For retailers selling online via an ecommerce platform, the plugins they choose determine what kind of experience the customer gets. eDelivery looks at some of the top Shopify apps for differentiating on the last mile.
1. Gophr
Claiming to be “super simple” to install, Gophr offers same-day delivery in the UK along with tracking.
Its key feature is the ability to calculate real-time pricing for a delivery and then quote that cost to the customer at checkout. The option is offered as a click-through page when ordering the product.
Sellers can merge different jobs in order to optimise routes and generate better prices, as well as receive real-time information from couriers through GPS tracking.
2. Delivery Date Range
This plug-in allows retailers to show an estimated delivery date range on the product page.
The retailer can customise the content and design of the messaging and combine it with a countdown clock to prompt them to buy.
Delivery Date Range claims that this approach has three benefits: building trust, preventing upset customers and keeping customers on product pages.
The app is priced at $4.99 per month with a seven-day free trial.
3. UK Click & Collect
Created by HubBox, this allows merchants to offer the choice of over 4000 localised click and collect services across the UK.
Merchants can manage their click and collect parcel flow through a dedicated admin portal. HubBox ties in with any couriers.
The solution is used by retailers including Boohoo, Jack Wills, Manière de Voir, Lavish Alice and Skinnydip.
The app is priced at $99 per month, which includes the software and technical support.
4. DPD Integration
One of the UK’s biggest suppliers of carrier services offers a dedicated app to customers specifically for managing shipments.
The plug-in removes the need for merchants to manually fill in forms on DPD’s website. Users can set the app to automatically create a shipment each time a customer orders a product fulfilled by DPD or do so manually with a single click.
DPD offers several plans, including a free one allowing up to 30 shipments per month.
5. AfterShip
AfterShip allows merchants to visualise their shipments in progress, including information such as courier and expected delivery date.
Once a delivery is completed the merchant can see all the relevant information such as when and where a product was delivered and the receipt signatory.
It also provides a dashboard for analytics about the number of shipments, delivery and returns rate.
The product offers a 14-day free trial. Packages range from free installation with $0.50 per shipment up to $99 per month for 2000 shipments.
All packages include a branded tracking page with a banner and the ability to CSV export data, while paid packages include email and SMS notifications.
Image credit: Shopify
