How Flexible Shipping Rules Can Improve Your E-commerce Website Sales?

Shipping cost has always been a deciding factor for purchases on e-commerce sites. As per recent research, 70% of online shoppers prefer buying products from online stores that offer free shipping. This means that flexible shipping rules vest the power to double conversions if they are used the right way. 

Speaking of which, this interesting blog post is all about discussing how customized or free shipping rules can make a difference for your e-commerce website. So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

The Effect of Shipping Rules on Sales

To better understand the impact of shipping rules on sales, let’s consider the example of Mr. A who is engaged in selling online jackets. 

Mr. A’s store is based on the Prestashop platform and has a significant percentage of buyers each day. One day, he decided to analyze his e-commerce website’s performance and make new strategies for increasing sales. The report showed that so many customers are abandoning their full carts at the checkout which is alarming as it results in lost sales along with increasing the cart abandonment rate. 

Mr. A is now concerned about this issue and has decided to consult an expert. The expert analyzed the website along with the performance report and shared the following insights regarding cart abandonment at the checkout:

1. High Shipping Cost

The expert suggested that the shipping cost is too much for most of the products which doesn’t justify its value. For some jackets, the shipping cost is even higher than the cost of the jacket itself which is what keeps customers from the checkouts. Prestashop free shipping module can be of great use here. We will come to that shortly below. 

2. Adding Wrong Items in The Cart 

The second possibility of a high cart abandonment rate could be customers adding the wrong items to the cart. The high cart abandonment rate is also alarming for ranking an e-commerce store well. 

3. Unfavorable Payment Method

The lack of a reliable and common payment method could also discourage potential customers from leaving the store without purchasing. 

Out of these three, the expert suggested that Mr.A should reduce the shipping cost or offer free shipping so most of the jackets become affordable for potential customers and they proceed with the sales. 

Turns out, Mr. A couldn't reduce the shipping cost on all items as they wouldn’t justify the cost at the end. 

Since Mr. A's e-commerce website is on Prestashop, the expert suggested a better solution in the form of a Prestashop Free Shipping Module by FME. Installing this Prestashop carrier module on the Prestashop store will allow Mr. A to: 

1. Offer Shipping Based on Different Conditions

One of the best things about this innovative Prestashop delivery module is that store admins can use it to offer free shipping based on the cart value, product zone, category, or weight. For example, you can set a rule in this module to offer free shipping to those customers whose total cart value exceeds € 1000. Now any customer whose cart value matches or exceeds € 1000 will have a free-shipping option.    

Similarly, a store owner can also set free shipping on category, weight or so many more options using this module. 

2. Promote Key products

Offering free or flexible shipping on some products is also a good tactic for the promotion of some products. For example, Mr. A has launched a new jacket series for the upcoming winter season and now offering free shipping for anyone who orders a jacket from this series. This waiver of shipping cost is a good way to introduce and sell the new stuff.  

3. Reward Loyal Customers 

Using this module, Mr. A can also offer free shipping to loyal and returning customers. This way only some of the customers will have the option to receive free shipping on their purchases of Jackets from Mr. A’s store. 

4. Schedule Free Shipping 

Mr. A can also create urgency among potential customers by offering free shipping on some jackets for a limited time. This way, buyers will have to receive goods free of cost for the time set. Usually works well on special occasions or events. 

Knowing these features and advantages of the Prestashop shipping module, Mr. A has opted to use this module for flexible shipping at his jacket store. In a few months, he noticed a significant shift in sales and a reduction in the cart abandonment rate.

Try the Free Shipping Module on Your E-commerce Store

CTA: Try the Free Shipping Module on Your E-commerce Store

Take Away

Shipping cost is one of the main barriers to making more sales on your e-commerce site. The case study of Mr. A proves that offering free shipping on some products has improved the jacket’s store sales. 

Fortunately, store owners who are using the Prestashop platform have the option to install the Prestashop Free Shipping Module which makes flexible shipping possible. You can easily offer free shipping based on cart value, zones, and more. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How Can I Offer Free Shipping on My Prestashop?

If you are running an e-commerce store on Prestashop, you can use the FME Prestashop Shipping Module that allows you to offer free and flexible shipping.

2. Why is the Free Shipping Strategy Effective?

The main purpose of implementing a free shipping strategy is to encourage more people to buy your products. Often shipping cost is the main barrier to conversions and waving that off improves sales. 

3. Does Prestashop Offer Default Free Shipping on Some Products? 

On, the default you won’t get a flexible or free shipping on some products option. Therefore, you have to rely on using a module.