How to Offer WooCommerce Free Delivery Over a Certain Amount to Boost Sales

Ecommerce Feb 10, 2025 17 Add to Reading List

Introduction

Offering free shipping is one of the best ways to increase conversions and boost sales in your WooCommerce store. Customers love the idea of getting their products delivered without extra costs. However, providing free shipping for all orders might not be financially feasible for every business.

A great solution? Offer free delivery over a certain amount! This strategy encourages customers to spend more while keeping your shipping costs manageable.

In this article, we’ll explore:

Why free shipping works
How to set up WooCommerce free shipping based on cart amount
Best plugins to enhance your free shipping strategy
Tips to make free shipping profitable

Why Offer Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount?

1. Encourages Higher Order Value

Customers often add extra products to their cart to reach the free shipping threshold, increasing the average order value (AOV).

2. Reduces Cart Abandonment

One of the biggest reasons for cart abandonment is unexpected shipping costs. A clear free shipping offer removes friction at checkout.

3. Improves Customer Satisfaction

Free shipping makes shopping more appealing, leading to repeat customers and increased brand loyalty.

4. Helps You Stay Competitive

Many big eCommerce stores offer free shipping. To compete, WooCommerce store owners need to match customer expectations.

5. Allows You to Offset Costs Strategically

Instead of offering free shipping on every order, setting a minimum amount ensures you remain profitable.

How to Set Up Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount in WooCommerce

WooCommerce allows you to set up free shipping based on cart total without additional plugins. Here’s how:

Step 1: Enable Free Shipping in WooCommerce

Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping
Click on the Shipping Zones tab
Select an existing shipping zone or create a new one (e.g., United States, Europe)
Click “Add Shipping Method”
Choose Free Shipping from the dropdown and click Add Shipping Method

Step 2: Set a Minimum Cart Amount for Free Shipping

Click on the newly created Free Shipping method
Under the "Free shipping requires..." option, select "A minimum order amount"
Enter the minimum amount required (e.g., $50)
Click Save Changes

Now, customers will automatically qualify for free shipping once their cart total reaches the minimum amount.

Using Plugins for More Advanced Free Shipping Rules

While WooCommerce’s default free shipping option is useful, you may want more control over who gets free shipping and when. Several plugins help you apply free shipping based on specific conditions.

1. WooCommerce Advanced Free Shipping

Set free shipping based on cart total, user roles, product categories, and shipping zones
Offer free shipping for specific products while charging for others
Price: Free

2. WooCommerce Table Rate Shipping

Create complex shipping rules with different rates based on order total, weight, quantity, and location
Set progressive free shipping thresholds (e.g., Free shipping over $50 in the US, $100 worldwide)
Price: $99 per year

3. Conditional Shipping and Payments

Restrict free shipping based on payment method or customer location
Offer free shipping only to logged-in customers
Price: $79 per year

Step-by-Step Guide: Set Up Free Shipping Using a Plugin

Here’s how to use WooCommerce Advanced Free Shipping to create more flexible free shipping rules.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin

Go to Plugins → Add New
Search for WooCommerce Advanced Free Shipping
Click Install Now, then Activate

Step 2: Create a Free Shipping Condition

Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping
Click on Advanced Free Shipping
Click Add Free Shipping Method
Name your rule (e.g., “Free Shipping Over $50”)

Step 3: Set the Free Shipping Conditions

Click Add Condition
Choose Cart Subtotal (Before Discounts)
Set the amount greater than or equal to $50
Click Save Changes

Now, customers will only see free shipping if their cart total reaches $50.

Additional Ways to Use Free Shipping Over a Certain Amount

1. Offer Free Shipping for Specific Products

Set free shipping only on selected products while charging for others.
Great for promoting best-sellers or new product launches.

2. Give Free Shipping to First-Time Customers

Use discount coupons that enable free shipping for new users.

3. Create Tiered Free Shipping Thresholds

Example:
- Free shipping over $50 in the US
- Free shipping over $100 worldwide

4. Use Free Shipping for Loyalty Program Members

Reward customers in a loyalty program with permanent free shipping.

How to Promote Your Free Shipping Offer Effectively

1. Display Free Shipping Threshold on the Homepage

Add a banner or pop-up saying:
“Enjoy Free Shipping on Orders Over $50!”

2. Show a Free Shipping Progress Bar in the Cart

Let customers see how close they are to the free shipping amount.
Example:
- “Spend $10 more to unlock Free Shipping!”

3. Use Email Marketing to Announce Free Shipping Offers

Send promotional emails reminding customers about free shipping deals.

4. Highlight Free Shipping on Product Pages

Add a label like “Eligible for Free Shipping on Orders Over $50”.

5. Use Urgency Tactics

Run limited-time free shipping promotions to encourage quick purchases.
Example: “Free Shipping Ends in 24 Hours!”

Making Free Shipping Profitable for Your Business

While free shipping is a great incentive, it’s important to offset shipping costs so it remains profitable.

1. Increase Product Prices Slightly

Build shipping costs into product prices so that free shipping is covered.

2. Use Flat-Rate or Discounted Shipping for Low-Value Orders

Instead of losing money on small orders, offer flat-rate shipping below the threshold.

3. Partner with Affordable Shipping Providers

Use cheaper carriers like USPS, FedEx SmartPost, or regional shipping services.

4. Optimize Packaging to Reduce Shipping Costs

Minimize package weight and size to lower shipping expenses.

5. Offer Free Shipping for High-Margin Products

Only provide free shipping on products with higher profit margins.

Conclusion

WooCommerce Free Delivery Over Certain Amount is one of the most effective ways to increase order value, reduce cart abandonment, and improve customer satisfaction.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Free shipping encourages higher cart values.
✅ WooCommerce has built-in free shipping settings based on order total.
✅ Use plugins for advanced free shipping conditions.
✅ Promote free shipping effectively on your website.
✅ Offset shipping costs through smart pricing and cost-saving strategies.

By implementing free shipping correctly, you can boost conversions and keep your business profitable. Start optimizing your free shipping strategy today! ????