Skip to the main content.
ClickPost-logo-white
ClickPost-logo-blue
  • Product
    • Integrated Tracking
    • Multi Carrier Shipping
    • NDR Management
      • Cancellation
      • Communication
    • Returns Management
    • COD Reconciliation
    • Shopify Return App
  • Integrations
    • Courier Integrations
    • WMS Integrations
    • Storefront integrations
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • API Docs
    • Glossary
    • eBooks
  • Request Demo
  • Company
    • About us
    • Product updates
    • Careers
    • Press
    • Partners
    • Security
    • Contact us
  • Product
    • Integrated Tracking
    • Multi Carrier Shipping
    • NDR Management
      • Cancellation
      • Communication
    • Returns Management
    • COD Reconciliation
    • Shopify Return App
  • Integrations
    • Courier Integrations
    • WMS Integrations
    • Storefront integrations
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • API Docs
    • Glossary
    • eBooks
  • Request Demo
  • Company
    • About us
    • Product updates
    • Careers
    • Press
    • Partners
    • Security
    • Contact us
Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Youtube
Product
  • Testing 1
    • Sub Nav 1
    • Sub Nav 2
  • Testing 2
  • Testing 3
Integration
  • Testing 1
    • Sub Nav 1
    • Sub Nav 2
  • Testing 2
  • Testing 3
Blog
  • Testing 1
    • Sub Nav 1
    • Sub Nav 2
  • Testing 2
  • Testing 3
Request Demo
  • Testing 1
    • Sub Nav 1
    • Sub Nav 2
  • Testing 2
  • Testing 3
  • Home / Blog / Shipping API

Why Do eCommerce Business Need Shipping API

18 Jan, 2023 | 4 Min Read
Why Do eCommerce Business Need Shipping API

Table of Contents

What is the Need for Shipping API in the eCommerce Industry?

An Application Programming Interface (better known as an API) is a code-based software intermediary that passes information and enables actions to be performed between two applications or systems. APIs act as a repository of information for its respective system in order to facilitate functionality. For example, the YouTube API enables 3rd party platforms to display YouTube videos on their websites. APIs have been enhancing efficiency for a wide variety of internet-based industries from social media to - yes, you guessed it - eCommerce.

One of the main jobs any ecommerce retail business is tasked with is shipping orders to customers. As the number of orders being shipped increases, ecommerce businesses typically employ courier services provider companies with tech-enabled solutions to ensure maximum order fulfillment. These solutions usually make use of a wide variety of API integrations, known as Shipping APIs. Shipping APIs automate and accelerate a myriad of delivery functions that ensure overall efficiency is improved and customers enjoy the best online shopping experience.

Top 6 Key Reasons Why Your Ecommerce Business Need Shipping API Integrations

Managing an online business is a multi-faceted process, requiring every single function to be carefully crafted and user-friendly, prior to customers making a purchase until after the order has been fulfilled. This is where shipping APIs can help, whether the task is keeping your customers informed, keeping track of all your orders, and even helping you turn failed deliveries into successful ones. There are 6 main areas where Shipping APIs help businesses.

1. Displaying Delivery Date

One of the many advantages of shopping online is that customers can make their purchases after viewing all the information available about any given product. Numerous factors can influence a customer to make a purchase and one of those is the estimated delivery date (EDD). Users can specify their desired delivery pin code, and an EDD API integration processes the data submitted by customers.

It analyses the submitted pin code alongside historical data of shipping partners to determine approximately when the delivery will be completed. This date is then displayed on the Product Information page so customers can place their orders accordingly. The more accurate the date displayed is, the more customers are likely to trust your ecommerce brand.

2. Order Manifestation and AWB Generation

Once an order has been placed on your ecommerce website, it is still not ready to be shipped. First the order has to go through the process of manifestation. This process essentially builds the order in the shipping partners platform so it can be shipped smoothly. The first step to this process is to submit the order details to the selected shipping partner designated to handle the order.

One shipping API integration works to create the order after which another API generates an AWB (airway bill). The AWB number is the identification code for each order. Shipping or Courier API integrations also work to print the shipping label and then finally assign the order for pickup.

3. Tracking Orders

After an order has been created and prepared for pickup, the major part of a shipping partner’s work begins - transportation of the order. While the order is in-transit, there are a lot of things that can happen which may cause delays or result in a stuck shipment. Customers tend to get anxious when they are unaware of where their order is, whether the order is delayed or on track to be delivered on time.

Tracking API integrations take information from shipping partners to enable orders to be tracked while in transit. Each time a delivery milestone is crossed, like pick-up, on the way, and out for delivery, shipping API integrations take these tracking updates and send them to customers in real-time. With each tracking update received, customers get to feel the excitement and anticipation of receiving their order.

4. Streamline Cancellations

Cancellations are an inevitable and unavoidable part of running an ecommerce business. Especially in cases where orders are cancelled mid-transit, starting the return journey of the order swiftly can help reduce the likelihood of the cancelled order getting stuck or lost. 

Shipping APIs can help process cancellations quickly and with clarity. Using a shipping API integration, the cancelled order goes through a process similar to manifestation. The cancelled order has to be created on the shipping partners platform, which sets into motion its new journey back to the origin warehouse. Once safely returned and restocked in the inventory to be resold.

Related Post:- List of Top 5 Essential and Different Types of eCommerce Shipping APIs

5. Edit Orders

Both ecommerce businesses and their customers need to edit orders from time to time. Information like the delivery destination or contact information may need to be changed. Alternatively, an ecommerce enterprise may want to customise delivery options for certain orders or make discounts or offers applicable to it. Updating all of this information on the respective storefronts and shipping platforms is a job that can be easily carried out with the help of API integrations.

6. Manage NDRs

An NDR (non-delivery report) is the notification made by shipping partners informing ecommerce businesses of a first failed delivery attempt that occurred in a given time frame. A large number of NDRs can end up becoming RTOs after multiple delivery re-attempts fail.

However, this conversion rate can be drastically reduced with the help of certain shipping APIs. After an NDR has been notified, the cause for the failed delivery can be identified. Based on the cause, customers can be contacted with issue-specific queries. The most effective shipping API for NDR management is one that takes the information provided by customers and shares it with the shipping partner to ensure the next delivery attempt 

How to Manage Shipping API Integrations?

There are so many Shipping API integrations that eCommerce businesses need to implement to ensure efficient delivery. Managing multiple shipping partners is hard enough. Add multiple shipping API integrations with each carrier to the mix, and you’re left with a very heavy task on your hands.

This is where multi-carrier integration shipping software and systems come into the picture. These are shipping software that enables businesses to manage any volume of orders across multiple shipping partners through careful and consistent management of Shipping API integrations.

They make use of the latest technological solutions to make using Shipping APIs an easier and more efficient process. A good multi-carrier integration platform, like ClickPost, provides innovative solutions like single API integrations for multiple functions and uses push and pull APIs to ensure real-time tracking updates on orders can be sent to customers.

Final Conclusion

All eCommerce companies have the same goal: to increase their order volumes and optimise order fulfillment. Shipping APIs have truly been revolutionising the logistics industry. They enable nearly every major function carried out in the delivery process. From the moment a customer begins viewing a product page, Shipping API integrations set to work, passing on accurate information to customers about when their orders will arrive and where their orders are once placed.

Even cancelling orders becomes easier using the help of eCommerce Shipping APIs, which adds to customer loyalty. Shipping API integrations automate processes in such a way that losses can be minimised and resources are used as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Share this page

  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Most Popular

  • Best 10+ eCommerce Courier Companies in India [Cheapest and Fastest]
    09 Jun, 2023 | 16 Min Read
  • Top 10 eCommerce Companies in India [Reviews, Services and Features]
    09 Jun, 2023 | 12 Min Read
  • 15 Best Logistics Companies in India for eCommerce Shipping
    09 Jun, 2023 | 14 Min Read
  • How to Calculate Shipping Costs with Free DTDC Shipping Calculator
    09 Jun, 2023 | 9 Min Read
  • 10 Best eCommerce Courier Companies in United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
    09 Jun, 2023 | 17 Min Read
  • Top 10 eCommerce Companies in United Arab Emirates (UAE/U.A.E.)
    09 Jun, 2023 | 9 Min Read
  • Top 10 Cash On Delivery Courier Service Provider Companies in India
    09 Jun, 2023 | 6 Min Read
  • Top 10+ Courier Services Companies in United Kingdom for eCommerce
    09 Jun, 2023 | 13 Min Read
  • Best eCommerce Courier Companies in United States of America (U.S.A.)
    09 May, 2023 | 15 Min Read
  • Top 15 eCommerce Courier Services Companies in the World
    21 Mar, 2023 | 15 Min Read

Popular Tags

  • Ecommerce Returns
  • Shipping Software
  • eCommerce Shipping
  • Shopify
  • eCommerce
  • Glossary
  • Customer Experience
  • Logistics Companies
  • eCommerce Logistics
  • Shipping API
  • WhatsApp Integration
  • eCommerce Companies
  • Shipping Aggregator
  • Shipping Cost
  • Shipping middle-east
  • Hyperlocal Delivery
  • Shipment Tracking
  • Shipping Carriers US
  • Shippo
  • Couriers India
  • Narvar
  • Shipping Policy
  • AfterShip
  • Global Couriers
  • Return Label
  • Warehouse Management
  • eCommerce Shipping For Small Business
  • Shipping Label
  • Shipping Canada
  • eCommerce Fulfillment

Related Articles

  • How to Integrate External Shipping API to WooCommerce
    01 Feb, 2023 | 5 Min Read
  • Shipping API Monitor - Tracking Shipping API Outages at UPS, DHL, FedEx, USPS for Your eCommerce Store
    01 Feb, 2023 | 4 Min Read
  • Magento Shipping API and Integration
    22 Mar, 2023 | 6 Min Read
  • eCommerce APIs- [Complete Guide]
    02 Feb, 2023 | 5 Min Read
  • UPS Shipping API
    22 Mar, 2023 | 6 Min Read
  • USPS Shipping API
    22 Mar, 2023 | 6 Min Read
  • Ecommerce API Integrations [Complete Guide]
    01 Feb, 2023 | 5 Min Read
  • Free Guide About Shipping API [Integration & Tracking for eCommerce]
    22 Mar, 2023 | 15 Min Read
  • Best 10 WooCommerce Shipping API and Plugins for eCommerce
    04 Jan, 2023 | 5 Min Read
  • Advantages of Shipping API Integration for eCommerce Companies
    22 Mar, 2023 | 6 Min Read

Recent Posts

Top 10 Cloud Shipping Companies

08 Jun, 2023 | 7 Min Read

What is Shopify's Tech Stack

08 Jun, 2023 | 6 Min Read

Standard Shipping: Everything Retailers Need to Know About eCommerce Business

31 May, 2023 | 4 Min Read

5 Ways Product Photos Can Help You Reduce Returns for Your eCommerce Store

31 May, 2023 | 6 Min Read

The Power of WhatsApp API in Collecting Customer Feedback on Order Deliveries

31 May, 2023 | 4 Min Read

How to integrate WhatsApp to your eCommerce store

21 May, 2023 | 5 Min Read

Top 15 D2C Brands that Are Disrupting the Indian Consumer Market

23 May, 2023 | 12 Min Read

Complete Guide to Setting Up Delivery Tracking Notifications on WhatsApp for eCommerce

19 May, 2023 | 6 Min Read

The Beginner's Guide to D2C Shipping: How to Get Started with Direct-to-Consumer Shipping

19 May, 2023 | 9 Min Read

Oversized Shipping: Shipping Large Items (How to Ship big packages)

19 May, 2023 | 5 Min Read
  • Shipping Policy
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Compliance Statement

© 2023 Copyright ClickPost - Felurian Technology Private Limited

TwitterLinkedInYouTube
Return to Top