Fulfill and ship an order
Mark orders as shipped, understand the fulfillment stages, and keep customers informed.
Once an order is paid, the next step is getting it to your customer. Fulfilling an order in YNS keeps your records tidy and your dashboard accurate, so you always know what's been sent and what's still waiting.
Before you start
A couple of things make fulfillment go smoothly:
- Confirm the order is paid. Only ship once the payment has cleared — a "Paid" status means the money is through Stripe and it's safe to send.
- Have your shipping options set up. If you haven't already, decide how you deliver in Shipping methods.
- Check the shipping address. Open the order detail and read the address before you print a label, so nothing goes to the wrong place.
Mark an order as shipped
When you've packed an order and handed it to your carrier, open the order from the Orders section and mark it as shipped. This updates the order status so your records reflect that the items are on their way.
Tip: Mark an order as shipped at the same time you create the shipping label, so your store always reflects reality.
How the status progresses
An order moves through clear stages so you always know what's left to do:
| Stage | What it means | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Paid | Payment cleared and the order is ready to pack | You — pack and send it |
| Shipped | You've sent it off to the customer | The carrier delivers it |
| Completed | The order has run its full course | No action needed |
Working through these in order keeps your dashboard accurate and your fulfillment on track. The simplest routine is to clear your paid orders regularly — pack them, mark them shipped, and let the status do the rest.
Keeping customers informed
YNS doesn't send an automatic "your order is on its way" email when you mark an order shipped, so it's worth keeping customers posted yourself. A short note with a tracking number does the job nicely and cuts down on "where's my order?" questions. If you run an email or marketing tool alongside your store, you can use that to send shipping updates too.
Partial and multi-item orders
If an order has several items, pack and check them together before you mark it shipped, so it goes out as a complete shipment. If you ever need to handle one item differently — say it's out of stock — let the customer know so you both stay on the same page.
Local pickup orders
If a customer chose to collect their order in person, you don't ship it — you prepare it for pickup instead. Get the order ready, set it aside, and have it waiting when they arrive. Learn how to offer this in Set up pickup locations.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Shipping before payment clears. Always check the order is paid first.
- Forgetting to mark it shipped. If you skip this, your records fall out of step and you lose track of what's actually been sent.
- Not double-checking the address. A quick look at the shipping address on the order detail saves costly re-sends.
FAQ
Does the customer get an email when I mark an order shipped?
No — YNS doesn't send an automatic shipping email by default. Keep customers posted yourself, for example with a quick message including a tracking number, so they know their order is on its way.
Can I undo marking an order as shipped?
It's best to mark an order shipped only once it has genuinely left your hands. If you marked one by mistake, reach out to the customer directly so they aren't confused, and correct the order status.
What if part of the order is out of stock?
Pack and send what you can, and keep the customer informed about the rest so they know what to expect. Fulfill the remaining items once they're back in stock.
How do I handle a pickup order?
Pickup orders aren't shipped. Prepare the items, set them aside, and have them ready for the customer to collect in person. See Set up pickup locations for how to offer this option.
What's next
- Set up your delivery options in Shipping methods.
- Offer in-person collection with Pickup locations.
- Track everything from View and manage orders.
- Handle returns when they come up in Issue refunds and handle returns.