Providing shipment tracking information to your customers in WooCommerce enhances their shopping experience and builds trust in your online store. Offering transparency about the delivery process allows customers to monitor the status of their orders in real-time. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to implement shipment tracking in WooCommerce.
Choose a Shipping Carrier
Choose a shipping carrier that integrates well with WooCommerce and provides shipment tracking services. Popular carriers include UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS. Register an account with the chosen shipping carrier. Obtain necessary credentials, such as API keys, required for integrating with WooCommerce.
Enable Shipping Zones and Methods in WooCommerce
Log in to your WooCommerce dashboard. Go to “WooCommerce” > “Settings.” Click on the “Shipping” tab. Also, define shipping zones based on geographical regions. Common zones might include domestic and international locations. Moreover, enable shipping methods suitable for your store, such as flat rate, free shipping, or local pickup.
Install a WooCommerce Shipment Tracking Plugin
Select a WooCommerce ship tracking plugin that integrates with your chosen shipping carrier. Some popular options include:
- WooCommerce Shipment Tracking: Offers basic tracking features and supports various carriers.
- AfterShip for WooCommerce: Integrates with AfterShip, supporting over 700 carriers worldwide.
Install your chosen plugin by going to “Plugins” > “Add New” and searching for the plugin. Once installed, activate it.
Configure the Shipment Tracking Plugin
Go to “WooCommerce” > “Settings.” Navigate to the “Shipment Tracking” or the specific settings section of the installed plugin.
- Enter Carrier Details: Input the necessary details for the chosen shipping carrier, such as API keys or account information.
- Customize Display Settings: Configure how the tracking information will be displayed to customers. Customize tracking URLs, order pages, and email notifications.
Add Tracking Information to Orders
For orders that do not have tracking information automatically generated, you can manually add tracking details.
- Go to “WooCommerce” > “Orders.”
- Select the order you want to add tracking to and scroll down to the “Shipment Tracking” section.
- Enter the tracking number, carrier, and other relevant details.
Test the Tracking Functionality
Place test orders to ensure that the tracking information is accurately captured and displayed on the customer’s order page. Confirm that customers receive email notifications with the tracking details when their orders are shipped.
Read: How To Add GA4 Site Annotations And Notes In WordPress
Communicate Tracking Information to Customers
Update the order status to “Shipped” or a similar status to trigger the tracking notifications. Craft informative emails to customers, including direct links to track their shipments. Make the tracking process as user-friendly as possible.
Monitor and Optimize
Regularly check the accuracy and reliability of the shipment tracking information provided by the plugin. Collect feedback from customers regarding their experience with the shipment tracking feature. Use this information to make improvements if needed.
Read: Regular WordPress Maintenance: Why You Need It
To Sum Up
By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate shipment tracking into your WooCommerce store, offering customers a transparent and reliable experience as they monitor the delivery status of their orders. This level of transparency can contribute to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.