Accessing Delivery Instructions in Shopify API

Introduction

For Shopify merchants offering local delivery services, accessing delivery instructions is crucial for smooth order fulfillment. However, many store owners have found it challenging to retrieve this important information through Shopify’s API. In this blog post, we’ll explore the current state of accessing delivery instructions, available workarounds, and recent updates that may provide a solution to this long-standing issue.

The Challenge of Retrieving Delivery Instructions

Understanding the Problem

Shopify’s local delivery feature allows customers to provide specific instructions for their orders. However, accessing these instructions programmatically has been a significant pain point for developers and store owners alike.

Impact on Businesses

The inability to easily retrieve delivery instructions has led to:

1. Inefficient order processing
2. Increased manual work for staff
3. Potential errors in order fulfillment

API Limitations

Until recently, Shopify’s API did not provide a straightforward method to access delivery instructions, forcing merchants to rely on manual processes or creative workarounds.

Workarounds and Temporary Solutions

Repurposing Existing Fields

Some merchants have found creative ways to capture delivery instructions:

Using the Company Field

One approach involves enabling the “Company” field in the checkout process and renaming it to “Special Delivery Instructions.” While not ideal, this method allows for the capture of delivery-specific information.

Leveraging Order Notes

Another workaround is to encourage customers to use the general order notes field for delivery instructions. However, this can lead to confusion if customers need to provide other types of notes as well.

Third-Party Apps and Integrations

Several third-party apps have emerged to fill the gap left by the API limitations. These solutions often provide custom fields during checkout and methods to retrieve the information, albeit outside of Shopify’s native system.

Recent Developments and API Updates

The 2021-04 API Version

In April 2021, Shopify introduced a new field in the fulfillmentOrder object called deliveryMethod. While this addition helped identify orders using local delivery or pickup options, it still didn’t provide access to the specific delivery instructions.

The 2024-04 API Version (Release Candidate)

The most promising development came with the 2024-04 release candidate version of the Admin API. This update introduced the DeliveryMethodAdditionalInformation field, which finally allows access to delivery instructions programmatically.

REST API Update in 2024-07

Following the GraphQL API update, Shopify also added support for delivery instructions in the REST API starting from version 2024-07. This information can now be accessed via the FulfillmentOrder > delivery_method > additional_information > instructions path.

Implementing the New API Features

Updating Your Integration

To take advantage of the new API capabilities:

1. Ensure your app or integration is using the latest API version
2. Update your API calls to include the new fields
3. Modify your order processing workflow to incorporate the newly accessible information

Testing and Validation

Before fully implementing the new features:

1. Test the API calls in a development environment
2. Verify that the delivery instructions are accurately retrieved
3. Update any dependent systems or processes to handle the new data

Best Practices for Handling Delivery Instructions

Clear Communication with Customers

Encourage customers to provide clear and concise delivery instructions during checkout. Consider adding helper text or examples to guide them.

Staff Training

Ensure that your staff is trained to:

1. Locate delivery instructions within the Shopify admin
2. Understand how to interpret and act on various types of instructions
3. Handle cases where instructions may be missing or unclear

Integrating with Delivery Management Systems

If you’re using a separate delivery management system:

1. Ensure that delivery instructions are properly synced
2. Provide drivers or delivery personnel with easy access to these instructions
3. Consider implementing a feedback loop for situations where instructions were unclear or problematic

Looking Ahead: Future Improvements

While the recent API updates have addressed a major pain point, there’s still room for improvement. Some areas that merchants and developers are hoping to see addressed include:

1. The ability for admins to edit items in orders made via Local Delivery
2. Options for admins to set an order’s delivery method to Local Delivery or Local Pickup, including specifying pickup locations
3. Further integration of delivery instructions into native Shopify features and reports

Conclusion

The addition of delivery instruction access to Shopify’s API marks a significant improvement for merchants offering local delivery services. By staying up-to-date with these changes and implementing best practices, store owners can streamline their operations and provide better service to their customers. As Shopify continues to evolve its platform, we can expect further enhancements that will make managing local deliveries even more efficient.