The Top 3 Ways Ecommerce Businesses Use QR Codes for Shipping

Shipping rates can make or break an ecommerce sale. High shipping rates often lead to abandoned carts, while fast, efficient service can turn a one-time buyer into a loyal customer. Yet, shipping remains one of the biggest expenses for ecommerce businesses.

QR Code labels offer a modern solution to streamline shipping operations. With a single scan, you can securely store shipping information, postage, and contact details. Plus, QR Codes allow you to track parcels in real time as they move through your supply chain. 

In this post, we’ll explore three key ways ecommerce businesses use these codes to optimize shipping—plus, three of the best tools available to help you get started with QR Code shipping labels.

Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

1. Simplify shipping label creation and minimize costs

Shipping costs are a major concern for 40% of ecommerce businesses, particularly when it comes to handling returns. While delivery costs can be factored into product prices, return expenses tend to be more unpredictable and harder to manage.

Until recently, most retailers felt under pressure to offer free returns. But times are changing, and businesses are starting to cut down on return costs by discouraging practices such as wardrobing and bracketing, where customers buy multiple sizes or items intending to return some.

Using QR Codes for shipping labels provides an efficient solution that helps ecommerce businesses manage return costs more effectively. QR Codes can link to your order management system via URL, where all important shipping information is stored—like the address and postage. This cuts down on the need for pre-printed labels and lets customers print return labels themselves, significantly saving on material costs.

Beyond reducing expenses, QR Codes can streamline the shipping process by improving tracking capabilities. They can be scanned at different points in the supply chain, allowing businesses to track package movements in real-time. This kind of visibility leads to quicker, more reliable deliveries, which means happier customers.

To help you get started, here are three top providers offering QR Code solutions for shipping labels.

USPS Label Broker

The United States Postal Service offers a Label Broker service to simplify shipping and returns. 

Here’s how it works: Each customer receives a unique Label Broker ID linked to a USPS QR Code, which stores essential details like delivery address, source address, and prepaid postage. Customers can either use a self-service kiosk or ask a retail associate at any USPS location to scan the code and print the parcel’s label.

Using Label Broker to print shipping labels and handle returns reduces waste, making your ecommerce business more sustainable. This saves paper and lowers your carbon footprint by eliminating the need to mail physical return labels to customers. However, this service is only available for parcels sent through USPS, so you may need a broader solution if your customers prefer more shipping options.

Stamps.com’s Label QR Codes

Stamps.com is an online service that lets you create and print QR Codes for shipping labels with a variety of carriers, including USPS, UPS, and GlobalPost.

Here’s how it works: You generate a QR Code containing all the details needed for a return or shipping label. When the parcel is dropped off, the delivery provider scans the code to print the label.

Like the USPS Label Broker, this approach saves on printing costs and reduces paper waste. However, it’s especially beneficial for international shipping, as the QR Codes work with a variety of global providers, not just USPS. 

QR Code Generator PRO

QR Code Generator PRO makes it easy for businesses to set up QR Codes that let customers handle their own returns. 

You can set up a URL-based QR Code that directs customers to USPS.com’s Click-N-Ship service. This is a helpful use case for small businesses that use platforms like eBay and require customers to pay shipping costs for their returns or plan to reimburse them only after the return has been accepted. As the merchant, you can provide the QR Code via email or include it within the item’s packaging. If the customer needs to return the item, they can simply scan the code and be directed to Click-N-Ship where they can print and pay for their own return labels.

QR Code Generator PRO allows you to create Dynamic QR Codes, which offer two key functionalities: 

First, you can edit the destination of the code without reprinting materials. If you switch from Click-N-Ship to another shipping service, your existing codes can redirect to the new service’s website. 

Second, you can track valuable data such as the time and frequency of scans, the operating system used, and the location of the scans down to the city level. These insights help you better understand how customers interact with your return process. For example, tracking scans by time allows you to identify peak return periods, location data can reveal geographic trends, and unique scans provide a clearer picture of how many customers are engaging with your return labels.

2. Ensure order accuracy to guarantee customer satisfaction

Customer experience is everything in ecommerce. With 21.7 billion parcels traveling through the U.S. in 2023, the risk of lost or misdelivered packages is always present. Timely delivery and easy returns are expected, but other logistical issues like high shipping costs, lack of regular customer updates, and missing or damaged parcels also significantly impact sales and customer satisfaction.

QR Codes for logistics offer more accurate inventory management and tracking than barcodes. They’re easier to use since they can be scanned with any smartphone—no special equipment required. Their dot-matrix design is also more robust than barcodes, so codes remain accurate even if up to 30% of the image is muddied or scuffed in transit.

QR Codes hold much more information than barcodes, including serial numbers, product descriptions, delivery destinations, and expected delivery times. They can even log where and when they’ve been scanned, allowing you to track each package’s journey through your delivery network. If a parcel is lost, you can pinpoint where it went off track and provide real-time updates to customers.

Learn more about using QR Codes for inventory management. 

3. Build relationships with your customers

QR Codes aren’t just useful for internal operations like monitoring your supply chain and managing returns. They’re also helpful for engaging customers and building loyalty. By incorporating QR Codes into your product packaging and shipping materials, you can create more interactive and personalized customer experiences. 

If you’re looking for creative packaging ideas, consider how QR Codes can engage customers with tutorials, exclusive content, or even recycling instructions. Here are a few ways ecommerce businesses can use QR Codes to strengthen relationships with their customers:

• Customer service and feedback: Include Feedback QR Codes on shipping materials and other packaging that link to customer service portals or feedback forms, making it easy for customers to get support or share their experiences.
  
  
• Product tutorials and instructions: Add Video QR Codes to product packaging or labels that guide customers to video tutorials, or URL codes that link to user manuals or setup instructions for a seamless onboarding experience. 
  
  
• Sustainability efforts: Highlight your brand’s green initiatives by linking QR Codes to digital sustainability reports or video explainers. Some codes can even direct customers to their nearest recycling location.
  
  
• Social media and loyalty programs: Use Social Media QR Codes to drive traffic to your social media pages or loyalty program sign-up forms, encouraging continued engagement and brand loyalty.
  
  
• Exclusive content and promotions: QR Codes on limited-edition products can lead customers to special giveaways or exclusive content, enhancing their overall experience with your brand.
  
  
• App downloads: If your business has an app, include App Store QR Codes on the packaging for a quick download link, making it easier to access customer service, manage returns, and make repeat purchases.

See how you can improve operations with QR Codes

Using QR Codes can make a significant difference in your ecommerce fulfillment process, from simplifying shipping labels and returns to keeping better track of inventory and engaging with customers in new ways. By integrating QR Codes into your operations, you’ll create a smoother, more cost-efficient experience for your team and customers. 

QR Code Generator PRO offers flexible solutions with Dynamic QR Codes that you can customize to fit your needs. You can update codes without reprinting materials, gather data on scan locations and times to optimize your operations, and even make it easier for customers to generate their own return labels. 

Whether you’re streamlining shipping or enhancing customer engagement, QR Code Generator PRO has the tools to support your ecommerce needs.

Ready to improve your ecommerce operations? Get started with QR Code Generator PRO to streamline shipping for better customer satisfaction.