Want to learn how to add shipping charges in WooCommerce? Adding a shipping fee might seem daunting at first if you don’t know the correct and simple steps to set up shipping fees in your WooCommerce store.
However, you’ll find completing this task effortless once you follow the clear and straightforward steps outlined in this article.
This content will teach you beginner-friendly steps to configure shipping settings, define shipping zones, and add shipping methods with ease. Let’s dive in.
Learn About the Different Types of Shipping Options
Before diving into how to add shipping charges in WooCommerce, let’s first learn about diverse shipping options and their use cases.
1. Flat-rate
Flat-rate shipping is famous worldwide due to its simplicity. When you set this shipping method, your targeted customers pay a fixed shipping fee for their orders.
Although flat-rate refers to a uniform fee, WooCommerce allows store owners to set different flat rates for diverse shipping zones.
For instance, WooCommerce lets you set a flat rate for domestic orders and another for international orders.
Additionally, WooCommerce enables you to define shipping classes and set additional shipping costs. Imagine this: You want to charge an additional shipping fee for bulky products.
In this case, you need to create a shipping class and assign that to your preferred product so that you can charge an additional fee on top of the basic flat-rate cost. You now understand flat-rate shipping.
2. Free Shipping
Free shipping is another popular shipping method that every online shopper loves. You can configure this shipping option for entire shipping zones or set it based on particular criteria.
For example, you can configure it based on certain conditions, such as customers will enjoy free shipping if they have a valid free shipping coupon or if their order value exceeds a certain threshold.
Free shipping is an excellent option if you want to entice customers, reduce cart abandonment rate, and increase sales.
3. Local pickup
This shipping option is specifically for those customers who prefer to collect their orders in person. You can use this shipping method to deliver products to customers who live near your physical store.
Local pickup primarily lets customers collect products without paying any shipping fees. Nonetheless, you can configure a flat fee with this shipping option if needed.
These are some shipping options that WooCommerce offers to store owners.
👉 Good Read: How to Add Discount in WooCommerce
How to Add Shipping Charges in WooCommerce
Adding shipping charges in WooCommerce is an easy job if you follow the correct guidelines and stick to the WooCommerce shipping cost formula. However, some find the formula challenging to understand, but it’s manageable once you get your hands on it.
In this article, we’ll briefly discuss this formula to help you easily understand it. So, let’s read all the steps and add shipping charges to your WooCommerce stores without hassle.
Step 1 – Create a New Shipping Zone
In order to add shipping charges, you first need to create a shipping zone. For your information, a shipping zone is a geographical area where you’ll deliver products. You can set several shipping methods under each shipping zone. Let’s build one.
- Go to WP Admin Dashboard > WooCommerce > Settings.
- Afterward, click ‘Shipping’ tab and ensure you’re under “Shipping Zones” menu. Now, press “Add zone” button to create a new shipping zone.
- Write a shipping zone name in “Zone name” field and select a shipping area from “Zone regions” drop-down menu – utilize it to add multiple shipping areas (Note that you can select from countries, states, or continents as shipping areas).
- After that, click “Save changes”
Step 2 – Assign a Shipping Method
The next step is to assign a shipping method to a shipping zone you’ve created a while ago. Thus, find that zone (you’ll see it under the Shipping zones menu on Shipping tab of WooCommerce). Now, follow the steps mentioned below.
- Press ‘Edit’ of a shipping zone.
- Then, click “Add shipping method” button.
- You’ll then notice a pop-up displaying three different shipping methods. Click on the “Flat rate” or other shipping method as per your needs and then hit ‘Continue’ button.
- After selecting a shipping method and adding a shipping cost formula, hit “Create and save” button to assign your desired shipping method.
That’s how you assign a shipping method to a shipping zone. Let’s now discuss how to set up each shipping method. We’ll begin with flat-rate shipping.
Set up Flat Rate Shipping Method
Here are all the steps to follow to set up flat rate shipping in your desired shipping zone.
- Head to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping.
- Navigate to your preferred Shipping Zone and press ‘Edit’ link.
- Then, press the “Add shipping method” button under “Shipping methods.”
- Choose “Flat rate” and press ‘Continue’ button.
- Write a shipping method name in ‘Name’ field. Customers will see this name.
- Select the tax status as ‘Taxable’ from “Tax status” drop-down menu.
- Lastly, you need to enter the shipping fee in ‘Cost’ field. While entering, you must follow a WooCommerce shipping formula if you want to charge a shipping fee per item.
For example, you can write “7 * [qty]” in the cost field to charge $7 per item as a shipping fee in your desired shipping zone. After writing this formula, don’t forget to hit the ‘Save’ button.
Set up Free Shipping Method
Setting up free shipping is incredibly easy. Here’s how: Once you enter your preferred shipping zone and head to “Shipping methods” area, click “Add shipping method” button.
Then, choose “Free shipping” from the pop-up and press ‘Continue’ button.
Right now, write a shipping method name in the ‘Name’ field, click the “Free shipping requires” drop-down menu, and choose a condition that suits your needs.
Here are the details about each free shipping condition in the drop-down menu:-
No Requirement: Select this condition if you want customers to enjoy free shipping without fulfilling any requirements.
A valid free shipping coupon: Choose this condition if you want customers to input a specific coupon during checkout to be eligible for free shipping.
A minimum order amount: As you can guess from the condition name, your customers need to spend a certain amount set by you to benefit from free shipping. For instance, you want customers to spend at least $300 to get free shipping.
A valid free shipping coupon OR a minimum order amount: You choose this condition if you want customers to either input a valid shipping coupon or spend a minimum order amount to become eligible for free shipping.
A valid free shipping coupon AND a minimum order amount: Select this condition when you want customers to enter a valid shipping coupon and spend a minimum amount to enjoy free shipping.
After choosing your preferred free shipping condition, you need to press “Create and save” button.
Set up Local Pickup
We believe you can do it on your own since you’ve to follow the same steps you followed to set up the flat rate and free shipping methods. Still, we illuminate the path to setting up a local pickup option in your preferred shipping zone below.
First, enter a shipping zone and head to “Shipping methods” section and hit “Add shipping method” button. After that, select “Local pickup” from the pop-up and click ‘Continue’ button.
Then, write the shipping name in ‘Name’ field, select a tax status, write down the shipping cost if you want, and click “Create and save” button.
That’s how you set up local pickup.
Here’s one thing to remember: Do not charge any shipping fee for local pickup if customers prefer collecting products in person from your physical store.
Doing so will help you create a positive impression, build trust, and convert customers into loyal fans, leading to increased sales.
Step 3 – Create a Shipping Class
You need to create a shipping class now to benefit from an additional layer of control over your shipping strategy. By creating a shipping class, you can charge specific shipping fees for particular products.
Let’s say you sell heavy furniture items in your WooCommerce shop. Additionally, you sell small items, too. Now, you want to charge an additional shipping fee for bulky products.
In a word, you want to configure a weight-based shipping fee in your store so that you can charge extra money alongside charging the flat shipping fee to deliver heavy products. That being said, let’s now see how to create a shipping class.
- Navigate to your WP Admin Panel > Settings > Shipping.
- Then, press ‘Classes’ menu and click “Add shipping class” button.
- Afterward, write shipping class name in “Shipping class *” field, write a slug in ‘Slug’ field, write shipping class description in ‘Description *’ field, and finally, press ‘Create’ button.
That’s how you create a shipping class. Now, define the shipping cost for this shipping class.
Define Shipping Class Cost
To accomplish this job, you need to enter a shipping zone of your choice and then navigate to the “Shipping methods” area. After that, click ‘Edit’ link of “Flat rate” shipping.
You’ll now notice a “Shipping class costs” section on the flat rate shipping pop-up. Utilize all or some fields under this section and click ‘Save’ button.
As you can see in the screenshot above, we wrote “5 * [qty]” in the ““Bulky” shipping class cost” field so that we can charge an additional $5 alongside charging the flat rate shipping fee per heavy item.
Additionally, we selected “Per class: Charge shipping for each shipping class individually” option from the “Calculation type” drop-down menu to charge a shipping fee for each class individually.
This is how we defined a shipping class cost. Now, let’s see it in action.
Step 5 – Set a Shipping Fee on a Product
To set a shipping fee on a product, first determine the product and enter its editor. Then, head to “Product data –” section, click ‘Shipping’ tab, and select a shipping class from “Shipping class” drop-down menu on the right-hand side.
Finally, press ‘Update’ button.
Now, visit this product page, add this item to your cart, and visit the cart page to view the shipping fee.
This is how you add shipping charges in WooCommerce.
Bonus: Strategies to Utilize Shipping Options for Growth
Follow the tips below to grow your business while using diverse shipping options.
Examine your inventory closely: Focus on product sizes, weights, and storage locations. Use this information to create a customized shipping plan that meets the unique requirements of your products and customers.
Select the ideal carrier: Collaborate with shipping providers that provide the most competitive rates for your typical destinations and package dimensions. Also, you might offer a local pickup facility for your nearby customers.
Plan for geographic regions: Configure WooCommerce shipping zones based on your customers’ geographic areas to enhance their shopping experience.
Add label printing solutions: Integrate an automated label printing system into WooCommerce to accelerate the product packaging workflow.
Enhance fulfillment operations: Utilize a fulfillment service to handle inventory management and automate order dispatching. Doing so can significantly minimize time spent on manual tasks while elevating the shipping experience for your customers.
Regularly re-evaluate your shipping strategy and follow practical methods that other big players apply in their business to grow your business exponentially.
👉Good Read: How to Make Ecommerce Website in WordPress
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Difference Between Flat Rate Shipping and Free Shipping?
Flat rate shipping charges customers a fixed fee for shipping, such as $5 per order, regardless of size or destination. Free shipping, however, eliminates this fee and enhances customer appeal.
How Do I Add a Delivery Fee in WooCommerce?
Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping. Then, build or edit a shipping zone and create a shipping method, such as “Flat rate,” and configure a delivery fee within that shipping method.
How Much Should I Charge for Flat Rate Shipping?
To set an effective flat-rate shipping price, calculate your average shipping cost per order, adjust it to a simple figure, and consider your average order value (AOV) to balance profitability with customer appeal.
Rounding Up
Congrats! You’ve learned how to add shipping charges in WooCommerce. Now, implement what you have learned, add shipping fees to products, and increase revenue while ensuring customer satisfaction.
In this article, we showed the easy steps to accomplish this job of adding shipping charges in your WordPress shop. We think you found it helpful and will appreciate our effort. You may read our other helpful blogs in appreciation.
