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Create your own ecommerce website and start selling successfully with ShopWired today

Create your ecommerce website on ShopWired today.
Start today with 14 days free

ShipStation Review- Guide To ShipStation UK

8th July 2024

ShipStation is a powerful shipping software designed to help ecommerce businesses automate and manage their shipping operations with ease. In this review, we'll explore ShipStation's features, benefits and user experience to explore how the platform can improve your workflow. 

Let's explore what ShipStation has to offer. 

Contents


What is ShipStation?

ShipStation is a specialised shipping software for ecommerce businesses looking to optimise their fulfillment process. ShipStation integrates with multiple sales platforms and shipping carriers to let businesses manage and ship orders from a single, streamlined platform. It simplifies key tasks like order processing and label creation, offers real-time shipping rates and includes features such as branded tracking and inventory management. 

ShipStation is a valuable tool for businesses looking to both optimise their shipping operations and offer a better overall experience to their customers.


ShipStation - Key Features

ShipStation has a range of features designed to simplify and optimise the shipping process from start to finish.

Here’s a list of ShipStation’s key features:

1. Order Management

ShipStation's order management system by linking all your sales channels—whether it's your own website, eBay, Amazon or others—into one unified system. It automatically imports orders from these platforms into a single dashboard, eliminating the need to manually manage orders from multiple sources. This centralisation allows you to efficiently view, manage, and process all orders in one place, reducing the complexity of handling orders across various channels and helping to streamline fulfillment and shipping processes.

2. Shipping Label Creation

Creating shipping labels is easy. The platform supports bulk printing for producing multiple labels at once. It also offers customisable label templates, great for adding branding or other required details to your shipping labels. 

3. Multi-Carrier Support

ShipStation integrates with multiple carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more. This multi-carrier support gives businesses flexibility in choosing the best shipping options based on cost, delivery time and customer preferences. Real-time rate comparisons help businesses select the most cost-effective shipping method.

4. Automation and Customisation

One of ShipStation’s most powerful features is its automation capabilities. Businesses can set up custom shipping rules to automate tasks such as assigning shipping methods, applying insurance and adding tags to orders. Utilising automation reduces manual intervention and lessens the potential for errors.  

5. Real-Time Shipping Rates

ShipStation provides real-time shipping rates from various carriers. This lets businesses offer accurate shipping costs to their customers at checkout. 

6. Inventory Management

While ShipStation primarily focuses on shipping, it also offers basic inventory management features. For example, businesses can track stock levels, manage inventory across multiple warehouses and update inventory quantities automatically as orders are fulfilled.

7. Branded Tracking and Notifications

The platform also lets you create branded tracking pages and send automated shipping notifications to customers. These features enhance the customer experience and help boost your brand’s image. 

By leveraging these key features, ShipStation helps boost your shipping efficiency and accuracy to the next level. 


ShipStation Onboarding Process

ShipStation has an intuitive onboarding service designed to help you get set up quickly. When you sign up for ShipStation, you’ll be guided through the process of connecting your ecommerce platform, configuring shipping settings and setting up essential features to ensure smooth operations from day one. 

During the onboarding process, you'll be able to select your ecommerce platform and receive tailored setup assistance. 

ShipStation Choose Platform for Integration


ShipStation also guides you through some other key steps during the onboarding process: 

Setting a Ship From Location: You can define your shipping origins by entering one or multiple addresses from which you ship.

Enabling Carriers & Viewing Rates: ShipStation helps you set up your shipping carriers, You can easily compare rates and select the best options for your business. You can add your carrier accounts or integrate fulfillment providers directly through the platform. 

Selecting a Label Layout: ShipStation lets you choose a label format and size that works best for your business. This setup is applied across all your carriers to ensure consistency.

ShipStation Onboarding- setting location, carriers and label templates

Whether you're new to ShipStation or looking to expand your operations, the platform's onboarding process will help you get up and running quickly, saving you time and reducing the risk of setup errors.


Benefits of Using ShipStation

Here are some of the benefits of using ShipStation:

1. Saves Time

ShipStation automates many manual processes involved in order fulfillment and shipping. From automatically importing orders to bulk printing labels, this saves time, allowing businesses to focus on other tasks.

2. Cost Efficiency

By providing real-time shipping rates from multiple carriers, ShipStation helps businesses choose the most cost-effective shipping options. This ensures that shipping costs are managed effectively and that businesses can offer competitive shipping rates to their customers.

3. Greater Accuracy

 Automation reduces the risk of human error in order processing and shipping. Features like automated order importing, shipping rules and label creation ensure that orders are processed accurately and efficiently, leading to fewer mistakes and returns.

4. Improved Customer Satisfaction

ShipStation improves the customer experience through features such as real-time tracking updates and notifications, keeping customers informed about the status of their orders, boosting overall satisfaction rates. 

5. Flexibility and Scalability 

With support for multiple carriers and integration with over 100 ecommerce platforms, ShipStation is highly flexible and scalable. It can adapt to the changing needs of businesses as they grow, providing support for increased order volumes and expanded operations.

6. Streamlined Workflow

The centralised dashboard and order management system streamline the entire shipping process. Businesses can manage all their orders from one place, simplifying workflow and improving operational efficiency.

7. Better Decision-Making

Real-time data and detailed analytics help businesses make informed decisions. By analysing shipping costs, delivery times and other key metrics, businesses can optimise their shipping strategies and improve overall performance.

8. Customised Branding

ShipStation lets businesses customise their shipping labels and tracking pages with their branding. This helps maintain brand consistency and professionalism.

By leveraging these benefits, ecommerce businesses can improve their overall shipping operations, reduce costs and provide a better experience for their customers, which are all key to driving growth and success.


ShipStation Pricing

ShipStation Pricing UK

ShipStation offers various pricing plans tailored to different business needs. Here’s a breakdown of their current UK pricing:

1. Startup Plan: £25 per month

  • 500 shipments per month
  • £0.05 per additional shipment
  • Up to 3 users
  • Email, live chat, and community forum support


2. AcceleratePlan: £75 per month

  • 3,000 shipments per month
  • £0.04 per additional shipment
  • Up to 5 users
  • All Startup Plan features plus advanced delivery management options


3. ScalePlan: £175 per month

  • 10,000 shipments per month
  • £0.03 per additional shipment
  • Up to 10 users
  • Enhanced support options, including dedicated account management


4. Enterprise Plan: Custom Pricing 

  • Over 10,000 shipments per month
  • Custom per shipment fee
  • More than 10 users
  • Full suite of features with extensive customisation options

All plans include core features such as:

  • Integration with various selling channels and marketplaces
  • Automatic tracking data updates
  • Access to discounted shipping rates
  • Batch shipping and label printing
  • Comprehensive reporting and analytics

For more detailed information, visit the ShipStation pricing page.


ShipStation Customer Support

ShipStation offers a range of customer support options to assist users who need help. Here’s an overview of the available support options:

1. Email Support

ShipStation provides email support for all plans. This is useful for non-urgent issues that require detailed explanations or troubleshooting.

2. Live Chat

Live chat support is available during business hours, providing real-time assistance from ShipStation representatives. This option is ideal for quick questions or immediate help with urgent issues.

3. Phone Support

Phone support is available for higher-tier plans, offering a direct line of communication for complex issues needing human intervention.

4. Community Forum

The ShipStation community forum lets users ask questions, share tips and discuss best practices with other ShipStation users. This peer-to-peer support can be valuable as users can learn from the experiences of others.

5. Help Center

ShipStation Help Center

The ShipStation Help Center contains a wide range of articles, tutorials, and guides. This self-service option covers various topics, from getting started to advanced features and troubleshooting tips.

6. Tutorial Videos

ShipStation provides tutorial videos offering step-by-step instructions on using different features of the platform. These videos are especially beneficial for visual learners who prefer seeing the software in action.

7. Webinars

ShipStation Webinars

Regular webinars are hosted by ShipStation to educate users about new features, best practices, and advanced techniques. These interactive sessions allow users to ask questions and engage with ShipStation experts.

These support options ensure that users can get the help they need in a timely and efficient manner. Whether through direct contact with the support team or utilising the extensive self-service resources, ShipStation provides robust support to meet the diverse needs of its users.


ShipStation Reviews

Taking a look at user reviews provides valuable insights into the real-world experiences of ShipStation users. ShipStation scores well across multiple review platforms, highlighting its effectiveness and reliability as a shipping solution for ecommerce businesses. 

Here’s a summary of reviews to give you a well-rounded view of what users think about ShipStation.

ShipStation G2 Reviews

ShipStation G2 Reviews

Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (out of 532 reviews)

Highlights:

  • Users appreciate the ease of use and the ability to manage multiple carriers and marketplaces from one platform.
  • The automation features and customisable shipping rules receive high praise for saving time and reducing manual tasks.
  • Customer support is generally well-regarded, with many users highlighting the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team.
  • Common themes include efficiency, time-saving features and good customer support.

ShipStation earned the accolade 'Leader Spring 2024' on G2, highlighting its popularity and positive user feedback. 

ShipStation Capterra Reviews

ShipStation Capterra Reviews

Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (from 901 reviews)

Highlights:

  • Users commend the software for its comprehensive feature set and ease of integration with various ecommerce platforms.
  • The automation of shipping tasks and bulk label printing are highlighted as major benefits.
  • Customer support is often described as responsive and effective.
  • Common themes include comprehensive features and effective customer support.

ShipStation receives positive reviews for its comprehensive features, ease of integration and helpful customer support. The platform is particularly praised for its ability to automate shipping tasks and manage multiple carriers and marketplaces from a single dashboard. Users highlight the benefits of its time-saving features, integrations with other platforms and the support team’s responsiveness.


ShipStation Integration with ShopWired

Our seamless integration with ShipStation lets you 

How ShipStation Integrates with ShopWired

1. Installation and Setup

ShipStation ShopWired App

  • Visit the ShopWired app store and download the ShipStation app.
  • Follow the setup instructions to connect your ShipStation account with your ShopWired store.
  • Configure your settings, such as selecting your preferred carriers, shipping services and automation rules.

2. Order Import

  • ShipStation automatically imports orders from your ShopWired store.
  • Orders are updated in real-time, ensuring that all new orders are quickly available for processing.

3. Shipping Labels and Tracking 

  • Generate shipping labels in bulk or individually using ShipStation’s interface.
  • ShipStation updates order status and tracking information in ShopWired, providing customers with real-time updates.

4. Customer Management

  • ShipStation creates and matches customer accounts between ShopWired and ShipStation.
  • This integration ensures customer information is consistent and up-to-date across platforms.

5. Reporting and Analytics

  • Access comprehensive reports on shipping costs, delivery times and carrier performance.
  • Use these insights to optimise your shipping strategy and improve overall efficiency.

ShipStation Summary: The Verdict

ShipStation has earned a strong reputation among ecommerce businesses for its imporessive set of features and ease of use. With positive reviews across multiple platforms, it stands out as a reliable solution for streamlining shipping operations. Users note its ability to handle complex shipping needs thanks to its automation capabilities, extensive integrations and robust customer support. The platform's overall efficiency and effectiveness make it a top choice shipping platform.

Key Takeaways: 

User-Friendly Integration: ShipStation integrates seamlessly with ShopWired, allowing for easy setup and management of shipping operations directly from the ShopWired platform.

Comprehensive Shipping Features: The platform offers robust features including automated invoicing, bulk label printing, real-time tracking updates and extensive reporting and analytics.

Customer Support: ShipStation provides various support options including email, live chat and phone support for higher-tier plans, ensuring that users can get help whenever they need it.

Positive User Feedback: Users generally appreciate ShipStation's efficiency, integration capabilities and customer support, highlighting the platform's ability to handle complex shipping needs effectively.

Cost-Effective Solutions: With competitive pricing plans tailored to different business sizes and needs, ShipStation offers flexible options that can help businesses manage shipping costs effectively.

Improved Customer Experience: Real-time tracking and branded tracking pages improve the overall customer experience, making it easier for customers to stay informed about their orders.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is ShipStation?

ShipStation is a web-based shipping software designed to streamline order fulfillment for ecommerce businesses. It integrates with various selling channels and carriers to automate and simplify the shipping process.

2. How does ShipStation integrate with ShopWired?

ShipStation integrates with ShopWired by importing orders from your ShopWired store, generating shipping labels, updating tracking information and managing customer accounts.

3. What are the main benefits of using ShipStation with ShopWired?

Benefits include automated invoicing, real-time tracking updates, customer account management, and comprehensive reporting and analytics to optimise shipping operations.

4. What pricing plans does ShipStation offer in the UK?

ShipStation offers several pricing plans including Startup, Accelerate, Scale and Enterprise plans, with varying features and shipment limits to cater to different business sizes.

5. How does ShipStation handle customer support?

ShipStation provides customer support through email, live chat and phone support (for higher-tier plans). Additionally, there are community forums, a help center, tutorial videos, and webinars available.

6. Can ShipStation help reduce shipping costs?

Yes, ShipStation allows users to compare shipping rates from multiple carriers and access discounted rates, helping businesses choose the most cost-effective shipping options.

7. Is ShipStation suitable for small businesses?

Yes, ShipStation offers flexible pricing plans and features that cater to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses, making it a suitable choice for businesses of all sizes.

8. Does ShipStation offer mobile apps?

Yes, ShipStation provides mobile apps for managing shipping tasks on the go, including features like order management, label printing and tracking updates.

9. What types of reports can I generate with ShipStation?

ShipStation offers a range of reports including shipping costs, delivery times, carrier performance and more, providing valuable insights to optimise your shipping strategy.

10. How reliable is ShipStation based on user reviews?

ShipStation generally receives positive reviews for its comprehensive features, ease of integration, and effective customer support, making it a reliable choice for managing ecommerce shipping operations.