How to set up Automatic Free Shipping on Squarespace
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Free shipping is a proven way to increase online sales and boost customer satisfaction.
If you're using Squarespace for your online store, you can easily set up free shipping through several methods, including flat-rate shipping, weight-dependent shipping, and free shipping discounts.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through each method, helping you optimize your store and offer a seamless shopping experience.
Quick Fix
How to Set Up Automatic Free Shipping on Squarespace:
- Flat-Rate Shipping: Go to Settings > Selling > Shipping, add a Flat Rate option, name it "Free Shipping," and set fees to $0.
- Weight-Dependent Shipping: Assign weights to products, then create a shipping option with $0 for a specific weight range.
- Free Shipping Discount (Commerce Advanced Plan): Go to Marketing > Discounts, create a Free Shipping Discount, and set it to apply automatically or via a promo code.
What Is Free Shipping, and Why Does It Matter?
Free shipping removes the cost barrier for customers at checkout, making it more likely for them to complete their purchase.
Studies show that 75% of shoppers expect free shipping, and it’s often a deciding factor in choosing one store over another.
By offering free shipping on Squarespace, you can:
Increase your conversion rate.
Encourage customers to spend more.
Reduce cart abandonment rates.
Key Considerations Before Setting Up Free Shipping
Before proceeding, keep these in mind:
Squarespace doesn’t allow per-product shipping rates. Any free shipping option you create will apply universally to all products.
You can limit free shipping to specific regions by creating shipping zones.
If you’re on the Commerce Advanced Plan, you can automate free shipping discounts, making them easier for customers to use.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Free Shipping on Squarespace
Method 1: Offer Free Flat-Rate Shipping
A flat-rate shipping option is simple and applies to all products, making it a great choice if you want to offer free shipping across your store.
Access Shipping Settings
Log in to your Squarespace account.
Navigate to Settings > Selling > Shipping from your dashboard.
Add a New Flat-Rate Option
Select an existing shipping zone or create a new one for your desired region (e.g., domestic or international).
Click Add Shipping Option and select Flat Rate.
Customize the Flat-Rate Option
Name your shipping option "Free Shipping" to make it clear to customers.
Set both the Per Order Fee and the Fee Per Item to $0.00
.
You Can Select Regions Where you Want to Add the Free Shipping.
Save and Test
Click Save to activate the free shipping option.
Test the setup by adding products to your cart and verifying the free shipping option at checkout.
Method 2: Offer Free Weight-Dependent Shipping
This method is ideal if you want to offer free shipping for lighter items while charging for heavier ones.
Add Weights to Your Products
Go to Products in your Squarespace dashboard.
For each physical product, add a weight in the Additional Info section of the product settings.
Set Up Weight-Dependent Shipping
Navigate to Settings > Shipping and select your shipping zone.
Click Add Shipping Option and choose Weight-Dependent.
Define a Free Shipping Range
Set weight ranges and assign shipping costs to each range.
For the range you want to offer free shipping, set the Shipping Cost to $0.00
.
Save and Test
Save your changes and place a test order to ensure the correct shipping cost is applied based on product weights.
Method 3: Create a Free Shipping Discount
If you prefer to offer free shipping as a promotional incentive, you can create a discount.
Learn More about Squarespace Pricing & Squarespace Personal VS Business Plan
On the Commerce Advanced Plan, this discount can be applied automatically at checkout.
Option A: Promo Code Discount
Go to Discounts Settings
Navigate to Marketing > Discounts from your Squarespace dashboard.
Create a New Discount
Click Add Discount and select Free Shipping.
Set Discount Conditions
Name your discount (e.g., “Free Shipping Over $50”).
Specify whether the discount applies to all orders or orders with a minimum subtotal (e.g., $50).
Add a promo code (e.g., FREESHIP) for customers to use at checkout.
Save and Share
Save your discount and promote the code on your website, email campaigns, and social media.
Option B: Automatic Free Shipping Discount
Ensure You’re on the Commerce Advanced Plan
This feature is only available on the Commerce Advanced plan.
Create an Automatic Discount
Go to Marketing > Discounts and add a new Free Shipping discount.
Choose Automatic Discount instead of a promo code.
Set Conditions
Apply the discount to all orders or only to orders with a subtotal exceeding a specific amount.
Save and Test
Save your changes and test the checkout process to ensure the discount applies automatically.
Pro Tip: Limit Free Shipping to Local Customers Only
To offer free shipping to local customers:
Go to Settings > Shipping.
Create a shipping zone for local regions (e.g., by zip code or city).
Add a free flat-rate or weight-dependent shipping option within this zone.
How to Promote Free Shipping on Your Website
Add a Banner:
Use Squarespace’s announcement bar to highlight your free shipping offer (e.g., “Enjoy Free Shipping on Orders Over $50!”).
Include It on Product Pages:
Mention free shipping eligibility on product descriptions to encourage purchases.
Email Marketing:
Notify your subscribers about your free shipping promotion to drive traffic to your store.
FAQs
Can I set free shipping for specific products only?
No, Squarespace doesn’t support per-product shipping rates. Free shipping will apply universally based on the method you choose.
Can I combine free shipping with other discounts?
Yes, free shipping discounts can be combined with other promo codes, but the minimum order value for free shipping must be met after all other discounts are applied.
How do I track the success of my free shipping offer?
Use Squarespace’s built-in analytics to track your store’s performance, including sales growth and cart abandonment rates, after offering free shipping.
Conclusion
Offering free shipping on Squarespace is an effective way to attract more customers, reduce cart abandonment, and boost sales.
By following this guide, you’ll ensure your free shipping setup aligns with your business goals and enhances the shopping experience for your customers.
You Can Learn More about Free Shipping From Squarespace Official Guide.