Online shipping solutions (eCommerce Series)

For anyone wanting online shipping solutions:
eCart is not required to learn from this tutorial. This tutorial will help anyone set up free accounts with and obtain API (Application Programming Interface) keys from the following online shipping providers:

1. FedEx
   
2. UPS
   
3. USPS
   
4. Australia Post

Highly recommended for eCart users:
Following this tutorial will walk you through the process of setting up the accounts you need for online shipping. Once your accounts are set up and you have API keys, you will be ready to complete the eCart checkout wizard.

What is eCart:
If you are building an eCommerce site, eCart can save you the time and frustration spent creating the most complex part of your website. eCart will guide you through building a custom shopping cart and checkout system to sell physical goods, digital goods, services, and to accept donations.
Learn more about eCart.

FedEx provides global courier delivery services.

1. When you set up an online account with FedEx.com, you'll be offered three sign-up options:
   1. Open a FedEx account: Get access to shipping, billing, and tracking on fedex.com. You will need to enter credit card information.
      
   2. Use my account online: Use your existing FedEx account number to set up a fedex.com account.
      
   3. Create a user ID only: Ship packages right away without setting up an account. But you will need to enter your credit card information each time.

   
   

2. Sign up with FedEx.com.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Now that you are signed in, go to FedEx Web Services to start the process of integrating FedEx into your website.
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Click Get your test key and fill out Registration for FedEx Test System Access.
      
      
      
      
      
   2. You will receive a FedEx Test System Access Confirmation that has your Developer Test Key, Test Account Number, and Test Meter Number. Open the email that has been sent to you with the Test Password.
      
   3. Paste the Developer Test Key, Test Account Number, Test Meter Number, and Test Password into the sample code. Then build and execute the code.
      
      
      

   
   

4. Now you can go to Move to Production to obtain your Production Key.
   
   1. Click Get Production Key and fill out Registration for FedEx Web Services Production Access.
      
      
      
      
      
   2. Receive confirmation. (Save the production key.)
      
   3. The FedEx Office Web Services team will review your request and contact you.
      
   4. After you receive and enable your production credentials, use them to replace the test credentials in your code.

   
   

5. View the complete FedEx Web Services Developer Guide
   
   
   

UPS (United Parcel Service of America) provides global package delivery.

1. With UPS.com, you will have access to My UPS, a customizable workspace that includes:
   
   1. Shipping and account tools: Quick access to the Tracking and Quantum View Manager as well as the UPS Billing Center.
      
   2. Customized views: Rearrange modules by positioning the most used at the top.
      
   3. Short-cuts: Favorite shipping functions available in dashboard view.

   
   

2. Sign up with UPS.com.
   
   
   
   
   
   1. Log in or register.
      
      
      
      
      
   2. Select an API.
      
   3. Download the API documentation, save to your computer, and extract.
      
   4. Request an access key.
      
   5. You will receive an emailed confirmation of a your Access Key. (File it in your permanent records.)
      
   6. Request production access.
      
      UPS updates their current email address in the UPS Developer Kit User Guide. (See link below for access to guide.)
      
      
      
      
      
      Locator and LTL Freight APIs (Pickup, Rating, and Shipping) require a second request to activate production access:
      
      
   7. Once files have been submitted and approved, production access is granted.

   
   

3. View the complete UPS Developer Kit User Guide.
   
   
   

USPS (United States Postal Service) provides domestic and international delivery services.

1. When you set up an online account with the nation’s largest delivery network, you will have access to:
   1. Online shipping: Discounted rates and free tracking.
      
   2. Free supplies: Delivered to your door.
      
   3. Residential delivery: No surcharges.
      
   4. International shipping: Uses FedEx Express for transportation and delivery.

   
   

2. Create your online USPS.com business account.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Sign up for a free USPS Web Tools account and obtain the required API key for eCommerce sites by following these steps.
   
   1. Register: Fill out the simple registration form at Registration for USPS Website Tools to gain access to Web Tools APIs.
      
      
      
      
      
   2. Develop: You will receive a confirmation email with step-by-step instructions to integrate Web Tools APIs into your web site or software application. (Remember to copy the Username and Password into your permanent records.) View the complete list of APIs.
      
      
      
      
      
   3. Go Live: Once you have received the correct test API responses, call (1-800-344-7779) or email (uspstechsupport@esecure.net) the Internet Customer Care Center (ICCC) with the following request:

      Please move User ID {Insert your Web Tools User ID here} to the production server.

      
      
   4. Once your profile is moved to production, you'll get an email with the production server URLs.
      
   5. Replace the test URL of your test scripts with the production URL to send and receive live data.

   
   

4. Get more details at the Web Tools Developer Resource Center.
   
   
   

Australia Post is the Australian government-owned postal service that provides two main business delivery solutions.

1. Click and Send is for small businesses looking for a simple delivery solution. It also links to your eBay accounts, providing payment tracking and label printing.
   
   1. Create your Click and Send online registration.
      
      
      

   
   

2. eParcel is an online delivery solution for established sellers sending more than 1,000 parcels annually.
   
   1. Open a business credit account and ask your representative to include eParcel.
      
      A business account is also required to obtain API credentials. (See below for more information on API credentials.)
      
      
      

   
   

3. Integrate Australia Post services onto your website.
   
   1. To obtain the required API key for eCommerce sites, start at the registration page. Click Register now for the Delivery Choices API suite.
      
      
      
      
      
   2. Create an Australia Post ID and register for API access by filling out the form .
      
      
      
      
      
   3. Submit the form.
      
   4. Next you will receive an email with your API key along with links to documentation and further instructions to complete the process.

   
   

4. View the complete Australia Post Delivery Choice API Access Guide.
   
   
   

Once you've set up accounts with your online shipping providers, learn how eCart can assist you with building your eCommerce website. Saving you countless hours, eCart guides you through the steps of building a custom shopping cart and checkout system to sell your physical goods, digital goods, services, and even accept donations. Learn more about eCart.

With eCart technology as the cornerstone of the WebAssist eCommerce series, these in-depth tutorials will walk you through the steps of building an eCommerce site: product catalogs, shopping carts, product options (both static and dynamic), and checkout including payments. Completing the eCart portion of the series is help for setting up a back-end administration to manage your eCommerce business. Additionally, to be used with or without eCart, you will learn about payment gateway providers, hosting solutions, and online shipping accounts.

1. Introduction to the eCommerce series: An overview of the WebAssist eCommerce series including a detailed description of each tutorial.
   
   
2. Create a product catalog: Learn to create a dynamic product catalog for an online store.
   
   1. In Create a product catalog I, you will learn if a dynamic product catalog is appropriate for your online store and how to complete the initial set-up.
      
   2. In Create a product catalog II, you will learn how to create product administration pages, product catalog pages, and order pages for your dynamic product catalog.

   
   

3. Add a shopping cart: Learn about using eCart to create a responsive shopping cart for selling your products online.
   
   1. Create an eCart object to define the structure of your shopping cart.
      
   2. Place an Add to Cart button on a product catalog which your customers can use to select items to purchase and add them to their shopping cart.
      
   3. Design a responsive shopping cart page that holds informational details about the products a customer is purchasing.

   
   

4. Add dynamic product options I: Learn how to add dynamic product options to your website's online store using eCart's shopping cart functionality.
   
   
5. Add dynamic product options II: Learn how to add dynamic product options, which include options within themselves (for example, incremental pricing), to your website's online store using eCart's shopping cart functionality.
   
   
6. Add static product options: Learn how to add static product options to your online catalog store.
   
   
7. Add checkout and administration: Learn how to manage checkout, payments, and the back-end administration of your eCommerce site using the seven tabs in the eCart Checkout Wizard - Settings, Payments, Shipping, Tax, Orders, Email, and Form Design.
   
   1. In the Settings tab, you will choose the general settings for your site and checkout pages.
      
   2. In the Payments tab, you will set up payment provider and checkout options.
      
   3. In the Shipping tab, you will choose shipping providers and set charges.
      
   4. In the Tax tab, you will set the rules for sales tax or VAT.
      
   5. In the Orders tab, you will configure your order storage options.
      
   6. In the Email tab, you will enter your email server settings.
      
   7. In the Form Design tab, you will select your checkout form from preset designs.

   
   

8. Online payment solutions: Learn about online payment solutions including seamless checkout, remote checkout, and various PayPal checkout options.
   
   
9. Hosting provider solutions: Learn about and choose between five hosting providers, 1&1, GoDaddy, HostGator, Network Solutions, and DreamHost.
   
   
10. Online shipping solutions: Learn where and how to set up free shipping accounts with FedEx, UPS, USPS, and Australia Post.

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