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How to Choose the Right Ecommerce Shipping Software for a Growing Store
As your ecommerce store grows, shipping can quickly switch from a back-office task to a major operational challenge. More orders mean more labels, more tracking requests, and higher customer expectations. This is when your manual processes can become a bottleneck as you scale.
That’s where ecommerce shipping software comes in. It helps streamline fulfillment, reduce shipping costs, and scale your operations efficiently. However, not all platforms are built the same. In this guide, we’ll break down the key features to look for and how to find the right fit for your growing ecommerce business.
Why Growing Ecommerce Businesses Need Smarter Shipping Tools
As your ecommerce business grows, so does the complexity of your shipping process. If you’re a growing business trying to fulfill more orders across multiple sales platforms, it might be time to upgrade. Here are some common signs that it's time:
- You’re spending hours manually printing shipping labels instead of using a shipping app that can automate label creation with just a few clicks
- You're overpaying on shipping costs because you can’t easily compare and find the best shipping rates
- Your team is overwhelmed with tracking and delivery questions, and it’s hard to keep your customers informed
- You want to offer international shipping, but completing customs forms and keeping up with international regulations is too time consuming
- You’re juggling orders from multiple sales channels like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay, and struggling to fulfill orders faster
The right shipping software helps ecommerce businesses save money, time and scale with fewer resources.
Key Features to Look For in Ecommerce Shipping Software
Not every shipping app is built the same. For growing ecommerce businesses, the right shipping software should streamline your shipping process, reduce shipping costs, and scale with your growth. Here are the top features to prioritize:
1. Offer Multi-Carrier Rate Shopping
Compare real-time shipping rates across carriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL to get the best rate for every shipment, whether you're prioritizing speed or savings. An ideal shipping software should let you compare shipping services (like Ground vs. 2-Day) and offer discounted rates on shipping labels for instant savings.
2. Enable Batch Label Printing
Save time by printing shipping labels in bulk for dozens—or even hundreds—of orders. Look for features like batch editing, automations, and a clean, intuitive dashboard to manage label generation, packing slips, and more with ease. This is especially helpful when you're handling more orders with fewer resources.
3. Support Shipping Automations
Speed up fulfillment and reduce manual work with shipping automations. Apply rules and tags based on shipping methods, order weight, sales channels, destination and more. For example, automatically assign USPS Priority Mail shipping labels for domestic packages under 1 lb. With smart automation rules, you’ll minimize errors, fulfill orders faster and increase output without increasing headcount.
4. Simplify International Shipping
Planning to ship globally? Look for tools that simplify the shipping process for international orders with easy-to-fill customs forms, DDP/DDU options, and access to international services. Comparing shipping rates globally helps you find the most cost-effective options, while automated workflows eliminate the groundwork. In today's online shopping landscape, fast, affordable and reliable delivery times are crucial to boosting the customer experience across borders.
5. Integrate with Your Sales Channels
Wherever you sell, whether it's on one platform or multiple, great shipping software should sync easily with multiple online stores like Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, and eBay. Real-time order syncing helps you import orders, manage inventory levels, and ship orders without delays. Integrated systems also help retailers avoid costly mistakes and keep operations running smooth.
6. Scale with Your Growth
As your business expands, so should your shipping strategy. Your platform should support multiple warehouses, new sales channels and partners, and increasing volumes without adding complexity. Whether you're a startup or an established amazon seller, your shipping app should help you scale efficiently—while continuing to save money and time.
Top Ecommerce Shipping Software Options for Growing Stores
Here are some of the top contenders worth considering:
VESYL is built for fast-growing ecommerce businesses scaling across multiple sales channels. It simplifies fulfillment with features like batch shipping, multi-carrier rate shopping, advanced shipping automations, and seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify and Amazon Seller Central. With built-in tools for shipping internationally, returns, and order management, VESYL helps you save time, reduce shipping costs, and deliver a better customer experience. Plus, their responsive support team is just a call away when you need help. You can start with a free plan that includes essential features, perfect for getting started without the commitment.
ShipStation is a popular shipping solution for multi-channel sellers with large volumes and higher budgets. It offers robust integrations with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy, along with features such as batch label printing, automation rules, and inventory management. The flexible interface makes it easy to manage complex shipping workflows across multiple sales channels. However, the platform can become expensive at higher tiers, and many users report that customer support can be slow or difficult to reach, something to consider if responsive service is a priority.
Easyship is a good option for ecommerce brands focused on international shipping. It supports customs forms, international rate comparisons, and global carriers. However, its automation features may be limited for high-volume sellers, and some users report issues with billing transparency and slow customer support.
Pirate Ship is a budget-friendly option for small businesses with simple shipping needs. It offers free access to USPS commercial rates and an easy-to-use interface. However, it lacks multi-carrier support, advanced automation, and integrations that growing ecommerce stores typically require to scale efficiently.
How to Choose the Right Shipping Software for Your Store
The right shipping solution needs to align with your business needs, volume, and growth plans. As you compare options, ask yourself the following:
- What’s my monthly shipping volume? Some platforms price based on order count or label generation. Choose one that offers scalable pricing and can handle higher volumes without slowing you down.
- Which carriers do I rely on? Make sure your most-used shipping carriers (like USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL) are supported and you can tap into discounted rates. If you have pre-negotiated rates, check that you can easily connect them to the software.
- Do I ship internationally? Look for built-in support for customs forms and international shipping rate comparisons to simplify cross-border shipping.
- What features will save me the most time and increase my output? Tools like shipping automation, batch shipping, instant rate shopping, and auto-generated packing slips help streamline your shipping process and get more packages out the door—fast.
- Does it integrate with my existing platforms and tech? Look for seamless integrations with Shopify, Amazon Seller Central, eBay, and other sales channels, as well as your warehouse tech, post-purchase tools, or inventory systems.
- Is the pricing structure clear? Look for transparent and clear pricing—and be cautious of per-label fees, carrier markups, or unexpected shipping costs that can add up quickly.
- How responsive is the customer support team? Reliable support can make a huge difference—especially during high-volume periods. Look for a provider with a strong reputation for service and an easy to reach team for live help when you need it.
Why VESYL is a Smart Choice for Growing Stores
VESYL is purpose-built for ecommerce businesses that have outgrown basic shipping tools and need a platform that can scale with them. With VESYL, you get a robust, all-in-one shipping solution designed to streamline fulfillment, boost efficiency, and cut costs, without the hassle of carrier contracts or complex setup.
Key benefits include:
- A one-of-a-kind Rate Shop that compares rates and service levels in real time to ensure you always get the best shipping rate
- Batch label printing for faster, more efficient order processing
- Powerful automation rules to reduce manual work and eliminate costly errors
- Seamless integrations with major sales channels like Shopify, Amazon, and eBay
- Built-in tools for returns, tracking, and international shipping
- Access to discounted carrier rates with top providers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx
But VESYL offers much more than just shipping:
- Full order, shipping, and inventory management in one easy-to-use platform
- An open, developer-friendly API for custom workflows and system integrations
- Expert support from a team with over 72 years of collective industry experience
- Deep fulfillment expertise—our team has fine-tuned every step of the shipping process to help you fulfill orders faster, save money, and scale
Whether you're shipping hundreds or thousands of orders, VESYL is the shipping software built to grow with you, backed by real people who understand the challenges of ecommerce logistics.
Create your free VESYL account, access our essential features and start shipping for less today!
Final Thoughts
The right ecommerce shipping software should make your life easier, not harder. For growing stores, it’s about more than just printing labels, it’s about building a foundation to scale. Whether you’re shipping 100 or 10,000 orders a month, investing in the right tool now can reduce time, labor, money, and headaches later.
Carter made this CMS template to help the VESYL Team
VESYL is Lit and I've enjoyed working on this project and pushing some limits. Seriously, you can fact check me.
"Carter's Tutorial Updates: Now remember, I've only setup 3 quotes templates, but for real we shouldn't need more than 3. If not, call me."
With Black Friday and the holiday season just around the corner, businesses can expect a surge of shoppers eager to get in the gifting spirit and take advantage of seasonal deals. This influx brings a great opportunity for increased sales, but it also comes with the complexities of increased shipping demands.
To keep up with the growing volume of orders, carriers like USPS have announced temporary price adjustments for the 2024 peak holiday season. Effective from October 6, 2024, through January 19, 2025, these rate changes will impact Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage shipments.
What Are Peak Season Surcharges?
These holiday surcharges help USPS cover additional costs associated with labor, fuel, and supplies during the peak shipping months to ensure they can maintain service standards while managing higher volumes. Staying informed about these changes is key to plan accordingly and maintain a seamless delivery experience for customers, so we’ve packaged them up for you below.
Commercial Increases
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
- $0.30 increase for 0-3 lbs.
- $0.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.
- $0.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $3.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
- $0.70 increase for 0-3 lbs.
- $1.25 increase for 4-10 lbs.
- $2.75 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $7.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
- $0.35 increase for 0-3 lbs.
- $0.75 increase for 4-10 lbs.
- $1.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $5.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4
- $1.00 increase for 0-3 lbs.
- $1.50 increase for 4-10 lbs.
- $3.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.
- $8.95 increase for 26-70 lbs
Priority Mail Express: Zone 5-9
$1.75 increase for 0-3 lbs.
$3.95 increase for 4-10 lbs.
$7.50 increase for 11-25 lbs.
$13.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.
Retail Increases
Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 1-4
$0.40 increase for 0-3 lbs.
$0.55 increase for 4-10 lbs
$0.95 increase for 11-25 lbs.
$4.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail: Zones 5-9
$0.90 increase for 0-3 lbs.
$1.45 increase for 4-10 lbs.
$3.25 increase for 11-25 lbs.
$8.50 increase for 26-70 lbs.
USPS Ground Advantage: Zones 5-9
$0.50 increase for 0-3 lbs.
$1.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.
$2.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.
$5.85 increase for 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Express: Zones 1-4
$1.10 increase for 0-3 lbs.
$2.00 increase for 4-10 lbs.
$3.90 increase for 11-25 lbs.
$9.75 increase for 26-70 lbs.
Priority Mail Express: Zones 5-9
$2.00 increase for 0-3 lbs.
$4.85 increase for 4-10 lbs.
$9.00 increase for 11-25 lbs.
$16.00 increase for 26-70 lbs.
How Can Businesses Still Save On Shipping?
Despite the USPS price increases during the holiday season, merchants still have opportunities to save on shipping costs. By using VESYL, brands can shop the best-in-class rates across multiple carriers, streamline operations, reduce labor costs, and minimize errors through automation, further maximizing efficiency and cutting down unnecessary expenses. By streamlining shipping operations, merchants can offset the impact of seasonal surcharges while still delivering an exceptional customer experience during the busiest time of the year.
Schedule a quick 15-minute call with us and we’ll show you how!
From the moment a customer places an order, their post-purchase experience can only be as good as the efficiency of your fulfillment operations.
Enter VESYL.
Designed for both casual shippers and businesses with more complex shipping needs, VESYL streamlines the shipping process to get more packages out the door in less time, with reduced costs. In this article, we’re diving into how you can leverage automations with VESYL for more efficient fulfillment operations.
The Importance Of Efficient Fulfillment Operations
As mentioned above, efficient fulfillment operations are the backbone of a successful e-commerce business and brand. It not only contributes to a heightened customer experience, but also plays a pivotal role in building brand loyalty. With the rise of fast-paced consumer expectations, businesses that prioritize and invest in efficient fulfillment operations not only meet their customer demands, but also reduce operational costs, enhance scalability, and ultimately position themselves for sustainable growth,
Common Challenges in Fulfillment Operations
Fulfillment, done well, runs like a well oiled machine. However, it’s made up of a number of moving parts and this is where some of the challenges lie. From inventory discrepancies and order inaccuracies to the complexities of managing multiple sales channels, these hurdles can impact customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Not to mention the increasing demand for quick shipping and real-time tracking adds another layer of complexity. Some other challenges include:
- Shipping errors
- Slow delivery times
- International shipping
- Disorganized returns
- Customer service issues
If the above leaves you feeling deflated, keep reading.
Leveraging VESYL For More Efficient Fulfillment Operations
Store Automations
VESYL connects to all major e-commerce platforms including Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, Etsy and more. This allows you to easily import and manage orders from one or multiple platforms, allowing management of orders all in one place.
With all orders now in one place, you can automate your shipping processes working top down. Setting automation rules speeds up the process by reducing the need to select and fill information on individual orders. Brands can use product SKU’s and pre-selected shipping to trigger automation rules to preset shipping speeds, carriers and rates. A few examples of this are:
- Wooden Coffee Set - Select Large Box
- SKU TY9921 - Priority
- Orders + $1000 - Set Insurance
These pre-set automation triggers allow you to save time associated with having to process each order manually, and still enjoy cost savings.
Alternatively, you can upload orders from a CSV and save your mappings as a preset. Then, next time you upload, the leg work is already done.
Quick Ship
It’s all in the name. For those with a smaller parcel volume or looking to create labels one at a time, there’s Quick Ship.
Quick Ship allows you to paste the customer address and quickly verifies that address to ensure no errors. This automated address verification process reduces the risk of any delays due to an incorrect address and cuts the costs otherwise associated with address correction fees and shipment returns.
Once the address is filled out and verified, VESYL has the option of manually filling out package dimensions and other options, or you can pre-define box and package types and sizes. In the boxes tab, you can “Add Box” to add your custom box or package dimensions and name them. Once saved, these options will show in the “box” drop down menu. By pre-defining your box sizes, this saves the groundwork and time of having to fill out frequently used box dimensions every single time.
With the above completed, click “Get Rates” for the most competitive shipping rates in real-time, across multiple carriers and services. This enables you to compare costs and make informed decisions for every shipment within seconds.
Batch Shipping
Designed for businesses shipping multiple packages, Batch Shipping purchases and prints multiple labels, whether it’s 1 or 500 labels, all at once. Additionally, Batch Shipping generates the packing list and label for the fulfillment team to easily pick, pack and ship the orders. The tracking number and information is then sent back to the e-commerce platform which, depending on how the store has email automations set up, will trigger an email to the end customer communicating the shipping information. This feature combined with VESYL’s integrations automates and streamlines the fulfillment process while still providing discounted shipping rates, reducing time, costs and minimizing the risk of errors.
Shipping more than 500 pieces a day? Our team is dedicated to delivering concrete results as not only a service provider, but also your strategic partner. Enjoy a VESYL shipping evaluation on the house.
Customized Reporting
It’s no secret that clear reporting and analyzing is key to success and sustained business growth. With VESYL, the reporting tab provides a variety of reporting options from different time periods and report types such as shipment, payment log, tracking etc. The ability to refine the report to the information you need, saves time and, analyzed correctly, can help to further reduce costs.
In Summary
Every VESYL feature has been meticulously designed to save shippers both time and money, from pre-defining frequently used boxes, pre-set automation triggers, easy integrations with major e-commerce platforms and partners, Batch Shipping and more. Not to mention, with our outcome-focused and expert team, we are constantly adding more features and integrations to shake up your shipping.
Need an integration we don’t currently have? Just let us know!
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Black Friday has become one of the biggest days of the year for e-commerce businesses. The surge in online shopping presents an immense opportunity for brands to boost sales, attract new customers, and build long-term loyalty.
However, the key to making Black Friday a raving success, is to prepare, plan and implement well in advance. In this article, we outline the best preparation steps, the most effective strategies, the timeline for starting these initiatives, and examples of brands leading the way.
Preparation Steps for Black Friday Success
1. Inventory Management
You can’t fulfill an increase in sales if you have no stock! Proper inventory management is crucial to avoid stockouts or overstocking. Begin by analyzing sales data from previous Black Fridays to predict demand for various products. Also analyze most and least popular products over the past year. Order additional stock of popular items and ensure your supply chain is robust enough to handle the increased demand.
With this increased demand, leverage VESYL's shipping automations to do the fulfillment leg work for you.
2. Website Performance
Imagine you have an influx of new customers trying to checkout, but the page won’t load. A slow or crashing website can be disastrous on Black Friday. Conduct load testing to ensure your site can handle high traffic volumes. Optimize your site speed by compressing images, simplifying checkout processes and minimizing the use of heavy scripts.
3. Mobile Optimization
With a significant portion of shoppers using mobile devices, a mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable. Ensure your site is responsive, with fast load times and easy navigation on mobile devices. Simplify the checkout process, including implementing one-tap payment options like Apple Pay and Paypal to reduce cart abandonment rates.
4. Customer Service Readiness
Expect an influx of customer inquiries and issues. Prepare your customer service team to handle a substantial increase in tickets and processes to handle them efficiently. Implement chatbots, FAQ’s and automated responses to assist with basic queries and provide quick responses. It’s important to ensure customers can easily bypass these options and speak to a representative when needed.
5. Security Measures
Cybersecurity is critical during high-traffic periods. Ensure your site has up-to-date security measures, such as SSL certificates and secure payment gateways. Monitor for any suspicious activities and have protocols in place to address potential breaches.
Effective Strategies for Black Friday
1. Early Promotions and Teasers
Start building anticipation weeks before Black Friday by releasing teasers and early promotions. Use email marketing, social media, and your website to create a buzz around your upcoming deals. To reward your loyal customers, offer exclusive early-bird discounts and access to help them feel valued.
2. Personalized Marketing
Leverage customer data to send personalized offers and recommendations. Use segmentation to target specific customer groups with tailored promotions that resonate with their past purchasing behavior and preferences. For example, you can highlight products that compliment their original purchase.
3. Bundling and Upselling
By creating product bundles that offer value, brands can encourage higher spending and it’s a great way to move older and less popular products. With upselling, brands can suggest complementary products, a higher value item and bundles. This not only increases average order value but also enhances the customer shopping experience.
4. Limited-Time Offers
When offers run for long periods of time, customers lose interest. By creating a sense of urgency with limited-time offers and flash sales, FOMO motivates customers to take more immediate action. Scarcity is a powerful motivator for shoppers.
6. Retargeting Campaigns
Ever viewed a product, not purchased and seemingly had the ads follow you everywhere. Retargeting ads are an excellent way to reach customers who have previously visited your site but did not make a purchase. Personalized retargeting ads can remind them of the products they were interested in and offer special discounts to entice them back.
7. Enhanced User Experience
From start to checkout, ensure your user experience is pleasant. From having a clean and user-friendly layout and navigation, to informative product listings with complete size guides, pop up chatboxes providing any assistance to features like one-click checkout, guest checkout options, and multiple payment methods, a smooth experience is key to ensuring customers reach the checkout.
8. Post-Sale Engagement
Black Friday isn’t the end of the customer journey, it’s just the beginning. Follow up with personalized thank-you emails, request feedback, and offer exclusive post-sale discounts to encourage repeat purchases.
Brands Leading the Way
Amazon
Amazon sets the standard for Black Friday with extensive planning, early promotions, and efficient logistics. Their use of personalized marketing, and limited-time offers drives significant sales and customer engagement.
Walmart
Walmart excels in both online and offline for Black Friday. They seamlessly integrate e-commerce and in-store promotions, coupled with effective retargeting campaigns, ensuring they capture a large share of Black Friday customers.
Conclusion
Black Friday presents a tremendous opportunity for e-commerce businesses, but strategic planning is the key. By focusing on inventory management, website performance, customer service readiness, and cybersecurity, businesses can lay a strong foundation. Implementing effective strategies like early promotions, personalized marketing, bundling, and limited-time offers will drive sales and customer loyalty. Finally, by learning from industry leaders, e-commerce businesses can maximize their Black Friday success and build a loyal customer base for the future.
Streamline your e-commerce fulfillment ahead of the Black Friday rush with VESYL. Learn more or book a call with us today!