What is the puzzle?
The
puzzle that everyone is trying to figure out is how to improve organization and
management of ecommerce shipping and returns fulfillment. Research has shown
that how well a company ships, and how they handle their online returns, are
the most influential factors on their conversion and retention rates. If you
want to do good business online, you have to be able to deliver the service,
and the product, that customers want.
Who is TrueShip and what do they do?
TrueShip
is an Arizona company that launched its first product, ReadyShipper, in 2006. They
have expanded their business over the ensuing years to become one of the
leading providers of ecommerce shipping software, returns management programs
and cloud-based visibility software. The core product remains ReadyShipper, but
their additional products both stand alone and function as modules for the core
program.
The TrueShip Software
As
most of the TrueShip reviews detail the main suite that the company
offers is based off their ReadyShipper software package. They then also offer
ReadyLabels, ReadyReturns and ReadyCloud. Here is a brief look at what each of
the software programs offers.
- ReadyShipper – This is the TrueShip flagship software program. This program is noted for its user friendly interface, and its feature laden ecommerce shipping solutions. By using just this one program, you can connect to some of the most popular and widely used ecommerce marketplaces and shopping carts. You have the ability to import your order information, create digital postage, shipping labels and packing lists; as well as updating customers on the status of the orders easily. If you are a new user, there is also a free 14 day trial of various postage services included such as one to Stamps.com, Endicia and Express1. This can help you to discover which service offers the best discounts for the type of shipping your business does.
- ReadyLabels – ReadyLabels allows you to make all in one invoice printouts. This can include a perforated comment card, packing list, invoice and a peel off label. The labels are 4 by 6 inches in size and can be used with any of the digital postage carriers integrated with ReadyShipper. Adding ReadyLabels to ReadyShipper expands your printing options from thermal printing to include laser or ink-jet printing too.
- ReadyReturns – This is a customer portal that allows your customers to request and manage their returns right from your website. The plugin can be embedded in any website. While this makes it much easier for customers to process returns, it also automates the process of creating return labels and provides tracking for you. ReadyReturns can also track and analyze returns over a set period of time. With ReadyReturns, you can even customize the parameters for the reports you run so you see exactly what you want to see.
- ReadyCloud – ReadyCloud is the cloud based backup system that integrates with ReadyShipper. ReadyShipper is a desktop application, but with ReadyCloud you can access your information, edit and input in real-time from anywhere you have an internet connection. It also makes backing up your information easy.
The real edge comes from the ReadyShipper ecommerce integration
One
thing that all the TrueShip Reviews point towards as being the effective
edge the company has over its competitions are the partners it can count on in
its roster of integrated platforms.
These
partners include some of the top names in ecommerce business, such as:
- WooCommerce- Topping the list of ecommerce services that ReadyShipper integrates with is WooCommerce. They are one of the best known and most widely used shopping cart services globally. One reason for this is they made it easy to use pre-made templates, which can be customized, to allow users to create top of the line stores. With ReadyShipper integrated you can import orders, sort, process and edit them, and update the cart and customer with tracking number and ship status.
- Shopify - ReadyShipper also has direct integration into Shopify. This is another popular shipping cart service that makes it easy to get an online store up and running. ReadyShipper lets you manage your orders and easily create postage and shipping labels. It also allows you to update the customers on Shopify with their order status and provides tracking numbers too.
- Amazon - Amazon stores set the standard for online shopping and are ideal for distributors and point of purchase manufacturers. With ReadyShipper, you can import the orders, allowing users to sort, edit and process them. It can then generate the postage and shipping label, sending updates to customers with order status and tracking number.
- Volusion - ReadyShipper allows you to directly manage orders on Volusion. Users can pull orders, edit them, assign a carrier, generate postage and shipping labels and post updates.
- Ebay - ReadyShipper users can press one button to import orders, make changes, generate postage and shipping labels and update customers.
- Network Solutions - ReadyShipper can talk to the API of a Network Solutions store, it’s able to import the orders instantly for fast updates, processing, shipping labels and customer and shopping cart status updates.
- 3dcart: - A very popular shopping cart, ReadyShipper offers the same functionality in this cart as it does for the aforementioned ones.
- Yahoo - ReadyShipper was the first shipping software to offer Yahoo integration, with the same features available for it as the previously mentioned integration.
- Rakuten – This is a Japanese based ecommerce solution site with an emphasis on B2B and B2BC sales. With ReadyShipper, your customer satisfaction will improve with tracking, return and speed of shipments available with this software.
- Shopsite – A popular shopping cart system that is targeted toward medium volume businesses. The ReadyShipper API connects clearly to the host system and can make sure that your volume stays where you want it by boosting conversions.
- PayPal – PayPal is a global leader in online payment portal and shipping integration with ecommerce sites and proprietary sites as well. If you are planning on using UPS shipping for eBay, Etsy and other sites, then the redirect to PayPal doesn't mean you will lose ability to track your fulfillment if you are connecting via ReadyShipper.
- Bigcommerce – A relative newcomer, this company focuses on providing ecommerce solutions for showcase and enterprise businesses. The multiple tiers, and feature options of ReadyShipper combine well with this new platform.
- Magento – Geared towards enterprise ecommerce, Magento also has targeted the fashion and apparel industry with their ecommerce design. The ReadyShipper and ReadyReturn products are perfect for Magento as apparel has one of the highest rates of customer returns. The two programs can save your company money in streamlining and automating return processes.
- New Egg – An electronics and digital retailer, New Egg also offers ecommerce solutions for distributors and start-ups, as well as small to medium sized companies. ReadyShipper can integrate into their platform to create a direct line of communication between orders and fulfillment.
TrueShip's
programs also work with Rakuten, Etsy, Ordermotion, Channel Advisor, Magento,
Limelight, AcctVantage ERP, Monsoon Commerce and coreSense. With each of these
platforms, the same in-depth integration is possible through the compatible
design of the ReadyShipper API which can import the order and inventory
management information firstly from the ecommerce site.
As
ReadyShipper isn't a cloud or web-based application, this means that you can
manage your ecommerce shipping from wherever you are – even without a
connection. This is one of the bonuses of using ReadyShipper over other
integrated shipping plug-ins that still require you to be connected.
How does ReadyShipper handle labels?
While
a lot of shipping programs can manage the information, getting a label out of
them that can be used – especially with major carrier programs like Flat Rate,
Priority and Express can be another story. ReadyShipper comes equipped to
generate the correct information for FedEx, UPS and USPS.
The
program can import the data and organize it into the compatible shipping
labels. You can even connect ReadyShipper direct to your carrier account. From
there – it is a simple matter of printing out the labels on thermal paper. If
you would rather use an ink-jet or laser printer, then add on the ReadyLabel
program and you can.
With
ReadyLabel your options for creating labels with ReadyShipper expand. The
majority of the TrueShip reviews gave the options a high score. You can
print on standard thermal label paper, or use perforated papers and others in
an inkjet or laser printer. There is an option for an all in one label and
shipping list, or you can create a peal and stick 4 by 5 inch label. Every
label that ReadyShipper offers is compatible with the major carrier, so there
is no duplication of effort.
Their
labels will work for:
- FedEx
- UPS
- USPS
- Stamps.com
- Endicia
- APC Logistics
- Express 1
How easy is ReadyShipper to use?
This
is where you discover the difference between many of the TrueShip reviews. Some will only give you a passing idea about
what it is like to learn and use ReadyShipper and the other programs,
preferring to focus on the ecommerce integration and discount shipping aspects.
As the user, you need to know before you commit to an integrated shipping
program just how viable it will be for your staff to use.
There
are three main areas to look at:
- The interface – how easy and intuitive is it to use?
- The documentation – how well supported is the program, and what kind of tutorial options do you have?
- The integration – any program can integrate with all the shippers, but few can do it in a simple enough manner it is worth the investment.
We
took a look at each of these areas to see how the TrueShip products shaped up.
The interface
The
first thing you will notice about the ReadyShipper interface is how familiar it
looks. TrueShip didn't set out to reinvent the wheel; instead they followed the
example set by one of the most intuitive interface designs in history – Apple.
The ReadyShipper is set up to be a visual environment with no hidden tricks.
Everything
is tied together in sequential tiers so if you are looking for a shipping
feature, you already know it will be found under the shipping option menu and
you haven't even seen the product yet. The whole goal with the interface is to
increase the speed of workflow by keeping the options and features organized to
make sense within the fulfillment process. Stage by stage – from importing to
editing, printing to connecting to your carrier account – the ReadyShipper
interface leads you through with an easy to understand design.
The documentation
It
took about an hour and a half, from opening the package to reviewing the
documentation and tutorial videos to be able to create the first shipping
label. The documentation is extensive, but organized with a powerful index that
lets you find what you want quickly. One welcome relief is the restraint
TrueShip showed with their tutorial videos.
You
don't have to sit through an ad for each video, and only actions that really
require a video demonstration are given the media presentation. If you still
have problems, TrueShip has a customer service department that can respond by
email or phone that has a great reputation among current users.
How easy is the ecommerce integration?
This
was one of the best parts about the whole ReadyShipper design. It offers
integration with many of the top ecommerce solutions, but what makes it stand
out as a product is that most of them are already installed as shipping options
in the programs. If the one you are looking for isn't pre-installed, but is
listed as an option – all you have to do is select it to have the program set
the integration in motion.
From
there, select 'Shipping Options' from the drop down menu, pick the ecommerce
solution you want and open up the account. If you haven't already imported data
from your online account, it will prompt you to connect and do so. This also
allows you to import your order and shipping data, and then work offline on the
fulfillment using ReadyShipper.
The Genie and the Cloud
There
are a few other things you should know about the ReadyShipper environment. The
first is that is comes with its own “genie.” The Shipping Genie is a function
that will scan your shipping labels and flag any potential problems it detects
that could raise your core costs, or that you have identified as problematic in
the settings.
The
second is the additional product called ReadyCloud, this is the cloud-based
solution for ReadyShipper that can give your sales and management teams an
extra edge on the road. With real time updating, your operations can become
faster, and more responsive. Both aspects that combine to raise customer
satisfaction ratings, and boost conversions too.
Discounts and multicarrier support features
ReadyShipper
also supports all the major carriers including FedEx, UPS and USPS. Using
discount postage programs such as Stamps.com, Endicia, Express 1 and APC
logistics – you have everything you need for fulfillment. Process your orders,
prepare you labels and then access discounts programs for each supported
carrier and postage service and you have a winning combination on hand.
It's the cost that wins over all the TrueShip reviews
As
great as TrueShip's ReadyShipper is, the cost of the product will decide
whether or not most companies will use it. This is what all the reviews point
towards as a winning factor with its design. To start, they have a 14 day trial
that is full featured with all the installed ecommerce modules. Once you use it
for 14 days, you will see how much easier it makes to control your shipping
operations and costs.
After
the trial has expired, you pay only $29.95 a month for the service. You get a
full suite of the most popular ecommerce marketplaces and shopping carts
included, but you can add on others for $9.95 per month, per marketplace. It is
important to note that the pricing of the TrueShip product services is not
volume dependent. No matter how much you ship, the price remains the same.
What all this means to you
TrueShip
is a company that came of age in a time when the ecommerce marketplace was
finally taking shape. Their product line is designed to help you manage online
orders, create shipping processes and save money on shipping and returns –
which is essential to increasing your levels of customer satisfaction and
retention.
When
what it really takes to stand out from all the rest is quality service,
shipping and returns – TrueShip puts that ability into everyone's hand with a
low monthly fee service. There is not one reason to not choose ReadyShipper or
any of its associated products. The only thing it can do for you is make your
business better.
