Amazon Shipping BLOG
The benefits of using
a shipping API
Shipping APIs allow you to streamline and automate the shipping process.
But what are they and how do you get started?
But what are they and how do you get started?
Using a shipping API with your online store allows you to integrate delivery services, order management, and delivery management systems into your existing platform. Amazon Shipping partners with a range of shipping API providers - check these out here.
But what exactly is an API? And how do you integrate a shipping API into your website? Read on for a guide to getting started.
But what exactly is an API? And how do you integrate a shipping API into your website? Read on for a guide to getting started.
What is a shipping API?
Shipping APIs allow you to calculate shipping rates, print labels, track packages, and schedule deliveries—all without having to switch between multiple applications for each task, for more scalable order fulfilment.
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It’s a piece of software that acts as an integrator between two or more applications, allowing them to communicate with each other.
APIs in shipping are designed to allow sellers to link their online store with order and carrier management systems such as Metapack, Linnworks, and Veeqo. As well as streamlining and speeding up the shipping process, it allows advanced shipping functionalities and easy automation.
A shipping API works behind the scenes of the existing platform you’re using. It pulls data from an external server, translates it into a format that works for the platform you’re using, then displays it in your platform.
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It’s a piece of software that acts as an integrator between two or more applications, allowing them to communicate with each other.
APIs in shipping are designed to allow sellers to link their online store with order and carrier management systems such as Metapack, Linnworks, and Veeqo. As well as streamlining and speeding up the shipping process, it allows advanced shipping functionalities and easy automation.
A shipping API works behind the scenes of the existing platform you’re using. It pulls data from an external server, translates it into a format that works for the platform you’re using, then displays it in your platform.
What are the benefits of using a shipping API?
Shipping APIs enable you to run your business more efficiently and to move faster to meet demand. Some of the main benefits include:
- Save time from order to delivery
Using an API to fulfil orders automates manual tasks – like buying and printing shipping labels – freeing up your time to focus elsewhere and enabling faster fulfilment. - Reduce costs on shipping options
Automated selection of the best value shipping option for your parcel’s size, speed, and destination all add up to cost savings for your business. - Scale up as your business grows
Because APIs directly connect you with shipping service providers, they enable more scalable order fulfilment and can grow alongside your business. - Track, pause, and cancel shipments
Using an API enables real-time shipment tracking, so you can follow orders across the shipment journey and pause or cancel shipments. - Less room for human error
The chance of human error is reduced by using a shipping API. The shipping API does the hard work for you, so you can get your orders out more smoothly.
What’s the best shipping API for my business?
Each shipping API has its own unique function and benefits. A rating API provides you with shipping rates and estimated delivery dates, and a label purchase API allows you to easily purchase labels.
Shipment tracking is one vital function your API should have, especially during busy times of the year such as peak season.
Tracking can help you to follow your products through the delivery process, and keeps your customers in the loop at key stages of the journey. Not only does this reassure customers, it also means less of your company’s time is spent responding to emails and calls chasing deliveries.
Shipment tracking is one vital function your API should have, especially during busy times of the year such as peak season.
Tracking can help you to follow your products through the delivery process, and keeps your customers in the loop at key stages of the journey. Not only does this reassure customers, it also means less of your company’s time is spent responding to emails and calls chasing deliveries.
How to integrate the Amazon Shipping API
Amazon Shipping’s specialised API can be integrated in two ways.
It can either be directly integrated or set up using one of our third-party solution providers, and links with popular order and carrier management systems. Find out more about the shipping integrations we offer here.
By bringing all your shipping capabilities into your existing platform, our Amazon Shipping API can help you to move faster to meet demand. That means more scalable order fulfilment, fewer manual tasks, and the most important outcome of all—a great customer experience.
It can either be directly integrated or set up using one of our third-party solution providers, and links with popular order and carrier management systems. Find out more about the shipping integrations we offer here.
By bringing all your shipping capabilities into your existing platform, our Amazon Shipping API can help you to move faster to meet demand. That means more scalable order fulfilment, fewer manual tasks, and the most important outcome of all—a great customer experience.
How to get started
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