What Is Stamps.com?

Stamps.com is simple online shipping software that lets users purchase postage from the USPS or UPS from their home or office computer. And it integrates with many online stores, making Stamps.com an easy, convenient, and affordable shipping solution for businesses that don’t ship in high volume.

How Does Stamps.com Work?

Stamps.com makes shipping easy, and of course, that means you can expect the software itself to be easy to use. Getting started is a snap. All you’ll need is a computer with a current browser and a regular printer (ink-jet or laser).

  1. Start A Stamps.com Account: You can download the Stamps.com software for free, or use the cloud-based version through your internet browser. You’ll need to enter some information, such as your name, phone number, and physical address. (You can create a Stamps.com account for your personal use, too, and not just a business account.) In return, you’ll receive a digital scale; the scale is free though you’ll have to pay a shipping and handling fee.
  2. Build Your Address Book: Your contacts will be imported automatically from MS Outlook or other popular address books and contact management software to Stamps.com. You can edit or add more at any time.
  3. Hook Up Your Scale: Remember that free scale you got in the mail? It’s time to pull it out and start using it. The free scale works on packages up to five pounds. If you need something larger, you can upgrade and weigh up to 35 pounds. The scale will connect automatically with your computer and integrate with your Stamps.com account.
  4. Add UPS As A Carrier: If you intend to use USPS only, you can skip this step. However, it’s free to add UPS as an option to your Stamps.com account, and you may end up saving money if you do.  From your Stamps.com dashboard, click the Settings icon and select the Carriers tab. Then click Add and choose UPS. After you agree to the terms, UPS will show up in Stamps.com as a carrier.
  5. Print Out Postage: Using the weight calculated by your integrated scale, Stamps.com software will give you delivery estimates and costs for all available USPS services. Select the service you want and then print the exact postage needed for each package. Use any printer to print postage on standard labels, on envelopes, or on plain paper. Stamps.com connects with the USPS database to verify delivery addresses. Affix the postage label to your package, and it’s ready to send off.
  6. Schedule Or Drop Off:  If you’re shipping with USPS, you can schedule a USPS pickup or drop packages off at the post office. With postage printed using Stamps.com, you can even drop packages weighing over the 13-ounce limit right into a mail collection box. If you’re using UPS, you can drop packages at a UPS Store or a retail partner (such as CVS, Advanced Auto Parts, or Michaels), hand them to a UPS driver, or use a dropbox or other drop-off location. You can also receive a discount on on-call pickup if scheduled through Stamps.com. Expect to pay $3.80.
  7. Track Packages: After the package is mailed, the most important question is: when will it arrive? Use Stamps.com tracking to access one-click tracking on all your packages. Stamps.com keeps records of the postage you print, so you can track your shipping history, too.

Stamps.com Features For Small Businesses

In general, compared to most full shipping software, Stamps.com is a bit limited. That said, Stamps.com does a good job of fulfilling its purpose: simplifying the process of purchasing postage from the USPS and UPS. Here are a few of the features Stamps.com offers:

  • Bulk Printing Options: Print shipping labels for all of your orders at once.
  • Print Packing Slips: You can only add custom graphics (such as a logo) if you’re using the downloadable PC version of the software.
  • Print Postage: You can print shipping labels and stamps. You can also print addresses and postage directly onto envelopes.
  • Send Return Shipping Labels: If a customer requests to return a package, you can create a return shipping label with prepaid postage and send it via email.
  • Schedule USPS and UPS Pickups: Schedule pickup times directly from Stamps.com’s admin panel.
  • Purchase Shipping Insurance: Select this option when you go to purchase postage to insure shipments for up to $10,000 in value.
  • Send Notification Emails: Let customers know when their orders have shipped. Notification emails can include tracking information, delivery address, mailing date and class, estimated delivery time, order details, special services, and a customizable personal note.
  • Online Reporting Dashboard: View package tracking details.
  • View Reports: Establish “Cost Codes” to track your purchases or for a department, categorize and review postage expenditures by project, export data for further analysis, and more.
  • Print From Any Printer: You don’t need to buy a fancy printer to print postage. Thermal printers work but are not required.
  • SCAN Forms: Include multiple shipments in one barcode and access USPS Acceptance SCAN (shipping confirmation acceptance notice) so you and your customers can access shipping information.
  • Hide Postage Cost: If you charge customers for “shipping and handling” use the Hidden Postage feature to print labels that do not display postage costs.
  • Advanced Services Available: Sign up for Stamps.com’s free Global Advantage Program and you gain access to special services for international shipping. That includes automated customs forms, shipping in lower-cost flat packages, shipping concierge, instant shipping refunds, free $100 insurance, global address verification, and free end-of-day pickup.
  • Support: Contact support representatives with email and unlimited telephone support. You’ll also find blog articles, videos, and free webinars that can help you get the most from your Stamps.com account.
  • Automation: Use a variety of tools to have Stamps.com automatically select the right shipping options for your orders. You can import orders, fulfill orders faster, and access lower shipping costs.

Do I Need Special Equipment?

You won’t need any special equipment to use your Stamps.com account. As long as you have a computer with a current browser, an internet connection, and an ordinary office printer, you’re all set. You don’t even need any special labels to print postage on. The only special equipment required is the postage scale that Stamps.com sends you when you sign up for the service.

Stamps.com Costs

Stamps.com offers three levels of service to its users. The price is the same whether you use the web-based software or install it directly. Be aware that the cost of postage is not included in the monthly subscription.

Stamps.com lets new users sign up for a four-week trial period, with a hitch. If you like Stamps.com and sign up for a paid account, you will be charged for the first month you used the service. When you sign up for the free trial, you’ll receive a credit for $5 in postage that you can use during the trial period. After the trial, you’ll receive two $10 postage coupons; you can redeem one per month.

As you consider using Stamps.com to purchase postage, you should also keep in mind the numerous shipping discounts the company provides. Stamps.com users can access USPS Commercial Base, Commercial Plus, Cubic Pricing, and Negotiated Service Agreements. Here are the available USPS discount rates:

  • Up to 16% on all Priority Mail Express shipments
  • Up to 40% on Priority Mail shipments
  • Up to 28% on First Class Package Service shipments
  • Up to 7% on international shipments
  • Up to 40% on package insurance

Stamps.com users can access UPS discounts too:

  • Up to 66% for UPS 2nd-Day Air
  • Up to 50% on UPS Ground
  • Up to 76% on UPS Worldwide Expedited Services

For more information on the available price plans and feat