TrueShip Reviews - ReadyReturns, ReadyShipper Shipping Software - What to Expect

 

You began an online business for any number of reasons. You chose not to build a brick-and-mortar store because you wanted to sell everywhere. With the choice, there were new considerations. No longer could customers see the item on the shelf.

No longer could you “ring out” the sale. Now you were faced with putting your store “out there” on the Internet, building a website, or integrating with thousands of emerging ecommerce websites. Because you are among the millions of merchants who have elected to move products or services online, finding ways to differentiate from the rest has become more difficult than you imagined. You learned that “build it; they will come” is a useless aphorism.

Concerns for Online Shipping

As experience with online shopping has increased, two important facts have emerged. Customers want the same facility available in a brick-and-mortar store without the hassle of dealing with it. They flock to online commerce sites because they feel they can find identical items to be less expensive. Nobody seems to remember that the store price included the cost of the shipment to the store.

 Instead, the consumer desires a price that does not include shipping. For a small store, this is often an insurmountable problem. If the margins become too thin, the rent can’t be paid. However, the online ecommerce environment assumes that the volume is sufficiently large that narrowing of the margin is still profitable. Therefore, one of the attractive features of ecommerce is the reduction or removal of primary shipping costs to the final consumer. That rates about 70% on the surveys.

Returns policies also interest the consumer in the ecommerce environment—about 50% of the time. People will do more business with firms that have an ecommerce presence if return costs are subsidized or if they have the option to return a rejected product to a local company outlet.

Companies have struggled with this, as it literally doubles the shipping costs and narrows the margins even further. A firm that does that may have to factor that cost—or at least a percentage of that experience—into the cost of the merchandise in the first place. They do this for the goodwill, not the economics involved.

A larger concern about returns, however, is the willingness to accept a returned product. The reasons why things are returned vary from “I found it less expensive somewhere else” to “it doesn’t fit.” If an appliance is inoperable or a shipment damaged, that is one thing, but any ecommerce activity would like for a product once sold to remain sold. So the acceptance of return policies by the consumer has much to do with the successful presence of the e-retailer.

Once the policies are in place, if you can offer palatable shipping options, your conversion rates are certain to increase. You know the steps:

·      Receive the order

·      Prepare the picking

·      Package for shipping

·      Affix the shipping labels and franking (postage)

·      Move to a shipping service

·      Alert the customer of a shipment

·      Update the customer with tracking information

An Outstanding Solution

You’re busy—processing more orders. Anything you can do to compress that activity will allow more business with fewer resources, as you grow to where your operation involves more people. One of those is a software package called the TrueShip ReadyShipper. We'll take an in-depth look at what it has to offer in these TrueShip Reviews, so you can decide if this solution is right for your needs.

TrueShip’s ReadyShipper is an integrated software system that keeps you from wasting time doing many of these tasks by hand. It’s as close to automatic shipping as you can get. It uses a nifty interface called an Application Program Interface (API) with many online stores. In the simplest of terms, the API features allow a Graphic User Interface (GUI) to work with others’ software. Thus, it is possible to build TrueShip’s ReadyShipper into your ecommerce storefront system. With ReadyShipper, you can:

·         Collect your orders

·         Sort the information

·         Create picking lists

·         Edit and generate documents

·         Generate postage

·         Develop shipping labels

and other related tasks from a keyboard, a touchscreen tablet, or your smartphone.

ReadyShipper is among the most popular ecommerce shipping solutions available today. In this review, we’ll look at the features and functions of this outstanding software package. We’ll look first at the basic package and then examine some of the highly facile add-ons that enhance the software’s usability.

A Brief Company Survey

A decade ago, the principals of TrueShip organized to develop ecommerce shipping software. The company, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, has developed and is offering not only ecommerce shipping software, but also returns management software and cloud-based visibility software. These packages constitute the bulk of the tasks required to handle shipping, returns, and communication with customers.

The company’s premier product is the shipping software: ReadyShipper. That will be discussed presently. A second product, ReadyLabels, prepares unit invoices that contain not only 4”x6” shipping labels but also packing lists. With the labels package, you have the option to print standard thermal and digital postage or to use the ReadyLabels with inkjet or laser printers. There is also a tear-away comment card for the consumer to provide feedback. The key to the effective use of this product is the compression available from the integration of several steps that may now be done automatically.

ReadyReturns is designed to handle the returns management. The product can be “dropped into” nearly any website or ecommerce store, permitting customers to make returns through the same website where the purchase were made. The package provides management information for the e-retailer—tracking and processing information, reports, and projections. The package can be assembled to set custom rules for the returns process.

The two software packages thus far discussed are standalone. They are not dependent on the Internet for processing, following the online customer interaction. TrueShip also produces a cloud-based application, ReadyCloud, which provides backup for the user preferences and settings selected for ReadyShipper. You can access ReadyCloud from anywhere with an Internet connection. This backup provides real-time reporting and customer visibility while at the same time supporting useful disaster recovery procedures.

Features of ReadyShipper

This is a superb, user-friendly, and feature rich shipping software solution that brings these capabilities; it can:

·         Connect to the majority of ecommerce marketplaces and shopping carts.

·         Import orders, allowing users to edit the data.

·         Generate digital postage and shipping labels

·         Update customers with status of shipments.

You Can Try It For Free 
You can get a free trial of the software for two weeks merely by visting the TrueShip website and signing up.. It also includes the establishment of accounts with Stamps.com, Endicia, and Express 1 to assist users to obtain postage. After that, there is a monthly subscription for the package’s use. Another nice thing is that the service includes video training. After a little experimenting, you will find the software easy to use.

The Available Ecommerce Integrations

ReadyShipper can be configured for many shopping carts. The system subscription comes with one installed module. You can add to your primary selection as you need to. ReadyShipper can be integrated into shopping carts like eBay, 3dcart, Etsy, Shopify, BigCommerce, Volusion, Network Solutions, Rakuten, Magento, Yahoo, ShopSite, and many others. If those are not on your list of ecommerce sites, contact TrueShip at 877-818-SHIP (7447) and they will advise you.

There are also available interfaces with shippers, UPS Worldwide, UPS Main Innovations, APC, Endicia, and FedEx.

Those are the interfaces with the customers. TrueShip can also provide interfaces to QuickBooks, PayPal, WooCommerce (see below), OrderMotion, LimeLight, and coreSense, to name just a few. TrueShip also provides tracking and shipping utilities.

TrueShip also makes useful add-ons like a QuickBooks plugin, and several customer relationship management (CRM) plugins. CRM software manages a company’s interactions with customers, organizing, automating, and synchronizing sales, marketing, customer and technical support.

Examining TrueShip’s Ecommerce Integrations

·         WooCommerce: WooCommerce has more than two million users! It’s among the most widely used shopping cart services. Among all the ecommerce integrations that TrueShip offers, WooCommerce may have the largest subscriber base. Using their premade templates, you can build an outstanding online store. ReadyShipper integrates into WooCommerce, permitting you to import orders, sort, edit, update, and develop a tracking number and shipping status that can then be given to the customer.

·         Shopify: In addition to being a very popular shopping cart service, Shopify provides ease and speed. It makes building an attractive ecommerce site very easy. TrueShip has developed direct integration for Shopify, allowing it to do many tasks: take the order, sort and edit the data, and generate digital postage and appropriate shipping labels. Once operated, ReadyShipper will update the store’s order status and shipping information, providing customers with tracking numbers.

·         Amazon: the software also integrates into Amazon stores, and provides all the functions mentioned thus far: import the order, sort the data, edit, and process. You can generate the postage and shipping label and send updates to the customer. Order status and tracking information is included.

·         Volusion: Volusion is an online store builder with ecommerce templates. ReadyShipper directly integrates into Volusion software to allow users to pull orders, edit them, assign a carrier, print the label, pay the shipping costs, and maintain updates.

·         eBay: eBay stores have been with us for a long time, and older users will testify to difficulties in getting things correctly shipped. ReadyShipper fits seamlessly into eBay and provides outstanding functionality. It’s a one-button system for handling orders, making changes, generating postage, creating labels, and keeping the customers informed.

·         Network Solutions: The Network Solutions stores have an API with which ReadyShipper can communicate. It features quick order entry, fast updates, processing, shipping labels, and customer and shopping card status updates.

·         This list is far from complete. It works with 3dcart and Yahoo, with the same functionality and features. So for whatever system you have installed, ReadyShipper can provide the integration you need to ensure accurate order entry, paperwork handling, labels, shipping methods, and customer information. Among the others that ReadyShipper can handle are:

·         Rakuten

·         Magento

·         PayPal

·         Etsy

·         Newegg

·         OrderMotion

·         LimeLight

·         Monsoon Commerce

·         ChannelAdvisor

·         AcctVantage ERP, and

·         coreSense

With each of these packages, ReadyShipper offers complete ecommerce shipping and fulfillment solution. There isn’t enough room here to delve into each, but go to the TrueShip website (address above) for further information on how it fits with each of these packages.

Shipping Labels (ReadyLabels)

The ReadyShipper also creates shipping labels. Each carrier has a specific label protocol, and ReadyShipper is designed for the three most common: FedEx, UPS and USPS. When the order is entered and the customer’s name and address are known, the package can be used to generate the shipping label. This will allow users to link easily the appropriate shipper accounts, converting the gathered data into carrier compatible shipping labels. Then they can generate all the postage and shipping labels needed.

Label options for ReadyShipper are extremely flexible. The package generates standard 4”x6” thermal shipping labels and digital postage. To build upon that, TrueShip also offers signature ReadyLabels, all-in-one invoices that print from any laser or inkjet printer. They contain a packing list and comment card (both perforated), and a peel-and-stick label. ReadyLabels are compatible with all major shipping carriers.

Setup and Operation

The best news is that the TrueShip interface has been tested beyond recognition and is guaranteed to be error-free. Its features are easy to navigate. Each button is clearly labeled, and the options are available with drop-down selection fields. New users are able to be functional within an hour, but TrueShip provides some outstanding video training with the nuances of this very powerful software. Once you see what it can do, you’ll be amazed with the ease of the package’s operation.

Because the integrations are preinstalled in ReadyShipper, it takes only minutes to establish your accounts. Once operational, you can use the “order browser” to locate pending orders within your online store. Bring up the order and use the “order inspector” feature to process them one-by-one or in batches. Then use the “shipping genie” to locate any specific existing orders to avoid duplications and allow batching. If this sounds like a little bit of magic—it is.

There’s nothing magical about the shopping cart, however. TrueShip now updates the car, amending the order status, notifying customers of shipping dates and tracking numbers. Think of all the manual drudgery you will avoid.

It’s In the Book!

While ReadyShip is intuitive, it’s important to learn what to do when you’re not certain you’ve done the right thing. The package is highly documented, and you can pretty much find what you need to know from the documentation stored at the website.

They’re not shy, these TrueShip folks. You’ll find product review there, as well. Take a look. See what others are saying.

If you can’t find it in the book, there is the email and phone support, as well as the wide variety of online video tutorials, previously mentioned.

And if that isn’t enough, TrueShip hosts free weekly training webinars for new users.

They have your knowledge needs covered!

Multicarrier Support and Shipping Discounts

As mentioned before, TrueShip offers complete multicarrier support. ReadyShipper supports FedEx, UPS, and USPS. In addition, TrueShip also works with Stamps.com, Endicia, Express 1, and APC Logistics.

New users are already connected to USPS shipping discounts. They also are given a complimentary Stamps.com or Endicia account for USPS use. There is also a free Express 1 account, which gets its users the best rates on all their Priority Mail and Express mail shipments, including the flat rate boxes and mailers, including Flat Rate Select.

What Does It Cost?

To begin with—nothing—for two weeks. After that, it’s $29.95 a month—a buck a day! It comes with one ecommerce module included. Others can be added for $9.95 per month each. Unlike many others, the cost is static, irrespective of the shipping volume.

Summary and Rating

If ever a package deserved a five-star rating, TrueShip’s software does. Its ease-of-use, integrations, multicarrier support, bug-free software is outstanding. The company provides outstanding customer support. It works on either Mac or PC. It’s inexpensive, and it seems to have all the features it needs for outstanding shipping support. Here is a summary of its benefits:

·         Usability: ReadyShipper is easy-to-use. Plenty of documentation is available as are videos and weekly webinars to help new users.

·         Reliability: ReadyShipper is desktop software, requires no internet connection, and has amazing uptime.

·         Add-ons and integrations: Chances are it now has what you need. More integrations are being added all the time.

·         Shipping Discounts: A complimentary Stamps.com or Endicia account is included plus an Express 1 account for savings on Priority Mail shipments.

·         Support: TrueShip offers white-gloved customer support for its users during normal business hours with a toll-free support line and email support.

·         Price Point: A dollar a day is very reasonable--$29.95 per month—with one ecommerce module integration. Others can be added when needed for a nominal fee. No contracts; month-to-month billing.

Conclusion

What are you waiting for? Go to the website and download a 14-day free trial. In those two weeks you’ll conclude, as I have here, that it just makes good sense.