How to Add Track Your Order Page on Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Add a Track Your Order Page?
3. Getting Started: Basic Requirements
4. How to Add a Track Your Order Page
5. Best Practices
6. Conclusion
7. FAQs

Introduction

Have you ever noticed the flood of customer inquiries about order status after a sale? Many Shopify store owners face this challenge, and it can consume a lot of valuable time better spent on growing the business. Adding a "Track Your Order" page on your Shopify store can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and streamline your operations. This blog post will dive deep into why this feature is crucial and how to implement it seamlessly, with tips and best practices.

By the end of this post, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of creating and managing an effective order tracking page in Shopify. Not only will it make your store look more professional, it will also provide your customers with real-time updates, leading to improved trust and repeat business.

Why Add a Track Your Order Page?

Before we delve into the 'how,' let's address the 'why.' Providing a "Track Your Order" page serves several important purposes:

1. Customer Satisfaction: Allowing customers to track their orders reduces anxiety and builds trust.
2. Efficiency: Reducing the volume of customer inquiries about order status frees up time for other tasks.
3. Professionalism: A customized tracking page enhances the brand's professional appearance.
4. Upselling Opportunities: The tracking page can be used to recommend other products, thereby increasing sales.

Getting Started: Basic Requirements

Before we set up the tracking page, here are a few prerequisites:

1. A Shopify merchant account.
2. A list of shipping carriers you use that offer tracking services.
3. Basic understanding of Shopify's admin panel.

How to Add a Track Your Order Page

Let's break down the process step-by-step for adding a "Track Your Order" page on your Shopify store.

Step 1: Create a New Page

Firstly, you’ll need to create a new custom page in your Shopify admin dashboard.

1. Go to Shopify Admin > Online Store > Pages.
2. Click Add Page.
3. Name the new page "Track Your Order".

Step 2: Embed a Tracking Code

You can use a variety of methods to embed a tracking system on your "Track Your Order" page. Shopify allows HTML, so you can integrate third-party tracking tools.

Using Trackdog (Example)

1. Visit the Trackdog website and generate an embed code by selecting a button style.
2. Copy the embed code.
3. Return to Shopify Admin and paste the code in the HTML view of your "Track Your Order" page.
4. Save the changes.

<div class="tracking-widget">
    <!-- Example Embed Code -->
    <iframe src="https://trackdog.com/track-widget?tracking_number="></iframe>
</div>

Step 3: Add the Page to Navigation

For customers to easily find the "Track Your Order" page, add it to your store's navigation.

1. Go to Shopify Admin > Online Store > Navigation.
2. Select the menu where you want to include the tracking page, e.g., Footer or Main Menu.
3. Click Add menu item, enter the name "Track Your Order", and link it to your newly created page.
4. Save the menu.

Step 4: Test the Page

Before making it live, test the page to ensure it works as expected.

1. Go to your store’s frontend and navigate to the "Track Your Order" page.
2. Use a test tracking number to verify if the embedded tracking system is functioning.

Step 5: Advanced Customization (Optional)

You can further customize the tracking page to better fit your store's theme.

Customize Appearance with CSS

To match your store's branding, add custom CSS:

.tracking-widget {
    background-color: #f8f8f8;
    padding: 20px;
    border-radius: 10px;
}

Use your theme editor to insert this CSS code.

Step 6: Optimize for Multiple Carriers

If your store uses multiple shipping carriers, consider using a service that supports multi-carrier tracking, like ParcelPanel or AfterShip.

Example with ParcelPanel

1. Install the ParcelPanel app from the Shopify App Store.
2. Configure your carriers within the app settings.
3. Use the ParcelPanel tracking page functionality, which will automatically generate a tracking page for you.

Best Practices

Ensure Carrier Integration

Ensure that the carriers you use are integrated well with the tracking system. Many apps like AfterShip and ParcelPanel support a wide range of carriers globally.

Keep It Mobile Friendly

Most customers will track their orders via mobile devices. Make sure the tracking page is responsive and user-friendly on mobile screens.

Use the Tracking Page for Upselling

Leverage the visibility of your tracking page to promote related products or special offers. You can place banners or recommendation widgets that align with customers’ interests.

Email Notifications

Inform customers about the tracking capabilities via email. When orders are fulfilled, include a link to the "Track Your Order" page in the shipping confirmation email.

Regular Updates and Maintenance

Keep your tracking page updated. When introducing new shipping carriers or making changes in your shipping policy, reflect these updates on the page.

Conclusion

Adding a "Track Your Order" page to your Shopify store is a simple yet impactful way to improve customer satisfaction and reduce support inquiries. With the steps and best practices outlined above, you can effortlessly add this crucial feature to your store, contributing to a more professional and customer-friendly shopping experience.

FAQs

1. What if my carriers are not supported by Shopify?

You can use multi-carrier tracking solutions like ParcelPanel which support over 1200 carriers globally.

2. Can I customize the tracking page’s appearance?

Yes, you can customize it using CSS or choose templates and settings provided by third-party tracking apps.

3. What if I don't know how to code?

There are plenty of apps available on the Shopify App Store that automate the setup process for you, requiring no coding skills.

4. Can I track orders without using third-party apps?

While Shopify natively supports adding tracking numbers, using third-party apps provides more features and better integration for tracking multiple carriers.

5. How do I inform customers about the tracking page?

Include a link to the "Track Your Order" page in your order confirmation and shipment emails, and place it prominently within your main navigation.