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Instructions On Setting Up Free Shipping For Your Shopify Store

November 30, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

free shipping in shopify

This article will show you how to set up free shipping for your Shopify store and why it is a great strategy to grow your business. 

Key Takeaways

  • Free shipping is a powerful incentive for online shoppers and can increase conversions and customer loyalty.
  • Shopify offers different ways to set up free shipping, such as discounts, cost-based, and weight-based rates.
  • You can use apps to create free shipping bars, goals, and codes to promote your offer on the Shopify store.

Different ways to offer free shipping

Depending on your preferences and goals, there are several ways to offer free shipping on your Shopify store. You can offer free shipping on all orders, on orders over a certain amount, on specific products or collections, or on orders from particular locations. You can also create free shipping codes that customers can apply at checkout. Here are some of the options you have:

Free shipping discounts

You can set free shipping as the default rate for all orders. This is a popular tactic that simplifies shipping rates and can attract customers. However, ensuring that offering free shipping is financially viable for your business is essential.

Cost-based shipping

With this approach, you can offer free shipping on orders that meet a specific price threshold. For example, customers may need to spend over a certain amount to qualify for free shipping. This tactic can encourage customers to add more items to their cart to reach the free shipping threshold.

Weight-based shipping

If you want to offer free shipping on orders that exceed a certain weight, you can set up weight-based conditions. For instance, customers may receive free shipping on orders over a specified weight limit. This can be useful if you sell products of varying weights.

Each method has advantages and considerations, so choosing the approach that aligns with your business goals and budget is essential.

How to set up free shipping on Shopify Steps by Steps 

Free shipping discounts 

Step 1: Accessing Discounts

Navigate to your Shopify admin interface. On the left-hand list, spot the ‘Discounts’ option with a percentage-badge icon. Click on it to proceed.

free shipping in shopify

Step 2: Initiate the Free Shipping Discount

Once inside the ‘Discount’ section, find and click the ‘Create discount’ button at the upper right corner to begin crafting your offer.

Step 3: Setting Up the Discount Features

  • Discount Code: Here, manually create codes for customers to avail of the discount or opt for the ‘Generate code’ option for automated code creation.
free shipping in shopify
  • Options: Under ‘Discount type,’ select ‘Free shipping.’
  • Countries: Designate whether the free shipping applies to ‘All countries’ or ‘Specific countries.’ If you wish to exempt orders exceeding a certain shipping rate, activate ‘Exclude shipping rates over a certain amount’ and set a monetary limit. This exclusion pertains only to shipping rates, not order totals.
free shipping in shopify
  • Minimum Requirement: Define the minimum spend or item quantity customers must reach to activate the discount code.
free shipping in shopify
  • Customer Eligibility: Choose specific customers or groups eligible for the discount. If your desired group isn’t present, you can create one. If ‘Specific customers’ is chosen, a list displaying customer names, email addresses, or alternate contact details, like phone numbers, will be visible.
free shipping in shopify
  • Usage Limits: Control the discount’s application frequency. Either set a global limit for the total number of times the value can be applied by all customers or restrict it to a one-time use per customer.
free shipping in shopify
  • Active Dates: Determine your discount’s lifespan. You can keep it indefinite or Set an end date to confine its validity.
free shipping in shopify

Step 4: Finalize and Promote

It will be added to your discount list upon configuring the specifics. To review or modify any details, click on the particular discount. Additionally, Shopify offers promotional tools for your value – accessible through the ‘Promote’ option.

free shipping in shopify

Offer free shipping code by IOS devices.

Step 1: Access Discounts

Begin by launching the Shopify app and logging into your account. Once logged in, locate the ‘Store’ tab at your screen’s bottom right corner. Next, select the ‘Discounts’ option, identifiable by a percentage-badge icon, to create a Free Shipping Discount.

free shipping in shopify

Step 2: Initiate the Discount Creation

Within the ‘Discounts’ section, turn your attention to the top right corner of the screen where a “+” icon is visible. Tap this icon to commence the creation of a new discount.

free shipping in shopify

Step 3: Define the Discount Parameters

free shipping in shopify
  • Discount Code: This is where you craft unique codes that customers will use. For a quicker approach, tap the blank field, prompting the ‘Generate code’ option on your virtual keyboard, allowing automatic code generation.
free shipping in shopify
  • Options: Under the ‘Discount type’ heading, specify the discount by selecting ‘Free shipping.’
  • Countries: Decide whether the free shipping applies universally (‘All countries’) or to specific regions (‘Specific countries’). For tailored offers, activate the ‘Exclude shipping rates over a certain amount’ option and input a specific monetary value. It’s worth noting that this exemption pertains solely to shipping rates and does not affect the total order amount.
  • Shipping Rates: For specialized promotions, access this option. Here, enable the ‘Exclude shipping rates over a certain amount’ and indicate the applicable monetary threshold. This discount, again, focuses only on shipping costs, not the entire order.
  • Minimum Requirement: Set a minimum spend or item count that customers must reach to use the discount.
free shipping in shopify
  • Customer Eligibility: Determine who can avail of the discount. Utilize the dropdown menu to select specific customers or groups. If the desired group doesn’t exist, you can create it. Selecting ‘Specific customers’ will display a list with contact details. If specific email addresses are absent, alternative contacts, such as phone numbers, may be shown.
free shipping in shopify
  • Usage Limits: Control how often this discount is redeemable. You can set an overall usage limit for all eligible customers or restrict it to one application per customer.
  • Active Dates: Designate the time frame of your discount’s validity, with an option to set an ending date.

Step 4: Save and Share

Once all attributes are set, you’ll find your discount on the list. To review or modify, tap the desired value. The subsequent screen provides an ‘Edit’ option. Adjacent to ‘Edit,’ a “…” icon exists. Tapping this reveals Shopify’s promotional tools, helping you share and advertise your new discount to potential customers.

Creating a Fixed Value or Percentage Discount

free shipping in shopify

Offer free shipping code for Android devices.

Creating a Shopify Free Shipping Code via Android Devices 

Step 1: Access Discounts

Start by opening the Shopify app and logging into your account. Once inside, you’ll easily locate the ‘Store’ tab in the bottom right corner of your smart screen. Next, tap on the ‘Discounts’ option, recognizable by its percentage-badge icon.

Step 2: Initiate a New Free Shipping Discount

Within the ‘Discounts’ section, observe the top right corner to find the “+” icon. By tapping this, you’re set to create a new discount.

Step 3: Set Up the Discount Parameters

  • Discount Code: This is where you generate unique codes for customers to redeem discounts. A more convenient method would be to tap the blank field, prompting the ‘Generate code’ option on your virtual keyboard, enabling automatic code creation.
  • Options: Designate the discount by selecting ‘Free shipping’ under the’ Discount type’ category.
  • Countries:
  1. Decide if the free shipping benefit applies to ‘All countries’ or specific ones.
  2. For an exclusive offer, consider activating the ‘Exclude shipping rates over a certain amount’ and specify a value.
  3. Remember, this only affects the shipping cost, not the total order amount.
  • Shipping Rates: To provide a standout offer to certain customers, select this option. Activate ‘Exclude shipping rates over a certain amount’ and indicate the desired threshold. Again, this focuses purely on shipping fees, not the overall order value.
  • Minimum Requirement: Determine a base amount or item count that customers must achieve to avail of the discount.
  • Customer Eligibility: Here, you can pick specific individuals or customer groups eligible for the discount. You can select from your existing list or even form new customer groups using the dropdown. The list displays customers’ contact details if ‘Specific customers’ is chosen. In instances where emails might be missing, other information like phone numbers will be shown.
  • Usage Limits: If you aim to cap the frequency of discount usage, check the relevant boxes in this section. You have the flexibility to set a collective limit for all eligible customers or restrict the use to a single time per customer.
  • Active Dates: This assists in determining the duration of your discount’s validity. An ‘end date’ can be set to bind the offer within a specific timeframe.

Step 4: Finalize and Promote

Once all details are in place, your discount will appear on the list. To revisit or modify it, tap the desired value. The following screen will offer an ‘Edit’ button for adjustments. Beside ‘Edit,’ there’s a “…” icon. Tapping this unveils Shopify’s promotional tools, helping you share and market your fresh discount to potential clientele.

Cost-based shipping

  • Navigate to your Shopify admin, selecting ‘Settings’ and then ‘Shipping and delivery.’ 
  • After that, click on ‘Manage rates’ adjacent to the shopping profile where you wish to add the speed. 
  • From here, it’s quite straightforward. 
  • Click ‘Add rate’ and input the desired name. 
  • Ensure that the value in the Price field is set to 0. 
  • Then, click ‘Add conditions’ and choose the ‘Based on order price’ option. 
  • Input a minimum price and press ‘Done.’ 
  • Lastly, it’s crucial to remember to click ‘Save’!

Weight-based shipping

free shipping in shopify
  • Navigate to the Shopify admin, then proceed to ‘Settings’ followed by ‘Shipping and Delivery.’
  • Once there, click ‘Manage rates’ next to the shopping profile where you intend to add the speed.
  • Then, select ‘Add rate’ and input the desired name.
  • Ensure that the Price field is set to a value of 0.
  • Subsequently, click ‘Add conditions’ and opt for ‘Based on weight.’
  • Input the required minimum weight, and then hit ‘Done.’
  • Lastly, always remember to finalize your changes by clicking ‘Save’!

Helpful apps to support the Shopify store promote free shipping.

Promoting free shipping can do more than offer cost savings; it can also significantly boost sales and traffic. By highlighting your free shipping deals, you ensure customers know the perks before they even begin browsing, enticing them to explore further.

Shopify provides various tools and apps to aid in this; one of the favorites is the free shipping bar, which many e-commerce site owners widely appreciate. Here’s a rundown of the top free shipping apps:

Privy

Beyond just collecting contacts via pop-up templates, Privy serves multiple purposes. It facilitates the dispatch of product announcements and discount codes and also aids in the retrieval of abandoned carts. Notably, it simplifies integrating a free shipping bar, which can enhance average order values and cart conversion rates.

Free Shipping Bar + Cart Goals

Ideal for those looking to prominently feature their free shipping offer via an announcement bar at the site’s forefront. Additionally, it enables setting specific cart goals tailored to your promotional desires. The highlight? It’s user-friendly, eliminating the need for any coding knowledge.

Free Shipping Goal Bar

This intuitive app aids in maximizing order values by dynamically displaying free shipping goal bars. With many lively animated designs, these bars update in real time, showcasing compelling messages and visuals that align with your store’s aesthetic.

Why offer your clients free shipping?

free shipping in shopify

One paramount reason to provide free shipping to customers is to guarantee they finalize their orders and purchase your items. Furthermore, this gesture fosters customer loyalty, prompting them to revisit and patronize your store in the future.

Observing if competitors or other brands within your niche offer free shipping is beneficial. Even if they don’t, extending this service gives you a distinct competitive advantage!

Shopify free shipping: FAQs

You can offer free shipping on Shopify by creating a discount code, setting up a cost-based or weight-based shipping rate, or creating a free shipping zone.
You can promote your free shipping offer by displaying it on your website using pop-ups, banners, or bars, sending email campaigns to your subscribers, or creating social media posts or ads.
You can calculate your break-even point for free shipping by subtracting your average order value from your average order profit and dividing it by your average shipping cost. This will give you the minimum order amount to offer free shipping without losing money.

Bottom line

Free shipping is a powerful way to attract and retain customers for your Shopify store. By following this guide, you can set up and promote your free shipping offer in different ways and enjoy its benefits.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.