Fulfilling customer orders takes a lot of precision, from the pricing you offer to customers to the tracking itself, and keeping information properly updated across all boards can be complicated. Many tools can help you manage this process. One of them is ShipStation, so if you are used to it and want to integrate it with your CRM, follow these steps.
Preparing ShipStation #
To integrate ShipStation, you must have at least one "Ship From" location. If you have not created one before, log in to your account, then click the gear icon to access your settings.
- Use the left-side menu to switch to Ship From Locations within the Shipping options.
- Click Add New Location.
- Fill out the required details and save.
- Navigate to the Packages tab and ensure the package type is selected.
- Navigate to the API Settings tab in the Account section and click Generate API Key.
- Select the key expiration frame, then click Generate.
- Copy your API keys and paste them somewhere you can access quickly for the next step. Once you have noted them down, click Done.
Lastly, verify the currency you selected inside your business profile matches the one you selected when creating your ShipStation account.
Integrating ShipStation #
- Navigate to the Integrations tab of the Integration section inside your account Settings. Find the ShipStation icon and click Manage.
- This will show you the app’s details. Click Install to start the connection.
- Enter your previously copied API keys.
- Check the boxes next to each step of the setup list, then click Connect.
Adding Shipping Options #
Once you have finished the connection, you can configure shipping options to enable live rates by clicking +Add Shipping Option under the API keys. Add the shipping details, which include:
- Shipping Option Name: For identification inside the CRM.
- Services: Use this dropdown menu to define the mail carriers included in this option.
- Fallback Value: The value that will be shown to customers if the live shipping rates cannot be retrieved.
Once the details are filled in, click Create to save it. Your configured shipping methods will now display in the checkout process. You can verify this by visiting any of your stores’ checkout pages, adding a product to your cart, and proceeding to the shipping step. If configured correctly, you will see your newly configured shipping options.
Using this integration, your orders will automatically sync to your ShipStation Dashboard. This sync lets you generate and print labels, mark orders as shipped, and manage fulfillment directly in ShipStation while the tracking numbers sync back to the platform and are shared with customers via branded notifications.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What do I need before integrating ShipStation? #
You need a ShipStation account with at least one "Ship From" location, a configured package type, and a generated API key. You should also confirm the currency matches your business profile.
Where do I generate my ShipStation API key? #
In ShipStation, go to the API Settings tab in the Account section, click Generate API Key, choose an expiration frame, and click Generate. Copy the keys for use during the CRM connection step.
How do I connect ShipStation in my CRM? #
Go to Settings > Integrations, find the ShipStation icon, click Manage, then Install. Enter your API keys, check each setup step, and click Connect.
What is the Fallback Value in a shipping option? #
The fallback value is the shipping cost shown to customers when live shipping rates cannot be retrieved, ensuring checkout can still proceed.
How can I confirm my shipping options are working? #
Visit any of your stores’ checkout pages, add a product to the cart, and proceed to the shipping step. If configured correctly, your newly created shipping options will appear.
What happens to orders after they sync to ShipStation? #
Orders sync to your ShipStation Dashboard, where you can generate labels, mark orders shipped, and manage fulfillment. Tracking numbers sync back to the platform and are shared with customers via branded notifications.
