Shipment tracking updates to customers

Purpose

1.1. Ensure customers of an airsoft supply store receive real-time updates about their shipments via preferred communication channels.
1.2. Reduce customer inquiries about order status and enhance transparency throughout the delivery process.
1.3. Synchronize shipment data from carriers and update customers automatically as shipment statuses change.
1.4. Provide proactive notifications for delays, delivery confirmations, and exceptions for a seamless post-purchase experience.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Change in shipment status from carrier API (e.g., package picked up, out for delivery, delivered).
2.2. Manual status update in retailer’s order management system.
2.3. New tracking number entry at checkout initiation.
2.4. Scheduled status checks for pending shipments.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Messaging API; set up SMS workflow to push shipment status text to customer’s phone upon API webhook trigger.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Send Email API; configure transactional email template for shipment notifications triggered by order status update.
3.3. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: Order Fulfillment Webhooks; enable custom webhook for order fulfillment events to push tracking info to customers automatically.
3.4. WooCommerce
• Feature/Setting: REST API/Webhooks; set webhook on order status and tracking fields, trigger notifications via connected mail/SMS platforms.
3.5. ShipStation
• Feature/Setting: Webhook events for shipment status; auto-send notifications on tracking updates by integrating with messaging or email APIs.
3.6. EasyPost
• Feature/Setting: Tracking API; monitor tracking number status and forward each update to customer communication endpoints.
3.7. FedEx API
• Feature/Setting: Track API; configure webhook to fire on every tracking status event and send update to customer through chosen channel.
3.8. UPS API
• Feature/Setting: Tracking API; subscribe to tracking updates, invoke external notification service on status change.
3.9. USPS Web Tools
• Feature/Setting: Track & Confirm API; poll for updates and dispatch notifications to customers on significant status events.
3.10. Klaviyo
• Feature/Setting: Flows/Transactional Messaging; trigger custom flow on shipment status changes imported from eCommerce platform.
3.11. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Messages API; dynamically compose and send emails with tracking progress to contacts as shipment moves.
3.12. Microsoft Power Automate
• Feature/Setting: Scheduled/Trigger Flows; connect order management to email or SMS tasks based on shipment events.
3.13. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Multi-step Zap; trigger Zap on tracking number updates, route status notifications through email/SMS actions.
3.14. Firebase Cloud Messaging
• Feature/Setting: Push Notifications API; send real-time push updates to user mobile apps as new tracking events occur.
3.15. Google Sheets
• Feature/Setting: Scripted triggers; update order status and invoke App Script to notify customers using linked mail/SMS services.
3.16. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Process Builder/Workflow Rules; auto-trigger customer notifications when shipment-related fields are updated in CRM.
3.17. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflows/Automation; trigger emails or SMS via integrations on shipment stage changes in deals or contacts.
3.18. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Custom Bots/Messages; set bot to proactively chat message customer as tracking status is updated.
3.19. Postmark
• Feature/Setting: Transactional Email API; configure templates and endpoints for fast-unified shipment status messaging.
3.20. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Incoming Webhooks; optional internal notification to staff of shipment events via channel message.
3.21. Facebook Messenger
• Feature/Setting: Messenger API; send direct updates to customers who used Messenger for their store interactions.
3.22. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Message endpoint; push out-of-band tracking notifications on critical shipment events.

Benefits

4.1. Enhances customer satisfaction with timely, accurate delivery information.
4.2. Reduces volume of manual support requests regarding order and shipment status.
4.3. Scales to handle high order volumes and peak sales periods effortlessly.
4.4. Builds confidence and repeat business by providing a transparent post-purchase journey.
4.5. Frees staff to handle exceptions and value-add services, rather than routine status requests.