Offer Free Shipping to Boost Sales

Why Offering Free Shipping Matters

Offering free shipping is one of the most effective ways to reduce cart abandonment and boost sales. 61% of shoppers are more likely to cancel a purchase if free shipping isn't offered. By removing this common barrier, you encourage more users to complete their transactions, resulting in higher conversion rates.

High Shipping Costs = Cart Abandonment: Free Shipping Can Boost Conversions by Up to 30%

If you don't offer free shipping, you risk:

• Increased cart abandonment: Many customers abandon their shopping carts when unexpected shipping costs appear during checkout.
• Lower sales volume: High shipping fees can discourage users from completing a purchase.
• Missed upselling opportunities: Offering free shipping over a certain threshold encourages larger purchases.

Benefits of offering free shipping:

• Higher conversions: Eliminating shipping costs increases the likelihood of users completing their purchases.
• Increased average order value: Setting a minimum order value for free shipping encourages customers to spend more.
• Competitive advantage: Offering free shipping can set you apart from competitors who still charge for delivery.

Examples: How Free Shipping Boosted Sales

Zappos – Free Shipping Model

Zappos built its brand around offering free shipping, leading to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as a higher conversion rate.

Amazon – Free Shipping Threshold

Amazon offers free shipping for orders over a certain amount, which has contributed to a 21% increase in average order value during peak sales seasons.

Gymshark – Holiday Free Shipping Promo

Gymshark introduced free shipping during the Black Friday sales period, leading to a 15% boost in conversions and a reduction in cart abandonment.

How to Offer Free Shipping and Boost Sales

Here’s how you can implement a free shipping strategy to increase conversions:

1. Set a minimum order value – Encourage larger purchases by offering free shipping for orders over a specific amount.
2. Incorporate shipping costs into product pricing – Slightly raise product prices to cover shipping fees while still offering the perception of “free shipping.”
3. Offer free shipping during key sales periods – Promote free shipping during holidays or special promotions, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
4. Highlight free shipping prominently – Make sure the free shipping offer is visible on your homepage, product pages, and checkout page to motivate users throughout their shopping journey.
5. Test and analyze – A/B test different thresholds and approaches to see what drives the best results for your business.

Do It Yourself

To offer free shipping on your e-commerce site:

• Calculate your margins to ensure you can afford to cover shipping costs.
• Set a minimum order value to encourage customers to spend more in exchange for free shipping.
• Run free shipping promotions during holidays or peak shopping periods to drive more traffic and conversions.

Key Takeaways

Offering free shipping is a powerful way to reduce cart abandonment, increase conversions, and encourage larger purchases. By implementing free shipping strategically—whether by setting a minimum order value or running special promotions—you can boost your sales and improve customer satisfaction. Make sure to highlight free shipping throughout the user journey to maximize its impact.