Shipping Rate Comparison Tool
- Duration: 3 months
- Year: 2023
- Role: UX Designer/Web developer
Project Overview
Our client, an established electrical equipment distributor with over 25 years of experience supplying leading brands like Schneider Electric, OBO Bettermann and Legrand, needed an efficient way to compare international shipping rates from DHL, UPS and TNT. I developed ParcelCompare—a user-friendly web app that supports bulk CSV uploads, retrieves real-time courier rates via API integrations, and displays clear, comparable results. This streamlined solution simplifies decision-making and AWB generation in a unified interface.
Integrating API Expertise with UX Insights
Facing significant time and resource constraints, I leveraged my hands-on experience integrating courier APIs for Sameday and FanCourier across multiple client projects, combining these insights with lessons learned from over 400 previous engagements and established UX best practices. This approach enabled me to pinpoint persistent challenges—such as non-responsive interfaces and cumbersome data handling—and set clear design objectives like streamlining data input and enhancing mobile navigation. Through iterative testing and feedback, I delivered a pragmatic, user-centered solution that meets both business and technical requirements.
Problem
The client, an international electronics supplier, needed a streamlined method to compare shipping rates from DHL, UPS, and TNT. Their manual process—visiting separate courier websites to check rates, fees, and generating AWBs through distinct portals—was slow, error-prone, and lacked transparency.
Goal
Build a user-friendly web application—ParcelCompare—that enables bulk CSV uploads of shipment data, automatically retrieves real-time courier rates and fees. This streamlined platform lets users quickly compare options, generate AWBs in one interface, and make informed shipping decisions.
My role
As the sole UX Designer and Web Developer, I led the end-to-end process—from initial user research and mapping out user flows to wireframing and implementation—delivering a solution that seamlessly balanced technical API features with an intuitive user experience, meeting business objectives and simplifying daily tasks.
Shipping Process Challenges
Time-Consuming Rate Checks
Manually comparing courier websites slowed down decision-making, especially when handling multiple shipments.
Inconsistent Data Entry
Without a unified platform, input errors and incomplete information were frequent, leading to potential shipping delays.
Limited Transparency on Extra Fees
Each courier had its own format for displaying surcharges and insurance, making it difficult to evaluate total costs.
No Quick AWB Generation
Users had to navigate separate portals to generate shipping labels, adding unnecessary steps to the workflow.
Lack of Bulk Processing
Handling large volumes of orders in different formats was inefficient, often requiring repeated manual data entry.
Competitive analysis
| Competitor | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregator A |
Simple, user-friendly layout Live courier API connections |
No advanced shipping options No bulk CSV upload option |
| Aggregator B |
Quick rate comparison Clear pricing breakdown |
AWB generation handled on courier sites Extra fees not always transparent |
Gaps & Opportunities
Streamlined Upload & Comparison:
A single page for CSV import and rate retrieval, eliminating the need for manual data re-entry.
Unified Fee Display:
Present insurance costs and surcharges consistently across all couriers.
On-Demand AWB Creation:
Let users finalize their shipping choice and generate labels within the same platform.
Responsive Design:
Ensure the interface works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile for busy logistics teams.
User Journey & Flow
This diagram maps the complete user journey for ParcelCompare—from the CSV upload on the homepage to real-time API integration with DHL, UPS, and TNT, and finally, to selecting a courier service and generating the AWB. It illustrates how users can seamlessly compare shipping rates, make informed decisions, and easily initiate new uploads, all within an intuitive, streamlined workflow.
Final design solutions
Centralized Rate Comparison
The home page drastically simplifies uploading and processing shipment data, reducing errors and manual effort.
Transparent Fees & Delivery Info
The results page outlines costs, surcharges, and estimated delivery windows in a clear, comparable format.
Seamless AWB Generation
One-click label creation for the chosen service eliminates the need for additional portals.
Takeaways
Impact
By merging CSV-based bulk uploads with direct courier API calls, ParcelCompare significantly shortens the time required to evaluate shipping options. Early feedback indicates that the client appreciates the transparent fee breakdown and immediate AWB creation, which together foster a more efficient shipping workflow.
What I Learned
Working on this project underscored the value of building a user-centered interface that addresses specific business needs—such as automating data entry and simplifying comparisons. Balancing technical API integrations with a clean, intuitive design required close collaboration with stakeholders to ensure both speed and accuracy in real-world logistics scenarios.
Let’s Connect!
Thank you for reviewing my work. I’d love to discuss how my expertise in UX design and front-end development can bring value to your team. Please reach out at [email protected] or explore more of my portfolio on this site.