Setting up a Royal Mail Integration – StoreFeeder

Setting up a Royal Mail Integration

This page help you set up an integration for Royal Mail within StoreFeeder

A direct integration with Royal Mail allows you to create labels, both integrated and thermal, for orders shipped with Royal Mail services as well as produce your end of day manifest all within StoreFeeder.

If you have more than one Royal Mail account, these will need to be entered as separate integrations.

If you find that you're struggling to understand some of the terminology used, check out the StoreFeeder Terminology Knowledge Base by clicking here.

Integrating StoreFeeder with Royal Mail as one of your couriers is a simple process. Just follow the instructions below and you should be up and running in no time.

Step by Step Guide

Step 1.

You will first need to add a Royal Mail integration to your StoreFeeder account if you do not already have one.

A Royal Mail integration comes as a default on a new StoreFeeder account, but if you need to add it as a new integration follow the first 3 steps in this guide. If not, you're better off starting this guide from 'Step 4'.

Please do not be tempted to update an existing integration, this can have serious negative consequences for example leaving you unable to manifest. We will shortly be removing the ability to update an existing integration.

First, sign into StoreFeeder using your login details. You will then be brought to the 'Dashboard. Look to the top right of this page and you will see a 'Settings' option with a cog next to it; click that.

Step 2.

You will now see the 'Integration Manager' page and a list of all of your channels.

To create an integration with Royal Mail, look to the top right of the Integration Manager page and click the green button marked "+ New Integration".

Step 3.

You will then be greeted by the following screens where you will need to pick the circled options.

You will then be asked to input a name for the integration. Once you have finished, click the '+Add Integration' to proceed.

You will now see the 'Integration Details' page for this channel. In the 'Integration Profile Section' you can edit your Profile Name, select a Company Identity and set the 'Connection Type'

Step 4.

On the Integration details page, you will first need to check the integration type is set to 'Direct'. This will confirm that the integration is going to be used to link directly with the Royal Mail.

You will now see the Courier API settings, detailing all the information we need to setup the integration. We require the following:

Account Number - A 8-9 digit number and can be found in your OBA (Online Business Account) or on documentation relating to your account from the Royal Mail.
Posting Location Number - A 9-10 digit number assigned to your account and is also available through OBA.
Contract Number - ONLY IF USING TRACKED SHIPPING. If you do not already know your 'Contract Number' you will need to contact your Royal Mail account manager in order to obtain it.

The items in the list above are information you will need to provide in order for us to get the other details required for the integration from the Royal Mail.

You'll notice that there is not a field for you to enter your 'Contract Number'. This is because it's needed for some behind the scenes magic that our Support team will need to do for you. So just keep a memo of it somewhere until you get in touch with them.

In the 'Show Special Instructions field', type 'true' if you wish for your special delivery instructions to be printed on the label. Type 'false' if you do not. If left blank, 'false' will be assumed by default.

You can add special delivery instructions by clicking on the 'Order ID' of an order on the 'Order Manager' page. The option can be found in the 'Shipping & Handling' section.

Once you have entered the information required from you click the 'Save' button at the bottom of the page.

Step 5.

You will now need to send a ticket into support or contact your account manager to inform them you wish to set up a direct integration with Royal Mail. They will check you have provided your account number and posting location number and progress the setup to the next stage.

You can get in touch with our friendly support team here

Please be aware that this process can take 2-3 working days, however in certain circumstances can take up to 10 working days. If there are any problems with setting you up we will contact you.

Step 6.

To complete the final part of the initial setup you will just need to choose if you require 'Auto Assign Packaging Sizes' on or off. This option, if turned on, will try to automatically assign a packaging size based on the service selected and weight of the order at the point of despatch.

The 'Auto Assign Packaging Sizes' option is designed to be used to enable you to get up and running with Royal Mail as quickly as possible, however needless to say this approach has many disadvantages and we would recommend setting up your packaging sizes as shown in this article here.

Don't forget to click the 'Save' button at the bottom of he page after all the above steps have been followed.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up a Royal Mail integration with StoreFeeder.

If you have now set up all of your courier integrations you will now need to create shipping methods, regions and rules for orders. Instructions on how to do so can be found on this helpful article here.