There are several different options for shipping when you use WooCommerce to build your store. You can use the default options of WooCommerce such as flat rate, free shipping, etc., or use an advanced shipping method like table rate shipping. An important requirement of many online stores is the integration of popular shipping carriers.
When you have a single vendor store, there are very few hardships when it comes to shipping procedures. But when multiple vendors come into the picture, it needs external support to make sure that all the shipments are met. And, you may be already familiar with some of the popular plugins for shipping carrier integration. But, how will you integrate popular shipping carriers into a multi vendor store?
In this article, we will tell you how, and also help you familiarize yourself with the best WooCommerce multi vendor shipping plugins.
What are Multi Vendor Shipping Plugins?
Multi vendor shipping is a term used when customers are getting products from two or more different locations from one e-commerce platform. Multi vendor shipping becomes a success if shipping methods and shipping rates are managed well. To help with this, there is a need to integrate good multi vendor shipping plugins.
Now, there are many multi vendor plugins but to get it integrated with your WooCommerce store, you might require the help of an add-on like WooCommerce Multi-Vendor Support for ELEX Shipping Plugins add-on.
To know more, here’s an ultimate guide to building a multi vendor website marketplace.
Benefits of having Multi Vendor Shipping Plugin Integrations
When you have different vendors lined up on your ecommerce website, you need the help of good multi vendor shipping plugins. Here’s why you should get yourself a multi vendor shipping plugin:
- Improved Efficiency: When there are many vendors listed on your ecommerce site, it can be chaos to manage their shipping needs. With a good multi vendor shipping plugin, everything can be integrated in one place.
- Better Customer Experience: As customers purchase from different vendors, the last thing they need is confusion concerning the shipping charges. These plugins with the necessary add-ons like WooCommerce Multi-Vendor Support for ELEX Shipping Plugins add-on can make the job easier for the customers.
- Scalability: The multi vendor shipping plugins can help accommodate more vendors as you grow hence bringing support for the expansion.
- Centralized Management: With the multi vendor shipping plugins in place, there is a lot more control over the shipping processes.
How to set up real-time shipping rates on a multi-vendor store?
Before getting into the features of the plugin, we can take a look at how you can set up shipping on a multi vendor store.
For example, we will talk about setting up real-time rates using Dokan and ELEX EasyPost Shipping plugin.
You can install and activate Dokan to create multiple vendors and products in your store. With the default WooCommerce settings, you can set up flat rates with the same sender address. Or, you can enable Dokan shipping and set up individual flat rates for each vendor.
Example Scenario
Now, if you want to set up real-time rates of popular shipping carriers on your store, you need to install a shipping integration plugin. For this example, we will install the ELEX EasyPost Shipping plugin. You will be able to integrate FedEx, UPS, USPS, and Canada Post shipping services and rates using this plugin. In addition, you will have to install WooCommerce Multi-Vendor Support for the ELEX Shipping Plugins add-on as well. All these plugins together will provide you with the capability to offer vendor-specific real-time shipping rates of popular carriers.
We will explain the process step by step.
Step 1 – Install and activate the Dokan Multivendor plugin
Step 2 – Create vendors and allow them to sell their products in your marketplace
Step 3 – Install and configure the ELEX EasyPost shipping plugin
After activating the plugin, you have to enable real-time rates and enter the API Key for your EasyPost account.
You have to also enter the sender’s address details under the Rates and Services tab.
Once the EasyPost plugin is correctly configured, you will be able to display rates and services of popular carriers based on the base store location. Please note, that this will be based on your WooCommerce store’s location that you enter, and not based on individual vendor’s location.
Step 4 – Install and activate WooCommerce Multi-Vendor Support for ELEX Shipping Plugins add-on
Once you install and activate the ELEX Multi Vendor Add-on, real-time rates of shipping carriers will be displayed on the store specific to the address of each vendor.
How to allow vendors to use their shipping carrier accounts?
Sometimes, you may want to offer vendors to use their carrier accounts to manage shipping. This is also possible with the same combination of plugins. Let’s see how:
First, enable the option to allow vendors to use their API keys.
Now, they will be able to enter their API keys at the specified field in their vendor profiles.
5 Best WooCommerce Multi Vendor Shipping Plugins
Now, let us look at the features and capabilities of some of the popular WooCommerce multi vendor shipping plugins. These plugins help you integrate real-time rates of several popular shipping carriers.
ELEX EasyPost (FedEx, UPS, Canada Post & USPS) Shipping & Label Printing Plugin for WooCommerce
The ELEX EasyPost Shipping plugin lets you integrate rates and services of popular shipping carriers such as FedEx, UPS, Canada Post, and USPS. You will be able to display real-time rates, print labels, and provide tracking information to customers using this plugin.
With the help of the ELEX WooCommerce Multi Vendor Support Add-On, you will be able to integrate the shipping carriers into a multi-vendor environment as well. On your multi-vendor marketplace, you will be able to display rates specific to each vendor. Moreover, it will help to print shipping labels with the address of the specific vendor.
Thanks to the add-on, the plugin will be compatible with different multi vendor plugins such as Dokan, WooCommerce Product Vendors, and WC Vendors.
ELEX WooCommerce DHL Express / eCommerce / Paket Shipping Plugin with Print Label
You can integrate different DHL services into your WooCommerce store with the help of this plugin. The plugin offers the services of DHL Express, DHL Paket, and DHL eCommerce. You can print DHL shipping labels and return labels. It also offers options for parcel packing and helps you provide shipment tracking information to customers. You can use the ELEX WooCommerce Multi Vendor Support Add-On to make it compatible with various multi vendor plugins. It can be used in marketplaces created by Dokan, WooCommerce Product Vendors, or WC Vendors.
WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin with Print Label
This is a popular plugin that will help you integrate FedEx shipping services into your WooCommerce store. You can display different domestic and international FedEx services and rates using this plugin. In addition, it will help you print FedEx shipping labels and also provide tracking information to customers.
The plugin offers an option to automate FedEx shipping in your multi vendor marketplace too. With the help of WooCommerce Multi Vendor Shipping Add-on, you will be able to use it in different multi vendor environments. You can use this plugin along with Dokan, WCFM, WooCommerce Product Vendors, or WC Vendors.
WooCommerce UPS Shipping Plugin with Print Label
If you wish to completely automate UPS shipping on your WooCommerce store, this plugin could be a great choice. It offers options to display UPS rates on cart and checkout pages as well as to print labels automatically. Moreover, the plugin offers options for parcel packing and to provide tracking codes to customers.
With the plugin, you can integrate UPS services in a multivendor marketplace created by popular plugins. You will have to use the WooCommerce Multi Vendor Shipping Add-on to make it compatible with Dokan, WCFM, WooCommerce Product Vendors, or WC Vendors.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce
If you are looking for an option to integrate multiple shipping carriers into your WooCommerce store, you can consider this one. It can integrate shipping services of popular carriers such as FedEx, UPS, UPS and DHL Express. In addition, it will help you configure flat rates and free shipping methods based on different parameters. The plugin is compatible with popular multi vendor plugins such as Dokan and WooCommerce Product Vendors. You need to install the WooCommerce Multi Vendor Shipping Add-on to integrate the plugin with multi vendor solutions.
ReachShip WooCommerce Multi-Carrier Shipping Plugin
The best solution for a simplified shipping process. This plugin is the right option to add to your multi vendor marketplace mix but also provides the blend of all prominent shipping carriers. You can generate shipments, tracking IDs, multiple packaging options, etc. Choose ReachShip to get all your multi vendor shipping needs dealt with under one platform.
Final Wrap
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how you can integrate shipping carrier services into your multi vendor marketplace. These plugins will help you set up shipping carrier integration and you can display rates and services based on the address of individual vendors. If you have a query, leave us a comment below.
Check the video to detailing how to configure multi vendor shipping plugins:
FAQs
- What is multi-vendor shipping?
When there are multiple vendors listed on your ecommerce site, then you will have to serve your customers goods from different locations. To get this process smooth, you will require a good shipping plugin blended with multi vendor add-ons.
- What is the difference between a single vendor and multi vendor?
As the name suggests, a single vendor means you are dealing with a single supplier. You will have different suppliers catering to you from different locations when it comes to multi vendors.
- What is a good example of a multi-vendor website?
Amazon is the best example for a multi vendor website.
- What are the two disadvantages of having a multi vendor website?
Two of the main disadvantages of having a multi-vendor website are lower product quality and brand dilation.
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