the "Sales Channels" section.
3. Go to Shop Settings: Click on the "Shop" channel, then select "Settings."
4. Enable Track with Shop: Under the "Track with Shop" section, choose to show a link to download the Shop app. This link will be visible to customers at checkout.
5. Save Your Changes: Click save to apply the changes.

Now, customers can directly install the Shop app from the order status page on mobile devices, giving them seamless access to their order information.

Step 2: Providing Tracking Information

To ensure effective tracking:

1. Enter Tracking Details: When fulfilling an order, add the tracking number and the shipping carrier. This information should be provided for each shipment, especially if an order is shipped in multiple parts.
2. Use Accurate Information: Providing incorrect tracking numbers can create confusion and dissatisfaction among customers, so ensure all details are verified at the point of fulfillment.

Step 3: Customizing Notifications

Email notifications play a crucial role in maintaining customer engagement:

1. Edit Notification Templates: Visit the “Notifications” section in your Shopify admin and update your shipping notification templates to include tracking links.
2. Utilize Liquid Markup: This is essential for embedding tracking data. Using the sample Liquid markup provided in Shopify’s admin, you can ensure that your emails include relevant tracking info.

An example of a notification that includes tracking information would look something like this:

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
   "@context": "https://schema.org",
   "@type": "ParcelDelivery",
   "trackingNumber": "{{ fulfillment.tracking_numbers.first }}",
   "trackingUrl": "{{ fulfillment.tracking_urls.first }}"
}
</script>

This script allows customers to click directly from their shipping confirmation email to their tracking details.

Step 4: Customer Order Status Page

Customers can access their order status page at any time by following these simple steps:

1. Order Confirmation Email: Every customer receives an order confirmation email containing a direct link to their order status page.
2. Login or Order Verification: Customers can view their order status without logging in for a limited duration or access their details by entering their order number and email address.

This transparency helps customers feel more in control, reducing anxiety around their order fulfillment process.

Step 5: Real-Time Updates and Map Tracking

As part of the order tracking experience, customers receive updates whenever their order changes status, including:

• Confirmed: The order is placed, and payment is captured.
• On its way: Items are shipped out and are currently en route.
• Out for delivery: Local carriers are en route to deliver.
• Delivered: The package has reached its destination.

Providing these updates ensures that customers know exactly when to expect their packages.

Step 6: Handling Multiple Shipments

Increases in e-commerce often mean dealing with complex orders that contain multiple items shipped separately. Here’s how to manage that on Shopify:

1. Partial Fulfillment: For orders shipped in multiple parts, ensure you generate separate tracking numbers for each shipment.
2. Tracking Page Sections: Shopify automatically updates the order status page to reflect the fulfillment status for each item, making for a cleaner customer experience.

Enhancing Customer Experience Through Order Tracking

Now that we've delineated the steps to effectively track orders, let’s explore strategies to improve customer experience further through optimized communication and engagement:

Using the Shop App for Order Tracking

The Shop app integrates beautifully with Shopify order tracking, allowing customers to manage their orders seamlessly. Here’s how:

1. Real-Time Push Notifications: Customers can install the Shop app to receive instant alerts on order status changes, ensuring they're always in the loop.
2. Order History: Customers can view their order history, facilitating future purchases with less effort.

By promoting the Shop app on your order confirmation page, you provide an additional layer of transparency and ease for your buyers.

Creating a Community Around Your Brand

While order tracking is essential, creating a community around your brand can significantly enhance customer loyalty. Here at Tevello, we empower merchants to:

• Create Online Courses: Enrich your customers’ shopping experience by providing online courses related to your products. For instance, a beauty supply store could offer makeup tutorials that complement their product range.
• Foster Community Engagement: Engage with customers through forums or social media groups where they can discuss products, share experiences, and provide feedback.

Conclusion

In an age where customer expectations are sky-high, engaging effectively through order tracking is not just beneficial—it's essential for cultivating customer loyalty and trust. By leveraging Shopify’s built-in features, from Track with Shop to rich notification systems, we can create a robust tracking process that keeps our customers informed and satisfied.

If you’re ready to enhance your order tracking capabilities and take customer relationships to the next level, consider starting your journey with Tevello. Start your 14-day free trial of Tevello today and experience how our all-in-one solution can help you build online courses, manage digital products, and foster community engagement effortlessly!

FAQ

Q: How do customers track their orders on Shopify?
A: Customers can easily track their orders through the order confirmation email, which includes a link to their order status page. If activated, they can also use the Shop app for real-time updates.

Q: What should I do if I didn't provide tracking information during fulfillment?
A: It’s essential to provide tracking information for all fulfilled orders. If you missed it, update the order with the tracking number and notify the customer of their shipping details.

Q: How does the Shop app enhance order tracking experience?
A: The Shop app allows customers to receive real-time notifications and access their order history and tracking information conveniently, improving overall transparency.

Q: Can I customize my order status page?
A: Yes, Shopify allows you to customize the order status page to include targeted messages or notes, enhancing customer engagement further.

Q: What if my customer has multiple shipments for a single order?
A: Ensure each shipment has its distinct tracking number. Shopify will display the status for each item on the order status page, providing clarity to customers.

By understanding these facets of order tracking, you can create a superior shopping experience that resonates with your customers, encouraging them to return time and again.