How to Offer Shipment Tracking in WooCommerce (Step by Step)
Introduction: The Importance of Shipment Tracking
In today’s e-commerce landscape, offering shipment tracking is no longer a luxury; it’s an expectation. Customers want to know where their order is, how long it will take to arrive, and feel assured that their purchase is on its way. Providing this level of transparency builds trust, reduces anxiety, and ultimately enhances the customer experience. For WooCommerce store owners, implementing shipment tracking is a crucial step towards increasing customer satisfaction and fostering repeat business. This guide will walk you through various methods to seamlessly integrate shipment tracking into your WooCommerce store.
Method 1: Manual Tracking with Order Notes
This method is the simplest and requires no plugins. It’s best suited for stores with low order volumes or those just starting out. While basic, it offers a personal touch and direct communication.
Step 1: Processing the Order
* When an order is processed and shipped, gather the necessary information from your shipping carrier. This includes the carrier’s name and the tracking number.
Step 2: Adding the Tracking Information to the Order
* Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
* Navigate to WooCommerce > Orders.
* Find the order you want to update and click on it to view the order details.
* In the “Order notes” section, select the “Note to customer” option.
* Enter a message containing the carrier’s name and the tracking number. For example: “Your order has been shipped via FedEx with tracking number 1234567890.”
* You can also provide a direct link to the carrier’s tracking page, making it even easier for the customer. For example: “Track your order here: [FedEx Tracking Link]”.
* Click the “Add Note” button. This note, along with the tracking information, will be emailed to the customer.
Step 3: Communicating with the Customer
* The customer will receive an email notification with the order note containing the tracking information.
* They can also view the order notes by logging into their account on your website (if you have customer accounts enabled).
Pros and Cons of Manual Tracking
* **Pros:** Free, easy to implement, provides a personal touch.
* **Cons:** Time-consuming for large order volumes, prone to errors, requires manual updates.
Method 2: Using the WooCommerce Shipment Tracking Plugin
The official WooCommerce Shipment Tracking plugin is a powerful and versatile solution for automating the tracking process. It’s a premium plugin, but it offers a range of features that make it a worthwhile investment for many store owners.
Step 1: Purchasing and Installing the Plugin
* Purchase the WooCommerce Shipment Tracking plugin from the WooCommerce website.
* Download the plugin ZIP file.
* In your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
* Click the “Upload Plugin” button.
* Choose the plugin ZIP file and click “Install Now.”
* After the plugin is installed, click “Activate Plugin.”
Step 2: Configuring the Plugin Settings
* After activating the plugin, a new “Shipment Tracking” tab will appear under WooCommerce > Settings.
* Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipment Tracking.
* Here, you can configure various settings, including:
* **Default Provider:** Select the default shipping carrier you use.
* **Tracking URL Format:** Customize the URL format for tracking links.
* **Order Statuses:** Choose which order statuses should trigger the tracking email to be sent.
* **API Keys (for certain carriers):** Some carriers require API keys for automated tracking. Enter them here if necessary.
* **Custom Shipping Providers:** Add and manage custom shipping providers if your carrier isn’t listed.
Step 3: Adding Tracking Information to Orders
* Go to WooCommerce > Orders.
* Open the order you want to add tracking information to.
* In the “Shipment Tracking” section (usually located in the order details meta boxes), select the shipping provider from the dropdown menu.
* Enter the tracking number.
* You can also optionally enter the date the order was shipped.
* Click the “Save Order” button.
Step 4: Customer Notification
* When the order status changes to a status you’ve configured in the plugin settings (e.g., “Completed”), the plugin will automatically send an email to the customer containing the tracking information and a link to the carrier’s tracking page.
* The customer can also view the tracking information by logging into their account on your website (if you have customer accounts enabled).
Pros and Cons of the WooCommerce Shipment Tracking Plugin
* **Pros:** Automates the tracking process, supports multiple carriers, customizable email notifications, integrated with WooCommerce order management.
* **Cons:** Requires a paid license, might need configuration for specific carriers or custom integrations.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Shipment Tracking Plugins (Free and Premium)
Numerous third-party plugins offer shipment tracking functionality for WooCommerce. These plugins often provide a wider range of features and integrations compared to the manual method, and some offer free versions with basic functionality. Here are a few popular options:
* **AfterShip Tracking:** A popular choice known for its wide range of carrier integrations and advanced tracking features.
* **TrackShip – WooCommerce Tracking:** A well-regarded plugin that focuses on providing accurate and reliable tracking information.
* **WooCommerce Order Tracker:** A simple and lightweight plugin for basic tracking functionality.
Step 1: Choosing a Plugin
* Research different shipment tracking plugins and compare their features, pricing, and reviews.
* Consider the number of orders you process, the carriers you use, and the level of customization you need.
* Start with a free plugin if you’re unsure and upgrade to a premium version later if needed.
Step 2: Installing and Activating the Plugin
* In your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
* Search for the plugin you’ve chosen.
* Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
Step 3: Configuring the Plugin
* After activating the plugin, a new menu item or settings page will be added to your WordPress admin dashboard.
* Follow the plugin’s instructions to configure its settings. This typically involves:
* Connecting to your shipping carrier accounts (if required).
* Setting up email notifications.
* Customizing the appearance of the tracking information on your website.
* Mapping order statuses to tracking events.
Step 4: Adding Tracking Information to Orders
* The process for adding tracking information to orders will vary depending on the plugin you’ve chosen.
* Typically, you’ll find a new section in the order details page where you can enter the carrier and tracking number.
* Some plugins may automatically detect the carrier based on the tracking number.
Step 5: Customer Notification
* Most third-party shipment tracking plugins will automatically send email notifications to customers when their order is shipped and when there are updates to the tracking information.
* The customer can usually view the tracking information by clicking a link in the email or by logging into their account on your website.
Pros and Cons of Third-Party Shipment Tracking Plugins
* **Pros:** Wide range of features, integration with multiple carriers, customizable email notifications, often offer free versions.
* **Cons:** Plugin compatibility issues, potential security vulnerabilities, some plugins may be expensive.
Method 4: Integrating with Shipping Carrier APIs Directly
For developers or stores with unique requirements, integrating directly with shipping carrier APIs provides the most flexibility and control. This method requires coding knowledge and is more complex than using plugins.
Step 1: Obtaining API Credentials
* Sign up for a developer account with the shipping carriers you want to integrate with (e.g., UPS, FedEx, USPS).
* Obtain the necessary API credentials, such as API keys, user IDs, and passwords.
Step 2: Developing the Integration
* Write custom code to interact with the carrier APIs.
* This code will need to:
* Send requests to the API to retrieve tracking information.
* Parse the API responses to extract the relevant data.
* Store the tracking information in your WooCommerce database.
* Display the tracking information to customers on your website and in email notifications.
Step 3: Integrating with WooCommerce
* Use WooCommerce hooks and filters to integrate your custom code with the WooCommerce order management system.
* For example, you can use the `woocommerce_order_status_changed` hook to trigger a request to the carrier API when an order status changes.
* You can use the `woocommerce_thankyou` hook to display the tracking information on the order confirmation page.
Step 4: Testing and Deployment
* Thoroughly test your integration to ensure that it’s working correctly and that the tracking information is accurate.
* Deploy your code to your production server.
Pros and Cons of Direct API Integration
* **Pros:** Maximum flexibility and control, custom features, no reliance on third-party plugins.
* **Cons:** Requires coding knowledge, time-consuming, complex to implement, requires ongoing maintenance.
Choosing the Right Method for Your WooCommerce Store
The best method for offering shipment tracking in your WooCommerce store depends on your specific needs and technical capabilities. Consider the following factors:
* **Order Volume:** If you process a small number of orders, the manual method might be sufficient. For larger volumes, automation is essential.
* **Technical Skills:** If you’re not comfortable with coding, stick to plugins. If you have development experience, direct API integration might be an option.
* **Budget:** Free plugins offer basic functionality, while premium plugins provide more advanced features and support.
* **Carrier Support:** Make sure the chosen method supports the shipping carriers you use.
* **Customization Needs:** If you need to customize the tracking experience extensively, direct API integration or a highly customizable plugin might be necessary.
Best Practices for Shipment Tracking
Regardless of the method you choose, follow these best practices to ensure a smooth and positive customer experience:
* **Provide Accurate Tracking Information:** Double-check the carrier and tracking number before sending them to the customer.
* **Send Timely Notifications:** Notify customers as soon as their order is shipped and when there are updates to the tracking information.
* **Make Tracking Information Easy to Find:** Display the tracking information prominently on your website and in email notifications.
* **Offer Customer Support:** Be prepared to answer customer questions about their order status and tracking information.
* **Monitor Tracking Data:** Use tracking data to identify potential shipping delays or issues and proactively address them.
* **Communicate proactively in case of Delays**: Keep customers informed of any unforeseen delays in their delivery, and offer reasonable solutions.
By implementing shipment tracking and following these best practices, you can significantly enhance the customer experience in your WooCommerce store and build a loyal customer base.
