For many small and mid-sized businesses, shipping is no longer a back-office task; it’s a core component of customer experience, profitability, and operational efficiency. The right shipping software can reduce errors, accelerate fulfillment, lower carrier costs, and integrate cleanly with your ERP or accounting system. This guide walks small and mid-sized businesses through the key considerations, features, and evaluation criteria to help you choose the right shipping solution for your business.
Why Choosing the Right Shipping Software Matters
Shipping affects every part of your business, sales, warehouse operations, customer satisfaction, and cash flow. The wrong tool creates bottlenecks, manual errors, lost packages, and higher operational costs.
The right shipping software:
- Automates rate shopping and carrier selection
- Reduces manual data entry and errors
- Integrates with ERP systems (Acumatica, Sage 100, SAP Business One, QuickBooks)
- Improves order accuracy and fulfillment speed
- Provides visibility into tracking and delivery performance
- Choosing correctly upfront saves time, money, and frustration.
Key Features to Look For in Modern Shipping Software
Not all shipping platforms are built for small to mid-size businesses (SMBs). Look for features that improve accuracy, reduce workload, and scale with your needs.
Essential Features for SMBs:
- Multi-carrier support (UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, regional, and LTL carriers)
- Rate shopping to automatically select the most cost-effective option
- Batch label printing for high-volume fulfillment
- Automated address validation
- Tracking updates and customer notifications
- Return label automation
- Customization & Scalability
- Ability to set business rules (e.g., preferred carriers, service restrictions)
- Flexible package types and dimensions
- Support for multiple warehouses or ship-from locations
- Scalability for seasonal order spikes
- ERP Integration
This is critical for SMBs Modernizing Fulfillment. Look for Prebuilt Integrations with:
- Acumatica Cloud ERP
- Sage 100 (formerly MAS 90/200)
- SAP Business One
- QuickBooks Desktop & QuickBooks Online
- Microsoft Dynamics Business Central
Platforms like StarShip, ShipStation, ShipRush, or EasyPost-based solutions vary widely in integration depth.
The tighter the integration, the fewer errors you’ll face.
Choosing software isn’t just about features; it’s about selecting a long-term partner that supports your business.
- Key Vendor Evaluation Criteria
- Integration capability (native vs. connector vs. manual import/export)
- Reputation and reviews
- Pricing transparency (per user? per shipment?)
- Support responsiveness
- Implementation timeline and onboarding resources
- Security & compliance (SOC2, PCI, etc.)
Questions to Ask Potential Vendors
- “How does your system integrate with our ERP?”
- “What workflows will your solution automate or eliminate?”
- “Can we customize business rules without coding?”
- “Do you support multiple warehouses and workstations?”
- “How do you handle address validation and international shipping?”
- “What happens during peak season? Are there throughput limits?”
Implementation & Training: Ensuring a Smooth Go-Live
Even the best shipping software can fail without proper setup and onboarding.
Steps for a Successful Implementation:
- Document current workflows
- Identify manual steps that should be automated
- Configure carriers, rules, and shipping profiles
- Test integration with your ERP or ecommerce platform
- Pilot with a small batch of orders before full deployment
- Importance of Training & Support
- Train users on labels, packaging, and carrier selection
- Assign internal “super users” for first-level support
- Review reports weekly to catch errors early
- Ensure vendor provides live support, not just email
Conclusion: Choosing the Best Shipping Software for Your SMB
The best shipping solution isn’t necessarily the most expensive; it’s the one that fits your workflows, integrates with your ERP, and grows with your business.
By focusing on essential features, evaluating vendors thoroughly, and planning your implementation carefully, businesses can dramatically improve their fulfillment efficiency and customer satisfaction.
If you need help comparing solutions, ERPVAR can connect you to a certified expert who understands your industry.
