How To Mark An Order As Shipped Woocommerce

How to Mark an Order as Shipped in WooCommerce: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

Managing orders is a crucial part of running a successful online store with WooCommerce. One essential task in this process is marking an order as “shipped” once it’s ready to leave your warehouse or fulfillment center. This action not only updates the order status in your WooCommerce dashboard but also triggers notifications to your customer, keeping them informed about the progress of their purchase. Properly managing order statuses improves customer satisfaction and reduces potential support requests. This article will guide you through the various methods of marking an order as shipped in WooCommerce, ensuring a seamless and efficient workflow.

Main Part:

Why is Marking an Order as Shipped Important?

Marking an order as shipped offers several benefits:

• Customer Communication: It informs customers that their order has been dispatched and is on its way. This proactive communication builds trust and improves the customer experience.
• Order Tracking: It often triggers the sending of tracking information, allowing customers to monitor the shipment’s progress.
• Internal Management: It helps you keep track of which orders have been fulfilled and which are still pending.
• Workflow Optimization: Streamlining the shipping notification process can free up your time to focus on other important aspects of your business.
• Reduces Support Load: Clear shipping updates significantly reduce the number of inquiries about order status.

Methods for Marking an Order as Shipped in WooCommerce

There are several ways to mark an order as shipped in WooCommerce, ranging from manual methods to automated solutions:

1. Manual Method (Through the WooCommerce Admin Panel):

This is the most straightforward method and is suitable for stores with relatively low order volumes.

* Step 1: Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.

* Step 2: Navigate to WooCommerce > Orders. This will display a list of all your WooCommerce orders.

* Step 3: Locate the order you want to mark as shipped. You can use the search bar or filters to find specific orders.

* Step 4: Click on the Order Number (or select “View”) to open the order details page.

* Step 5: Change the Order Status. In the “Order actions” box (typically on the right side of the screen), use the dropdown menu labeled “Status” and select “Completed”. “Completed” typically signifies that the order has been shipped. You can also use “Processing” if you’re using a plugin to send shipping notifications at that stage.

* Step 6: Add a Note (Optional but Recommended). In the “Order notes” section, add a note like “Order shipped via [Shipping Carrier] with tracking number [Tracking Number].” This provides valuable information for both you and the customer.

* Step 7: Check “Customer notified” box after adding your shipping note to let WooCommerce email the customer.

* Step 8: Click the “Update” button. This saves the changes and sends the notification to the customer (if you’ve enabled email notifications).

2. Using WooCommerce Plugins:

Several plugins can automate the process of marking orders as shipped, offering advanced features like:

• Integration with Shipping Carriers: Automatically fetch tracking information from shipping carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS.
• Customizable Email Templates: Create branded shipping notification emails with personalized messages and tracking links.
• Bulk Actions: Mark multiple orders as shipped at once.
• Automated Status Updates: Automatically update order statuses based on tracking information.

Some popular WooCommerce shipping plugins include:

• WooCommerce Shipment Tracking: A free plugin that allows you to add tracking information to orders and send notifications.
• AfterShip WooCommerce Tracking: Offers advanced tracking features and integrates with a wide range of carriers.
• Shippo: A shipping platform that automates the entire shipping process, from generating labels to tracking orders.

To use a plugin:

* Step 1: Install and activate the plugin. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for the plugin, install it, and activate it.

* Step 2: Configure the plugin settings. Follow the plugin’s instructions to configure its settings, including connecting to your shipping carrier accounts and customizing email templates.

* Step 3: Follow the plugin’s instructions for adding tracking information and marking orders as shipped. The specific steps will vary depending on the plugin you’re using.

3. Using Custom Code (For Advanced Users):

If you’re a developer or have access to one, you can use custom code to automate the process of marking orders as shipped. This approach requires more technical expertise but offers the most flexibility.

Here’s a simple example of how you can programmatically update an order status:

<?php
/**
Function to mark an order as shipped.
* @param int    $order_id     The ID of the order to update.
@param string $tracking_number The tracking number for the shipment.
@param string $shipping_carrier The name of the shipping carrier.
*/
function mark_order_shipped( $order_id, $tracking_number, $shipping_carrier ) {
$order = wc_get_order( $order_id );

if ( $order ) {

$order->update_status( ‘completed’ ); // Marks the order as completed (shipped)

// Add a note to the order with tracking information.

$note = sprintf(

‘Order shipped via %s with tracking number %s.’,

esc_html( $shipping_carrier ),

esc_html( $tracking_number )

);

$order->add_order_note( $note, true ); // The ‘true’ argument sends an email to the customer.

} else {

error_log( ‘Order not found with ID: ‘ . $order_id );

}

}

// Example usage:

// mark_order_shipped( 123, ‘1Z12345E034567890’, ‘UPS’ );

?>

Important Considerations:

• Email Notifications: Ensure that WooCommerce email notifications are enabled so that customers receive updates when their order status changes. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails to configure email settings.
• Order Statuses: Understand the different WooCommerce order statuses and choose the most appropriate status for each stage of the order fulfillment process. Consider using custom order statuses if the default options don’t meet your needs.
• Testing: Always test your shipping workflows thoroughly to ensure that notifications are being sent correctly and that tracking information is accurate.

Conclusion:

Marking an order as shipped in WooCommerce is a crucial step in providing a positive customer experience and managing your online store efficiently. By implementing one of the methods described above, you can streamline your shipping process, keep your customers informed, and reduce the burden on your customer support team. Whether you choose the manual method, leverage the power of WooCommerce plugins, or implement custom code, the key is to find a solution that fits your specific needs and workflows. Remember to always prioritize clear communication and accurate tracking to build trust and loyalty with your customers.