Increase Sales with Free Shipping Incentives
Offering free shipping is one of the most effective ways to increase conversions and boost average order value in an online store. Many customers abandon their carts when they see unexpected shipping costs at checkout. By providing free shipping over a certain amount, you encourage shoppers to spend more while reducing cart abandonment.
In this guide, we’ll explore why free shipping works, how to set it up in WooCommerce, and strategies to maximize its impact on your sales.
Why Offer Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount?
1. Increases Average Order Value (AOV)
Customers often add more items to their cart to qualify for free shipping. If you set the threshold strategically, you can increase revenue per order.
Example:
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If your average order value is $50, setting a free shipping threshold at $75 can encourage customers to spend more.
2. Reduces Cart Abandonment
Unexpected shipping fees at checkout are a major reason for cart abandonment. Offering free shipping over a set amount removes this obstacle and encourages customers to complete their purchases.
3. Improves Customer Satisfaction
Customers love the feeling of getting something for free. Free shipping makes their purchase feel more valuable and enhances customer loyalty.
4. Gives You a Competitive Edge
Many eCommerce giants like Amazon offer free shipping, and customers expect it. Providing free shipping helps you stay competitive and attract more buyers.
How to Set Up Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount in WooCommerce
WooCommerce allows you to set free shipping conditions directly from the settings. Follow these steps to enable free shipping over a specific cart total.
Step 1: Enable Free Shipping in WooCommerce
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Go to your WordPress Dashboard and navigate to WooCommerce > Settings.
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Click on the Shipping tab.
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Select the Shipping Zone where you want to offer free shipping.
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Click Edit or Add Shipping Method if none exist.
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Choose Free Shipping and click Add Shipping Method.
Step 2: Set the Free Shipping Threshold
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Click Edit under Free Shipping.
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In the Requires… dropdown, select A minimum order amount.
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Enter the minimum order total (e.g., $75).
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Click Save Changes.
Now, customers who reach this amount in their cart will automatically qualify for free shipping.
Using a Plugin to Add More Free Shipping Rules
If you need more control over free shipping, plugins like WooCommerce Advanced Free Shipping or Table Rate Shipping can help. These allow you to:
✅ Set free shipping for specific user roles (e.g., members or VIP customers)
✅ Offer free shipping only on selected products or categories
✅ Apply different thresholds based on location (e.g., free shipping for domestic orders but not international ones)
✅ Combine free shipping with coupon codes
How to Set Conditional Free Shipping Using a Plugin
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Install and activate the WooCommerce Advanced Free Shipping plugin.
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Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Advanced Free Shipping.
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Click Add Free Shipping Condition.
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Set a condition such as:
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“Cart total must be at least $75”
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“Shipping country must be USA”
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Save your settings.
Now, free shipping will only apply when the conditions are met.
Best Practices for Offering Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount
1. Display Free Shipping Threshold on Product and Cart Pages
Customers should know about the free shipping offer before reaching checkout. Show messages like:
✅ “Spend $10 more to get FREE shipping!”
✅ “Free shipping on all orders over $75!”
You can use plugins like Cart Notices for WooCommerce to display custom messages in the cart.
2. Use Free Shipping as a Promotion
Free shipping can be used for special promotions, such as:
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Holiday sales (e.g., “Free shipping all weekend!”)
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First-time customers (e.g., “First order? Enjoy free shipping over $50!”)
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VIP customers (e.g., “Gold members get free shipping on all orders!”)
3. Combine Free Shipping with Discount Offers
Offering free shipping along with a discount makes your deal even more attractive. Example:
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“Get 10% off + Free Shipping on orders over $100!”
This encourages customers to buy more and helps increase overall revenue.
4. Set Different Free Shipping Thresholds for Different Locations
If you sell internationally, you may want to set different free shipping thresholds based on the shipping zone.
Example:
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$75 for domestic orders
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$150 for international orders
Using plugins like Table Rate Shipping, you can create location-based free shipping rules.
5. Track and Optimize Your Free Shipping Strategy
Monitor how free shipping affects your sales by using Google Analytics and WooCommerce Reports. If you notice:
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Customers abandoning carts just before reaching the free shipping threshold → Lower it slightly.
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Too many people taking advantage of free shipping at low order values → Raise the threshold.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Setting the Threshold Too Low – If free shipping is too easy to qualify for, it may cut into your profit margins.
🚫 Not Advertising Free Shipping Clearly – If customers don’t see the free shipping offer, they won’t be motivated to spend more. Display it on banners, product pages, and the cart page.
🚫 Not Offering Free Shipping to the Right Customers – If free shipping applies to everyone, it may not boost sales as much as targeted free shipping for loyal or high-spending customers.
🚫 Forgetting to Include Shipping Costs in Your Pricing Strategy – If free shipping reduces profits, consider adjusting product prices slightly to cover costs.
Final Thoughts
WooCommerce Free Delivery Over Certain Amount is a simple yet powerful strategy to increase conversions, reduce cart abandonment, and boost your average order value. By using WooCommerce’s built-in settings or an advanced plugin, you can customize your free shipping offers to match your business goals.
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