Need a reliable shipping option for your small business and don't know where to start? Check out if Shippo the shipping hippo is right for you.
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Shippo is shipping software that helps eCommerce business owners simplify their shipping process. Shippo allows you to connect all your online sales channels and manage shipping in one place. You can also automate shipping, get shipping carrier discounts, and print labels from the online platform.
A close look at Shippo does reveal a few drawbacks. The software lacks key features that may be deal-breakers for some merchants, and customer support availability is determined by the plan you pay for.
How Does Shippo Work?
Shippo is a shipping platform that simplifies eCommerce processes.
By integrating Shippo shipping with your shopping cart and marketplaces, you can easily import orders, purchase shipping labels, and print packing slips. It’s easy to install and learn, and depending on your daily order load, it could be the cheapest shipping solution you can find for your online store.
Shippo Pricing
Shippo’s pricing is relatively simple, as there is a free plan with no monthly fee. That comes with:
- Shipping discounts from USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL and others
- Unlimited store connections
- International shipping
- Return labels
- Shipment tracking
- Reporting and analytics
- Email support
- Up to 30 labels per month
There is also a paid, advanced plan for $15/month that includes everything in the free Starter plan, along with:
- Branded tracking pages
- Chat and phone support
- Up to 5 user log-ins
- Up to 10,000 labels per month
And for bigger accounts, you can contact Shippo directly to see about custom pricing options.
Shippo Features
Shippo comes with basic features built-in, but it’s missing some important features that larger businesses may need. For example, Shippo does not currently include important security features such as customizable user permissions.
Discounts
Shippo advertises discounted rates for USPS, DHL Express, FedEx, UPS, and others. With Shippo, it’s easy to compare real-time rates across carriers, so you can make the most cost-efficient choice for each shipment. If you already have an account with any of the 85+ carriers in Shippo’s global network, you can connect your account so you can access your own negotiated rates.
Shippo also lets users access USPS Priority Mail Cubic. Cubic pricing is based on package size and distance traveled, not its weight, so if you frequently mail heavy packages this could be a good option.
Multi-Channel Sync
Shippo integrates with 21 eCommerce platforms, including Shopify, Squarespace, Square, WooCommerce, Wix, and BigCommerce, as well as 10 major marketplaces, including Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
Shippo will help you sync orders automatically and you can manage everything from one admin account dashboard.
Tracking
Shippo’s tracking API provides uniform shipment status across all carriers. You will have to pay $0.01 per tracking number, but you definitely get a good bang for your buck (or penny, in this case).
With a Shippo tracking number, you’ll receive full tracking history, current shipment status, origin and destination location, estimated delivery date, and delivery service level. Tracking information is automatically emailed to customers.
Order Management
When you integrate your eCommerce platform or marketplace account, Shippo seamlessly pulls in orders to fulfill.
Shippo partners with almost 20 popular order and inventory management platforms like Freestyle Solutions, Fishbowl, and ZoneSmart.
Reports
Shippo enables you to view reports on how much you’ve spent on shipping, the number of labels you purchase daily, and the average price per package. This information can be invaluable for small businesses that are looking to lower their costs when it comes to shipping.
Shipping Labels
You can access Shippo’s batch label printing features and print up to 100 labels at once. Scan-based return label features allow you to include return labels in your shipments; you’ll be charged only if the labels are used.
International Shipping
Foreign addresses and customs forms can be handled through the Shippo API. You will need to create a customs declaration and list items inside international shipments. Shippo automatically creates the three commercial invoices most international shippers require.
Shippo supports international shipments from the US with 12 carriers, including USPS, UPS, DHL, FedEx, and Globegistics. Additionally, Shippo supports international shipments originating from five other countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the UK.
Postage Payment & Refunds
If you print a label you don’t end up using, you can request a refund from the Orders Page or Shipment Page. Refunds are applied as a credit to your Shippo account, and you can use that to pay for future labels. Refunds typically take 14 business days.
Package Pickup
You can schedule free package pickups from USPS and DHL Express directly using the Shippo web app. USPS pickup requires at least one of these package types: First-Class Package/Mail Service, Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, any international service, or any return service. Only one package pickup is allowed per day.
If you want a pickup for FedEx or UPS packages, you will need to do that through the carrier’s website.
When To Use Shippo
Shippo is a highly-rated shipping service that syncs with dozens of other platforms and is easy to use and set up. But it’s not for every small business.
Choose Shippo If…
- You are a smaller business looking for affordable, user-friendly shipping software
- You want a system that integrates well with a variety of eCommerce platforms
- You don’t need an extensive amount of features with your shipping software
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for shipping software that allows you to pay for the services you need, Shippo may be the way to go. Its simple pricing structure and interface should appeal to many different types of merchants.
Shippo is not the perfect option, however. Customer service could be improved, but you are forced to pay for phone and chat support, which is a bummer. As mentioned, it’s not the most feature-rich product; larger companies may find it lacking. But, for basic small business shipping, Shippo gets the job done.