Shopping Cart Programming
Common Carrier API
Shipping API Programming
FIRST TIME ON THE INTERNET!
IN A HURRY? DOWNLOAD OUR QUICK INTRODUCTION TO OUR API BY CLICKING HERE.
Introducing the new Platinum API! Never before seen on the internet – a freight API to provide real-time freight quotes for small package and common carrier freight, with so many features to allow
factories and distributors with multiple sites, or even resellers, the ability to sell online!
CONTROL YOUR SHIPPING WITH EASE!
Using our new PLATINUM API, you can add accurate shipping costs for all your products, shipping from any location!
All obstacles are gone! Now you too can sell online! Let us help you integrate accurate, real-time shipping rates
and give your customers cheap rates, or even let them decide how it ships! Easy to integrate, easy to use! It works! Use with your chosen shopping cart or customer cart!
| The Problem | The Solution Using our PLATINUM API |
|---|---|
| How many ways are there to charge freight on a web site, whether it be a small item or large? | Some web sites currently charge a percentage of the sale for freight or one price for each product, no matter where it ships to in the country, both of which might be counterproductive to sales, as most people feel both charges unfair. Most people are familiar with distance having a large part to play in accurate freight rates. We recommend you obtain real-time freight rates to add to the sale. To accomplish this, one needs a real-time freight API to be integrated into the shopping cart used for the web site. |
| Makes sense, but how do I get real time rates? I have all types and sizes of products to ship. | That's what we ran into also. Since an API was not available to incorporate both small package and common carrier (LTL) freight, we had to build it. We call it the PLATINUM API. The API can deal with both types of freight, even in the same sale. |
| I see that any programming available on the internet today only allows shipping from one site, yours too? | The PLATINUM API we have created allows you to ship from an unlimited number of shipping points. The origin zip code is read by the API for each line item in the sale, and returns rates for each item separately, or one rate when all items ship from the same point, which is then added to the sale in mere seconds. This capability makes it ideal for resellers to set up an online store, and works great for companies with many warehouses or factory locations which they may choose to ship from! It deals with smalland large items, and combines them also when shipping from the same location. Our API also allows your purchaser to complete the sale without call-backs for separate freight charges. |
| OK, what about when I sell two items in the same sale, and each one ships from a different location? | The PLATINUM API sends a freight query for each line item in your cart, using the individual "ship from" zip code assigned to that product. You can also program your products to have multiple ship points, easily managable from your cart's admin section. The rates for each item are returned, totaled and usually placed directly into the shipping cost cell on your checkout page. |
| What if I have some items that are small, and some very large or heavy? | The PLATINUM API has the ability to discern by line item in the cart whether that item qualifies for small package freight or common carrier (LTL) freight based on weight and dimensions, and then obtains the appropriate real-time rate. |
| What if I have multiple items in the cart, a few coming from the same place, one not? | The PLATINUM API is designed to couple like origination zip code products together as a single shipment, prior to going out for that query. A query is obtained for every other item in the cart separately. Then, you can offer the cheapest rate returned for each line item, or give your purchaser choices for each line item, and let them decide. |
| What happens if I have a few items in the sale, but different classes of freight? | Each line item is treated individually, so the freight class for each would be used for the accurate rates you expect. In the case that all items shipped from one point, the highest freight class among the items in the sale is used for the query. |
| Sounds great. Isn't the functionality of such a programming integrated into the cart also? | It is, so once you choose your programmer who is familiar with your chosen cart, we send them directions of how to prepare your product page, checkout page and other oiptions available, they will connect your cart to our API on our server, and you're good to go! |
| Regarding the classes of freight, can I assign each product the freight class it will ship by, for common carrier items? | Yes you can, and it is actually required for accurate rates (see left border for freight class and NMFC code info). |
| Let's say I sell used items...they are sometimes cheaper to ship when identified as such. Can your PLATINUM API allow me to assign whether my items are used, instead of new? | Yes, the common carrier freight rate results are based on you identifying on your product page which products are new and which are used. |
| How about the various types of packaging which applies to freight company prices, can you allow me to identify if my products are a pallet, in a box, bale or drum? | Yes, and there are many options to choose from in setting up your products and their respective ways of being shipped. You will need to identify for each product how it is shipped, such as on a pallet. |
| OK, here's a good one. I have an item that is 3" x 6" x 108". If a customer orders 30 of them, the bundle dimensions will be much different than if your PLATINUM API considers all thirty as separate shipment sizes. Now what do I do? | You don't worry. Our PLATINUM API has shown to date no difference in returned rates, whether you enter 30 eaches of that item and dimension, or one each for the bundle size those 30 items would create, unless there is needed additional packaging materials that would put the bundle at a higher cost due to shipping dimensions. We can still customize the API to your needs should your bundle dimensions yield an unavoidable difference. If you sell a product only in certain quantities, and you have entered on your product page those quantities and shipping dimensions, you have no issues. |
| OK, I'm sold, tell me how to get started. | Have your programmer call for information on how to prepare the product page to ask certain questions regarding common carrier freight, which goes beyond the usual weight and dimensions requirement for small package freight. Once installed, the programmer will prepare your checkout page to ask the purchaser necessary questions such as "is the destination a commercial or residential address?" and so on. Then you decide if you want the returned carrier rates and time frames to appear on the confirmation of order page, and that's pretty much it for the preparation. Sign up for the API after that has been completed. The programmer then makes the connection and you're all set! A summary of this can be found on the link above under the words "First Time On The Internet!". |
| OK, so tell me how to find a good programmer | The best way to find a reputable programmer is through a recommendation from someone with a good past experience with that programmer. You should find someone familiar with the cart you have decided on, so start with the shopping cart company for recommendations for certified programmers or developers. Interview at least five to ten programmers, not only for references and experience, but someone you will be able to easily communicate with. Explain your needs in written form, and make sure the programmer returns an outline of work to be done in phases. That outline should be one with thoughtful recommendations, one in which they did not just copy your email requests, but put it into a better format that reflects the work to be done and in what order. Make sure you have a contract, refundable clause if not done on time, and try at all costs to pay at least 75% of the costs once completed and tested. |
| How long do you estimate this programming work to take to connect to your API? | Probably a week, but many programmers may choose to go with an extra week to test the site once connection has been made. Make sure to have them copy you on those tests to qualify their time used, days, etc. Keep in mind, if you choose a complex shopping cart, and there are a few out there, it can take longer. The agreement you have, and understanding you have with your chosen programmer, is paramount. Have everything agreed upon in writing, and have them review our web site home page and FAQ page for all the information they will need to complete to estimate you require. Have them call us should they have any other questions. Keep in mind programmers have other projects too, so be very specific on the amount of time they will spend per week on your project, and add it to your contract. |
| What languages does your api cover? | The api is written using http request, sending and receiving XML, so you're covered for java, .net, php, ruby, perl, coldfusion, etc. |
SIGN ME UP! |
WHY FREIGHTAPI?
Making it easy to add shipping costs to your web site shopping cart, for common carrier and small package items!. Use FreightAPI to gain the most from your online store and minimize the shipping issues that plague many businesses.
United Parcel Service
Federal Express
FreightQuote.com
DHL.comAll About FreightAPI
What is a freight API? It is the programming module needed
by the shopping cart company processing your online web sales, to tie to a freight carrier’s computer for
real-time quotes, based on to/from zip codes, weight, size of shipment and class of freight.
FreightAPI
P.O. BOX 1145
Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Tel 1-866-427-2662
Fax 1-866-484-3722
What are Freight Classes and NMFC codes?
These terms come from the National Motor Freight Classification Handbook, issued by the National Motor Freight
Traffic Association, Inc., who have categoried all types of shipped product into two identifiers. The first, a
two or three digit "freight class", which most people are familiar with, is assigned to each of your products, charged
at a specific rate. Secondly, to get to the freight classification, they start with a 5-6 digit code, the "NMFC code",
which is much more specific to your product. The NMFC code is based on whether your product is made of iron, steel or wood,
knocked-down or assembled when shipped, operated by battery or gas, a food stuff, a boat or a piece of lumber.
If you would like to obtain this manual, or learn what specific code number refers to your product,
please call 703-838-1810 or go to their website at www.nmfta.org. Interested in seeing a sample page of this manual? Click the image.
Easy as 1-2-3
To prepare your cart for the API, here are the simple steps to do it:
Phase One
Prepare Your Product Page - Add to your product page the following items, using radial buttons or drop down menus
as you see fit. You will connect the answer for each to the API. Feel free to leave out options your business does not use.
Options are numbered only for reference.
Common Carrier? (window, yes/no)
(default is yes)
If yes, these are options to be answered for common carrier products in your web site product selection...
Origin Zip Code? (window, 6 digits for Canada too, lets and nums)
What type of Business?
1. Business with dock or forklift
2. Business without dock or forklift
3. Residential or limited access
4. Trade Show
What are you shipping?
(default is new commercial)
1. New commercial goods
2. Used commerical goods
3. Household Goods
4. Fragile or unpackaged goods
5. Automobile
6. Motorcycle
How is it shipped?
(default is Pallet (48"x40")
1. Pallet (48"x40")
2. Pallet (48"x48")
3. Pallet (60"x48")
4. Pallet (enter dimensions)
5. Bags
6. Bales
7. Boxes
8. Bundles
9. Carpets
10. Crates
11. Coils
12. Cylinders
13. Drums
14. Pails
15. Reels
16. Rolls
17. Tubes/Pipes
Shipping Weight? (window, enter pounds)
Shipping dimensions? (windows, enter L,W,H)
Freight class (window, 2-3 digits)
Stackable (yes/no)
(default is no)
Hazardous? (yes/no)
(default is no)
If small package freight....
Origin Zip Code? (window, 6 digits for Canada too, lets and nums)
Shipping Weight? (window, enter pounds)
Shipping dimensions? (windows, enter L,W,H)
Phase Two
Prepare Your Checkout Page - You Must Ask The Purchaser:
What is the destination?
(default is business with dock/forklift)
1. Business with dock or forklift
2. Business without dock or forklift
3. Residential or limited access
4. Trade show or ceonvention
5. Construction Site
6. Closest carrier terminal
Add a disclaimer: "Please note that incorrect answers may result in higher freight costs."
Decide what you want to list for rates - do you wish to use cheapest price only or give your customer choices and list them on the checkout page? (keep in mind the API is designed to go from line item in the cart and total. As a result, if you offer choices, many might be listed on the checkout page, should they have many items in the sale. Your choices would then be offered for every line item. Your programmer can list 2,3,5 or more options (per line item) as you wish.
(Your own programmer will total all rates used or chosen into the shipping cost cell).
Phase Three
Decide what your confirmation of order will show, for the purchaser and for the web site owner.
Do you care to list the carrier with timeframe and cost for the purchaser? Do you wish to list all rates returned on the web site owner's copy, with purchaser choice, for confirmation, and for valuable data they can use later? A great idea for your records, should a dispute arise later.
That's It! When you sign up, we send you the username and password and unique API token number for the use of the API.
HAVE FUN SELLING! We are glad we could assist in growing your business, and thank you!