How to Add Tracking Numbers in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’re running a WooCommerce store – fantastic! You’re packing orders, shipping them out, and making customers happy. But are you providing them with the peace of mind that comes with tracking their package? Adding tracking numbers to your WooCommerce orders is a simple yet crucial step to boost customer satisfaction and reduce those “Where’s my order?” emails. Let’s dive into how you can do it!
Think of it this way: Imagine you order a new gadget online. You’re excited, right? But without a tracking number, you’re left wondering where it is, when it will arrive, and if it’s even been shipped! Tracking numbers provide transparency and control to your customers, making them feel valued and informed.
Why Bother Adding Tracking Numbers?
Before we get to the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Adding tracking numbers to your WooCommerce store offers several benefits:
- Improved Customer Experience: Customers can easily track their order’s journey, reducing anxiety and building trust.
- Reduced Support Requests: Less “Where’s my order?” inquiries mean you and your team can focus on more important tasks.
- Enhanced Brand Reputation: Providing a seamless and transparent shipping experience reflects positively on your brand.
- Dispute Resolution: Tracking information can be invaluable in resolving shipping disputes with customers or carriers.
- Accuracy is key! Double-check the tracking number to avoid customer confusion.
- Inform your customer: After updating the order, manually send an email to the customer letting them know their order has shipped and include the tracking number and carrier information.
- AfterShip Tracking: A robust and widely used plugin that automatically imports tracking information from various carriers and provides real-time updates to customers. It often requires a separate AfterShip account (free for limited usage).
- WooCommerce Shipment Tracking: A simpler plugin that allows you to add tracking information and carrier details directly to the order.
Method 1: Manually Adding Tracking Numbers
This is the simplest approach, perfect if you’re just starting out or have a low order volume. It involves manually entering the tracking number into the order details in WooCommerce.
Here’s how:
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to WooCommerce > Orders.
2. Find the order you want to add a tracking number to.
3. Click on the order number to open the order details page.
4. Scroll down to the “Order actions” meta box. Sometimes, this box might be called “Order Details”.
5. You’ll need to find a field to enter the tracking number. If you don’t see one, you may need to change the order status to “Completed.” This often reveals additional fields.
6. Enter the tracking number provided by your shipping carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, USPS).
7. Add the carrier name. Some WooCommerce installations have a dropdown for selecting the carrier; if not, simply type it in.
8. Click the “Update” button to save the changes.
Example:
Let’s say you shipped an order via UPS and the tracking number is `1Z999AA10123456789`. You would enter `1Z999AA10123456789` in the tracking number field and “UPS” in the carrier field.
Important Considerations:
Method 2: Using a WooCommerce Tracking Plugin
For stores with higher order volumes, a plugin is the way to go. They automate the process, saving you time and reducing errors. There are many excellent plugins available, both free and paid. Here are a couple of popular options:
How to Install and Use a Plugin (General Steps):
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
3. Search for the plugin you want to install (e.g., “AfterShip Tracking” or “WooCommerce Shipment Tracking”).
4. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
5. Configure the plugin settings according to the plugin’s documentation. This usually involves connecting to your shipping carrier accounts (if applicable).
6. Check the plugin’s documentation on how tracking numbers are added. Some plugins will automatically detect tracking numbers from carrier APIs, while others require you to still add them manually but provide better integration and customer notifications.
Example (Using AfterShip Tracking):
1. Install and activate the AfterShip Tracking plugin.
2. Create a free AfterShip account (if you don’t already have one).
3. Connect your WooCommerce store to your AfterShip account.
4. Configure the plugin settings to automatically import tracking information from your chosen carriers.
5. Now, when you fulfill an order in WooCommerce, AfterShip will automatically detect the tracking number and update the order status, sending notifications to your customer.
Method 3: Using Shipping Carrier Integration (If Available)
Some shipping carriers offer direct integrations with WooCommerce. This is often the most seamless solution, as it automates the entire process. For example, if you primarily use UPS, check if they offer a WooCommerce plugin or integration that automatically adds tracking information to your orders.
Example (Hypothetical UPS WooCommerce Integration):
1. Install the official UPS WooCommerce plugin (if one exists).
2. Connect your UPS account to the plugin.
3. When you create a shipment label through the UPS plugin, the tracking number is automatically added to the corresponding order in WooCommerce, and the customer is notified.
Conclusion
Adding tracking numbers to your WooCommerce orders is a simple yet powerful way to improve customer satisfaction, reduce support requests, and enhance your brand reputation. Whether you choose to manually add tracking numbers or leverage the power of plugins, the benefits are undeniable. Choose the method that best suits your store’s needs and start providing your customers with the transparency and peace of mind they deserve! Happy shipping!
