Which Shipping Methods Do You Need?
- By Mitchell Harper
- Published 08/7/2007
- Question & Answer , StoreSuite Features
-
Rating:
I'm now at the "fun" part of developing StoreSuite - shipping. There
are a thousand different ways shipping can be implemented into an
eCommerce system, and I've looked at every eCommerce system available
and the way they have shipping implemented is confusing to say the
least.
For example, some shipping companies require specific data. Every eCommerce solution I've looked at (both PHP driven and hosted solutions which I've signed up to test) assumes that you or your client are familiar with shipping lingo and methods, which of course is never the case.
I already have a plan for how shipping method selection will be implemented into both StoreSuite's control panel and front-end, and my number one goal is to make it usable and self-explanatory. You shouldn't have to know much (if anything) about shipping and how each different company works just to setup your store.
During my research I've found out how to implement real-time live shipping rates from UPS, USPS, FedEx and Australia Post. StoreSuite will also allow flat-rate shipping, by weight, by order amount, etc, etc, etc. Basically you can use one or a combination of shipping methods to sell your products online.
My question is, which other shipping companies do you want included in StoreSuite by default? I'm mainly asking this question to readers who are not in the US or Australia, because I'm not too familiar with shipping companies in Europe, Canada and Asia, for example.
Please use the comments for below to let me know :)
For example, some shipping companies require specific data. Every eCommerce solution I've looked at (both PHP driven and hosted solutions which I've signed up to test) assumes that you or your client are familiar with shipping lingo and methods, which of course is never the case.
I already have a plan for how shipping method selection will be implemented into both StoreSuite's control panel and front-end, and my number one goal is to make it usable and self-explanatory. You shouldn't have to know much (if anything) about shipping and how each different company works just to setup your store.
During my research I've found out how to implement real-time live shipping rates from UPS, USPS, FedEx and Australia Post. StoreSuite will also allow flat-rate shipping, by weight, by order amount, etc, etc, etc. Basically you can use one or a combination of shipping methods to sell your products online.
My question is, which other shipping companies do you want included in StoreSuite by default? I'm mainly asking this question to readers who are not in the US or Australia, because I'm not too familiar with shipping companies in Europe, Canada and Asia, for example.
Please use the comments for below to let me know :)
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Comments
Comment #1 (Posted by Jordan Garis)
Rating:
I would love to see DHL (www.dhl.com). Can't wait to see how you implement it. Everything else so far has been great!
Comment #2 (Posted by Jordan Garis)
Rating:
I forgot to add a couple more requests, and some of these might be a stretch and asking for too much:
1. If possible, actual shipping integration where you can generate shipping labels and generate tracking numbers. And not just a price quote.
2. I have had requests for the ability to assign a FedEx Freight Class directly to products.
3. The ability to limit certain products to be shipped by certain methods. And if products are added to the cart that require separate shipping methods to be able to calculate and use more than one shipping method.
Hope that input helps!
1. If possible, actual shipping integration where you can generate shipping labels and generate tracking numbers. And not just a price quote.
2. I have had requests for the ability to assign a FedEx Freight Class directly to products.
3. The ability to limit certain products to be shipped by certain methods. And if products are added to the cart that require separate shipping methods to be able to calculate and use more than one shipping method.
Hope that input helps!
Comment #3 (Posted by Jason Filby)
Rating:
-DHL is becoming big again as well!!
- Canada Post
One thing shipping never does right though is the ability to control what is shipped down to the country, state and zip code level as well as the class of shipping based on point of origin. As well as if you have multiple warehouses this is never in play.
One other thing you may want to look at is integrating dimensional weights in your real time calculations as an option.
Also include the ability to add your boxes as inventory or to the shipping system and provide weights on the boxes and packaging so the appropriate shipping can be truly calculated.
You may want to look at integrating auto class rules so that the class of shipping will change to the most appropriate class to get to the destination the fastest and to assist in saving money. A shipping chart of delivery lead times is always good to. Expample of above, say you ship from California USA and you have a package going to midwesters USA; they pay for 3 day air through UPS or Fedex and you know they can save money by shipping it ground as it will get there in three days; so the rules calculate and smartly offer the appropriate shipping classes.
- Canada Post
One thing shipping never does right though is the ability to control what is shipped down to the country, state and zip code level as well as the class of shipping based on point of origin. As well as if you have multiple warehouses this is never in play.
One other thing you may want to look at is integrating dimensional weights in your real time calculations as an option.
Also include the ability to add your boxes as inventory or to the shipping system and provide weights on the boxes and packaging so the appropriate shipping can be truly calculated.
You may want to look at integrating auto class rules so that the class of shipping will change to the most appropriate class to get to the destination the fastest and to assist in saving money. A shipping chart of delivery lead times is always good to. Expample of above, say you ship from California USA and you have a package going to midwesters USA; they pay for 3 day air through UPS or Fedex and you know they can save money by shipping it ground as it will get there in three days; so the rules calculate and smartly offer the appropriate shipping classes.
Comment #4 (Posted by krillz)
Rating:
Don't know how it is in USA but in the northern parts of Europe and I guess in most countries in Europe Schenker Logistics is a big and wellknown company.
They even have daughtercompanies handling the shipment by plane, trucks to small cars delivering it to your front door.
You should check it up, Dell uses them to ship their stuff to costumers.
They even have daughtercompanies handling the shipment by plane, trucks to small cars delivering it to your front door.
You should check it up, Dell uses them to ship their stuff to costumers.
Comment #5 (Posted by Richard Koeleman)
Rating:
First of all, it seems that development is speeding along, and I cannot wait to get my hands on testing the product.
Regarding the shipping, appart from the big shipping companies, UPS, DHL, TNT I would like to output a certain formatted email message or even xml file.
That will allow me to create the desired output that I might need for different shipping options. Here I am seeing the main difference for the shipping provider based on the size and or weight of a package. If the size and weight of a package is small, none of the large shipping providers come into play, simply to expensive. In that case I'd rather use the local post offices to get the shipments out. So to finalize I would like to see:
1. create a custom shipping option from within the management area
2. define the variables you would like in the output (either csv, xml, formatted email)
3. decide on wether to email that to an address or to post the output or file to a certain processing location.
Once again, great going I am getting exited about the progress you are making!
Regarding the shipping, appart from the big shipping companies, UPS, DHL, TNT I would like to output a certain formatted email message or even xml file.
That will allow me to create the desired output that I might need for different shipping options. Here I am seeing the main difference for the shipping provider based on the size and or weight of a package. If the size and weight of a package is small, none of the large shipping providers come into play, simply to expensive. In that case I'd rather use the local post offices to get the shipments out. So to finalize I would like to see:
1. create a custom shipping option from within the management area
2. define the variables you would like in the output (either csv, xml, formatted email)
3. decide on wether to email that to an address or to post the output or file to a certain processing location.
Once again, great going I am getting exited about the progress you are making!
Comment #6 (Posted by Matt)
Rating:
Mitch-
I didn't know where exactly to post this comment, so I will just post it in your latest article.
This may be more of a "StoreSuite ideas" comment.
I just ran across this web site: www.dealcatcher.com It is basically a central place for shoppers to find coupons or items that are on sale all over the internet. This got me thinking about Store Suite.
Could Store Suite display products from other web sources just like ArticleLive displays articles from Isnare.com? This would give a StoreSuite webmaster the ability earn commissions from businesses by sending them redirected shoppers. Allowing the webmaster to offer products to their audience without dealing with the hassles of shipping, storing products, etc.
Just an idea I thought I would throw at you. Please let me know what you think.
Keep up the good work!
ps- I am loving ArticleLive: www.awesome-articles.com
I didn't know where exactly to post this comment, so I will just post it in your latest article.
This may be more of a "StoreSuite ideas" comment.
I just ran across this web site: www.dealcatcher.com It is basically a central place for shoppers to find coupons or items that are on sale all over the internet. This got me thinking about Store Suite.
Could Store Suite display products from other web sources just like ArticleLive displays articles from Isnare.com? This would give a StoreSuite webmaster the ability earn commissions from businesses by sending them redirected shoppers. Allowing the webmaster to offer products to their audience without dealing with the hassles of shipping, storing products, etc.
Just an idea I thought I would throw at you. Please let me know what you think.
Keep up the good work!
ps- I am loving ArticleLive: www.awesome-articles.com
Comment #7 (Posted by David Marques)
Rating:
TNT and DHL and popular in the UK, DHL is popular in most of Western Europe actually, UPS is promptly available also.
Comment #8 (Posted by Batsirai)
Rating:
Canada Post
Comment #9 (Posted by Scott)
Rating:
most shippers have the option to select their extra services, such as signature required, and it automatically calculates the extra cost when selected. it would be nice if that was integrated in. i am also a winery and when i ship wine i have to add in these costs to the buyer.
Comment #10 (Posted by Richard)
Rating:
I would like to see postal data from Royal Mail for the UK ( royalmail.com )
TIA
[From Mitch: Thanks for the heads up Richard, I'll research them now and if they have an online shipping API I will add them in]
TIA
[From Mitch: Thanks for the heads up Richard, I'll research them now and if they have an online shipping API I will add them in]
Comment #11 (Posted by Darren)
Rating:
Electronic delivery with expiry times etc. would be good.
Cannot wait to get a look at this.
[From Mitch: Hi Darren. Good idea. I've just put the expiry date on the features list and it will be included in the first release.]
Cannot wait to get a look at this.
[From Mitch: Hi Darren. Good idea. I've just put the expiry date on the features list and it will be included in the first release.]
Comment #12 (Posted by an unknown user)
Rating:
I posted this elsewhere, then saw this blog specific:
Suggestions:
1. product checkbox for media mail & separate product shipping choices;
USPS domestic: we sell books and herbs. Books can ship media mail and save quite a bit (especially the heavy books), but if a person buys herbs, the media mail rate option appears - that is not good because herbs wont ship media rate and we have to pay the difference.
So if a person buys books - media rate option appears; if a person buys herbs, media rate wont appear. If a person buys both, they will have to ship in different packaging, so offer two sets of shipping options, one for each package. or something like this...
2 Shipping options on order form; it would be good for customer to see the days to receive with each choice: eg:
priority mail - 2 days
media mail - 5-7 days
Suggestions:
1. product checkbox for media mail & separate product shipping choices;
USPS domestic: we sell books and herbs. Books can ship media mail and save quite a bit (especially the heavy books), but if a person buys herbs, the media mail rate option appears - that is not good because herbs wont ship media rate and we have to pay the difference.
So if a person buys books - media rate option appears; if a person buys herbs, media rate wont appear. If a person buys both, they will have to ship in different packaging, so offer two sets of shipping options, one for each package. or something like this...
2 Shipping options on order form; it would be good for customer to see the days to receive with each choice: eg:
priority mail - 2 days
media mail - 5-7 days
Comment #13 (Posted by Cindy Scinto)
Rating:
>>During my research I've found out how to implement real-time live shipping rates from UPS, USPS, FedEx and Australia Post. StoreSuite will also allow flat-rate shipping, by weight, by order amount, etc, etc, etc.<<----------------Great! This covers our shipping carriers. Our current software has like no, nada, nilch as far as shipping. I had to combine manual input parameters, (of which I am still not done) and also have to use an outside real time shipping service that costs us an additional monthly fee. Not fun. We ship all over the world--so even though we mainly use the services you already included in StoreSuite--we need to have rates for ALL countries. Would be nice to have that and not have to dig for the info and code it in myself! 8^)
Comment #14 (Posted by David Burch)
Rating:
I have a customer who really needs affiliate support. Will StoreSuite allow site owners to run an affiliate program of their own?
[From Mitch: Hi David. Yes, you can integrate any 3rd party into StoreSuite, just like you could into most other shopping cart solutions]
[From Mitch: Hi David. Yes, you can integrate any 3rd party into StoreSuite, just like you could into most other shopping cart solutions]
Comment #15 (Posted by Peter Scott)
Rating:
Hi Mitch, looks like a great product and I'm looking forward to trying it.
I have a number of client who use Securepay: https://www.securepay.com.au/ will this gateway be integrated into StoreSuite?
[From Mitch: Hi Pete, thanks for the comment. I will be integrating quite a few Australian payment providers, and Securepay will be one of them, yep]
I have a number of client who use Securepay: https://www.securepay.com.au/ will this gateway be integrated into StoreSuite?
[From Mitch: Hi Pete, thanks for the comment. I will be integrating quite a few Australian payment providers, and Securepay will be one of them, yep]
Comment #16 (Posted by Robert Fisher)
Rating:
I use USPS. Stopped using real time. Setting up separate tables for Priority, First Class/Parcel Post, International. The controls need: Max/Min Weight for the method, ability to add service charge, ability to assign countries and states to a method. At the product level, ability to choose with methods the product can be shipped and product specific additional charge or override. These are just a few things that other carts have.
Comment #17 (Posted by Jim Mccann)
Rating:
Hi,
I would like the ability to add shipping Costs by Post Code within Country and to have a "catch all" for all other post codes not listed.
Shipping would be calculated by weight bandings for each Post code.
[From Mitch: Hi Jim. You can do this by state and country, but not by postcode. We may look at adding this in a future release but the features for the initial release are already decided.]
I would like the ability to add shipping Costs by Post Code within Country and to have a "catch all" for all other post codes not listed.
Shipping would be calculated by weight bandings for each Post code.
[From Mitch: Hi Jim. You can do this by state and country, but not by postcode. We may look at adding this in a future release but the features for the initial release are already decided.]
Comment #18 (Posted by Dave Freer)
Rating:
Hi this is Dave from the UK. We currently charge a flat rate £3.95 for orders under £50 and delivery is free over that for most but not all order. As some delivery addresses in more remote areas of the UK incur extra charges fromn our courier we ask our clients to inform us which delivery zone they are in and then apply a surcharge if applicable. This also helps as we display a running total as you add items and also inform clients how much they need to spend in order to meet minimum order requirements or to avoid any surcharges. and example can be found here http://www.essentialoilsdirect.co.uk/products.php?category=19&catname=AROMATHERAPY%20SOAPS Do you know if any similar (or better) facility will be added. In addition will you be linking to World Pay for payments? and will there be an "express" way of putting an order through e.g if taking a telphone order could it be placed through the same online store using product codes rather having to browse for each product example here >> http://www.essentialoilsdirect.co.uk/express.php
We are planning a major upgrade soon (well overdue) and rather than the pay the designer who created our site originally we may go for an off the shelf option instead as long as it ticks all the boxes
We are planning a major upgrade soon (well overdue) and rather than the pay the designer who created our site originally we may go for an off the shelf option instead as long as it ticks all the boxes
Comment #19 (Posted by Michael)
Rating:
For us in Australia
Australia Post
FastWay
TNT
Couriers Please
Those are available as Mods from KGB for CC3
Australia Post
FastWay
TNT
Couriers Please
Those are available as Mods from KGB for CC3
Comment #20 (Posted by Jurgen Nijhuis)
Rating:
In The Netherlands the biggest shipper is TNT, like in other European countries. So default support for TNT would be nice.
Comment #21 (Posted by Johan)
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Hi Mitch and thanks for your devotion in developing what seems to become a FANTASTIC online store solution!!
We have several clients that is selling products including shipping and have for our oscommerce stores developed own shipping module since we could not find any good pre exsisting.
for each product and for each zone (region/country etc) we have added shipping cost that then automatically is added to product cost and displayed in store. For logged in Customers we display price in webshop depending on delivery country but for customers not logged in or that yet has not created an account we use GEOIP to check what country visitor is browsing from. visitor is presented prices and also a flag showing for what country the price is valid. here customer can change country if needed and price will be displayed accourding to delivery country selected. All the best!!! Johan
We have several clients that is selling products including shipping and have for our oscommerce stores developed own shipping module since we could not find any good pre exsisting.
for each product and for each zone (region/country etc) we have added shipping cost that then automatically is added to product cost and displayed in store. For logged in Customers we display price in webshop depending on delivery country but for customers not logged in or that yet has not created an account we use GEOIP to check what country visitor is browsing from. visitor is presented prices and also a flag showing for what country the price is valid. here customer can change country if needed and price will be displayed accourding to delivery country selected. All the best!!! Johan
Comment #22 (Posted by Ryan Dahl)
Rating:
How about something to enable DROP SHIPPING. What if I want to sell some products that I don't actually want to store in my own warehouse? It would be great if I could associate a drop ship location. Then, what would happen is, product is ordered, payment comes to me, email automatically goes out to the drop shipper for that product. They would reply to that email or sign into some kind of panel to indicate product is shipped. Then, there is some indication that the drop shipper has been paid. Those are just the basic ideas. I'd love to see it developed.
