In early 2019, BigCommerce expanded its capabilities with the launch of BigCommerce Shipping, an end-to-end order fulfillment solution that was made possible with help from Shiphawk and ParcelCast. It was the ecommerce platform provider’s first venture into the back end logistics side of the business, and it was adopted by many BigCommerce sellers because it was free to existing users and easily integrated into their workflows. However, BigCommerce shipping was slowly phased out during the first few months of this year with all operations finally coming to a halt on May 1, 2020.
All the sellers who were using BigCommerce Shipping had to (or still have to) find new solutions. BigCommerce Shipping offered three major advantages: Discounted rates, improved customer experience and easy integration, so sellers could manage their stores from one platform. Lucky for them, there are other options on the market that can still deliver these features even though they’re not under the BigCommerce name.
If you’re one of the many e-tailers who has been affected by the BigCommerce Shipping shutdown, here’s what you can do.
Why Rates Matter
One of the best perks of using ecommerce shipping software is that providers have relationships with shipping carriers, which gets them (and you) access to low shipping rates. Ecommerce is challenging because margins are razor thin, so saving on shipping costs is a huge win for any seller. These are discounts that you can even pass on to your customers.
Surveys continue to reveal that consumers don’t assign tangible value to shipping and will usually choose free shipping, even if that cost is rolled into the price of the product. Therefore, if you’re saving on your expenses and can feasibly add “free” shipping to your BigCommerce store, you’ll attract more customers who are looking for this perk.
It all traces back to getting the best rates. Whether you ship with UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL or another carrier, make sure the shipping software you choose will give you great rates.
What to Look For
Beyond rates, there are some key features to look for in your next shipping software. For starters, it’s worth the time and effort to do your due diligence and make sure the solution is a good fit. Many companies will adopt a new technology without stopping to think about how it will work for them and instead change their operations in order to fit with the software. This backwards process will ultimately hurt productivity because time that’s spent changing everything around is wasted.
Next, these are some questions to ask yourself as you’re researching:
- How easy is the software to use?
- Can it update customers in real time?
- How will it improve the customer journey post purchase?
- Is it a reliable replacement for BigCommerce Shipping?
Keep these questions and their answers in mind as you utilize free trials and read about your options. We’ll explore each question in depth, so read on to learn more.
You’ll Need a New Shipping Solution
This one is a no-brainer. In the wake of BigCommerce shuttering its shipping service, you’ll definitely need a new shipping solution. Even if you have a temporary solution in place right now, you will eventually need something for the long haul. Right now is the time to do your due diligence, research the many options and utilize free trial offers until you find a solution that fits your business needs.
We recommend ReadyShipper, which integrates with BigCommerce and offers the same advantages that BigCommerce Shipping did. Once you connect ReadyShipper to your BigCommerce store, you can sort, edit and manage your orders with ease, while also being connected to serious savings on USPS Priority and Express Mail with built-in Flat Rate Select. Take a look at this video of ReadyShipper’s features, and you will get a better idea of why it’s the preffered shipping software solution for e-tailers.
Software Usability
Software has helped the business world go global, handling information and processes for companies in just about every industry. The possibilities are endless, which means some of the options on the market are incredibly complex in order to meet complex needs.
Fortunately, shipping software does not need to be this intricate. In fact, simplicity and intuitiveness are key. The best software for your business is the software that you’re going to use. Look for easy navigation, user-friendly dashboards and customizable reports so you can track what matters most.
Real-Time Customer Updates
One of the most important things a brand can provide to its customers is transparency. It is better to let your customers know that there are shipping delays, for example, than for them to be waiting for a package that won’t arrive for another two weeks. Greater transparency equals greater customer satisfaction, so why not find a BigCommerce shipping software that will facilitate better communication with your customers?
Find a shipping software that will update your customers in real-time, like ReadyShipper X does, so they always know how quickly they can expect their orders. They will be delighted to be able to track their packages every step of the way.
ReadyShipper is Here to Help Right Away!
Your active ReadyShipper license comes with built-in shipping discounts that save you some serious dough! Flat Rate Select is included in each license and connects you to instant savings on USPS Priority Mail and Express Mail on all of your packages up to 20-pounds. There’s never been an easier way to save on the items that you are shipping the most. The more you ship, the more you save. Just choose the Flat Rate Select option from the available rates to see how much you’ll save instantly. There’s no limit to how much you can use this service, and you only get it with ReadyShipper X.
We even just dropped a major update to ReadyShipper this month that adds even more new features, functions.
Customer Journey Improvements
Have you mapped out your customer journey? This process will reveal the touchpoints consumers use before, during and after making a purchase from your BigCommerce store. You’ll get insight into what works (marketing, site navigation, etc.) and how shoppers discover your brand. It also helps identify gaps between the consumer’s wants/needs and your product offerings, which you can then bridge.
The customer journey includes the post-purchase experience, which comprises the delivery process and the unboxing. It’s the last chance to make an impression and hopefully hook the customer to buy again in the future. Shipping software can elevate this experience by providing real-time communication and a fast, low-cost delivery.
Reliability
The sad reality is that BigCommerce Shipping was not a reliable solution. It was great while it lasted, of course, but it was only around for a year. Then, its demise was kept quiet, and many BigCommerce sellers were thrown for a loop when they finally heard the news.
It made sense that BigCommerce sellers were keen to add on a free shipping software, but in the future, it’s best to conduct research before signing up with a paid solution. Look for software companies that have been around for at least a year, and browse reviews to ensure there are plenty of satisfied customers who can speak to their experiences. These indicators can tell you if a company and its software are solid and will be available to you for the foreseeable future.
Make Ship Happen!
The BigCommerce Shipping shutdown was an unexpected move that left many sellers at a loss for what to do next. Understandably, they were concerned about disrupting their fulfillment workflows, which would negatively impact the customer experience.
This is where new shipping software solutions took over. The best in the business offer the same features at a low price so there are no hiccups in the transition. Go see for yourself, now that you know what you’re looking for.
One of the best things about BigCommerce is that it easily integrates with hundreds of apps and extensions, so you’ll be able to build a full order fulfillment process similar to the one you were using within the platform.
When you’re on the hunt, keep in mind that ReadyShipper integrates directly with BigCommerce, supports the way you work and gets it done fast, really fast. You’ll cut down on fulfillment time, improve accuracy and ship faster than ever.
