A business needs straightforward and hassle-free shipping solutions to cater to thousands of customers relying on safe and timely deliveries. But it's easier said than done.
A reliable and efficient carrier can help fulfill e-commerce requirements faster with API (Application Programming Interface) integration and manage logistics and supply chain operations more efficiently.
After successfully integrating logistics APIs, e-commerce companies can perform supply chain operations with several synchronized tools within a unified system.
It can help them with tracking transparency, enable room for customer experience improvement, and save money. There are shortcomings of a logistics integration process and they cannot be overlooked. Let us dig deep into what they are!
What is Shipping Integration?
The process of connecting an eCommerce business with a carrier to enable smooth shipping and delivery operations is known as Shipping integration.
E-commerce merchants rely on shipping software to facilitate the data flow and monitor operations. They conveniently fulfill orders by integrating with a carrier and performing frontend and backend logistic workflow using APIs.
Shipping integration processes also involve WMS (Warehouse management system) and Storefront integrations. Logistics integration enables businesses to manifest orders, update them, and streamline the order returns process.
5 Common Issues Businesses Face During Shipping API Integration
The logistics integration setup process can pose certain challenges and difficulties such as inadequate bandwidth, lack of robust security, or complex set-up procedures. Here are the 5 common issues businesses face during the shipping API integration set-up.
1) Lack of Information about the Logistics Integration Process
The most common issue businesses face is the lack of information and knowledge about the logistics integration process.
There may be unexpected scenarios such as unserviceable regions, types of delivery services, and other criteria by the carrier. It may not be a suitable move for a business to integrate without accepting the carrier’s terms and conditions.
In certain situations, businesses refuse to integrate due to unfavorable conditions not meeting their needs.
For example, shipping software can offer more than 1000 carriers but may not facilitate hyperlocal deliveries. eCommerce enterprises face issues like this during shipping API integration.
2) Bandwidth Allocation Issue
Businesses expand in a matter of time alongside their operations. In that process, they can experience various bottlenecks with network stability, firewalls, order tracking, and monitoring.
They may face these challenges due to bandwidth limitations. Allocating bandwidth according to the different shipping operations is crucial to avoid downtime and save money.
Businesses face bandwidth allocation challenges, leading to order visibility issues when the carrier or shipping software has inadequate bandwidth. Businesses can use bandwidth monitoring tools to understand the inherent cause of these bottlenecks to improve scalability.
3) Non-Uniform APIs
Non-uniform APIs are interfaces that are different from each other based on functionality and purpose. Companies face several challenges due to APIs not being uniform.
This can cause inconsistency for customers and lead to further confusion. Also, non-uniform APIs can make it challenging for businesses to rely on their needs and requirements.
For example, they may not find a suitable API in the list of interfaces that the carrier or the logistics software has. Furthermore, it can lead to scalability issues due to limitations in APIs and cause a burden on the maintenance teams to leverage constant effort to run shipping operations.
4) Complicated Setup Process
Businesses are not interested in complex shipping API integration processes because they drain them out and become time-consuming.
Application programming interfaces can be complex because of how they are designed and their specific requirements to match specific business needs.
Some factors that make them complicated during integration are authorization and authentication, compatibility, handling errors, regulations, and compliances.
E-commerce owners can become frustrated with such processes if they are unaware. To mitigate these challenges, they can rely on a professional team to oversee each criterion during the logistics integration setup.
5) Going Live Takes Time
E-commerce enterprises can have a hard time with API integration processes while going live.
They want to get started with the supply chain operations real-fast and save thousands of dollars worth of shipments. Usually, the process can take up to 24 hours but in many cases, it may take more time.
More time can disrupt regular shipping operations and businesses can experience a competitive disadvantage. An efficient logistics software can help you go live with the selected carrier and allow you to perform shipping operations faster.
Few Tips to Avoid Issues During Carrier Integration Setup
The Carrier Integration process can be tedious without the right knowledge of APIs. Difficulties and issues are common during shipping integrations. Learn from a few tips to make the process smooth.
1) Choose a Logistics Intelligence Software
Logistics intelligence software offers a wide range of carriers, storefronts, and WMS to integrate.
ClickPost is a leading multi-carrier integration software that allows you to partner with more than 150 shipping partners. Businesses can track, allocate, and monitor shipments on a unified dashboard. They can perform several logistic management functionalities and manage multiple shipments in time.
ClickPost can help you save both time and money and help you scale your business through its powerful APIs. You can go live in 24 hours with the carrier of your preference and start tracking shipments in real-time.
2) Double-Check the Information Provided by the Carrier
Double-checking carrier information is a must. Every carrier or shipping provider has a set of regulations and guidelines that businesses go through before being sure what they want.
Also, they have a chance to check the accuracy and up-to-date information. One will make fewer mistakes and make concrete decisions with those updates.
Double-checking information helps revise all the information and clear doubts regarding the technicalities in the shipping API integration set-up.
3) Select a Delivery Service with User-Friendly Customer Service
A user-friendly customer service is essential for any business. They can retain customers because of positive customer experiences and maintain long-term relationships.
Businesses can get frustrated and confused during the integration set-up and solid customer service can help them operate smoothly.
A successful logistics service focuses on customer satisfaction to maintain a loyal customer base. User-friendly customer service can also boost the reputation and brand image of the company and promote its API integration set-up process to many more.
4) Take Time to Understand the Carrier Integration Process
The logistics API integration process can be complex and difficult to understand. With technicalities within the integration process, one needs more time to understand the intricacies.
Technical integration requires a lot more understanding from the business owner's standpoint. Guidance from the carrier's team can make the process effortless.
Taking the time to understand each component of the API integration setup can help you with a better grasp in understanding the technicalities and help manage teams efficiently.
5) Communicate with the Logistics Team
The logistics team can help you with every doubt and query regarding the logistics API integration setup. Clear communication will iterate the integration objectives clearly to the business team.
Also, the teams in your company can understand structure and data format alongside specific requirements. This can help point out potential errors and reduce various risks and inconsistencies.
After the successful completion of the API integration process, professionals can communicate to help the business teams understand how to use the APIs and improve efficiency.
How Can Shipping APIs Benefit e-Commerce Businesses?
Shipping APIs can hugely benefit e-commerce businesses by streamlining their logistics operations.
Carriers offer several integrations that perform order manifestation, AWB (Airway bill) generation, and real-time tracking to increase efficiency in your supply chain processes.
There are several methods to integrate shipping APIs. You can try logistics intelligence software, customize the integrations, and read the API documentation to get started.
APIs simplify all shipping tasks from order initiation to order fulfillment. They ensure a secure shipping process and reduce data collection errors and administrative redundancies. Also, they help businesses reduce shipping costs.
Conclusion
Issues are common during a logistics API integration process. Businesses fall behind their competition and get affected by difficulties like complex integration processes, lack of bandwidth, lengthier set-up requirements, and others. The tips can help avoid such issues during API integration in shipping processes.
Shipping API integration is invaluable to businesses as it ensures seamless shipping and creates an error-free delivery process. Businesses can stay committed to customers and offer successful order fulfillment with every parcel.
FAQs
1) Is shipping integration setup a time-consuming and tedious process?
The time consumption and complexity of the shipping integration setup process depend on a few factors. They include different integration methods, including customization requirements, number of carriers, document verifications, and testing.
2) Are APIs useful in shipping integration set-up?
Yes. APIs are extremely useful in simplifying the shipping process for your business. Through APIs, you can perform seamless data exchange, streamline your logistics, both frontend and backend functions, and more. One can utilize APIs to scale your business by adding new carriers and implementing new features.