Top 10 Shipping Software Platforms for Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Businesses

Running an e-commerce business that specializes in industrial equipment has its own set of unique challenges, and shipping is right at the top of that list. Choosing the right shipping software can make all the difference when it comes to streamlining your shipping operations, improving customer satisfaction, and ultimately boosting sales. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 shipping software platforms for industrial equipment e-commerce businesses, along with factors to consider when choosing the right platform for your business, features and benefits of each platform, case studies, and future trends in shipping software.

Why Choosing the Right Shipping Software is Crucial for Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Businesses

The success of any e-commerce business depends largely on its ability to fulfill orders quickly, efficiently, and accurately. And this is especially true for businesses that specialize in industrial equipment, where products can be heavy, bulky and require special handling. The right shipping software not only helps businesses keep track of inventory, but also manage and streamline their shipping operations, making the entire process more efficient and hassle-free. In short, choosing the right shipping software can have a significant impact on the overall success and growth of your industrial equipment e-commerce business.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Shipping Software for Your Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Business

The process of choosing the right shipping software for your business can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to e-commerce. There are several key factors to consider before making a decision, including:

• Cost: Shipping software can vary significantly in price, so it’s important to choose a solution that fits within your budget.
• Features: Make sure the software you choose offers the features you need to manage your shipping operations smoothly. These may include real-time tracking, label printing, and advanced analytics.
• Integration: Choose a shipping software platform that integrates easily with your e-commerce store to ensure seamless and hassle-free communication between the two.
• User-friendliness: The software should be easy to navigate and use, with an intuitive interface that requires little to no training.
• Customer support: Make sure the vendor offers reliable and responsive customer support to help you resolve any issues that may arise.

Comparison of Top 10 Shipping Software Platforms for Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Businesses

Now that you know what to consider, let’s take a look at the top 10 shipping software platforms for industrial equipment e-commerce businesses in 2021 and compare their features, costs, and other important factors.

1. Shipstation: With Shipstation, you can easily manage orders, shipping, and returns from one central platform. The software integrates with multiple e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Magento and BigCommerce, to name a few. Shipstation offers features like label printing, real-time tracking, and customized reporting, and has a starting price of $9 per month.
2. ShipBob: ShipBob offers a range of shipping services to businesses of all sizes, including warehouse management, fulfillment, and returns. The platform integrates with multiple e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and WooCommerce, and offers features like real-time inventory tracking and customer notifications. Pricing for ShipBob starts at $5 per order.
3. Shippo: Shippo is a popular shipping software platform that offers discounted shipping rates from major carriers like UPS and FedEx. Shippo provides features like automated label generation, real-time tracking and returns management. Pricing for Shippo starts at $0.05 per label.
4. Easyship: Easyship is a cloud-based shipping solution designed to simplify international shipping for e-commerce businesses. The platform provides in-depth shipping analytics that help users make informed decisions, along with real-time tracking and customizable branded tracking pages. Pricing for Easyship starts at $29.99 per month.
5. Shiprocket: Shiprocket is a leading Indian shipping software platform that offers a range of affordable shipping services to e-commerce businesses. The platform enables businesses to easily ship to customers across India, and provides features like automated label generation, real-time tracking, and returns management. Pricing for Shiprocket starts at INR 17 per order.
6. AfterShip: AfterShip is a popular shipping software platform that enables businesses to track shipments from over 700 carriers worldwide. The platform integrates with multiple e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and Magento, and provides features like real-time tracking and delivery notifications. Pricing for AfterShip starts at $10 per month.
7. Shipsy: Shipsy is a shipping software platform designed to help businesses streamline their shipping operations. The platform provides features like automated order fulfillment, real-time tracking, and returns management. Shipsy also offers integration with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Magento and WooCommerce. Pricing for Shipsy starts at INR 5,000 per month.
8. Parcel Monkey: Parcel Monkey is a shipping software platform that offers discounted shipping rates and a range of shipping services, including next-day delivery. The platform integrates with multiple e-commerce platforms, including eBay and Amazon, and provides features like label printing and real-time tracking. Pricing for Parcel Monkey starts at $3.50 per shipment.
9. Pirateship: PirateShip is a free shipping software platform that offers users significant discounts on shipping rates from major carriers like USPS. The platform provides features like label printing, real-time tracking, and integrations with leading e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify. Pricing for PirateShip is free.
10. Airmail: Airmail is a shipping software platform designed to make shipping as easy as sending an email. The platform is user-friendly and provides features like automated shipping, real-time tracking, and returns management. Airmail also integrates with leading e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Squarespace. Pricing for Airmail starts at $10 per month.

Features and Benefits of Each Shipping Software Platform on Our List

Each of the shipping software platforms listed above may offer different features and benefits. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from each:

• Shipstation: Customizable reporting, automation rules and branded tracking pages.
• ShipBob: Real-time inventory tracking, easy returns management and a network of fulfillment centers.
• Shippo: Discounted shipping rates, multi-carrier options, returns management and real-time tracking.
• Easyship: International shipping consolidation, real-time shipping rates and tax and duty calculator.
• Shiprocket: Automated label generation, support for major carriers and cash on delivery and returns management feature.
• AfterShip: Frictionless delivery experience, real-time analytics and tracking and automated email and SMS notifications.
• Shipsy: Smart route optimization, platform integration and advanced data analytics.
• Parcel Monkey: Discounted shipping rates, international shipping services and user-friendly interface.
• Pirateship: Free platform, shipping rate discounts and easy integration with leading e-commerce platforms.
• Airmail: User-friendly interface, automated shipping and real-time tracking.

Reviews and Ratings of Top 10 Shipping Software Platforms for Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Businesses

We scoured the internet for reviews and ratings of the top 10 shipping software platforms for industrial equipment e-commerce businesses and here is what we found:

• Shipstation: Rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra, with positive reviews for ease of use and excellent customer service.
• ShipBob: Rating of 4.3 out of 5 on TrustPilot, with positive reviews for fast and reliable shipping and excellent customer service.
• Shippo: Rating of 4.1 out of 5 on TrustRadius, with positive reviews for ease of use and discounted shipping rates.
• Easyship: Rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra, with positive reviews for excellent customer service and easy-to-use interface.
• Shiprocket: Rating of 4.5 out of 5 on G2, with positive reviews for easy integration and automated processing.
• AfterShip: Rating of 4.7 out of 5 on G2, with positive reviews for user interface and easy tracking.
• Shipsy: Rating of 4.4 out of 5 on G2, with positive reviews for excellent customer service and user-friendly interface.
• Parcel Monkey: Rating of 4.6 out of 5 on TrustPilot, with positive reviews for discounted rates and excellent customer service.
• Pirateship: Rating of 4.9 out of 5 on Capterra, with positive reviews for easy-to-use interface and excellent customer support.
• Airmail: Rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Capterra, with positive reviews for ease of use and excellent customer service.

How to Integrate Shipping Software with Your Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Store

Integrating your shipping software with your industrial equipment e-commerce store may sound daunting, but it’s actually quite simple. Most shipping software platforms offer plugins or APIs that can be easily integrated into e-commerce platforms such as Shopify or Magento. Once the integration is complete, you’ll be able to manage your shipping operations directly from your e-commerce store dashboard, making the process much more streamlined and efficient.

Tips for Optimizing Your Shipping Operations with the Right Software Platform

Choosing the right shipping software platform is just the first step in optimizing your shipping operations. Here are some additional tips to help you get the most out of your chosen software:

• Utilize automation: Use automation features to speed up your shipping process and reduce manual errors.
• Set up automated tracking updates: Automated tracking updates help keep customers informed and reduce the number of tracking-related inquiries.
• Monitor shipping costs: Keep a close eye on shipping costs to identify areas where you may be overspending and make adjustments to optimize your shipping budget.
• Use analytics to identify trends: Use the analytics features provided by your shipping software to identify trends and make data-driven decisions about your shipping operations.
• Invest in quality packaging: Quality packaging not only protects your products during shipping but also improves your brand’s image by creating a professional and high-quality experience for the customer.

Case Studies: How Top Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Businesses Use Shipping Software to Streamline Operations and Boost Sales

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples of industrial equipment e-commerce businesses that have successfully implemented shipping software to significantly improve their shipping operations:

1. Valley Industrial Products: Valley Industrial Products (VIP) is a leading distributor of industrial supplies and equipment based in California. VIP implemented Shipstation to streamline their shipping operations, allowing them to process and ship orders quickly and efficiently. As a result, VIP has been able to increase their sales and customer satisfaction, while also reducing shipping costs and errors.
2. Midwest Equipment Sales: Midwest Equipment Sales is a leading supplier of industrial equipment and supplies based in Illinois. The company implemented Shippo to simplify their shipping operations, enabling them to easily generate shipping labels and track shipments in real-time. As a result, the company has been able to streamline their shipping process and reduce their order fulfillment time by 50 percent.

Future Trends in Shipping Software for Industrial Equipment E-Commerce Businesses

As e-commerce continues to grow and evolve, so too do the trends in shipping software. Here are some of the top trends to watch out for in 2021 and beyond:

• Artificial Intelligence: AI is set to revolutionize the shipping industry, with advanced data analytics and predictive models helping to optimize shipping routes, reduce delivery times and improve overall efficiency.
• Blockchain: Blockchain technology is gaining popularity in the shipping industry, thanks to its ability to create tamper-proof, secure records that help reduce fraud and errors in the shipping process.
• Contactless Delivery: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many e-commerce businesses have shifted to contactless delivery options, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Shipping software platforms will need to offer features that support this delivery model, including automated notifications and real-time tracking that doesn’t require a signature.
• Sustainable Shipping: With an increasing emphasis on sustainability, e-commerce businesses are starting to prioritize shipping options that have a lower environmental impact. In response, shipping software platforms are beginning to offer features that enable businesses to measure and reduce their carbon footprint.

So there you have it, the top 10 shipping software platforms for industrial equipment e-commerce businesses, along with everything you need to know about choosing, integrating, and optimizing shipping software for your business. By keeping these factors in mind and staying up to date on the latest trends, your business can streamline its operations, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to increased sales and growth.