Q1 Product Roundup: FedEx Rates, QR codes, New Web-app Flows

Much like our merchants and partners, the first quarter of 2023 has been quite busy. We’ve had the pleasure of introducing a new carrier natively in our platform, we’ve redesigned our web app, and we’ve even introduced a new feature entirely for our marketplace partners.

Each of these updates serves a different purpose, but one thing remains constant between all of them: to help those in the e-commerce space ship smarter, more affordably, and more efficiently.

Below are some of the biggest product updates we’ve achieved in Q1 of this year.

Discount FedEx Rates Now Available To Shippo Users

Earlier this quarter, we became the first-ever multi-carrier shipping company to offer discount FedEx rates directly within our platform.

Now, merchants of all sizes can take advantage of lower rates for FedEx Ground Economy and FedEx International Connect Plus while still getting the reliability and added benefits that come with shipping with one of the nation’s largest carriers.

In fact, Shippo’s rates for FedEx Ground Economy got even lower a few weeks ago, making it one of the most competitive options for domestic shipping in the U.S. As for shipping internationally, FedEx International Connect Plus is a great way for merchants to ship cross-border without the large bills and with ease, enabling their business to grow.

There are additional benefits to using FedEx through Shippo than just the discounted price of the label.

FedEx Ground Economy shipments come with:

• 100% discount on both residential and fuel surcharges
• 24-hour package tracking to keep you and your customers up to date
• Monday through Sunday delivery* (Sunday delivery not available in all areas)
• The ability to use your own custom boxes

And for FedEx International Connect Plus, merchants get:

• Customs clearance included so customers can get their packages faster
• No residential surcharges
• Day-definite service so customers are able to plan accordingly
• The ability to redirect shipments to convenient pickup locations when possible
• 24-hour tracking for maximum visibility to your shipments

The inclusion of FedEx within our platform aligns with our goal to provide the most carriers and best shipping rates possible for merchants who are just starting out and those who are trying to scale their business.

Updated Orders Page

The Orders Page, one of the main pages within our web app and the first page that appears when you log in, received some enhanced capabilities and makes shipping even easier.

The side panel is one of the core staples of the new user interface. For example, we’ve now made it easier and faster to create one or bulk shipping labels, assign templates, and select shipping insurance for your packages, all in one view. You can even access your most recent package templates and search for custom/carrier package templates from the side panel as well.

Other enhancements include:

• New Filter: You can now quickly group, organize, and narrow down specific orders through the “view selected only” filter so you can expedite processing orders.
• Poly Mailer Option Now Available: There is now an option to select poly mailers from the orders page for small and light items such as jewelry.
• Improved Label Summary View: View items, carrier rates, and return service levels across multiple orders.

Be sure to visit our help center article to find out how to use the Orders page to its maximum potential.

New Global Navigation

Along with the upgrades to the Orders page, the web app experience as a whole got a makeover this quarter.

The two main pages, Orders Page and Shipments Page, have been better highlighted to make navigating between the two easier. The screen space is better optimized to leave room for information that’s related to orders or shipments.

Other information pertaining to your Shippo experience, including tracking, insurance, and rates at checkout, can be accessed faster than before. There, each major feature of Shippo can be tweaked to your business needs at any time.

USPS QR Codes For E-commerce Marketplaces

In an effort to make shipping easier for our marketplace partners’ merchants, we’ve launched USPS QR codes.

This functionality can be added to online marketplaces’ offerings by integrating the functionality through Shippo’s API. This ultimately allows shippers using the marketplace to generate a QR code that they can then take to any local post office and have the post office’s representatives print the proper shipping label on the spot.

This is a huge benefit for merchants who don’t own printers and also saves merchants from the hassle of buying label printers, ink, and keeping track of multiple labels as they prep their shipments. Giving merchants this ability gives our marketplace partners an edge when it comes to attracting sellers.

But, we’re not done yet. For Q2, we’re looking forward to making shipping faster, simpler, and more efficient for both our merchants and partners. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for the latest product updates or be sure to check your Shippo emails for the latest updates sent straight to your inbox!