How to Use Shopify API Plugin for Calculating Accurate LTL Freight Rates

Key Takeaways

• The article is about how to use Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates for your online store, which is a type of shipping method for large or heavy items.
• The content explains what the plugin is, how it works, what are its benefits and features, and how to install and use it for your Shopify store, with examples and screenshots from the internet.

If you run an online store that sells large or heavy items, then you might need to use LTL (less than truckload) freight shipping to deliver your products to your customers. LTL freight shipping is a type of shipping method that allows you to ship goods that are too big or too heavy for parcel services, but not enough to fill a whole truck. LTL freight shipping can help you save money on shipping costs, as you only pay for the space that your shipment occupies in the truck, while sharing the rest of the space with other shippers.

Problem

However, LTL freight shipping also comes with some challenges, such as calculating the accurate shipping rates for your customers, based on various factors such as weight, dimensions, distance, delivery location, and service level. If you use Shopify as your eCommerce platform, then you might be wondering how to integrate LTL freight shipping into your online store and provide your customers with real-time shipping quotes at checkout.

Fortunately, there is a solution for that: Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates. This plugin allows you to connect your Shopify store with your LTL freight carrier account and use their API to fetch and display the shipping rates for your customers. In this article, we will explain what this plugin is, how it works, what are its benefits and features, and how to install and use it for your Shopify store.

Solution: Install and use Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates

Installing and using Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

Step 1: Go to the Shopify App Store and search for the app that you want to use, such as TForce LTL Freight Quotes, FedEx LTL Freight Quotes, or UPS LTL Freight Quotes. Click on the app and then click on the Add app button to install it on your Shopify store.

Step 2: After installing the app, you will be redirected to the app’s dashboard, where you can configure the app settings. You will need to enter your LTL freight carrier account credentials, such as username, password, and API key, to connect your Shopify store with your carrier account. You will also need to enter your origin address, where you ship your products from, and your default product weight and dimensions, if you don’t have them set in your Shopify product settings.

Step 3: Next, you can customize the shipping settings, such as adding handling fees, surcharges, or discounts, and choosing the service levels and delivery options that you want to offer to your customers. You can also set the minimum and maximum weight and dimensions for your products, and define the origin and destination zones for your shipping rates. You can also enable or disable the app for certain products, collections, or customers, and set the app to display the shipping rates as a single rate or as multiple options at checkout.

Step 4: Once you have configured the app settings, you can save them and test the app on your Shopify store. You can go to your online store and add some products to your cart, and then proceed to checkout. You should see the shipping rates and options from your LTL freight carrier displayed on the checkout page, based on the weight, dimensions, and destination of your order. You can also check the app dashboard to see the shipping quotes and orders that are generated by the app.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates:

Question: What is Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates?

Answer: Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates is a third-party app that you can install on your Shopify store to enable LTL freight shipping for your products. This app works by connecting your Shopify store with your LTL freight carrier account, such as UPS, FedEx, or TForce, and using their API to access their shipping rates and services. The app then displays the shipping rates and options to your customers at checkout, based on the weight, dimensions, and destination of their orders. The app also allows you to customize the shipping settings, such as adding handling fees, surcharges, or discounts, and choosing the service levels and delivery options that you want to offer to your customers.

Question: What are the benefits and features of Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates?

Answer: Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates offers several benefits and features for Shopify merchants who want to use LTL freight shipping for their online store. Some of the main benefits and features are:

• Accurate and real-time shipping rates: The app uses the API of your LTL freight carrier to fetch and display the most accurate and up-to-date shipping rates for your customers, based on their order details and location. This way, you can avoid undercharging or overcharging your customers for shipping, and provide them with a transparent and reliable shipping experience.
• Seamless integration with Shopify: The app integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store and checkout, without requiring any coding or technical skills. You can easily install and configure the app from your Shopify admin dashboard, and start using it right away. The app also supports multiple currencies and languages, and works with any Shopify theme or design.
• Customizable shipping settings: The app allows you to customize the shipping settings according to your preferences and business needs. You can add handling fees, surcharges, or discounts to the shipping rates, and choose the service levels and delivery options that you want to offer to your customers, such as residential delivery, liftgate delivery, or hazardous material support. You can also set the minimum and maximum weight and dimensions for your products, and define the origin and destination zones for your shipping rates.
• Support for multiple carriers and locations: The app supports multiple LTL freight carriers, such as UPS, FedEx, or TForce, and allows you to connect your Shopify store with multiple carrier accounts. You can also use the app to ship your products from multiple origin locations, such as warehouses or dropship suppliers, and to multiple destination locations, such as domestic or international markets.
• Improved customer satisfaction and conversion: The app helps you to improve your customer satisfaction and conversion by providing them with accurate and reliable shipping rates and options at checkout. You can also use the app to offer free shipping or discounted shipping to your customers, based on certain conditions, such as order value, weight, or location. This way, you can incentivize your customers to buy more from your store, and increase your average order value and revenue.

Question: How much does the app cost?

Answer: The app has different pricing plans, depending on the number of LTL freight quotes that you need per month. The basic plan starts from $20 per month, and the advanced plan goes up to $40 per month. You can also try the app for free for 14 days before subscribing to a paid plan.

Question: How do I update the shipping rates if they change from my carrier?

Answer: The app automatically updates the shipping rates from your carrier every time a customer requests a quote at checkout. You don’t need to manually update the rates, as the app uses the API of your carrier to fetch the latest rates and services.

Question: How do I handle the shipping labels and tracking information for my LTL freight orders?

Answer: The app does not provide the shipping labels and tracking information for your LTL freight orders. You will need to use your carrier’s website or software to generate the shipping labels and tracking information, and then send them to your customers manually or through another app.

Question: How do I get support for the app?

Answer: The app provides support through email, phone, and chat. You can contact the app developer through the app dashboard, or visit their website for more information and resources.

Summary

Shopify API plugin for calculating accurate LTL freight rates is a useful app for Shopify merchants who want to use LTL freight shipping for their online store. The app allows you to connect your Shopify store with your LTL freight carrier account and use their API to fetch and display the shipping rates and options for your customers at checkout. The app also allows you to customize the shipping settings, such as adding handling fees, surcharges, or discounts, and choosing the service levels and delivery options that you want to offer to your customers. The app integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store and checkout, and supports multiple currencies and languages. The app also supports multiple carriers and locations, and helps you to improve your customer satisfaction and conversion by providing them with accurate and reliable shipping rates and options.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The information and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Shopify or any of its affiliates. The author is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shopify or any of the apps mentioned in this article. The author is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this article, or for any damages or losses arising from the use of this article or any of the apps mentioned in this article. The reader is advised to do their own research and due diligence before using any of the apps mentioned in this article.