Shyp automates shipping addresses, adds tracking tags for recipients

Shyp has released two new product updates aimed at streamlining the delivery process. Starting today, customers can send items to Shyp customers by entering only the recipient’s username, and package recipients can now take advantage of a tracking capability.

“Shyp brings a fresh perspective to a massive shipping industry in which the customer experience has remained largely unimproved for decades,” wrote Shyp’s VP of marketing, Lauren Sherman, in a blog post. “We’re focused on replacing customer dread with customer delight.”

If you frequently send packages to friends, one of the things that can be cumbersome is repeatedly entering the recipient’s mailing address. Now addresses can be referenced by username, assuming you’ve previously mailed something to the recipient using Shyp or that they have their own Shyp account. The username calls up not only the delivery address but also any preferences that may be associated with that account.

Once you’ve set a delivery in motion, you’re able to track that package until it arrives. But what about the recipient? Recognizing that both parties need to be kept in the loop, the company has launched Shyp for Recipients, which provides in-app tracking once a shipment has been shared.

The company said that recipients will receive a notification when a shipment is on its way, and, from there, can track its progress or specify delivery preferences.

Shyp for Recipients is only available in the U.S.

In conjunction with the introduction of these two features, Shyp has also given itself a bit of a facelift, following in the footsteps of companies like Medium, which recently opted for a more modern look. Sherman explained that the new image is “classic yet confident.” As part of this redesign, Shyp has abandoned its wing logo for a bold, angular wordmark.

Shyp’s iOS and Android apps have both also undergone a reboot to reflect this new branding.

Shyp, which shares some striking similarities with FedEx and UPS, has certainly come a long way since its founding in 2014. Over the past year or so, the company has made some significant changes, including the transition from 1099 workers to W2 employees, and it has brought Pinterest’s former brand creative lead on board to help Shyp better tell its story.

The debut of these new features and an updated brand image might signify that Shyp is gearing up for a major push into the mainstream as it seeks to convince customers that it’s a viable alternative to incumbents UPS and FedEx.