Shipping Software Rating Criteria
Shipping Software Rating Criteria
Shipping software makes order fulfillment easier by integrating with ecommerce software and marketplaces. It is typically available as cloud-based software, and its main purpose is to import orders from ecommerce platforms, offer pricing information for different shipping methods, and purchase and print shipping labels.
Shipping software is rated on the following seven sections: Pricing, Hardware & Software Requirements, Ease Of Use, Features, Integrations & Add-Ons, Customer Service & Support, and User Reviews.
Each section is assigned a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor based on the outlined criteria. The overall score out of 5 stars is then based on the following general guidelines:
| Overall Score | Section Ratings |
|---|---|
| 5.0 | Majority "Excellent" and "Good", no "Poor" |
| 4.0 - 4.5 | Majority "Good" |
| 3.0 - 3.5 | Majority "Good" and / or "Fair" |
| 2.0 - 2.5 | Majority "Fair" and / or "Poor" |
| 1.0 - 1.5 | Majority "Poor" |
For more detailed information on scoring, as well as how we make recommendations based on these scores, see our Rating And Scoring System.
The following characteristics warrant an Excellent rating:
Pricing
- The price accurately reflects the value of the software at each pricing level
- Price is competitive and affordable relative to the intended customer base
- All fees and expenses are made explicitly clear prior to signup
- Industry-standard features are included within the main pricing plans
- No pressure to sign up for a long-term contract
- Discounts available (e.g., discounted shipping rates and/or shipping insurance)
- Provides a free trial (or demo) to test the software
Hardware & Software Requirements
- Software is accessible on all main browsers and devices
- Software includes well-developed mobile apps
Ease Of Use
- Signup and on-boarding is simple and well-guided
- Interface design is logical, intuitive, and easy to navigate
- Individual features are easy to use with self-explanatory input fields
- Balances customization capability (for features such as customizable packing slips and shipping labels) with an accessible learning curve for beginners
- Requires no coding knowledge to use
- Provides a free trial (or demo) option to test ease of use
- Offers quality and easily-searchable learning resources (e.g., demo, tutorials, in-software guidance, etc.) to assist new users
- Runs smoothly with no major bugs or glitches affecting basic features
Features
- Provides a well-rounded set of built-in features that serve the intended audience
- Feature set offers good value for the price
- Features include: Automated shipping rules, multiple shipping carriers, compare shipping rates, batch order processing, international shipping, multi-channel sync, and more.
- Features of specialized, niche software may differ from above but still offer strong value for the price and intended customer base
- Advanced features (dropshipping features, inventory management, supplier management) are available at fair and competitive price points
- The majority of individual features are robust
- Feature set accommodates business growth in many areas (e.g., user seats, batch processing, customer support needs, etc.)
Integrations & Add-Ons
- Offers a large number of integrations
- Provides a well-organized app marketplace that is easily searchable
- Provides a well-rounded set of widely-used third-party software integrations (e.g., ecommerce, marketplaces, accounting, etc.)
- Provides an open API for developers
Customer Service & Support
- Provides multiple avenues for personalized support (e.g., phone, email/web tickets, live chat, active social media accounts)
- A live representative can be reached seven days a week via phone, live chat, or email/web ticket
- Company responds to support requests in a timely manner (e.g., emails within 24 hours, phone holds and live chats within minutes)
- Support representatives are knowledgeable, courteous, and able to resolve issues
- Support department has a reputation for good service, even if some complaints exist
- Provides an extensive collection of quality online self-help resources (e.g., FAQ, knowledgebase, tutorial videos, community forums, blog, etc.)
User Reviews
- The number of complaints is reasonable in proportion to company size and user base
- Complaints reference isolated, specific circumstances rather than systemic problems the company has failed to address
- Customer feedback is taken into consideration when updating the software, which frequently renders older complaints obsolete
- Receives mostly positive reviews/scores on trusted third-party review sites (and/or app marketplaces)
- Positive reviews include significant detail regarding reasons for the high rating
Note: Shipping software with very few user reviews receive a rating of Fair until more data becomes available.
