In a recent Business Bloomer Club Slack thread, a member sought advice on a comprehensive WooCommerce shipping solution that integrates directly into the WP/WooCommerce admin.
Their ideal setup would eliminate the need for external tools, allow for seamless use of a shipping scale, integrate a label printer, and incorporate tracking into WooCommerce’s default email notifications—without sending additional branded messages.
While many shipping solutions cover some of these needs, finding one that checks all boxes proved challenging. Here’s a summary of the insights shared and the best options for WooCommerce shipping integrations.
The Ideal WooCommerce Shipping Solution: Key Requirements
The goal is a single plugin or integration that can:
- Work within the WooCommerce admin, avoiding any need to switch to third-party platforms.
- Connect to a shipping scale, automating the input of weight for more accurate shipping rates.
- Integrate with a label printer for on-demand label printing.
- Support tracking integration directly into WooCommerce emails without sending redundant tracking notifications.
Potential WooCommerce Shipping Solutions
Several plugins and integrations come close to meeting these requirements, with some compromises. Here are the top recommendations from experienced WooCommerce users:
- 1TeamSoftware WooCommerce ShipStation Pro
Many community members recommended ShipStation for its comprehensive functionality, with the 1TeamSoftware ShipStation Pro plugin providing deep integration into the WooCommerce admin. This solution supports multiple carriers, label printing, and advanced order management options. However, ShipStation is typically accessed via a separate interface, which may not meet the “all-in-admin” requirement for some users.- Features: Multi-carrier support, advanced fulfillment options, tracking, and label integration.
- Limitations: Requires a separate interface for some functionality.
- Link: 1TeamSoftware WooCommerce ShipStation Pro
- WooCommerce Shipping & Label Plugins with Tracking Support
Another solution is to combine WooCommerce’s official Shipping & Label plugin with an order tracking plugin that adds tracking information to WooCommerce emails. This setup allows direct integration into the WooCommerce admin and supports major carriers like USPS and DHL, offering a straightforward approach for smaller operations. However, it does not support a shipping scale directly, which may be an issue for some users.- Features: Shipping label generation, WooCommerce-native tracking integration.
- Limitations: Lacks direct integration with shipping scales.
- Recommendation: Works well for small to medium stores without intensive fulfillment needs.
Considerations When Choosing WooCommerce Shipping Solutions
While WooCommerce can be used as a centralized fulfillment hub, some users advised that using a dedicated shipping platform like ShipStation or ShippingEasy could offer greater functionality and flexibility, especially for stores with dedicated fulfillment staff. Key points raised included:
- Order Splitting: WooCommerce doesn’t support splitting orders natively, though third-party plugins can fill this gap.
- WooCommerce Admin Limitations: Some community members noted that WooCommerce’s admin UI may not be as user-friendly for high-volume order fulfillment as dedicated shipping platforms.
- Multi-Channel Fulfillment: For businesses selling across multiple channels, centralized shipping tools can streamline fulfillment processes across platforms, although WooCommerce can also be used as a primary sales and fulfillment hub.
Conclusion
If managing shipping within the WooCommerce admin is a priority, combining WooCommerce’s built-in Shipping & Label options with tracking plugins may suffice for small to mid-sized operations. However, for more advanced requirements, ShipStation with 1TeamSoftware ShipStation Pro offers a more robust solution that supports WooCommerce order management while allowing for multi-carrier flexibility and advanced tracking features. Whether you opt for a dedicated platform or an all-in-admin approach, carefully consider your store’s fulfillment needs to select the best fit.
