Getting Accurate Shipping Rates

shipping ratesIf you own an ecommerce store and provide real time shipping rates you have likely encountered a long list of issues with returning accurate rates. If you have not, Bravo good sir or madam! You are the exception. Having real-time shipping rates on your online store is a must these days. People have to know how much they are paying for shipping. If you’re one of the ubiquitous free shippers out there then you have successfully circumvented this conundrum. If not, you likely struggle to find some kind of rhythm to match the rates provided on your website and the rates you actually pay when you ship the product.

A difference in carriers and characters.

We find the most with UPS. They seem to not be able to get it together and match their online rates to their Worldship desktop module or their web interface. Almost without fail we have to significantly adjust their returned rates to have them at least be close to what is actually coming out of the owners pocket for shipping costs.

How Frustrating

Their customer support on this issue is nonexistent. Fedex seems to do a much better job at returning real time rates and having them match their given rates once you actually ship. We have had virtually zero problems with their API (an API is a set of code that communicates with the Fedex servers to get those real time rates). USPS and DHL are about the same. Not quite as easy to set up as Fedex but they return accurate rates for the most part. USPS makes things super easy if you’re selling media that can be shipped in their flat rate boxes. Pretty simple and you don’t need to connect to their server to know the price.

More Web Design Blog Content

The Low Down on Net Neutrality

What they heck is it? Most people don’t know it past the slogan .. and that’s what it is, a slogan. Net neutrality does not mean ‘left alone”, there’s nothing laissez faire about it. It does mean oversight, more oversight of the Internet than currently exists. The advocating

TOP 3 PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS AND WHY THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT

Whether you are a Freelancer or a small business owner, you know the importance of an accurate project management, here are 3 of the best project management tools that can help you achieve your goals. 1.- Teamwork Projects Teamwork Projects is a cloud-based project management solution it allows you

Project Gutenburg

Every heard of it? If not, make sure to check it out. They have tons of books online, free for anybody. Our favorite? A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/86 Got a smartphone? Just download a free e-reader and you’re all set. Download the

Why Website Speed Matters More Than Ever in 2024

In today’s fast-paced digital world, website speed is crucial. Users expect instant access to information, and a slow website can significantly impact your business. Here’s why website speed matters more than ever in 2024 and how you can improve it. The Importance of Website Speed User Experience When

Not All Backlinks Are Created Equal

Improving SEO Results with Link Building. Still trying to get higher SERP (Search Engine Results Page) placement? After months of trying is your company no higher on Google or Bing than before you concentrated on SEO keywords? The lack of results from your efforts may leave you confused