I am new to shopify. I am currently working on my website and almost at the end of giving it the final shape. I am wondering if someone could tell me in layman sense that how does shopify shipping works. I see Canada post as the only carrier in my shipping setting. Since I am just starting from small scale I am okay with it. My confusion is around fulfillment. Once I receive the order from customer, how does it work? Where do I get the package from ? Do I have to buy packaging (boxes) by myself and pack the items or I Just need to print the label? and if I am supposed to do all by myself how do I do? Where do I D So many questions in my head. I went through many videos but I am not able to sort the ideas from them. Please help me understand it in layman sense.
Thanks for posting to the forums, I hope you’re doing well!
The answer to your question depends on your business model. Are you dropshipping, or do you have your own inventory?
If you have your own inventory, you will need to purchase your own boxes/envelopes and pack your orders yourself. You can then purchase the Canada Post labels within your Shopify Admin when you receive an order using Shopify Shipping.
Shopify Shipping will use your address, along with the customer’s address, and the weight and size of the package to calculate a label. This means it’s important to add weights to each of your products. To add your product weights, simply open your products in your Shopify Admin and scroll down to the weight section. If your product has multiple variants you can add the weights by selecting the variants in bulk, then Actions > Add Weight.
Additionally, you will want to add your package dimensions to your Shipping Settings. To complete this, head to Settings > Shipping & Delivery > Add Package.
Next, you’ll want to decide what your shipping strategy is. Do you want to openly charge your customer’s the label cost? Or, do you want to provide free shipping? We always recommend free shipping as this is a great marketing strategy. To recover your costs you will simply increase your products cost to include shipping fees. This allows you to provide the illusion of free shipping.
If you decide to offer free shipping, you can use this guide to set up what we call flat rate shipping, however instead of a price, you will put $0. If, however, you’d like to display the live rates from Canada Post at checkout; you will use this guide.
If you are potentially dropshipping, your setup will be different and would depend on your supplier. If you are dropshipping please let me know and please provide the app you are using. This will allow me to help you further!
Hi,
Thank you for the detailed response. I have my own inventory and am not
willing to do dropshipping for now. I have some more questions regarding
this.
I am reaching out to Arka for the envelopes and boxes, does shopify have
any particular recommendations?
Do I need to purchase the printer or can I just purchase the label and
receive it from Canada Post? I want to have a printer. How do I get the
printer?
In regards to packaging, we have no specific recommendations. As long as your products will be safe and secure you should be good to go! That being said, eco-friendly shipping is all the rage right now. If you have the means to provide this, its a great marketing strategy as well as great for the environment.
When it comes to printing; you can print on plain white paper and attach it to your package with clear packing tape. Or, you can purchase labels off amazon and print via a standard home printer. Lastly, you can also purchase a traditional label printer. We have some great options in the Shopify Hardware Store such as the Dymo LabelWriter!