How To Set Up Free Shipping Coupon In Woocommerce

How to Set Up Free Shipping Coupons in WooCommerce (The Easy Way!)

Want to boost sales and attract more customers? Offering free shipping can be a game-changer! It’s a powerful incentive that can dramatically reduce cart abandonment rates. And guess what? WooCommerce makes it super simple to create free shipping coupons. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, even if you’re a complete newbie.

Think of it this way: you’re browsing an online store and see two similar products, one with a small shipping fee and the other with free shipping (thanks to a coupon). Which one are you more likely to choose? Exactly! Free shipping removes a barrier to purchase and makes your offer more appealing.

Let’s dive in!

Why Discover insights on How To Add Widget In Header WordPress Woocommerce Use Free Shipping Coupons?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s briefly cover the “why.” Free shipping coupons are beneficial for several reasons:

Increase Sales: As mentioned, free shipping encourages purchases and reduces cart abandonment.
Attract New Customers: Offering a free shipping coupon for first-time buyers can be a great way to entice them to try your store.
Reward Loyal Customers: Create exclusive free shipping coupons for your regular customers to show your appreciation.
Promote Specific Products: Offer free shipping on specific items to clear inventory or boost sales of new arrivals.
Increase Average Order Value: You can set a minimum order value requirement for the free shipping coupon, encouraging customers to buy more. For example, “Free Shipping on orders over $50!”

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Free Shipping Coupon

Here’s a simple guide to creating your free shipping coupon in WooCommerce:

1. Access the Coupons Section:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Go to WooCommerce > Coupons.
Click the “Add New” button.

2. Configure the General Settings:

Coupon Code: Enter a unique code for your coupon (e.g., FREESHIP, WELCOME10, SUMMER20). Make it something easy for customers to remember.
Description (Optional): Add a brief description for your own reference. This won’t be visible to customers.
Discount Type: Select “Fixed cart discount” or “Percentage discount”. While we’re creating a free shipping coupon, we still need to choose an option here. The value we set later will make it act as free shipping.
Coupon Amount: This is where the magic happens. For a free shipping coupon, you typically want to set this to the *estimated* shipping cost. However, it’s important to realize this value is not directly linked to the shipping cost setup in WooCommerce. It’s simply a deduction from the cart total. So, setting it to a high enough value to cover most shipping scenarios will effectively make shipping free. For example, if your average shipping cost is $10, set it to $10.
Allow free shipping: This is the KEY! Check this box. This tells WooCommerce that this coupon *also* grants free shipping, regardless of the discount amount you set.
Coupon expiry date (Optional): Set an expiry date for the coupon to create a sense of urgency.

3. Usage Restriction Settings:

Minimum spend: Set a minimum order value required to use the coupon (e.g., $50). This encourages customers to spend more.
Maximum spend: Set a maximum order value for the coupon. This is less common but can be useful in specific scenarios.
Individual use only: Check this box if you don’t want this coupon to be combined with other coupons.
Exclude sale items: Check this box if you don’t want the coupon to apply to items that are already on sale.
Products: Choose specific products that this coupon will apply to. This is great for promoting certain items.
Exclude products: Choose specific products that this coupon will *not* apply to.
Product categories: Choose product categories that the coupon applies to.
Exclude categories: Choose product categories that the coupon does *not* apply to.
Allowed emails: Restrict the coupon to specific email addresses. This is useful for rewarding loyal customers or running targeted promotions.

4. Usage Limits:

Usage limit per coupon: Set the total number of times the coupon can be used.
Limit usage to X items: Limit the number of items the coupon applies to in a single order.
Usage limit per user: Set the number of Read more about How To Get Woocommerce Product times a single customer can use the coupon. This prevents abuse.

5. Publish Your Coupon:

Click the “Publish” button to activate your coupon.

Real-Life Examples

Here are a few examples of how you can use free shipping coupons:

Welcome Offer: Create a coupon code “WELCOME” that gives new customers free shipping on their first order. Set “Usage limit per user” to 1.
Holiday Promotion: Offer free shipping during the holiday season with a coupon code like “HOLIDAYSHIP.” Set an expiry date.
Specific Product Promotion: Offer free shipping on your new line of organic t-shirts with a coupon code like “ORGANICSHIP.” Use the “Products” setting to only apply it to those t-shirts.
Minimum Order Value: Offer free shipping on orders over $75 with a coupon code like “SHIP75.” Set “Minimum spend” to $75.

Troubleshooting Tips

Coupon Not Working? Double-check all the settings, especially the “Allow free shipping” box and the usage restrictions. Make sure the customer meets the minimum spend requirements (if any).
Customers Using Multiple Coupons? If you don’t want customers to combine coupons, make sure the “Individual use only” box is checked.
Shipping Costs Still Showing? Ensure that you have properly configured your WooCommerce shipping zones and methods. The free shipping coupon only applies to the *cost* of shipping, not the availability of shipping methods.

Conclusion

Setting up free shipping coupons in WooCommerce is a straightforward process that can significantly benefit your online store. By following these steps and considering the examples, you can create effective coupons that attract customers, increase sales, and boost your bottom line. Remember to test your coupons thoroughly to ensure they are working as expected. Happy selling!