Order shipment tracking notifications to customers

Purpose

1.1. Enable automated, real-time shipment tracking notifications to inform antique store customers of order status, tracking numbers, delivery timelines, and updates via their preferred channels.
1.2. Reduce support overhead, increase transparency, minimize WISMO (“Where Is My Order?”) inquiries, and enhance customer experience by proactive communication.
1.3. Automatically pull shipment updates from shipping carriers and trigger notifications at key milestones: order shipped, out for delivery, delivered, delayed, or failed delivery attempts.
1.4. Support multi-channel notifications (email, SMS, WhatsApp, push notifications, chatbots) to accommodate customer communication preferences.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Carrier status updates via API/webhook: e.g., status change to “shipped” or “delivered.”
2.2. Order fulfillment in-store POS or eCommerce system (e.g., WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento).
2.3. Scheduled milestone reminders based on estimated delivery window.
2.4. Manual status override by store staff in the OMS (Order Management System).
2.5. Detection of failed or delayed delivery from carrier feed.

Platform variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Use Programmable SMS API; configure SMS trigger on shipment status update event.
• Sample: Integration with /Messages endpoint to send real-time tracking links.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Send transactional email via Mail Send API when order ships; dynamic template with tracking details.
• Sample: Use /mail/send for triggered shipment emails.
3.3. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Configure stored email template and trigger via Messages API for shipment notifications.
• Sample: POST to /messages with order data.
3.4. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Use customer opt-in conversation with ‘Order Update’ templates; send tracking updates via /messages endpoint.
• Sample: POST to /v1/messages with shipment info.
3.5. Facebook Messenger
• Feature/Setting: Messenger Bot Webhook listens for order status change; send automated message using Send API.
• Sample: Call /me/messages with tracking update.
3.6. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Send internal notifications to sales/support using Incoming Webhooks, notify channel on shipment events.
• Sample: POST to /services/{webhook_id}
3.7. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Workflow automation triggers shipment email via Workflow tool or Marketing Email API.
• Sample: POST to /marketing/v3/transactional/single-send-email
3.8. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: Use Shopify Flow to trigger Notification API or set up webhook for fulfillment event.
• Sample: POST to /admin/api/xxx/fulfillments.json
3.9. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Create Zaps to watch carrier status change and trigger shipment notification actions across apps.
• Sample: Use “Webhooks by Zapier” and “Email” actions.
3.10. Klaviyo
• Feature/Setting: Flow automations triggered by order status in eCommerce integration; sends shipment notification emails.
• Sample: Configure flow trigger on Fulfillment Update event.
3.11. Magento
• Feature/Setting: Set up Order Shipment Email in Sales > Sales Emails; trigger sends transactional email on shipment.
• Sample: Enable shipment email in admin config.
3.12. WooCommerce
• Feature/Setting: Use WC_Email_Customer_Shipped_Notification hook to trigger email with tracking links; plugin API for SMS.
• Sample: Hook to woocommerce_order_status_completed.
3.13. ShipStation
• Feature/Setting: Automate Branded Tracking Page & Send Shipment Notifications with carrier/tracking info.
• Sample: Enable auto-notify in Store settings.
3.14. EasyPost
• Feature/Setting: Webhook for tracking status changes; trigger external notifications via /trackers API.
• Sample: Setup webhook URL in dashboard.
3.15. AfterShip
• Feature/Setting: Use shipment tracking webhook/events; automate multi-channel notifications via Notification API.
• Sample: Configure /notifications endpoint on event.
3.16. Google Chat
• Feature/Setting: Use Incoming Webhook or App Script to deliver shipment status notifications to staff groups.
• Sample: POST JSON to webhook URL with message.
3.17. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Use API or autoresponder to deliver shipment updates via chat/messenger.
• Sample: POST to /messages with tracking info.
3.18. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Use Incoming Webhook to send shipment update notifications to order fulfillment channels.
• Sample: POST message payload to webhook URL.
3.19. Customer.io
• Feature/Setting: Trigger transactional shipment emails from API using event trigger.
• Sample: POST to /api/v1/customers/{id}/events
3.20. Plivo
• Feature/Setting: Use SMS API to notify customer of order shipment and status, triggered via API call.
• Sample: POST to /v1/Account/{auth_id}/Message/
3.21. MessageBird
• Feature/Setting: Multichannel flow builder to automate SMS/WhatsApp notifications on tracking status.
• Sample: Configure flow trigger for tracking updates.
3.22. Pushwoosh
• Feature/Setting: App push notification API, triggered for order tracking events when customer has app installed.
• Sample: POST to /createMessage for mobile updates.

Benefits

4.1. Delivers timely, accurate notifications improving customer satisfaction and trust.
4.2. Reduces manual outreach for status updates, saving staff time and minimizing WISMO contacts.
4.3. Supports regulatory compliance and transparent communication with digital audit trails.
4.4. Enables multi-channel engagement, catering to customer messaging preferences.
4.5. Differentiates the antique store with modern, proactive post-sale service in a traditional retail vertical.