Linnworks

What is Linnworks

Linnworks is a comprehensive commerce operations platform designed for multichannel retailers. Its main purpose is to centralize and automate key ecommerce processes, including inventory management, order processing, shipping, and marketplace listings. By connecting all sales channels and backend operations into a single system, Linnworks helps businesses prevent overselling, improve efficiency, and scale their operations. The platform is built to handle high volumes of orders and SKUs, making it suitable for growing and established online retailers. Linnworks was founded in the United Kingdom and serves a global customer base, helping them manage complex logistics and expand into new markets with greater control and visibility.

Linnworks Features

Linnworks provides a suite of powerful features to manage the entire ecommerce workflow.

• Inventory Management: Syncs inventory levels in real-time across all connected sales channels, including marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, and ecommerce websites. This prevents overselling and ensures accurate stock counts everywhere.
• Order Management: Automates the entire order lifecycle. It pulls orders from all channels, allows for rule-based routing to the correct warehouse or fulfillment center, and updates order statuses automatically.
• Shipping Management: Integrates with numerous shipping carriers to print labels, track packages, and manage shipping costs from one interface. Users can set up automated shipping rules to select the best carrier based on cost, destination, or delivery speed.
• Warehouse Management: Offers tools to optimize warehouse operations. This includes generating picklists, managing stock locations, and implementing quality control checks to reduce picking and packing errors.
• Marketplace Listings: Allows users to create, update, and manage product listings in bulk across more than 100 marketplaces. This saves significant time when changing prices, descriptions, or other product details on multiple channels.
• Reporting and Analytics: Provides a central hub for data from all sales channels. Users can generate detailed reports on sales performance, inventory levels, and product demand to make informed business decisions and forecast future needs.

Linnworks Pricing Plans

Linnworks does not publish standard pricing plans on its website. Instead, it offers a customized pricing model based on the specific needs and scale of a business. Pricing is typically determined by factors such as monthly order volume, the number of SKUs, and the required features and integrations. Potential customers are encouraged to schedule a demo with the Linnworks sales team to discuss their requirements and receive a personalized quote. This approach ensures that businesses only pay for the functionality they need, whether they are a growing mid-sized retailer or a large enterprise with complex operations.

Linnworks Free Plan

Linnworks does not offer a free plan or a standard free trial. The platform is designed for established businesses with a certain level of operational complexity. To evaluate the software, interested businesses can request a no-obligation, personalized demo. During the demo, a Linnworks specialist will walk through the platform's features and demonstrate how it can address the specific challenges and goals of the potential customer's business.

How to use Linnworks

Getting started with Linnworks involves a structured process to ensure all systems are connected correctly.

1. Request a Demo: The first step is to contact Linnworks for a personalized demo to understand its capabilities and discuss your business needs.
2. Onboarding and Setup: Once you become a customer, the onboarding process begins. This involves working with the Linnworks team to configure your account.
3. Integrate Sales Channels: Connect your marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, eBay, Walmart) and ecommerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, BigCommerce) to Linnworks.
4. Sync Inventory: Import your product catalog and allow Linnworks to become the central source of truth for your inventory levels.
5. Configure Order Management: Set up rules for how orders are processed, prioritized, and routed for fulfillment.
6. Set Up Shipping: Integrate your shipping carrier accounts and configure rules for label printing and shipment tracking.
7. Manage Listings: Use the listing management tools to update product information across all channels from the Linnworks dashboard.
8. Monitor and Analyze: Regularly use the reporting tools to track sales, monitor inventory, and identify opportunities for growth.

Pros and Cons of Linnworks

Linnworks is a powerful platform, but it has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros:

• Centralized Control: Manages all aspects of multichannel selling from a single platform, providing excellent visibility.
• Extensive Integrations: Connects with over 100 marketplaces, shipping carriers, and 3PLs.
• Powerful Automation: Automates repetitive tasks in order processing, inventory updates, and shipping, saving time and reducing errors.
• Scalability: Built to handle high order volumes and large product catalogs, making it suitable for growing businesses.
• Real-Time Sync: Prevents overselling by keeping inventory levels accurate across all channels.

Cons:

• Steep Learning Curve: The platform is feature-rich and can be complex to learn and configure without proper training.
• No Transparent Pricing: The need to contact sales for a quote can be a barrier for some businesses.
• Cost: Can be a significant investment, making it less suitable for very small businesses or startups.
• Complex Implementation: Setting up the system and all integrations can be a time-consuming process.

Linnworks integrations

Linnworks offers hundreds of native integrations to create a connected commerce ecosystem. These integrations cover various categories:

• Marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Etsy, and many more.
• Ecommerce Platforms: Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce.
• Shipping Carriers: Integrates with major global and regional carriers for seamless shipping label generation and tracking.
• 3PLs (Third-Party Logistics): Connects with fulfillment partners to automate order routing and inventory updates.
• Accounting Software: Integrates with platforms like Xero and QuickBooks to streamline financial reconciliation.

Integrations are a core part of the Linnworks platform and are designed to be easy to install from their application store.

Linnworks Alternatives

Several other platforms offer similar functionality to Linnworks.

• ChannelAdvisor: A robust platform for large enterprises, offering marketplace management, digital marketing, and fulfillment solutions. It is a direct competitor for high-volume sellers.
• Sellbrite: A more accessible platform aimed at small to medium-sized businesses. It offers a simpler user interface for inventory and order management across major marketplaces.
• Veeqo: An Amazon-owned inventory and shipping platform. It provides powerful features and is often a cost-effective choice, especially for businesses that sell heavily on Amazon.
• Cin7: A comprehensive inventory management system that also includes features for point-of-sale (POS) and B2B ecommerce, making it suitable for businesses with both online and offline sales channels.
• SkuVault: A warehouse and inventory management system focused on solving complex inventory challenges for ecommerce retailers, particularly those with their own warehouses.

Linnworks API

Yes, Linnworks provides a comprehensive REST API that allows developers to build custom integrations and extend the platform's functionality. The API gives access to nearly all aspects of the Linnworks system, including orders, inventory, listings, and shipping.

To get an API key, you must be a Linnworks customer. The key can typically be generated within the Linnworks account settings under a developer or API section. The documentation, available on the Linnworks developer portal, provides detailed information on all available endpoints and how to use them.

Example API Call (Conceptual):

{
  "method": "POST",
  "url": "https://api.linnworks.net/api/Inventory/GetInventoryItems",
  "headers": {
    "Authorization": "YOUR_API_TOKEN"
  },
  "body": {
    "viewName": "All Products",
    "pageNumber": 1,
    "entriesPerPage": 100
  }
}

This example shows a conceptual request to retrieve a list of inventory items from a Linnworks account.

Linnworks Affiliate program

Linnworks does not have a traditional, public-facing affiliate program where individuals can sign up for a link and earn commissions. Instead, they operate a Partner Program aimed at agencies, consultants, technology providers, and 3PLs who work with ecommerce businesses. Partners can collaborate with Linnworks to refer clients and implement the platform. Benefits for partners often include co-marketing opportunities, technical support, and referral fees. To join, interested parties typically need to apply through the Linnworks website and meet certain criteria. If you are an influencer or have a relevant audience, it is best to contact their partnership or marketing team directly to explore potential collaboration opportunities.