Offering free delivery on orders over a certain amount is a powerful strategy to encourage larger purchases and increase your average order value (AOV). Customers are more likely to add extra items to their cart if they know they can get free shipping by spending a bit more.
This blog will explore how to set up WooCommerce free shipping thresholds, why they’re beneficial, and the best practices for implementing them effectively.
Why Offer Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount?
1. Encourages Higher Spending
✔ Customers tend to add more products to their cart to qualify for free shipping.
2. Reduces Cart Abandonment
✔ High shipping costs are one of the top reasons for cart abandonment. Free shipping helps reduce this issue.
3. Improves Customer Satisfaction
✔ Customers appreciate free delivery and may return for more purchases.
4. Competitive Advantage
✔ Many top eCommerce stores offer free shipping. By matching this, you stay competitive.
5. Increases Profit Margins
✔ While offering free shipping has a cost, it leads to larger orders, offsetting shipping expenses.
How to Set Up Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount in WooCommerce
WooCommerce allows you to set up free shipping based on a minimum order amount using its built-in shipping settings.
Step 1: Enable Free Shipping in WooCommerce
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping
- Click on Shipping Zones
- Select an existing zone (e.g., United States) or add a new shipping zone
- Click “Add shipping method”
- Select Free Shipping and click “Add shipping method”
Step 2: Set a Free Shipping Threshold
- Click on the Free Shipping method you just added.
- Under “Requires…”, select “A minimum order amount”.
- Enter the minimum amount customers must spend to qualify for free shipping (e.g., $50).
- Save changes.
Step 3: Display Free Shipping Messages
Customers should know about the free shipping offer before they checkout. Here’s how:
✔ Add a banner on your homepage: “Free shipping on orders over $50!”
✔ Display a message on the cart page: “Spend $10 more to qualify for free shipping!”
✔ Use popups or notifications when customers add items to their cart.
Advanced Free Shipping Rules
If you want more control over when and where free shipping is applied, you can use plugins such as:
✔ WooCommerce Advanced Free Shipping
✔ Table Rate Shipping for WooCommerce
✔ Flexible Shipping for WooCommerce
Types of Free Shipping Rules You Can Set
| Free Shipping Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Minimum order amount | Free shipping on orders over $50 |
| Based on user role | VIP customers get free shipping |
| Based on product category | Free shipping on electronics only |
| Location-based | Free shipping in the U.S., but not internationally |
| Coupon-based | Free shipping with promo code “FREESHIP” |
How to Offer Free Shipping for Specific User Roles
If you want to give free shipping only to logged-in customers or specific roles (e.g., wholesale customers), you can use a plugin like WooCommerce Free Delivery Over Certain Amount
✔ Free shipping for loyalty program members
✔ Free shipping for subscribers
✔ Free shipping for wholesale buyers
Example PHP code to give free shipping to logged-in users only:
Best Practices for Implementing Free Shipping Thresholds
✔ Set a reasonable threshold – The free shipping minimum should be just above your average order value.
✔ Be clear about the offer – Customers should easily see free shipping details.
✔ Monitor your profit margins – Ensure free shipping doesn’t eat into your profits.
✔ Test different thresholds – Try $50 vs. $75 and see which one works best.
Common Free Shipping Strategies
| Strategy | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sitewide Free Shipping Over X | Free shipping on orders over a set amount. | Boosting AOV. |
| Free Shipping for Specific Products | Offer free shipping on high-margin products. | Increasing sales of selected items. |
| Limited-Time Free Shipping | Free shipping for a short period (e.g., 48 hours). | Creating urgency. |
| Free Shipping for Loyalty Members | Reward returning customers with free shipping. | Encouraging repeat purchases. |
| Region-Specific Free Shipping | Free shipping within certain locations. | Managing shipping costs efficiently. |
How Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount Affects Conversion Rates
Studies show that free shipping significantly increases conversion rates:
📈 58% of shoppers add more items to their cart to qualify for free shipping.
📈 93% of customers prefer free shipping over discounts.
📈 47% of orders increase in value when free shipping is offered.
By using free shipping strategically, you can drive higher sales and profits.
FAQs About WooCommerce Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount
1. Can I Offer Free Shipping on Some Products but Not Others?
Yes, use plugins like Table Rate Shipping to apply free shipping only to specific products.
2. How Do I Exclude Certain Products from Free Shipping?
You can use a shipping class in WooCommerce:
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Shipping Classes
- Add a new class (e.g., “No Free Shipping”)
- Assign this class to products that don’t qualify for free shipping.
3. Can I Offer Free Shipping for First-Time Customers Only?
Yes, you can use a discount coupon with the code “FREESHIPFIRST” and apply it only to new customers.
4. Does Free Shipping Work for International Orders?
It depends. You can set free shipping for domestic orders only while charging a fee for international shipping.
Conclusion
Offering free delivery over a certain amount in WooCommerce is an excellent way to increase sales, reduce cart abandonment, and improve customer satisfaction. By setting a minimum order threshold, you encourage customers to buy more, ultimately boosting your revenue.
