E-commerce Order Tracking: How It Works & Best Tools
Quick answer: E-commerce order tracking lets customers follow their order through each stage — received, processing, shipped, delivered and completed — using a tracking number and status updates. To set it up, use a tracking page or plugin for your store (Shopify has one built in, WooCommerce usually needs a plugin) and work with a supplier or fulfillment partner that uses trackable shipping and syncs tracking numbers to your store automatically. With the development of technology, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. Customers want to know when their orders will arrive, which is why order fulfillment tracking has become a standard part of online shopping.
What Is E-commerce Order Tracking?
Order fulfillment tracking in e-Commerce is a service that the suppliers provide to the customers so that they can monitor their orders when orders are being delivered and shipped. It includes tracking numbers, projected delivery dates, and shipping statuses. Customers can know about this information to receive their goods on time.
What Is The Meaning Of Order Tracking?
Increase The Customer Satisfaction Degree
Customers know about order information and receive their goods on time. They will have a good impression of the supplier, maybe, they will choose to cooperate with the supplier again, increasing the possibility of a repurchase rate.
Improve the Enterprise’s Efficiency
Using an order tracking system helps save you money and time because you do not need to answer customers’ questions about order status in person.
Reduce Unnecessary Mistakes
The main problem facing the companies is having a complicated order system, it may cause a lot of information mistakes, such as putting the wrong inventory, delays in shipment, and product loss. But by tracking orders and integrating and analyzing the data, it is easy to avoid these mistakes and correct them in time.
How To Achieve E-commerce Order Shipping Tracking?
Know the Order Tracking Process
Order Received
The customer places an order in your eCommerce store. The order is sent to the supplier you are integrated with.
Processing
The supplier begins the manufacturing and packing process.
Shipped
The supplier sends the customer’s order to the right address.
Delivered
The order package arrives at the final destination.
Completed
The delivery person marks the order status as completed.
Choose An Order Tracking System
As we know, the platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify have their own tracking systems to provide order information for customers. But they have different quality and various costs. So it is hard to choose one of them. But at the same time, some suppliers offer free order tracking services, for example, Honest FulPhilment offers E-commerce order tracking for free.
Check The Order Tracking Page
The Order Tracking page tends to update the information of orders but sometimes the information may be delayed.
Top 3 Order Tracking Websites
WooCommerce Orders Tracking
Advantage
If you use WooCommerce, your customer will obtain an order tracking page, instead of a separate carrier tracking link. It has more details and is more accurate.
Disadvantage
If you are a seller on Woocommerce, you need a plugin to make sure your tracking page works properly, which costs about 49 dollars a year.
Shipbob Orders Tracking
Advantage
Once an order is completed, a unique tracking number is uploaded to the order tracking page. This lets you track the progress or you can choose to receive order update information in your email.
Disadvantage
The carriers they cooperate with send out millions of packages a day. Unfortunately, problems may occur sometimes causing a delay in updating the order tracking and at the same time, it seems difficult to contact the person in charge of the orders and get feedback information in time.
Honest FulPhilment Orders Tracking
Advantage
End-to-end Order Tracking For Free
At Honest FulPhilment, there is a return service that orders can either be returned to their China-based warehouse or warehouses overseas. When certain orders can not be delivered successfully, they will inform customers in time. If customers require to send it again, they will confirm the address and send orders again.
Automatic Updates Of The Tracking Number
Honest FulPhilment only uses trackable services unless customers specifically request untracked shipping. Once an order ships, its tracking number is synced back to your store automatically.
Disadvantage
The company ships from China, so international transit takes longer than domestic shipping unless stock is held in an overseas warehouse.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to set up e-commerce order tracking or want to discuss other cooperation, please contact us!
FAQ
What is e-commerce order tracking?
E-commerce order tracking is a service that lets customers follow their online order after purchase, using a tracking number, shipping status updates and an estimated delivery date. It is usually shown on a tracking page in the store and in shipping emails.
What are the stages of order tracking?
A typical order moves through five statuses: order received, processing (picking and packing), shipped, delivered and completed. Each status change can trigger an email or SMS to the customer.
Why is order tracking important for online stores?
Order tracking raises customer satisfaction and repeat purchases, cuts the number of where-is-my-order support questions, and helps the store spot delays, lost parcels and fulfillment mistakes early.
How do I add order tracking to my Shopify or WooCommerce store?
Shopify shows tracking on its order status page once a tracking number is added, and WooCommerce usually needs a tracking plugin. If you use a fulfillment partner, choose one that syncs tracking numbers back to your store automatically when orders ship.
Why is my tracking information not updating?
Tracking often pauses while a parcel is in transit between countries, waiting for a flight or in customs, and carrier systems can update with a delay. If there is no update for over a week, contact the seller or carrier.