Online shoppers don’t just want tracking, they expect it. Real-time updates, accurate delivery estimates, and a seamless post-purchase experience. Narvar Tracking helps brands meet those expectations with carrier integrations, branded tracking pages, and fewer WISMO inquiries.
But is it the right fit?
Hidden pricing, limited branding options, and long setup times leave some businesses looking for more control. So, what exactly does Narvar Tracking offer? Where does it fall short? And what are the alternatives if you need a more flexible solution?
What is Narvar tracking?
Narvar Tracking is a shipment tracking solution provided by Narvar, a post-purchase experience platform for eCommerce businesses.
It allows retailers to offer customers a branded, real-time order tracking experience instead of relying on carrier tracking pages (like UPS or FedEx).
How does it work?
When a retailer generates a shipping label via their OMS or shipping software, the tracking number is transmitted to Narvar via API.
For example, BigCommerce retailers configure API credentials in Narvar Hub to synchronize tracking numbers and shipment details
Once a tracking number is ingested, Narvar’s platform:
- Validates the number against carrier databases
- Maps it to the corresponding customer order
- Initiates status-polling workflows
Key features of Narvar shipping and order tracking
1. Branded tracking experience
Narvar allows retailers to create customized tracking pages that align with their brand identity through CSS overrides and dynamic content injection.
However, despite these customization options, all Narvar tracking pages display "Powered by Narvar" branding, which limits full brand control.
2. Predictive delivery intelligence
Narvar uses machine learning to analyze historical carrier data, weather patterns, and logistics bottlenecks to generate estimated delivery dates (EDDs).
While this reduces WISMO inquiries, it doesn’t always account for unexpected issues, such as carrier strikes or misrouted shipments, leading to customer frustration.
3. Multi-channel notifications
Narvar enables retailers to send shipment status updates via:
- SMS
These notifications trigger on delivery exceptions, including missed scans and weather delays.
4. Enterprise-grade integrations
Narvar’s API-first architecture connects with major eCommerce platforms and ERP systems, supporting complex fulfillment models, such as:
- Shopify, Magento (eCommerce)
- SAP, Oracle (ERP)
- Curbside pickup & in-store returns
However, Narvar tracking implementations take 6–8 weeks, making it less agile for mid-sized businesses compared to faster, plug-and-play alternatives.
| Customization Element | Functionality Area | Narvar Implementation | Outvio Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branded tracking page | Customer-facing UI | Requires CSS/JS for advanced changes | Fully customizable with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor |
| Promotional banners | Marketing & upselling | AI-powered widgets for automated product recommendations | AI-powered widgets for automated product recommendations |
| Notification templates | Communication | Basic templates with static text | Fully dynamic templates with customizable branding, messaging, and triggers |
| Custom domain hosting | Brand consistency | Requires CNAME setup | Native branded URLs with no additional setup |
| Delivery status triggers | Notifications | Limited to 20+ preset triggers | Configurable alerts for 100+ shipment milestones |
| Returns & exchange portal | Post-purchase experience | Requires API integration | Ready-to-use branded portal with rule-based automation |
| Review generation tools | Reputation management | Not available | Built-in Review Booster® for automatic review requests |
| Real-time analytics | Business intelligence | Tracking and returns dashboard | 360° analytics with deep performance insights |
| Carrier branding | Logistics transparency | Mandatory partner logos on shipment timelines | White-label carrier tracking with full branding control |
Capabilities of Narvar's tracking page
Branding and visual customization
Narvar allows for detailed visual customization through its platform, letting merchants modify:
- Colors, fonts, headers, and background images
- Image assets for seasonal campaigns or regional promotions
- Dynamic color schemes that align with brand guidelines
Enterprise clients can access advanced styling options through CSS overrides and JavaScript injections, but these require developer assistance. While basic changes can be made via Narvar’s self-service portal, complex redesigns typically involve Narvar’s technical team.
Layout configuration
The platform’s grid-based editor lets retailers rearrange tracking page components, including:
- Estimated delivery date displays
- Marketing content modules
- Product recommendation widgets
- Delivery exception handling interfaces
Retailers can create device-specific layouts, optimizing the experience for mobile vs. desktop users. Geographical customization allows distinct designs for different regions—a summer-themed layout for tropical areas vs. winter motifs for colder markets.
Content personalization
Narvar’s tracking pages dynamically adjust displayed content based on:
- Shipment status (e.g., in-transit vs. delayed)
- Customer location
- Order value & product categories
Marketers can schedule promotional banners tied to delivery milestones, such as showcasing complementary products when packages reach "out for delivery" status.
The system automatically surfaces personalized recommendations using:
- Purchase history analysis
- Real-time browsing behavior
- Inventory availability data
Technical implementation
Hosting and domain management
A critical limitation of Narvar tracking is its hosting model tracking pages are hosted on tracking.narvar.com subdomains with a mandatory "Powered by Narvar" footer.
While businesses can implement CNAME records for custom domains, full white-labeling is not available. This means retailers using Narvar order tracking cannot remove Narvar’s branding completely, unlike competitors such as Outvio, which allow full domain control.
For brands that prioritize a seamless customer experience, the lack of full Narvar shipping tracking white-labeling can be a major drawback.
Integration complexity
Narvar’s React-based architecture enables integrations with platforms like Shopify and Salesforce, but the setup process can be complex.
Businesses using Narvar package tracking must handle:
- API key management through Microsoft Azure connectors
- Custom webhook configurations for real-time shipment tracking software updates
- Carrier-specific milestone mapping to properly sync delivery statuses
For non-technical teams, setting up Narvar tracking order can require significant developer involvement, making the implementation process longer compared to plug-and-play alternatives.
Functional limitations
Narvar tracking supports 34 languages, but its machine translation features are not as advanced as some alternatives. This can lead to inconsistencies in localized tracking pages, affecting the customer experience.
Additionally, Narvar tracking imposes strict limitations on:
- Checkpoint editing: Businesses cannot modify carrier-provided status updates in Narvar order tracking, which restricts flexibility in messaging
- Address masking: Sensitive location data cannot be fully hidden, a downside for brands needing secure tracking narvar solutions
- Carrier branding: Partner logos remain mandatory in Narvar shipping tracking timelines, reducing full brand control
Inconsistency in international shipments
Shipping from the U.S. to Europe isn’t always smooth. Narvar, built mainly for North American logistics, often struggles to keep up with European shipping complexities. Retailers see problems like:
- Tracking updates disappearing when shipments move between U.S. and EU carriers
- Local couriers requiring manual adjustments just to provide accurate tracking
- Complicated tax and compliance rules that don’t integrate well with Narvar
These issues don’t just slow things down. They create a frustrating experience for customers and lead to more support inquiries. Instead of a seamless tracking process, brands end up dealing with inconsistencies that hurt customer trust.
Localization and customs hurdles
Narvar isn’t fully optimized for European logistics, and it shows. Retailers dealing with EU customers often run into:
- Currency mismatches on tracking pages and notifications
- Language barriers that make updates unclear for non-English speakers
- Limited automation for customs and duties, causing unnecessary delays
That’s where Outvio makes a difference. With seamless carrier integrations across both the U.S. and Europe, localized tracking pages, and automated customs handling, Outvio ensures your customers get a transparent, hassle-free tracking experience—no matter where they are.
From checkout to delivery, you stay in control while offering a smooth, branded journey that meets expectations on both sides of the Atlantic.
Outvio: A smarter alternative to Narvar tracking
Narvar helps you track orders. Outvio helps you own the entire post-purchase experience.
With Outvio, you get everything Narvar offers, without the limitations. No third-party logos. No CSS overrides. No developer headaches. Just full brand control, straight from the interface.
Customizing tracking pages, notifications, and customer interactions takes minutes, not weeks—making Outvio the go-to choice for fast-growing eCommerce brands.
What sets Outvio apart?
- Fully customizable tracking pages without Narvar’s branding restrictions
- Automated shipping label generation and carrier management
- AI-driven product recommendations to turn tracking pages into sales channels
- Smart logistics automation for fulfillment, returns, and issue resolution
- Integrated helpdesk and AI-powered chat support
Request a demo today and see how Outvio transforms your post-purchase experience.
