Written by Free shipping is a highly attractive incentive for online shoppers. Offering free delivery can significantly increase conversions, encourage larger orders, and enhance customer satisfaction. However, giving free shipping to all orders can negatively impact your profit margins, especially for smaller orders. To balance these concerns, offering free delivery over a certain amount is a great solution.
In this guide, we will explore how you can set up free shipping in your WooCommerce store once a customer’s order exceeds a specific value. We’ll also discuss the benefits of this strategy and how it can help increase average order values, improve customer loyalty, and create a more satisfying shopping experience.
Why Offer Free Delivery Over Certain Amount?
Providing free shipping on all orders can be costly, particularly if you have a wide range of products or if you’re shipping internationally. However, offering free delivery once customers meet a certain minimum spend offers a win-win solution for both customers and store owners. Here’s why this approach is beneficial:
- Increase Average Order Value
By offering free shipping only on orders that surpass a certain threshold, you encourage customers to add more items to their cart to qualify. For instance, if you set a free shipping limit of $50, a customer who is close to that amount might add more products to qualify for the offer, thus increasing the average order value. - Improved Customer Satisfaction
Free shipping is a powerful incentive that customers love. Offering it on orders over a certain amount ensures that only serious shoppers take advantage of the deal, reducing the strain on your business. This balance between affordability and customer satisfaction can lead to improved loyalty and repeat purchases. - Boost Sales During Promotions
Free shipping can be an excellent marketing tool. You can use it during seasonal sales, promotions, or even as a limited-time offer. Customers will be encouraged to shop more if they know that free delivery is only available for a limited period or on orders over a certain amount. - Attract More Shoppers
Free shipping is one of the top incentives for online shoppers. According to research, a large number of consumers prefer free shipping options over other types of discounts. By offering free delivery over a specific order value, you can attract more customers to your store. - Control Shipping Costs
Instead of offering free shipping for every purchase, setting a minimum order threshold allows you to control your shipping costs. You can ensure that the average order value justifies the shipping expense, keeping your profit margins intact.
How to Set Up Free Delivery Over Certain Amount in WooCommerce
Setting up free shipping based on a minimum order amount is easy in WooCommerce. Here’s a step-by-step guide to configuring this feature in your store:
Step 1: Navigate to WooCommerce Settings
- Log in to your WordPress admin panel.
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings.
- In the settings page, click on the Shipping tab.
Step 2: Create a Shipping Zone
- In the Shipping Zones section, you can create new shipping zones or edit existing ones. A shipping zone is a geographical region where specific shipping methods apply.
- Click on the Add Shipping Zone button if you haven’t set up any zones yet.
- Name the zone (e.g., “Domestic” or “International”) and select the regions (countries or states) you want to offer free shipping to.
Step 3: Add Free Shipping Method
- After setting up a shipping zone, click Add Shipping Method within the zone.
- From the dropdown list, select Free Shipping.
- Click on Add Shipping Method.
Step 4: Set Free Shipping Conditions
- Once the free shipping method is added, click Edit under the Free Shipping method.
- In the Free Shipping Requires section, select A minimum order amount.
- Enter the amount that the customer needs to spend to qualify for free shipping in the Minimum Order Amount field (e.g., $50).
- You can also specify whether you want to exclude certain products or offer free shipping based on a coupon code.
Step 5: Save Changes
After configuring the free shipping rule, click on the Save Changes button to apply the settings.
Customizing Free Shipping Over Certain Amount with Plugins
While WooCommerce’s default free shipping feature is simple and effective, there are several plugins that offer more flexibility and customization options for free shipping thresholds. Here are some popular plugins you might consider:
- WooCommerce Advanced Shipping
This plugin offers advanced options for shipping rules. You can set up complex conditions for free shipping, such as applying it based on the total weight of the cart or a combination of products in the cart. - WooCommerce Table Rate Shipping
With this plugin, you can set different shipping rates based on factors such as cart weight, quantity, and destination. It allows for more advanced rules, including free shipping based on order value. - WooCommerce Conditional Shipping and Payments
This plugin lets you configure advanced conditions for free shipping. You can offer free shipping based on product categories, order value, customer location, and more. - WooCommerce Free Shipping Bar
This plugin adds a bar on the shop and checkout pages to inform customers how much more they need to spend to qualify for free shipping. This is a great way to motivate customers to reach the minimum spend amount.
Best Practices for Offering Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount
To make the most of the free shipping offer and ensure it works for both your customers and your business, consider these best practices:
- Set a Reasonable Minimum Order Amount
Ensure the minimum order value for free shipping is reasonable. It should be high enough to cover shipping costs and provide you with a profit, but not so high that customers feel they cannot qualify for the offer. Research your average order values and set a minimum that reflects that. - Promote Free Shipping Effectively
Make your free shipping offer prominent on your website. Use banners, pop-ups, or announcement bars to let customers know that they can get free delivery on orders over a certain amount. You can also highlight this in your email marketing campaigns. - Use Free Shipping as a Time-Limited Offer
Creating a sense of urgency can increase conversions. For example, offering free shipping only during specific holidays, seasons, or sales events can drive customers to make purchases they might have otherwise delayed. - Combine with Other Offers
Pairing free shipping with other discounts or promotions can increase its appeal. For example, you could offer free shipping along with a percentage discount on the entire order when customers reach a certain spend threshold. - Analyze Customer Behavior
Use WooCommerce’s built-in analytics tools or third-party plugins to track how your customers respond to the free shipping offer. Are they increasing their cart value to qualify? Are you seeing an increase in conversion rates? Use this data to adjust your minimum order value or promotional periods.
Conclusion
WooCommerce Free Shipping Over Certain Amount is a powerful strategy to boost sales, increase average order value, and improve customer satisfaction. WooCommerce makes it easy to set up this feature, and you can customize it further using plugins for more advanced rules and conditions.
By using free shipping as an incentive, you encourage customers to add more items to their cart, while still maintaining control over your shipping costs. Keep in mind the best practices outlined in this guide to ensure that the free shipping offer is effective and beneficial for both your business and your customers.
Start offering free shipping today and watch how it can help grow your WooCommerce store!