Setting up shipping rates in an online store

When setting up shipping in an online store, a merchant considers multiple factors: number of shipping carriers to offer, whether international or only local service should be provided, storage locations, etc.

Online merchants like to provide a number of options for their customers to choose from. Major shipping companies offer variety of services (expedite, international, ground, etc.) They also offer shipping quotes – an estimation of shipping charges, which is especially valuable in e-commerce business. Estimation is based on a formula, which takes into account different shipping factors (sender and delivery addresses, order weight and dimensions, etc.), though it can still differ from the actual shipping total. Rate quotes are provided to customers. Based on available options they can make a choice about shipping services.

Shop-Script shopping cart software is integrated with major shipping carriers: UPS, USPS, FedEx, DHL. An account with a shipping carrier allows a store administrator to set up a corresponding shipping module. A merchant can also set up an account with InterShipper.com - this company provides real-time shipping quotes with all carriers available in a Shop-Script store. The picture shows settings for FedEx module:

Having shipping modules installed in the store’s backend area, a store administrator can set up shipping methods and associate them with modules. Shipping methods options become available to customers during checkout. When a shipping method is selected, the corresponding module is used to display real-time shipping quotes. Shop-Script does not perform services and rates calculations; it uses associated module to send order, shipping addresses, and account registration information to the carrier. All shipping rates calculations are performed by the carrier based on data provided. Services and rates are sent back to Shop-Script and are displayed in the frontend. The picture below shows services available after shipping rates calculations was performed by FedEx:

Please note that in order for real-time shipping quotes to be available in a Shop-Script store, it should satisfy system requirements.