Offering free shipping over a certain amount has become a requirement for online retailers, here’s how you can do so on your WooCommerce store.
Why? Because it has a psychological effect on customer satisfaction, improving conversion rates, and maximizing revenue in the process.
Before we delve into the psychological effects of offering free shipping, let’s walk through a quick and concise tutorial on how you can quickly offer free shipping to your customers if the order amount is over a specific amount.
Guide to offering Free Shipping over an Amount
You will need access to the WordPress dashboard with permissions to change the shipping settings. Nothing to worry about if you have an admin account, just follow these simple steps.
- Navigate to WooCommerce Shipping Settings, In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to WooCommerce -> Settings -> Shipping
- Edit the Shipping Zone where you want to offer Free Shipping.
- Click on “Edit” under your Shipping Zone
- Add a Shipping Method
- Select “Free Shipping”
- Edit your newly created shipping method
- Here’s what everything on this page means:
- “Title” – This is what customers will see
- “Free shipping requires” – This determines the rule which enables Free Shipping. You should select “A minimum order amount OR a coupon” just incase you add free shipping coupons in the future.
- “Minimum order amount” – This is the minimum amount a customer must spend before they get free shipping.
- “Coupons discounts” – This is best explained with an example:
- Checked – User with £50 in cart and a 50% discount coupon for a total order of £25 will still get free shipping
- Unchecked – If the total order amount is under the threshold, user will not get free shipping regardless of coupon.
Keep in mind that if you want a coupon code that offers free shipping on its own, you must do so when creating the code in question. Additional details can be found on the coupon creation page.
Why do all businesses offer free shipping thresholds?
If you’ve ever found yourself adding random items to your online shopping cart just to hit that magic “free shipping” threshold, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a strategic move businesses use, and there’s some clever psychology going on behind the scenes.
Now that we’re done with the tutorial part, let’s dive into why these free shipping thresholds are everywhere and what makes them so effective.
The Psychology of Free Stuff
Firstly, who doesn’t love free stuff? It’s ingrained in our brains!
When we see “FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50,” we automatically start calculating how much more we need to spend to avoid that extra fee.
Imagine this: You’re buying a $45 sweater, and shipping is $10. But wait, if you spend just $5 more, you’ll save that $10 on shipping. So you end up adding a pair of socks or a coffee mug to your order.
Boom! You’ve crossed the $50 threshold, and suddenly it feels like you got something for nothing.
That’s the power of free shipping. The business just convinced you to spend more!
Boosting Average Order Value (AOV)
Businesses aren’t just trying to be nice by offering free shipping – they’re also looking at their bottom line. By setting these thresholds, they encourage customers to spend more than they might have initially planned. It’s a sneaky but effective way to increase what’s known as the Average Order Value (AOV).
Picture this scenario: Without a free shipping offer, you might have checked out with just your $45 sweater. But setting a $50 free shipping threshold nudges you to throw in those extra socks or mug, leading to an overall higher sale for the store.
Who knows if you ever return to purchase more? So they maximize your spending while they have you! This has a side-benefit of lowering your maximum CPA as well.
Reducing Cart Abandonment
We’ve all been there – getting ready to check out and then seeing that annoying extra charge for shipping can be a total dealbreaker. In fact, high shipping costs are one of the leading reasons people abandon their online shopping carts.
By offering free shipping over a certain amount, businesses aim to minimize cart abandonment numbers.
You’re much more likely to complete the purchase if you feel like you’re getting a good deal or avoiding an extra fee, right?
Leveling the Playing Field
Small businesses often struggle to compete with giants like Amazon that offer lightning-fast and often free shipping options. By having a minimum spend for free shipping, smaller players can entice customers in a similar way without breaking the bank.
Think about your favorite local boutique that’s now selling online. They might not be able to offer free two-day delivery like Amazon, but by having a $50 threshold for free shipping, they can still make shopping with them seem more attractive compared to other small retailers who might charge for every single delivery.
Ready to Level Up Your WooCommerce Store?
Whether you’re running a cozy local boutique or gearing up to take on the e-commerce giants, getting that free shipping strategy just right can make all the difference. But hey, if all this talk about thresholds and shipping fees makes your head spin, why not let the pros handle it?
At Void Solutions, we’ve got your back. From setting up that perfect free shipping threshold to optimizing your entire WooCommerce store, we’re here to make your life easier – and your business more profitable.
We offer WooCommerce outsourcing services to clients across the world, our clients range from vintage apparel brands to skincare specialists. You can also just cut to the chase and Request a Quote today!
Let’s make your shipping woes a thing of the past.
You’ve got this – and we’ve got you. 🙌🏼