Welcome to our guide on Optimized Seller-Set Transit (OST), a valuable feature that can enhance the delivery experience for your seller-fulfilled standard shipping orders on Amazon. Below, we’ll explore what OST is, how to enable it, and address some frequently asked questions.
What is Optimized Seller-Set Transit Feature?
Optimized Seller-Set Transit (OST) is a tool designed to improve the accuracy and speed of delivery estimates for seller-fulfilled standard shipping orders. It achieves this by leveraging historical carrier shipping data to dynamically adjust transit times based on the distance between your default warehouse location and the customer’s destination. By activating OST, you can offer more precise estimated delivery times to customers while utilizing your preferred carrier.
Please note that this feature is currently accessible to sellers by invitation only. Make sure your default shipping address is up to date, as OST relies on this information to calculate transit times accurately.
How to Enable the OST Feature
Follow these steps to enable OST:
- Go to Settings on Seller Central and select Shipping Settings.
- In the Shipping Settings section, navigate to Shipping Templates.
- If you want to enable OST for an existing template, click “Edit Template” for that template. Scroll down to find the “Optimized Seller-Set Transit” option and toggle it on.
- If you’re creating a new template, click “Create a New Shipping Template,” then activate the “Optimized Seller-Set Transit” toggle.
- Save your changes to apply the OST feature to the selected shipping template.
Remember, the OST feature is exclusive to seller-fulfilled standard shipping settings.
Optimized Seller-Set Transit FAQ
What are the benefits of enabling OST?
Enabling OST allows you to provide more accurate and faster delivery times to customers. Customers prefer quicker deliveries and are more inclined to purchase products with shorter estimated delivery times. Additionally, products with faster delivery times are more likely to be featured prominently on product detail pages.
Do I need to re-enable OST after updating my default shipping address?
No, once you’ve enabled OST on your shipping templates, Amazon will automatically use your updated default shipping address for estimating delivery times. There’s no need to re-enable OST every time you make changes to your default shipping address.
How can I edit my default shipping address?
Follow these steps to edit your default shipping address:
- Click on the Settings dropdown menu at the top right corner of Seller Central.
- Select “Shipping Settings.” Under General Shipping Settings, click “Edit” in the Default Shipping Address section.
- Choose the address you want to set as the new default shipping address or add a new address.
- Click “Save” to apply the changes.
Can I use OST with Shipping Settings Automation (SSA) enabled?
No, it’s not necessary to opt-in to OST on shipping templates where you have Shipping Settings Automation (SSA) enabled.
How can I opt-out of the OST feature?
To opt-out of OST, simply turn off the “Optimized Seller-Set Transit” toggle button on your shipping templates.
If I’ve opted out, can I opt back in?
Yes, you can opt back in at any time by toggling on the “Optimized Seller-Set Transit” feature on your shipping templates.
By leveraging Optimized Seller-Set Transit, you can enhance your delivery performance and provide customers with more accurate estimated delivery times, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and potentially boosting sales.