Free shipping has become a top priority for customers when it comes to online shopping. According to DigitalCommerce 360’s 2024 survey on shipping and fulfillment, a staggering 81.34% of consumers consider free shipping as their primary concern when making a purchase. This trend has become so prevalent that 74% of online retailers now offer some form of free shipping to stay competitive in the market.
Implementing free shipping in your ecommerce business can have numerous benefits, not only for your customers but also for your bottom line. Free shipping can help you keep up with the competition, drive sales, increase average order value, and improve the perception of value among customers. However, before deciding to offer free shipping, it’s essential to consider factors such as profit margins, logistical challenges, eco-friendly shipping practices, customer expectations in your industry, return rates, and fulfillment partnerships.
If you’re uncertain about how to absorb the costs of free shipping, there are strategies you can employ to mitigate the impact on your profit margins. Outsourcing to a third-party logistics provider, adjusting your packaging, changing your shipping rates, and increasing product prices are all viable options to help offset the expenses associated with free shipping.
Moreover, you don’t necessarily have to offer free shipping on all orders to reap the benefits. You can experiment with different free shipping promotions such as setting a minimum order value for free shipping, incorporating free shipping into a customer loyalty program, promising free return shipping, running limited-time free shipping promotions, and offering free store pickup options.
In terms of implementation, WooCommerce provides various tools and extensions to help you set up and configure free shipping in your store. You can create advanced rules for free shipping based on specific conditions, start a subscription program with free shipping, and add a free local pickup option for customers who prefer to collect their orders in person.
Once you’ve established your free shipping program, it’s crucial to promote it effectively through on-site alerts, display advertising, social media, and email marketing. By monitoring the impact of free shipping on your sales, average order value, and customer acquisition, you can make adjustments to optimize your strategy and continue to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.