Top 5 Route Shopify Apps to Revolutionize Your Shipping Experience

In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive exploration of Route Shopify Apps. 

Key takeaways

1. Route: Post-Purchase Platform: Designed to enhance the customer experience by providing order tracking and package protection services. It’s suitable for a wide range of businesses.
2. EasyRoutes Local Delivery: A solution focused on optimizing local delivery services. It offers features like route planning, tracking, and customer communication, making it ideal for businesses with local delivery operations.
3. LionWheel Local Delivery Route: Tailored for businesses looking to streamline their local delivery processes. It integrates with Shopify and offers tools for route planning, driver assignment, and order tracking.
4. Local Delivery + Pickup – SE: Designed for businesses offering local delivery and pickup options. It helps manage local order fulfillment efficiently, making it a good fit for businesses with physical stores.
5. Logistia Route Planner: A valuable tool for optimizing delivery routes. It’s beneficial for businesses aiming to enhance the efficiency of their delivery services through route planning, delivery proof capture, and performance analysis.

Route: Post‑Purchase Platform

Overview of this app

Route: Post‑Purchase Platform provides a crucial solution to address one of the most common concerns in e-commerce – the safety of purchased items during shipping. This app offers insurance against package loss, theft, or damage, which not only benefits customers but also reassures them during the purchase process.

Key features

• Package Protection: This key feature gives your customers confidence and peace of mind during the payment process. For a single-page store, it enhances trust in your products and shopping experience, reducing cart abandonment rates and increasing conversion.
• Instant Claims Resolution: Quick resolution of claims not only saves time but also reduces support costs and customer frustration. For a single-page store, this ensures a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience, fostering customer satisfaction.
• Branded Package Tracking: The package tracking feature creates anticipation and improves the overall customer experience. In a single-page store, this adds a professional touch, reinforces brand identity, and keeps customers engaged, increasing brand loyalty.
• Carbon-Neutral Shipping: Offering carbon-neutral shipping demonstrates your commitment to environmental responsibility. For a single-page store, this can attract eco-conscious customers and enhance your brand’s image, potentially increasing customer trust and loyalty.
• Revenue-Generating Product Recommendations: The feature of generating revenue through product recommendations increases customer lifetime value. For a single-page store, it boosts cross-selling and upselling opportunities, resulting in higher average order values and increased revenue.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Enhanced Customer Service: Route: Post‑Purchase Platform provides a layer of support for customers who face shipping challenges, enhancing their experience. The team is described as responsive, helpful, and dedicated to resolving issues promptly.
• Time and Cost Savings: Route: Post‑Purchase Platform has saved much time, stress, and money dealing with shipping incidents. Quick resolutions of claims and disputes not only reduce customer frustration but also lower support costs, making it a valuable resource for businesses.
• Simplified Claims Process: The app is to be user-friendly, making it easier for customers to understand and file claims. This contributes to a more seamless experience for both customers and businesses.
• Increased Customer Loyalty: By offering protection for packages and addressing shipping issues effectively, Route: Post‑Purchase Platform can help improve customer loyalty and trust in a brand, enhancing long-term relationships.

Cons

• Technical Issues: The route app interferes with the Shopify store’s checkout process. This can be disruptive and impact the ability to process payments.
• Subscription Product Challenges: The Route app script caused problems with their subscription products, converting them into one-time purchases. This can result in lost subscription sales and disruptions in revenue.

EasyRoutes Local Delivery

Overview of this app

EasyRoutes Local Delivery is an all-in-one local delivery route planner with route optimization, order tracking, notifications, and a driver app. It’s designed to simplify the local delivery service for Shopify merchants of all sizes.

The app allows businesses to plan optimized delivery routes, dispatch, track drivers in real-time, and keep customers informed through real-time GPS tracking pages, delivery notifications (via email and SMS), and proof of delivery (photos, electronic signatures, notes).

Key features

• Route Planning and Optimization: Both apps offer route planning features. EasyRoutes emphasizes the creation of optimized delivery routes for efficient local delivery, while Route focuses on package protection and brand-to-customer connections. The primary purpose of route planning differs, with EasyRoutes specializing in local delivery route optimization.
• List Creation: EasyRoutes allows users to create packing lists for deliveries. This is a feature that simplifies the organization of deliveries and may not be a central aspect of the Route app.
• Driver Management: EasyRoutes offers an easy-to-use mobile app for drivers to manage and execute delivery routes. Route does not provide a driver app but concentrates on customer-facing features.
• Real-Time Customer Updates: Both apps offer real-time customer updates. EasyRoutes provides real-time GPS tracking pages and notifications to keep customers informed. While Route also offers information, the focus is on package protection and brand-customer connections.
• Proof of Delivery: EasyRoutes allows users to capture proof of delivery elements, including photos, electronic signatures, and notes. Route, conversely, may offer evidence of package protection but with a different emphasis.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great Support: The app’s customer support is essential for addressing any issues that may arise.
• Time Savings: Tasks that used to take hours now require only minutes, thanks to the app’s efficiency and automation.
• Efficient Delivery: The app streamlines and simplifies delivery operations, reducing human errors and increasing efficiency.
• Regular Updates: The development team is actively improving the app, adding new features to enhance its functionality continually.
• Versatile: Businesses of various sizes have found value in EasyRoutes, indicating its versatility and suitability for new and established companies.

Cons

• Language Limitations: The app needed more language support, particularly in French. It’s important to note that language support can be a crucial factor for businesses with international customers.
• Issues with Free Trial: Dissatisfaction with the app’s free trial, citing difficulty assigning a driver and the inability to route orders without a paid version. This experience suggests the need for more transparent communication about the limitations of the free trial.

LionWheel Local Delivery Route

Overview of this app

LionWheel Local Delivery Route utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to plan and optimize delivery routes automatically. This feature helps businesses save time and resources by efficiently organizing driver routes, reducing travel time, and minimizing fuel costs.

Key features

• Local Delivery Route Planning: The local delivery route planning feature helps businesses optimize their delivery routes. This reduces travel time, saves on fuel costs, and minimizes transportation expenses.
• Driver App for Local Delivery: Providing a mobile app for drivers with the ability to record proof of delivery, capture photos, and collect signatures ensures reliable information collection and delivery verification.
• Automated SMS: The automatic SMS feature facilitates the sharing of Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) information and improves customer communication. This keeps customers informed about the expected delivery times.
• Automated Zones: Automatic assignment of drivers to specific zones helps optimize territory allocation and streamlines the delivery process.
• Efficient Operations: This feature allows for the efficient creation and dispatch of delivery orders, optimizing the delivery service and business resources.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Ease of Use: The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. It simplifies the process of planning and managing delivery routes.
• Efficiency: Significant improvements in their delivery operations, with streamlined and efficient processes. The app has helped save time and resources.
• Customer Support: The LionWheel team provides excellent customer support. The responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team address queries and concerns promptly.
• Customization: The app’s flexibility and customizability allow them to adapt the app to their business needs, such as custom integrations and specialized requirements.

Cons

• SMS Limitation: The app limits the number of SMS messages in the free plan. 
• Possible Learning Curve: While the app is generally user-friendly, new users may still face a learning curve as they adapt to its features and functionality.

Local Delivery + Pickup ‑ SE

Overview of this app

Local Delivery + Pickup ‑ SE offers an all-in-one solution for managing local deliveries and in-store pickups. It covers everything from route optimization to order tracking, driver management, and real-time delivery notifications.

Key features

• Date and Time Slot Selection: Allowing customers to choose a delivery date and time slot is a crucial element of route planning. It helps businesses create efficient routes by ensuring that deliveries are scheduled within specific time windows, reducing idle time for drivers.
• Route Creation and Real-Time Updates: Creating delivery routes with estimated times and tracking real-time updates are core features of route planning apps. They enable businesses to optimize routes, assign orders to drivers, and track their progress to ensure timely deliveries.
• Driver Assignment and Mobile Apps: The ability to assign and send local routes to drivers using mobile applications is a fundamental part of route optimization. It allows efficient dispatching and communication with drivers, which is essential for on-time deliveries.
• Customized Order Tracking and Delivery Notifications: Customized order tracking pages and delivery notifications are essential for enhancing the customer experience. These features help keep customers informed about the status of their orders, including estimated delivery times.
• Feedback, Proof of Delivery, and Electronic Signatures: Collecting feedback and proof of delivery in the form of photos and electronic signatures is valuable for ensuring the successful completion of deliveries. It adds a layer of accountability and transparency to the process.

Pros and Cons

Pros 

• User-Friendly: The app is user-friendly and crucial for businesses looking for easy integration into their operations.
• Exceptional Customer Service: The development team’s customer service is responsiveness, patience, and willingness to help. They proactively address user concerns and custom requirements, going above and beyond to ensure a positive user experience.
• Customization and Flexibility: The app’s customization options allow the customer to tailor the app to their specific business needs. The ability to adapt the app to different requirements is a significant advantage.
• Real-Time Support: Receiving real-time assistance and quick responses to their inquiries. The support team’s effectiveness is a valuable aspect of the app.
• Efficient Workflow: Route Shopify app helps streamline their dispatching and delivery processes, making operations more efficient and reducing the time required for order management.

Cons

• Minor Issues: There are some minor issues or areas for improvement, but the positive aspects of the app typically outweigh these.
• SMS Limitation: A user notes a limitation regarding SMS limits in the free plan, which can result in temporary account blocks. 

Logistia Route Planner

Overview of this app

Logistia Route Planner empowers businesses with the capabilities of efficient local delivery management that typically only large enterprises have. The app provides the ability to optimize delivery routes, ensuring drivers take the most efficient paths to reach their destinations. This not only saves time but also reduces fuel costs.

Key features

• Time-Saving Route Planning: Shopify route helps businesses save time in route planning by automatically optimizing routes based on orders. This reduces manual work and improves routing efficiency, saving time and money.
• Flexible Route Editing: Businesses can adjust routes based on significant changes or specific customer requirements. This improves customer service and allows for quick adaptation to changes.
• Personalized Delivery Notifications: The ability to customize delivery notifications helps businesses communicate with customers about their deliveries in a personalized and reliable manner. This enhances the customer experience and reduces inquiries about order status.
• Capture Delivery Proof: The app allows for capturing proof of delivery through images and sending it to customers upon successful delivery. This provides clear evidence of delivery for both customers and the business.
• Delivery Performance Analysis: Businesses can track and analyze delivery performance through personalized reports. This helps them gain insights into delivery-related data and make data-driven decisions.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Effective Route Planning: The app efficiently optimizes delivery routes, essential for businesses with multiple orders and stops.
• Fast and Friendly Support: The app’s customer support is responsive and friendly. Quick responses and mounting have been vital in implementing custom features.
• Customization: The ability to customize the app to their specific needs, allowing them to tailor it to their unique requirements, such as different drivers with distinct ending addresses.
• Time and Labor Savings: Saving significant time, with some mentioning over an hour per week, thanks to the app’s features for route optimization, text notifications to customers, and more.

Cons

• Stock System Limitation: There are some limitations in the stock system of the app. It may need to meet the requirements of businesses with more complex inventory management needs.

How to Add Route to Shopify

Adding the Route app to your Shopify store can be a game-changer for improving your e-commerce business’s efficiency and customer satisfaction. Here is the step-by-step process of integrating Route with your Shopify store:

1. Log into your Shopify Admin: Start by logging into your Shopify store’s admin panel using your credentials.
2. Visit the Shopify App Store: After logging in, go to the Shopify App Store. You can find this in the left-hand sidebar of your Shopify admin.
3. Search for the Route App: In the Shopify App Store, use the search bar to look for the “Route” app.
4. Select the Route App: Find the Route app in the search results and click on it.
5. Add the Route App: On the Route app page, look for the “Add app” button and click it.
6. Install the App: You will be prompted to authorize the app for use. Click the “Install app” button to proceed with the installation.
7. Access and Use the App: After the installation, you can access and utilize the Route app from the “Apps” section in your Shopify admin.

Before you begin the installation process, consider the following factors:

1. Your business should be located in the United States*.
2. Your store’s currency must be in USD.
3. Shopify Payments need to be activated in your store.
4. Your store should have generated at least $50,000 USD in sales over the past 12 months.

*Canadian businesses can use the Route Shopify app if they receive a direct invitation from a supplier already on the app, are also based in Canada, and operate their store in CAD.

Who should use this app?

• Specialty Tech Accessory Stores: Stores specializing in tech accessories, like camera lenses, drones, or gaming peripherals, can use Route for ensuring safe and timely deliveries of these often expensive and sensitive items.
• High-End Fashion Retailers: Boutiques selling designer clothes and accessories, where items are not only expensive but also often limited edition, can benefit from Route’s package protection and delivery tracking.
• Specialty Food and Beverage Shops: Gourmet food shops, wine and spirits stores, or artisanal chocolate shops could use these apps for local deliveries, ensuring products like fine wines or handmade chocolates are delivered in perfect condition.
• Art Galleries and Fine Art Dealers: Businesses dealing in fine art, sculptures, or rare collectibles can utilize Route for secure and traceable shipping, given the high value and often irreplaceable nature of these items.
• Fitness and Sports Equipment Stores: Retailers selling high-value fitness equipment like treadmills, bikes, or specialized sporting gear can use Route to manage and track the delivery of bulky and expensive items.
• Musical Instrument Stores: Shops selling musical instruments, from pianos to guitars, can benefit from the Route app by ensuring the safe delivery of these delicate and often costly items.
• Gardening and Landscaping Supply Stores: Businesses offering garden tools, plants, or landscaping materials can use LionWheel for efficient local delivery routing, especially beneficial for time-sensitive items like live plants.
• Specialty Bookstores: Independent bookstores, particularly those dealing in rare or first-edition books, can utilize Route for secure shipping and to provide customers with peace of mind.
• Luxury Home Decor and Furniture Stores: Stores selling high-end furniture and home decor items can use Route to manage the delivery of large, expensive items, ensuring customer satisfaction with real-time tracking.
• Health and Wellness Products Retailers: Shops offering wellness products like high-end skincare, organic supplements, or yoga equipment can benefit from these apps for efficient delivery management, enhancing the customer experience.

What are the benefits of using Route Shopify App?

The Route Shopify App offers several key benefits when integrated with your Shopify store, enhancing your overall e-commerce experience:

• Improved Delivery Efficiency: Route helps optimize your delivery routes, allowing for faster and more efficient deliveries. Streamlining the delivery process can reduce transit times and offer quicker service to your customers.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: With Route, customers can track their deliveries in real-time, reducing anxiety about their order’s status. Accurate delivery updates and notifications improve customer satisfaction and confidence in your brand.

• Reduced Disputes and Lost Shipments: Route offers package protection, ensuring customers receive their orders intact. This can reduce disputes, returns, and lost shipments, saving you time and money in the long run.
• Increased Revenue and Customer Loyalty: Combining efficient deliveries and enhanced customer satisfaction can increase revenue and customer loyalty. Happy customers are more likely to return for future purchases and recommend your store to others.
• Data Insights: Route provides valuable insights and analytics into your delivery operations, helping you make data-driven decisions to optimize your processes further and improve overall performance.

• Simplified Claims Process: In case of lost, stolen, or damaged packages, Route simplifies the claims process for both you and your customers. This streamlined approach can save time and reduce administrative overhead.
• Customized Branding: The Route app can be branded to match your store’s look and feel, creating a seamless and professional customer experience.
• Peace of Mind: For merchants and customers, Route offers peace of mind, knowing that shipments are protected, and any issues can be quickly resolved.

FAQs: Route Shopify App

Is the route app free?

The Route app is free to use. It provides an order and package tracking app that allows you to conveniently track your online purchases from various retailers, all within a single app, and there are no associated fees or subscriptions for this core service.

How does Route app work?

Route is a mobile app that seamlessly connects to your orders from multiple online retailers. It enables you to visually track the status and location of your packages, providing real-time updates on their delivery progress, and it can be accessed from anywhere at any time.

What is the best free route planning app?

The best free route planning app can vary depending on your needs and location. Several apps offer route planning features, such as Google Maps, Waze, etc. The choice of the best app may depend on factors like the number of stops, the type of vehicle, and whether you need additional features beyond essential route planning.

Can I link my Shopify stores?

Yes, you can link your Shopify store to the Route app. This integration enhances package tracking for your customers, providing them with a better experience and real-time updates on the delivery status of their orders.

Can I change my Shopify location?

You can change your Shopify location by following these steps:

1. Go to the “Settings” section in your Shopify admin.
2. Click on “Locations.”
3. In the “Default location” section, click “Change default location.”
4. Select the desired location from the list.
5. Click “Save” to confirm your changes.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the Route Shopify app offers various services and features, including order tracking, delivery route optimization, and more. These apps can be valuable additions to your e-commerce business, helping to enhance customer experience and streamline your post-purchase processes.