Offer free shipping
Give customers free delivery, either for everyone or once their order passes a minimum amount, to lift your average order size.
Free shipping is one of the simplest ways to encourage customers to buy more. You can offer it to everyone, or only once an order reaches a certain amount.
Why offer free shipping
Shipping costs are a common reason customers abandon their carts. Offering free shipping — especially above a minimum order amount — gives people a reason to add one more item to reach the threshold, which can lift your average order size.
It's also a powerful marketing message. "Free shipping over $50" is easy to understand and easy to advertise, and many shoppers now expect it as standard.
Two ways to offer it
There are two common approaches, and you can use either one:
| Approach | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Always free | A shipping method that costs $0 and is available on every order | Digital products, high-margin items, or when shipping is cheap enough to absorb |
| Free above a threshold | Free shipping unlocks once the order reaches a set amount | Most physical-goods stores — it protects small orders and nudges bigger ones |
Step 1: Create a free-shipping option
- Go to the shipping settings in your dashboard.
- Add a new shipping method.
- Name it clearly, such as "Free shipping".
- Set the cost to zero.
- Save.
Step 2: Add a minimum order amount (optional)
If you only want to offer free shipping above a certain spend, set a minimum order amount. For example, free shipping on orders over $50.
When a customer's order is below the threshold, your regular shipping options still apply. Once they reach it, the free option becomes available at checkout.
Tip: Pick a threshold a little above your typical order value. It nudges customers to add one more item without feeling out of reach.
Choosing the right threshold
The threshold is where free shipping earns its keep, so it's worth getting right:
- Look at your average order value. Setting the threshold just above it gives most customers a reachable goal.
- Make sure the maths works. The extra items a customer adds to qualify should comfortably cover the delivery cost you're absorbing.
- Keep it a round, memorable number. "Free over $50" is easier to remember and advertise than "Free over $47.50".
Caution: Set the threshold too low and you may give away free shipping on orders that don't cover the cost. Set it too high and customers won't bother reaching for it. Review it after a few weeks and adjust.
Step 3: Let customers know
Make your offer visible — mention it on your homepage or in your navigation so shoppers know free shipping is available before they reach checkout. A shopper who knows about free shipping early is more likely to add items to qualify.
- Add a banner or line in your top navigation.
- Mention the threshold on product pages or in the cart.
- Include it in marketing emails and social posts.
Tip: Do it with AI — ask the AI Assistant in your dashboard to add a free-shipping method or set a free-shipping threshold, and it will configure it for you.
FAQ
Does free shipping apply to every country?
Only the countries you make the method available in. If shipping abroad is expensive, you can offer free shipping at home and keep paid options for international orders.
What if an order is below my threshold?
Your normal paid shipping methods still appear, so the customer can choose one of those. The free option only shows once they pass the minimum amount.
Can I combine free shipping with a discount code?
Free shipping is a shipping method, so it works alongside your discounts and promotions. The free option simply appears at checkout when the order qualifies. See Coupons and discounts.
Should I just build shipping into my prices?
Some stores raise product prices slightly and offer "free" shipping on everything, which many shoppers prefer to a separate fee. It's a valid approach — just make sure your prices still feel competitive.
What's next
- Set up your other delivery options in Set up shipping methods.
- Reward customers another way — see Coupons and discounts.
- Offer in-person collection — see Add pickup locations.