Order status tracking serves two main functions. It reduces customer anxiety, and it also helps businesses manage logistics and customer service. For these reasons, investing in order status tracking is vital.
A good order status tracking system will follow an order from the initial purchase all the way to delivery. Both the business and its customer will have access to the tracking information, enabling them all to see as it moves through processing, shipping, and appears as “in transit.”
This system offers a range of benefits in e-commerce, with shoppers having peace of mind that their purchase is delivered. If you think this doesn’t impact your store, then you’re in for a shock. In 2025, it was found that half of US consumers tracked the status of their orders to ensure it remained on time.
But order status tracking isn’t a system that can be set up and left; it requires improvements. Fortunately for you, this post outlines three key ways to enhance an order status tracking system.
Be Transparent with Customers
Customers value honesty; this is just a fact. When a business, no matter how big or small, lies or hides information, trust will dwindle. This is not what you want to experience as an e-commerce store owner. You should be working to gain and increase the level of trust consumers put in your brand, and the best way to do this is by being transparent with them.
Transparency is crucial when delays occur. It is best to inform customers about issues before they need to ask. If you don’t, your silence could be perceived as disorganization, which would cause trust to dwindle. Instead, explain the reason for the delay in plain (but empathetic) language and provide a revised estimated delivery date.
Additionally, remember that transparency begins when the order is first placed. This means setting clear expectations from the very start. Providing specific delivery windows like three to five business days, for example, is better than just stating you offer “fast shipping.”
This step mustn’t be skipped, even if you outsource fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider. If this is the case, just ensure they utilize a reliable order status tracking system. For instance, Ryder, which provides an e-commerce order fulfillment service, offers this through RyderShip – a fulfillment software that integrates with existing e-commerce technology.
Offer Multiple Notification Channels
Communicating with customer is a lot more varied now. Shoppers are no longer limited to email when contacting a business or receiving updates. Now, there is SMS, push notifications, in-app messaging, and social media, as well as email. What notification channel works best for your business will depend on your audience.
Different demographics will have different preferences. While a younger audience might prefer SMS or social media, older customers might want to use email or even have the opportunity to call the business. You will even find that the type of message you are sending will suit a certain medium better. Like a message about a delay is time-restricted, so using an urgent channel like SMS is best.
After a while, gathering feedback on this system is beneficial. Customers will be able to provide insights into their preferred method of communication. This will then enable you to tailor your strategy to meet their needs.
Use Automated Systems
Of course, you cannot forget about the use of automation. Automated systems prove to be useful in many industries and tasks, and order status tracking is no different. Not only does this streamline the process and reduce human error, but automation also provides transparency. It could even make customized recommendations based on the shopper’s purchase history.
Knowing the benefits will help your business, but understanding how it works smooths out any kinks. A high-quality automated system will process orders, verify details, and update statuses automatically, all across integrated platforms. Shipping labels are generated and tracking information is sent out, too. Even with increased demand, this system will cope well.
To conclude, order status tracking is critical in e-commerce. It creates a link between the customer and the business, and this link needs to be strong. Thankfully, if you follow the steps explained above, the order status tracking system you use will benefit both your business and your customers.
