Countdown to peak: 6 quick tips for shipping success

The end of the year is fast approaching, and for retailers, that means one thing: peak season. As online shopping continues to surge, it's essential for retailers to ensure their shipping and order fulfilment processes are not only efficient but also capable of handling the increased demand.

But for any retailer using Starshipit, peak doesn't have to be stressful. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your online business journey, mastering Starshipit is a game-changer for managing peak season. In this blog, we're going to take you through the steps to set up Starshipit for peak season success.

Peak season really can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's a golden opportunity to boost your sales and revenue. On the other, it can lead to logistical nightmares if you're not adequately prepared. But don't worry – we've got you covered.

Let's dive in!

In this article

• Tip #1: Set up Starshipit to match your dispatch process with views and tags.
• Tip #2: Collect the right items for packing, every time.
• Tip #3: Customise your columns in the orders grid to save time.
• Tip #4: Use the Product Catalogue to store products in Starshipit.
• Tip #5: Invite team members into your Starshipit account.
• Tip #6: Print SKUs on shipping labels to fulfill orders more efficiently.

Tip #1

Set up Starshipit to match your dispatch process with views and tags

Do you need to dispatch your orders in a specific sequence? Maybe you have a DHL delivery driver who comes at 10am, and an AusPost driver at 1pm? Or you want to process your high value orders first?

Create and save views in Starshipit so you can quickly load the orders you need – and switch between them.

Get started with this tip

• From the Starshipit dashboard, click Filter orders and apply a filter criteria.
• Click Save as view.
• Review your chosen criteria, write a name for the view and click Save.
• You’ll be able to find your new view under the Select view dropdown at the top of the Orders grid.

Is the option you’d like to filter by not there in the presets? Try tags. For example:

• Go to Settings > Rules
• Create a new rule:
  • For example: If your order value is over $500, assign tag High Value
  • Now, filter your order grid for orders with the tag High Value and save this so you can easily view your VIP orders.

It’s as easy as that!

Tip #2

Collect the right items for packing, every time

Do you ever accidentally send out the wrong item? Or worse, forget to pack something in the order? Making just one mistake can be both expensive to correct as well as damaging to your brand.

Use Starshipit’s packing validation to ensure everything is correctly packed into your order, before generating a label.

Get started with this tip

• Print out your picking slip and collect your items from the warehouse.
• Open Packing Validation in Starshipit and enter your order number.
• Scan your product barcode number (or the SKU manually) to check whether a product belongs in an order.
• If the product is meant to be included, Starshipit marks it as 'packed' and flags items that aren't meant to be there.

That’s all there is to it!

Handy tip: Try packing validation + with scan to select packaging to minimise clicks and ensure the package dimensions are declared correctly.

Tip #3

Customise your columns in the orders grid to save time

Did you know you can set up Starshipit’s orders grid in a way that works for you? This can save you time while picking and packing.

• Add optional columns, hide columns and rearrange your columns to fit your workflow.
• Only ship domestically? Hide the country.
• Want to see your largest orders first? Enable the quantity field.
• Want to see high value orders? Add the item value field.
• Ship a lot of B2B orders? Move the company field to the front to view them easily.

Get started with this tip

To start, just click the settings cog at the top right of the orders grid and choose which columns to display.

You’re now good to go! Best of all – Your preferred changes will be saved as defaults for that computer every time you log in.

Every computer will possess its own unique settings, allowing you and your team to uphold personalized configurations that perfectly match your goals, whether it's tracking order progress or picking and packing.

Handy tip: You can also make direct edits to orders from several columns in the orders grid, including receiver address, SKU and packaging dimensions.

Tip #4

Use the Product Catalogue to store products in Starshipit

Did you know you can streamline your packing process in Starshipit with our Product Catalogue? Use it to effortlessly manage all your products along with the key information – like bin locations, barcodes, HS codes, and more.

When you import orders, our Starshipit scans for matching SKUs in the catalogue and intelligently fills in any gaps. When it's time to pick and pack, your orders will be perfectly set up with all the right item details, ready for seamless processing.

Get started with this tip

• Log in to your Starshipit account.
• Navigate to Settings.
• Choose Product Catalogue from the left menu.
• Select Download the CSV template.
• Populate the CSV with your products.
• Upload the CSV.
• Once satisfied, enable the Product Catalogue—we'll handle the rest.

Handy tip: Only include the product attributes you want to autofill. Just need bin locations? Create a file with SKUs and bin locations for effortless setup.

Tip #5

Invite team members into your Starshipit account

With user accounts, you can invite team members into your Starshipit account, complete with tailor-made permissions. This means you can fine-tune what users can access, enabling seamless – and secure – teamwork.

Get started with this tip

• From the Starshipit dashboard, go to Settings > Users
• Click Invite a new user and input their email address.
• Then, define which areas of Starshipit your user can access, ranging from No access to Full.
• Click Save to confirm and Starshipit will send an invitation out via email.
• Once they accept, that’s all you need to do.

Handy tip: You can also just as easily edit user permissions and revoke their access if required.

Tip #6

Print SKUs on shipping labels to fulfill orders more efficiently

Print SKUs on your shipping labels so you can fulfill your orders more efficiently without the need for separate packing slips.

You’ll save time – and paper!

Get started with this tip

• Go to Settings > Couriers > [Courier Name] > Advanced.
• Tick Enable SKUs on labels.
• All your new orders will include the SKUs on the label to help you pick and pack!

Handy tip: SKUs on labels is only supported for Australia Post, DHL, Border Express, Seko, MyFastway, Couriers Please and MyToll.

Wrap up

Preparing for peak season with Starshipit is not just about meeting the demands of the busiest time of the year; it's about exceeding expectations and delighting your customers.

With the right shipping setup and strategies in place, you can turn what might otherwise be a logistical challenge into a golden opportunity for growth.

As you gear up for the approaching peak season, take the time to fine-tune your operations with the insights and tips shared here. With Starshipit as your shipping and fulfillment ally, you'll be well-equipped to not only survive the rush but thrive. So, go ahead and implement these strategies, monitor your progress, and make the most out of Starshipit's capabilities. Here's to a successful and profitable peak season for your eCommerce business!