How to Create Shopify Free Shipping Over Amount? With 4 Best Practices
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Setting up Shopify free shipping over amount is a powerful way to drive more sales while giving customers a little extra incentive to add those last few items to their cart.
Whether you do it directly in Shopify or using an app, we’ll guide you through both options.
Plus, we’ll share four game-changing tips to make your free shipping offer even more effective – from setting smart limits to promoting it with a progress bar. Let’s unlock how to make free shipping work wonders for your store!
1. How to create a Shopify free shipping over amount without using an app?
Create a new shipping profile
Step 1: Access Shipping and Delivery Settings
Step 2: Create a New Shipping Profile (If Needed)
- In the Shipping and Delivery section, locate Custom shipping rates.
- Click on Create a new profile.
Step 3: Configure the Shipping Profile
- Profile Name: Enter a profile name like “Skateboard Shipping”.
- Add products to this profile. This ensures that the shipping rules will apply only to these ones.
Step 4: Set Up Shipping Zones
- In the profile setup, scroll to Shipping zones and click Add shipping zone.
- Zone Name: Enter a name for the zone based on your target shipping regions.
- Select Regions: Use the search bar to add countries or regions where this shipping rate will apply.
Step 5: Add a Free Shipping Rate
- After adding the shipping zone, click Add rate.
- Rate Type: Choose Use flat rate (This is a fixed shipping fee that customers pay regardless of the order amount, weight, or destination).
- Custom Rate Name: Enter a name such as “Free Shipping on Orders Over $100”.
- Custom Delivery Description (Optional): Add delivery details, like “3-4 days”.
- Price: Set the price to $0 to make it free.
Step 6: Add Conditions for Free Shipping
- Click Add conditional pricing to set up a condition.
- Choose Based on order price.
- Set Minimum Order Price to $100 (or your preferred amount for free shipping eligibility).
- Confirm by clicking Done.
Managing an Existing Profile
If you already have an existing profile for all products and just want to add or adjust free shipping conditions for skateboards:
- In Shipping and Delivery, under General shipping rates, click to manage your existing profile.
- Follow Steps 5 and 6 to add or modify the free shipping rate and conditions as needed.
Read more: How can you combine Shopify discounts with free shipping? 3 Best Methods
2. How to create Shopify free shipping over amount using an app?
To create Shopify free shipping over amount with an app, Puco Shipping Discounts is an excellent app choice for you. The app offers a free plan that lets you create basic shipping discounts based on cart total, perfect for setting up “free shipping over $X” offers.
With a 5.0/5 ⭐from merchants, it stands out for its user-friendly interface and quick setup process. If you need more advanced rules later, their Pro plan ($7.90/month) unlocks 30+ conditions like location-based rules, customer segments or percentage discount on Shopify shipping rate.
This Shopify free shipping app’s simple approach and reliable support make it a practical solution for merchants looking to implement free shipping thresholds without a complex technical setup.
Below is a very detailed guide to using this Shopify free shipping app:
Step 1: Install & Access Puco Shipping Discounts.
Step 2: Click “Create shipping discount” on the dashboard to set up a new discount rule.
In the Create shipping discount screen, decide whether you want a “Discount code” (requiring customers to enter a code) or an “Automatic discount” (automatically applied at checkout if conditions are met).
Step 3: Choose Discount Type
In the Create shipping discount screen, decide whether you want a “Discount code” (requiring customers to enter a code) or an “Automatic discount” (automatically applied at checkout if conditions are met).
Step 4: Choose the shipping methods the discount applies to. You can select:
Step 5: Configure Discount Conditions
Applies to Shipping Methods: Choose the shipping methods the discount applies to. You can select:
– All shipping methods: Applies the discount across all available shipping options.
– Contains: Applies only to specific shipping methods that match your criteria.
– Is exactly: Matches only the exact shipping methods specified.
– Does not contain: Excludes certain shipping methods.
Set Condition (Free Shipping Over Amount):
– Under “Condition 1,” select Total Amount to set the minimum cart value that qualifies for free shipping.
– Enter the minimum order value (e.g., $100) in the designated field.
Additional Conditions:
– Cart Details: Total amount, subtotal, weight, quantity, etc.
– Customer Details: Customer tags, total spent, or logged-in status.
– Shipping Details: Shipping method, type, and address (country, province, city, etc.).
– Time-Based Conditions: Set conditions based on day, hour, or weekday.
Note: You can add multiple conditions by clicking “+ Add condition” again, allowing more flexibility.
Step 5: Set Active Dates & Create the Discount
3. 4 Best practices for using Shopify free shipping over amount discounts
Set shipping rate limits for free shipping eligibility
Start with a minimum order value that protects your profit margins, or create a free shipping discount that is only available for specific products. For example, if your average product costs $25 and shipping costs you $7, set your free shipping threshold at $75. This way, customers buying 3 or more items help offset your shipping costs.
Track your average order value (AOV) for a month before setting this threshold, then place it about 20-30% higher than your AOV to encourage larger purchases.
Set a free shipping discount for high-value market
Target both geographic locations and customer segments where you see the highest returns. If 60% of your orders come from California and New York, offer free shipping discounts to these states. Additionally, focus on specific customer groups like corporate buyers or wholesale customers who typically place larger orders.
For example, if you sell beauty products, consider offering free shipping to professional makeup artists or salon owners who buy in bulk. This dual-targeting approach – location and customer type – helps maximize the impact of your shipping incentives while keeping costs manageable.
Combine with other promotions
Enhance the appeal by pairing Shopify free shipping over amount with seasonal sales. For instance, during back-to-school season, offer “Free shipping on all backpacks over $50 plus 15% off school supplies.”
This strategy works better than general free shipping because it creates urgency and targets specific product categories, helping move seasonal inventory while still providing shipping value.
Shopify offers versatile discount options to help merchants attract customers and boost sales. From percentage discounts and fixed amount offers to Buy One Get One (BOGO) promotions, Shopify discounts can be customized to fit various sales strategies. These tools make it easy to incentivize purchases, increase average order value, and drive conversions on your store.
Promote free shipping with a progress bar
Add a dynamic progress bar to your store header showing how close customers are to earning free shipping. For example, “Add $23 more to get free shipping!”
This visual reminder becomes a powerful motivator – when customers see they’re close to the threshold, they’re more likely to add items to reach it. Shopify’s Progress Bar app or similar tools can help implement this feature effectively.
4. Conclusion
I hope you find this post full of ideas to make Shopify free shipping over amount a game-changer for your store! By setting smart thresholds, focusing on high-value customers, pairing with seasonal offers, and adding a progress bar, you’ll not only increase your sales but also create a more exciting shopping experience. Start using these best practices to turn free shipping into a powerful tool for growth – every step counts!
5. FAQs
How do I set up free shipping for orders over a certain amount on Shopify?
In your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and delivery. Under the shipping profile you want to edit, click Manage. Add a new rate with a price of $0 and set conditions based on the order price, specifying the minimum amount for free shipping.
Can I offer free shipping only to specific countries or regions?
Yes, you can create shipping zones for specific countries or regions and apply free shipping rates exclusively to those zones. This allows you to tailor your shipping strategy based on location.
How do I ensure free shipping is applied correctly at checkout?
After setting up free shipping rates, test the checkout process by placing orders that meet and don’t meet the free shipping criteria. This ensures the settings work as intended and customers receive the correct shipping options.
How can I promote my free shipping offer to customers?
Use banners, pop-ups, or progress bars on your website to inform customers about free shipping. Clearly display the minimum order amount required to qualify, encouraging customers to add more items to their cart.