In the world of e-commerce, offering free shipping has become a popular way for businesses to attract customers and boost sales. Consumers have come to expect free shipping as a standard perk when shopping online. And businesses that fail to offer this benefit may find themselves losing out to competitors.
Benefits of Offering Free Shipping
Attract More Customers
One of the primary benefits of offering free shipping is that it can help attract more customers to your e-commerce store. Consumers are always looking for ways to save money. And free shipping is a major incentive for them to make a purchase. A survey conducted by comScore found that 61% of online shoppers are more likely to purchase if free shipping is offered. By offering this benefit, you can increase the number of visitors to your site and ultimately boost your sales.
Increase Order Value
Another benefit of offering free shipping is that it can increase the average order value (AOV) of your e-commerce store. When customers know that they can get free shipping on their purchases, they are more likely to add additional items to their cart to meet the minimum purchase requirement. This can lead to a higher AOV and ultimately increase your revenue. A study by UPS found that customers who are offered free shipping are likely to spend 30% more than those who are not offered this benefit.
Build Customer Loyalty
Offering free shipping can also help build customer loyalty. Customers who receive this benefit are more likely to return to your e-commerce store in the future. Because they associate your brand with positive experiences. By providing a great shopping experience, you can build a loyal customer base that will continue to make purchases from your store over time. In addition, satisfied customers are more likely to leave positive reviews and refer their friends and family to your e-commerce store.
Competitive Advantage
Offering free shipping can also give your e-commerce store a competitive advantage. As we mentioned earlier, consumers have come to expect this benefit when shopping online. By offering free shipping, you can level the playing field with your competitors and even gain an edge over them. A survey conducted by Deloitte found that 69% of consumers are more likely to shop at an online retailer that offers free shipping, even if it means waiting longer for their purchase to arrive.
Reduce Cart Abandonment
One of the biggest challenges that e-commerce businesses face is cart abandonment. This occurs when customers add items to their cart but fail to complete the checkout process. One of the main reasons for cart abandonment is unexpected shipping costs. By offering free shipping, you can reduce the likelihood of customers abandoning their carts and increase your conversion rate.
In Conclusion
In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, offering free shipping has become a necessity for businesses that want to attract customers and boost sales. By providing this benefit, you can attract more customers, increase your average order value, build customer loyalty, gain a competitive advantage, and reduce cart abandonment.
However, it is important to carefully consider the cost of offering free shipping and to ensure that it is financially sustainable for your e-commerce store. By striking the right balance between offering this benefit and maintaining profitability, you can reap the rewards of free shipping and take your e-commerce store to the next level.
How to Build a Free Shipping Strategy
Now that we have discussed the benefits of offering free shipping in your e-commerce store, let’s explore how to build a free shipping strategy that works for your business.
Determine Your Free Shipping Threshold
The first step in building a free shipping strategy is to determine your free shipping threshold. This is the minimum purchase amount that a customer must reach to qualify for free shipping. You will need to carefully consider your costs, margins, and average order value to determine the right threshold for your business. Keep in mind that the threshold should be set high enough to encourage customers to add items to their cart but not so high that it becomes unattainable for the majority of your customers.
Consider Your Shipping Options
Once you have determined your free shipping threshold, you will need to consider your shipping options. There are several options available, including:
- Free standard shipping: This is the most common type of free shipping and typically takes 5-7 business days for delivery.
- Free expedited shipping: This option provides faster delivery and is typically offered for a higher minimum purchase amount.
- Free store pickup: This option allows customers to pick up their order at a physical store location, which can be a great way to save on shipping costs and provide a convenient option for customers.
Choose Your Marketing Strategy
To effectively promote your free shipping offer, you will need to choose a marketing strategy that works for your business. Here are a few options to consider:
- Email marketing: Send out an email blast to your subscriber list to promote your free shipping offer.
- Social media: Use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote your offer and drive traffic to your e-commerce store.
- Paid advertising: Consider running paid ads on platforms like Google and Facebook to promote your offer to a wider audience.
- On-site promotions: Use on-site banners and pop-ups to promote your offer to visitors on your e-commerce store.
Monitor Your Results
As with any marketing strategy, it is important to monitor your results and make adjustments as needed. Keep track of your sales, average order value, and conversion rate to determine the effectiveness of your free shipping offer. If you are not seeing the results you expected, consider adjusting your free shipping threshold, shipping options, or marketing strategy.
Offering free shipping can be a powerful tool for attracting customers, increasing sales, and building customer loyalty. Here eComhub comes.
We are proud to offer fast, reliable, and low-cost shipping services that are designed to meet the needs of our customers. Our commitment to transparency means that you can track your shipment every step of the way. Ensuring that you always know where your package is and when it will arrive. Whether you are shipping domestically or internationally, we have the experience and expertise to get your package where it needs to go quickly and efficiently. Choose our shipping services for peace of mind and reliable delivery every time.