Shipping comes at a considerable cost, that’s why many businesses are opting for a shipping management software. Every year, carriers hike up their shipping rates. Shortages occur in the ecommerce industry due to high demand, affecting truck drivers and warehouse space. Amazon further complicates small business shipping by consistently setting higher standards for faster free shipping, making it progressively more costly for home-based businesses to keep up with order fulfillment.

Read on and explore best shipping software for small business:

1. What is shipping management software?

2. Free versions of best shipping software for small business

3. Tips to reduce shipping management costs

4. Wrap up: Should you use a free delivery management software version?

What is shipping management software?

Shipping management software is a specialized tool created to assist online businesses in the efficient management of product shipping and tracking. Its core objective is to automate diverse tasks associated with shipping, minimizing the reliance on manual data entry across numerous channels. This includes tasks like determining shipping rates, ensuring adherence to global customs regulations, and generating shipping labels. Essentially, the software enhances the efficiency of the shipping workflow, saving time for ecommerce business owners.

How does delivery management software commonly work?

1. Carrier integration: Shipping management software acts as a centralized hub, connecting businesses to various carriers without the hassle of negotiating individual contracts. Through a single interface, the software integrates with multiple carriers, providing a comprehensive solution to shipping needs.

2. Shipment creation: Users can effortlessly create shipments, whether they are from domestic or international locations. The software provides a user-friendly platform for entering shipment details, ensuring accuracy in the shipping process.

3. Shipping plan selection: The software employs intelligent algorithms to assist users in selecting the most suitable shipping plans. Factors such as cost, shipping time, and other preferences are taken into account. This helps businesses optimize their choices based on specific requirements for each shipment.

4. Label and invoice export: To simplify documentation, the delivery management software supports the export of shipping labels and invoices. Users can customize the information displayed on labels, tailoring them to meet their unique needs. This feature ensures that necessary details are included while allowing for flexibility in presenting information.

5. Order tracking: Real-time tracking is a key feature of shipping management software. Businesses can monitor the status and progress of their orders as they move through the shipping process. The software provides a consolidated view of bills of lading from multiple shipping units, enhancing visibility and control over the entire shipping operation. This is how shipping management software operates:

Free versions of best shipping software for small business

Making use of free versions of shipping management software before making a purchase is advantageous for several reasons. It serves as a trial period, allowing you to assess features, test compatibility, and evaluate the user experience.

Comparing the best free shipping software helps in understanding scalability, costs and the level of customer support. Additionally, exploring customization options ensures that the chosen software aligns with specific business needs, providing valuable insights before committing to a paid version. We’ll be considering the most basic factors of every shipping management software:

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Shippo Free Starter

Shippo is a shipping management software designed to provide shipping solutions for small businesses to optimize their operations. It seamlessly integrates with popular ecommerce platforms such as Shopify and Etsy, assisting shop owners in tasks like printing labels and tracking shipments. Founded in 2013, Shippo serves over 35,000 brands and facilitates more than 100 million annual shipments.

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Monthly shipments: unlimited.
Users: 1.
Free duration: 30 days.
Carriers management: 85+ global carriers; unlimited carrier accounts (charged labels when connecting with personal carrier accounts); global discounts, multi-carrier rate comparison and integrations.
Delivery tracking: paid API access; limited cost reporting; basic shipments tracking.
Order management (OM): not currently offering OM features but available to integrate with your order management system.
Labels generation: maybe impossible to predict how much labels charge; no label fee with default carriers.
Inventory management: N/A.

Pros	Cons
Simple and intuitive user interface Users can reduce shipping costs through various discounts Reported as effective tools for managing multiple channels Essential features to perform management including order tracking, shipping label generation, and integration with platforms, etc.	Limited monthly shipments Additional charges for label generation Limited access to customer service and technical support Limited features and functionalities Limited support for peripheral hardware and automation rules No inventory management support

Ship4P Free Usage

Ship4P is a free shipping management software developed by IChiba Global that assists online business shipping by connecting with both domestic and international carriers through a single platform. It offers a holistic supply chain solution that enables the fulfillment of global orders originating from various countries, including Japan, the US, China, Korea, Vietnam, and more, to meet customer expectations.

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Monthly shipments: unlimited shipments and free labels.
Users: unlimited.
Free duration: unlimited.
Carriers management: 100+ global carriers; unlimited carrier accounts; cost-effective multi-carrier management and integrations.
Delivery tracking: unlimited API integration; cost reporting; up-to-date tracking dashboard.
Order management (OMS): built-in OMS in their ecosystem or you can integrate with your order management system.
Labels generation: free for default and customization demands.
Inventory management: available integration with OMS, WMS to manage inventory.

Pros	Cons
Users can use its own OMS or integrate with other ecommerce tools One of the best shipping management software across Asia Automatic order synchronization Accurate reconciliation to maintain cost-efficiency and financial management Integration with diverse shipping APIs for effortless connectivity with carriers	Not yet widely developed in Europe, most suitable for Asia Not yet developed for usage as a mobile application Longer learning curve for newbies or small businesses to get used to the software

AfterShip Free Trial

AfterShip is quickly becoming one of the leading players in the multi carrier shipping software industry, and major brands like Expedia and Macy’s are using its products. This is a delivery management software that helps online businesses automate their shipping process. It connects to your ecommerce platform and provides real-time tracking information for orders, with a range of other features like automated shipping labels, email notifications, or package tracking.

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Monthly shipments: unlimited.
Users: charged if adding members.
Free duration: 7 days.
Carriers management: 90+ carriers support; USPS discounts; unlimited carrier accounts and integrations.
Delivery tracking: no APIs and advanced features; standard tracking visibility in a dashboard; data retention for 120 days.
Order management (OM): built-in OMS dashboard with basic features.
Labels generation: free 10 labels/month.
Inventory management: N/A.

Pros	Cons
Simple and intuitive user interface Integrated tracking dashboard Great carriers network and management	Limited label generation & shipment volume Bugs and lags reported in label creation Limited features and functionalities Reported delayed tracking process

Easyship Free Trial

Easyship is a Hong Kong-based courier management software founded in 2015 that caters to the diverse needs of ecommerce businesses. It provides a one-stop solution for businesses to manage their shipping processes efficiently. The platform offers a range of shipping solutions, from comparing courier rates and generating shipping labels to tracking shipments and managing customs documentation.

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Monthly shipments: 50 orders.
Users: 1.
Free duration: 15 days.
Carriers management: 250+ carriers support; shipping discounts; unlimited carrier accounts (charged labels when connecting with personal carrier accounts).
Delivery tracking: basic pickups status tracking and analytics.
Order management (OM): built-in product listing dashboard with basic features.
Labels generation: limited but N/A information.
Inventory management: N/A.

Pros	Cons
Free forever option Access to fulfillment partners User-friendly interface Specially discounted shipping rates Real-time rates calculator	Limited shipments volume Restricted service coverage Necessitates separate accounts for each operational country

Pirate Ship Free Usage

Pirate Ship is a delivery management software that offers free shipping solutions primarily targeted at small businesses and ecommerce merchants. It was founded in 2014 and provides users with a user-friendly platform to create shipping labels, calculate shipping rates, and manage their shipping processes efficiently. Although it is limited by carrier support, Pirate Ship can be the best shipping software for small business and individuals.

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Monthly shipments: unlimited.
Users: unlimited.
Free duration: unlimited.
Carriers management: mainly support UPS and USPS; UPS and USPS discounts; carrier rates prediction.
Delivery tracking: basic shipment tracking and analytics.
Order management (OM): no built-in features.
Labels generation: free generated however charged based on different services.
Inventory management: N/A.

Pros	Cons
Access to substantial UPS and USPS shipping discounts for individuals and small businesses. User-friendly website Pirate-themed branding and helpful customer service	Limited carriers network Not ideal for every niche, especially for specialized needs. Bulk shipping may be challenging, with occasional issues for high-volume shipments May not offer the best rates for large corporations Limited to shipping from the United States, and may not be the most cost-effective for international shipments.

Tips to reduce shipping management costs

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Weigh and optimize package dimensions for cost-effective shipping

To save on shipping costs, consider weighing your packages accurately and optimizing their dimensions. Avoid using oversized boxes for lightweight items, as this increases dimensional weight and leads to higher shipping costs. Create custom packaging, utilize ‘ships in own container’ (SIOC) packaging, and reuse old boxes to minimize costs.

Source discounted packing supplies in bulk for savings

Explore discounted supplies offered by shipping companies like USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Take advantage of free or discounted packing supplies, such as boxes, dunnage, bubble wrap, and poly mailers. Purchasing these supplies in bulk can further reduce costs.

Negotiate reduced shipping rates based on your shipping volume

Negotiate discounted shipping rates based on your shipping volume. Most shipping companies offer volume discounts, and negotiating lower rates can result in significant savings. Ecommerce store owners should actively seek lower shipping costs without compromising service quality.

Check for special offers on your selling platforms or marketplaces

Check for bulk discount shipping services or programs from your ecommerce platform or marketplace. These services may provide real-time carrier rates, shipping apps, and integrations with fulfillment software, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.

Consider third-party insurance for cost-effective coverage

Consider third-party package insurers for shipping insurance, especially for high-value items. Third-party insurers often offer more affordable rates compared to shipping carriers, providing cost savings while ensuring protection.

Utilize prepaid shipping options for upfront savings

Opt for prepaid shipping to receive up to 20% off shipping costs from carriers like UPS and FedEx. Purchasing a certain number of shipping labels upfront allows you to benefit from discounts and saves both costs and time.

Opt for poly mailers for small items to reduce costs

Switch from boxes to poly mailers for small, non-fragile products like clothing. Poly mailers are more cost-effective, occupy less space on delivery trucks, and require fewer packing supplies, resulting in overall savings.

Stay updated on shipping carriers' pricing changes and surcharges

Stay informed about shipping carriers' pricing changes, including annual rate increases and surcharges. Understand the impact on your shipping costs and adjust pricing strategies accordingly to manage these changes effectively.

Encourage early customer orders to avoid expedited shipping costs

Encourage customers to place orders early during peak seasons or high-volume periods. Communicate cutoff dates to ensure timely delivery and help customers avoid additional costs for expedited shipping. Stay informed about carrier cutoffs, inventory receiving cutoffs, and any logistics company's holiday schedule to manage expectations effectively.

Wrap up: Should you use a free delivery management software version?

In certain cases, the most effective strategy to minimize shipping expenses is to make use of a shipping management software by an experienced SaaS company. Shipping and handling constitute inevitable logistical expenses in the operation of an ecommerce business. Employing an effective strategy is crucial in mitigating shipping costs, thereby fostering the growth of your business.

Ship4P presents as the best free shipping software in Asia with a wide range of ecommerce services. They include order management, inventory management and warehousing, API integration, and more, empowering merchants to compete with larger competitors.

Seamlessly integrate with multiple carriers, simplifying carrier management.
Automatically synchronize and update order information for efficient shipping.
Monitor shipment status and location with real-time tracking and tracing capabilities.
Tailor shipment management to specific business needs with flexible options.
Ensure cost-efficiency and financial control through accurate and swift reconciliation.
Connect with various shipping APIs for seamless carrier connectivity.
Access real-time reports and analytics for insights into online business shipping operations.

By selecting the appropriate courier management software based on predefined criteria, you can guarantee timely and cost-effective deliveries. Ship4P improves the speed and convenience of shipping operations by enabling in-house production of shipping labels. To experience the time and cost-saving advantages of this multi carrier shipping software, book a free demo and instantly connect your store to our network of available carriers.

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