You’ve probably seen ads claiming, “Just pay shipping!” — that’s the Free Plus Shipping model in action. It’s one of the most popular eCommerce strategies for Shopify entrepreneurs, especially for beginners and dropshippers.

The idea is simple: you give away a product for free, and customers only pay for shipping. Sounds risky? Not if done right. When executed strategically, Shopify Free Plus Shipping can help you grow your store, acquire new customers fast, and make real profits.

In this guide, we’ll explain how the Free Plus Shipping strategy works, how to set it up in Shopify, and how to make it profitable without losing money.

1. What Is the Shopify Free Plus Shipping Model?

The Free Plus Shipping model is a sales strategy where the product itself is listed as free, and the customer only pays for shipping and handling.

For example:

A bracelet listed at $0, with a $9.95 shipping fee.

This approach triggers impulse purchases because people love getting “free” products. However, your shipping charge covers:

• The actual cost of the item

• Shipping fees

• And ideally, a small profit margin

It’s a psychology-driven marketing tactic that relies on perceived value — customers think they’re getting a deal, while you earn through shipping and volume.

2. Why the Free Plus Shipping Model Works

2.1. Psychological Appeal of “Free”

The word free is a powerful motivator. It reduces the buyer’s hesitation and increases conversions dramatically. When customers feel they’re getting a valuable product at no cost, they’re more likely to buy — even with a small shipping fee.

2.2. Lower Barrier to Entry

Traditional pricing requires customers to justify spending. Free Plus Shipping eliminates that barrier. A low shipping cost feels insignificant compared to paying full price, so customers purchase impulsively.

2.3. Customer Acquisition Tool

Even if your profit per sale is small, Free Plus Shipping helps build your email list, pixel data, and customer base. Once you acquire customers, you can retarget them for upsells or higher-priced products.

2.4. Great for Dropshipping

Free Plus Shipping pairs perfectly with dropshipping. Since you don’t hold inventory, you can test products easily without upfront costs — making it ideal for testing new markets and niches.

3. How to Set Up a Shopify Free Plus Shipping Store

Let’s walk through the setup process step by step.

Step 1: Choose the Right Product

The success of your Free Plus Shipping campaign depends heavily on the product. Look for:

• Lightweight items (lower shipping cost)

• High perceived value

• Impulse-buy appeal

• Easy to ship worldwide

Examples include:

• Phone accessories

• Jewelry

• Pet items

• Beauty tools

• Fitness bands

You can source such items from AliExpress, CJ Dropshipping, or DSers directly into your Shopify store.

Step 2: Set Product Price to $0

When adding your product in Shopify:

1. Go to Products > Add product.

2. Set Price = $0.00.

3. Use strong marketing copy like:

   • “Get Yours FREE — Just Pay Shipping!”

   • “Limited Time Offer: Free Product, You Cover Shipping!”

Ensure you display urgency using countdown timers or “Only X left in stock” apps.

Step 3: Set Up Shipping Charges

Now it’s time to configure the shipping fee that covers your costs and brings profit.

1. Go to Settings > Shipping and delivery in Shopify.

2. Choose your shipping profile or create a new one.

3. Under your shipping zone, click Add rate.

4. Name it Standard Shipping ($9.95) or similar.

5. Set the price (usually $6.95–$14.95 depending on your costs).

6. Save changes.

💡 Pro Tip:
Always test different price points. Even small differences ($8.95 vs. $9.95) can affect conversion rates.

Step 4: Customize Your Checkout and Thank You Pages

Make your checkout smooth and convincing.
Add persuasive copy such as:

“You’re only paying for shipping today — your free product will be shipped within 3–5 days!”

You can use Shopify apps like:

• PageFly or GemPages – to design landing pages

• ReConvert – to upsell on the thank-you page

Step 5: Test and Launch

Once your product and shipping setup are ready:

• Run small ad campaigns (Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram).

• Track conversion rates and shipping profits.

• Adjust your pricing or product if needed.

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4. The Math Behind Shopify Free Plus Shipping

Let’s break down an example:

Multiply that by 100 daily orders, and your profit can grow fast — all from a “free” offer.

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5. Pros and Cons of Free Plus Shipping on Shopify

✅ Pros

• Easy to start, low upfront cost

• Converts well with impulse buyers

• Builds customer base quickly

• Great for product testing

• Perfect for dropshipping beginners

❌ Cons

• Lower profit margins

• High refund/return risk if shipping delays occur

• Requires strong marketing to stay profitable

• Some customers may view shipping fees skeptically

To minimize the downsides, focus on fast shipping times, transparent communication, and high-quality customer support.

6. Tips to Make Your Free Plus Shipping Store Successful

6.1. Focus on Perceived Value

Choose products that look expensive but cost little. For example, customers might believe a $2 ring is worth $25 — making the $9.95 shipping seem like a bargain.

6.2. Use Urgency and Scarcity

Add urgency elements to your Shopify store:

• Countdown timers: “Offer ends in 03:24:56”

• Stock alerts: “Only 12 left in stock!”
  These psychological triggers increase conversion rates significantly.

6.3. Offer Upsells and Cross-Sells

Free Plus Shipping often yields low initial profit, but upselling boosts your average order value.
Use Shopify apps like:

• Bold Upsell

• One Click Upsell

• ReConvert

Example:
Offer a $14.95 add-on like “Get a second one for 50% off!”

6.4. Optimize for Mobile

Over 80% of Shopify traffic comes from mobile devices.
Make sure your product page loads fast, has large buttons, and includes mobile-friendly visuals.

6.5. Track and Analyze Data

Use Shopify Analytics and Facebook Pixel to track:

• Conversion rates

• Add-to-cart behavior

• Checkout abandonment

Adjust your ads, shipping fee, or landing page copy based on performance data.

The Shopify Free Plus Shipping model remains a powerful marketing strategy — when used smartly.
It’s not about giving away products; it’s about using perceived value and psychology to attract customers at scale.

Start small, test multiple products, and focus on the numbers.
Combine Free Plus Shipping with upsells, retargeting, and branding, and you can turn “free” into a profitable, sustainable business model.