It’s never been easier to find success and make a good living doing ecommerce in 2023. Whether you want to start a side hustle or actually replace your full-time job, the world of ecommerce has never been more accessible to anyone and everyone.

What was formerly reserved for giant corporations is now open to anyone with a laptop and an idea.

And while ecommerce entrepreneurs are blessed with a wealth of software, tools, and technologies, there’s still the pesky problem of actually getting the product from point A to point B, namely, to the customer.

That’s where shipping software comes in. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the 7 best ecommerce shipping software for small businesses in 2023.

We’ll also look at the advantages (and potential downsides) of using shipping software in your ecommerce business, and how to choose the best one for your goals.

Let’s get started.

What is shipping software, and how is it different from other ecommerce software?

Shipping software is a type of ecommerce technology that helps you fulfill orders and manage the logistics of delivering your product to customers. These platforms often help with tracking items in transit, setting up real-time shipping quotes, printing labels, and more.

It’s different from other types of ecommerce platforms because it’s designed specifically for the shipping process, not necessarily for the entire ecommerce process.

It’s also designed to be integrated with a variety of different ecommerce platforms (such as warehouse management systems) for maximum efficiency.

Benefits of using shipping software

Automation of shipping processes

By automating tasks such as creating shipping labels and calculating shipping rates, shipping software can help to reduce the amount of time and resources required to process and ship orders.

Improved efficiency

Shipping software provides businesses with a convenient way to keep an eye on multiple shipments simultaneously, thus allowing them to stay abreast of shipping deadlines and schedules. By leveraging this strategy, businesses can experience enhanced communication and collaboration between distinct departments.

Increased visibility

Utilizing shipping software helps businesses stay informed of the progress their shipments make, enabling them to spot and solve any potential issues quickly. This ensures that packages are delivered on time to the right destination while also providing data for performance assessment and route optimization.

Better customer service

Shipping software is a great way to make customers feel confident and assured about their purchase, as they can now track their packages in real time. These platforms often provide the customer with up-to-date information on where the package is located, which helps build trust between the business and its customers.

Additionally, if any issues arise during shipping, this feature allows for quick troubleshooting so that customers know exactly when to expect their purchases.

Cost savings

Shipping software can help businesses to reduce costs associated with shipping by automating shipping processes and streamlining operations.

This can help to reduce the need for manual labor, minimize errors, and optimize shipping routes.

Additionally, shipping software can also integrate with other systems such as inventory management or accounting software which allows businesses to automate and optimize their entire supply chain process. This can further help to reduce costs and improve overall efficiency.

Potential drawbacks of using shipping software

Cost

Shipping software can be costly, depending on the provider, the features required and the number of orders processed. Some providers offer a free trial or demo version, but businesses may still need to invest in a paid plan to access all the features required.

Integration challenges

Integrating shipping software with existing systems and platforms can be challenging and time-consuming, especially if the software is not designed to integrate with the specific systems and platforms the business is currently using.

Technical expertise

Using shipping software requires some level of technical expertise, and businesses may need to hire additional staff or outsource to IT professionals to set up and maintain the software.

Limited carrier options

Depending on the shipping software provider, businesses may be limited to a specific set of carrier options, which may not include the carrier of choice or the carrier that offers the best rates for their specific shipping needs.

Limited flexibility

Shipping software may not be able to accommodate unique shipping needs or requirements, and businesses may need to rely on manual processes to handle certain types of orders.

Data security

Shipping software may require businesses to share sensitive information such as customer data and shipping details, and businesses need to ensure that the software provider has adequate security measures in place to protect this data.

Dependency on software

It may become difficult for businesses to handle shipping operations if the software goes down, so it’s important for businesses to have a backup plan or contingency in case of such an event.

Examples of shipping software in ecommerce businesses

Let’s take a look at some hypothetical examples of how utilizing shipping software can positively affect business growth in ecommerce.

Example 1: An ecommerce business that does not use shipping software

A small ecommerce business that sells handmade jewelry does not use any shipping software and manages all shipping processes manually.

The business owner spends a lot of time creating shipping labels, calculating shipping rates, and tracking packages.

Due to the lack of automation and increased manual labor, the business owner often makes errors in creating shipping labels, which leads to packages being delivered to the wrong address. This results in increased customer complaints and negative reviews, as well as additional costs for the business to re-ship the packages. The business owner also has limited visibility into the status of shipments and has to manually check tracking numbers to provide updates to customers, leading to longer response times and poor customer service.

Example 2: An ecommerce business that uses shipping software:

A medium-sized ecommerce business that sells outdoor gear uses shipping software to manage all shipping processes. The software automates the process of creating shipping labels and calculating shipping rates, which helps to save time and reduce errors.

The software also allows the business to track multiple shipments at once and provides real-time tracking information, which ensures that packages are delivered on time and to the right destination.

This improves visibility and customer service, as the business is able to provide customers with real-time updates on the status of their shipments and allows customers to track their packages online. Additionally, the shipping software integrates with the business’s inventory management system, allowing the business to optimize its entire supply chain and reduce costs associated with shipping.

What to look for in small business shipping software

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of using shipping software, let’s talk about the most important criteria to consider when shopping around for a solution.

Pricing

Before deciding on any shipping software, make sure you understand the pricing structure and features provided. Don’t overpay for features you don’t need, and also be aware of hidden costs that emerge as your business scales. Moreover, extra features or add-ons should be well worth their cost in order to justify investing in them.

Ease of use

When choosing a small business shipping software, one of the most important criteria to consider is ease of use.

You want a product that is intuitive and easy to use so that even novice users can quickly learn and understand it without needing to spend time on tutorials or user manuals.

This is especially true if you have any customer-facing interfaces or components.

Integrations and automation

An ideal shipping software should have integrations with other 3rd-party tools and services as well as some automation capabilities.

One of the most vital integrations is connecting to your inventory management or warehouse management software, as inventory management and shipping are two of the most essential systems in a successful ecommerce business.

This will enable you to streamline your workflow and keep everything running smoothly while saving time in the process.

Scalability and reliability

As your small business grows, you want to make sure you have shipping software that can grow with it. Look for features like scalability options that allow you to increase storage or bandwidth as needed without having to switch products.

Also, be sure to research the reliability of each vendor before making a decision – look for reviews from existing users who have had good experiences with their chosen provider.

Security

Security is an important aspect to consider when selecting a small business shipping software. All customer data should be safely stored and encrypted, and the vendor should have security measures in place to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.

Customer support

Quality shipping software should come with a reliable customer support team that is available to provide assistance if something goes wrong. Look for vendors who offer 24/7 support, along with helpful tutorials and documentation in case you need some guidance outside of hours.

Reporting & analytics

An ideal shipping software should also have reporting capabilities so you can track performance, analyze trends, and make data-driven decisions. It’s also beneficial if the tool has analytics features that allow you to identify weak areas of your strategy, such as underutilized routes or incorrect address data entry.

Top ecommerce shipping software

Now that we’ve gone over what to look for in small business ecommerce shipping software, let’s take a look at some of the top options available.

ShipStation

Features and benefits:

ShipStation offers a wide range of features including the ability to automate shipping labels, tracking numbers, and customs forms, as well as provide real-time shipping rates and inventory management. It also integrates with a variety of marketplaces and shopping carts, making it a versatile option for small businesses.

Pricing and plans:

ShipStation offers a free trial and then various pricing plans starting at $9 per month. The pricing is based on the number of orders processed per month, with additional features available at higher plans.

Shippo

Features and benefits:

Shippo offers a user-friendly interface and integrates with multiple platforms, including Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon. It also provides discounted shipping rates from multiple carriers, as well as the ability to print shipping labels and track packages.

Pricing and plans:

Shippo offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with discounted shipping rates for higher-volume shippers. The plans also include additional features such as advanced tracking and insurance options. Their high-volume plans start at $10/month and go up to $200/month for up to 10,000 printed labels.

ShippingEasy

Features and benefits:

ShippingEasy is an excellent solution for anyone looking to streamline their shipping process. With an expansive selection of features such as automated shipping labels, tracking numbers, and custom forms, ecommerce businesses can get their products out with less hassle and in a fraction of the time.

Plus Shipping Easy offers competitive real-time rate comparisons along with inventory management tools so that you stay organized even when juggling multiple orders. It also provides integrations with a variety of marketplaces and shopping carts, making it a versatile option for small businesses.

Pricing and plans:

ShippingEasy offers a free trial and then various pricing plans starting at $19 per month. The pricing is based on the number of orders processed per month, with additional features available at higher plans.

Pirate Ship

Features and benefits:

Pirate Ship is a shipping platform that helps U.S.-based ecommerce businesses find the best rates for their orders, specifically through USPS and UPS. It’s a great option for anyone looking to maximize their savings on shipping costs. It provides real-time rate comparison and discounted shipping rates from multiple carriers, as well as the ability to print labels and track packages.

Pricing and plans:

Pirate Ship offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, with discounted shipping rates. It also offers a free plan that allows you to print up to 50 labels per month. Discounts are determined by shipping location and parcel dimensions and can be calculated via their very stylish pricing page.

ShipEngine

Features and benefits:

ShipEngine is a shipping API that allows businesses to access multiple shipping carrier services through a single integration. It provides features such as real-time shipping rates, address validation, label printing, and tracking. It is designed to make shipping more efficient for ecommerce businesses by simplifying the process of integrating with multiple carriers and automating shipping workflows.

Pricing and plans:

ShipEngine’s pricing model is based on usage, it’s a pay-as-you-go model. It charges for the number of requests made to the API, and the cost per request varies depending on the specific carrier and service used.

They also offer a free plan with limited access to the API, which is good for testing and small-volume shipping. Additionally, they also offer custom pricing for high-volume customers or those with unique requirements.

Odoro

Features and benefits:

Odoro is a service that helps businesses automate and optimize their shipping process by integrating with multiple carriers and marketplaces, providing real-time shipping rates and tracking, automated shipping workflows, and other features. It is designed to help businesses streamline their shipping operations, increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Odoro also provides integrations with a variety of marketplaces and shopping carts, making it a versatile option for small businesses.

Pricing and plans:

Odoro offers a free trial and then various pricing plans starting at $59/month. The pricing is based on the number of orders processed per month, with additional features available at higher plans.

DesktopShipper

Features and benefits:

DesktopShipper is a shipping software application designed for ecommerce businesses that allows for the management and automation of shipping processes. It empowers users to import orders from multiple sales channels, print shipping labels, and track packages, and automate shipping workflows, among other features.

It also has integrations with various ecommerce platforms, shipping carriers, and marketplaces.

Pricing and plans:

DesktopShipper has various pricing plans starting at $25/month for 500 shipments per month and going up to $150/month for 3,000 shipments per month. Each subsequent tier supports a wider variety of shipping carriers, with the Starter tier supporting only USPS and UPS and the Pro tier supporting all major shipping carriers.

FAQs about ecommerce shipping software

What is ecommerce shipping software?

Ecommerce shipping software is a web-based or cloud-based platform that helps businesses automate and optimize their shipping process by integrating with multiple carriers, providing real-time shipping rates and tracking, automated shipping workflows, and other features.

How does ecommerce shipping software benefit my business?

Ecommerce shipping software can help businesses streamline their shipping operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. It can also provide features such as real-time shipping rates, automated shipping workflows, and tracking, which can make the shipping process more efficient and accurate.

Does ecommerce shipping software integrate with multiple carriers?

Many ecommerce shipping software providers integrate with multiple carriers, allowing businesses to access multiple shipping services through a single integration.

How much does ecommerce shipping software cost?

Ecommerce shipping software providers typically offer different pricing plans that depend on the number of orders processed, the number of users, and the features required. Many vendors also offer a free trial or demo version for users to test the software before committing to a paid plan.

Can ecommerce shipping software automate shipping workflows?

Many ecommerce shipping software providers offer features such as automation of shipping workflows, which can help businesses streamline their shipping operations and increase efficiency.

Can ecommerce shipping software integrate with my ecommerce platform?

Many eCommerce shipping software providers integrate with popular ecommerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce.

Can ecommerce shipping software provide real-time shipping rates?

Many ecommerce shipping software providers offer real-time shipping rates, which allows businesses to access up-to-date shipping rates from multiple carriers and make informed shipping decisions.

How does ecommerce shipping software help with tracking packages?

Ecommerce shipping software can provide tracking features, which allow businesses to track packages and monitor the delivery status of orders. This can help businesses keep customers informed and resolve any issues that may arise during the shipping process.

Can ecommerce shipping software handle international shipping?

Many ecommerce shipping software providers have the capability to handle international shipping, allowing businesses to access multiple carrier services and shipping options for international orders.

Can ecommerce shipping software handle order fulfillment and inventory management?

Some ecommerce shipping software providers offer features such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and warehouse management, this can help businesses to streamline their shipping and logistics operations, automate their order processing, and improve their customer service.

Can ecommerce shipping software handle returns and exchanges?

Some ecommerce shipping software providers include features that help businesses manage returns and exchanges, such as providing return shipping labels, tracking return packages, and automating the refund process.

This can help businesses handle customer returns and exchanges efficiently.

Can ecommerce shipping software integrate with my accounting software?

Some ecommerce shipping software providers integrate with accounting software such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Wave, this allows businesses to track expenses, generate invoices and manage their financials.

This integration can help businesses to automate their accounting and reconcile their income with their shipping costs.

Final thoughts on ecommerce shipping software

To wrap it up, shipping software can be a valuable tool for ecommerce businesses looking to streamline and automate their shipping processes.

By integrating with multiple carriers, providing real-time shipping rates, and automating shipping workflows, shipping software can help businesses increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Additionally, using inventory management software like SkuVault Core can further optimize your business operations.

SkuVault Core provides inventory management, order fulfillment, and warehouse management features, which can help businesses to streamline their shipping and logistics operations, automate their order processing and improve customer service.

To see SkuVault Core in action and learn more about how it can benefit your business, be sure to check out our live demo by clicking this link.