Have you ever abandoned an online shopping cart because unexpected shipping fees appeared at checkout? If so, you’re not alone. Over 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts, and surprise shipping costs are one of the main reasons. Offering free shipping can significantly reduce cart abandonment and increase sales.
This guide will walk you step by step through how to set up free shipping for orders over $100 on Shopify — helping you deliver a seamless shopping experience and boost your conversion rate.
Why Free Shipping Matters
Setting up free shipping may seem complicated at first, but it’s a crucial step to stay competitive in e-commerce. By the end of this guide, you’ll not only know how to configure it but also understand the benefits and strategies behind this popular sales tactic.
Steps to Set Up Free Shipping Over $100
Step 1: Access Your Shipping Settings
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Log in to your Shopify admin dashboard.
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Click Settings at the bottom left corner.
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Select Shipping and delivery.
Here, you can manage all shipping profiles, including rates for different regions and products.
Step 2: Create or Edit Shipping Profiles
Shopify allows you to create multiple shipping profiles for different products or regions.
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Click Manage rates.
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To create a new profile, click Create shipping profile, or edit an existing one.
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You’ll see sections representing different shipping zones.
Step 3: Add Free Shipping Conditions
To enable free shipping for orders over $100, follow these steps:
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Click Add rate next to the desired shipping zone.
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Enter a name for your rate, such as “Free Shipping Over $100.”
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Set the price to $0.
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Click Add conditions → select Based on order price.
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Set the minimum price to 100.
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Save your settings.
Step 4: Test Your Settings
After setup, it’s important to test to make sure everything works properly:
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Add products worth over $100 to your cart.
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Go to checkout and check if the “Free Shipping” option appears.
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Try different product combinations to ensure all are covered by the rule.
Step 5: Assign Products to the Shipping Profile
If you created a new shipping profile, make sure to assign the correct products to it:
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Go back to Shipping settings.
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Find your new profile and click Manage products to add the relevant items.
This ensures that all products intended to qualify for free shipping are included properly.
Benefits of Offering Free Shipping
Increase Average Order Value (AOV)
Customers often add more items to reach the free shipping threshold, which helps increase your revenue per order.
Reduce Cart Abandonment
Clear pricing without surprise fees at checkout encourages customers to complete their purchases.
Gain a Competitive Edge
Offering free shipping helps your store stand out from competitors and encourages customer loyalty and repeat purchases.
Improve Customer Experience
A smooth, transparent shopping experience builds trust and long-term relationships with your customers.
How to Maximize the Impact of Free Shipping Using Shopify
Automated Discounts
Shopify allows you to automate discounts:
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Go to Discounts in your Shopify admin.
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Click Create discount → Free shipping.
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Set your condition, e.g., “Order over $100.”
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Save your changes — Shopify will automatically apply the free shipping at checkout.
Limit by Shipping Zone
If it’s not cost-effective to offer free shipping everywhere, you can restrict it to certain regions:
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Go to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
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Define your shipping zones and apply the free shipping rule only where appropriate.
Different Shipping Profiles for Different Products
Some products cost more to ship than others. You can create separate shipping profiles and only apply free shipping to products where it makes financial sense.
A free shipping strategy for orders over $100 is a powerful way to boost sales and enhance customer satisfaction. However, it’s important to monitor profit margins and shipping costs to ensure long-term sustainability.
Regularly review and adjust your settings to align with your business goals. When done correctly, free shipping can be a powerful tool to grow your e-commerce success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why isn’t the free shipping option showing up at checkout?
→ Make sure all products are assigned to the correct shipping profile and that the conditions are set up properly.
2. Can I offer free shipping only for certain products?
→ Yes. Use different shipping profiles to apply specific rules to selected product groups.
3. How can I offer free international shipping?
→ Create separate shipping zones for each country and set free shipping conditions for those regions.
4. Can I combine free shipping with other discounts?
→ Yes. Shopify allows you to combine free shipping with other promotions as long as the conditions don’t conflict.
5. What if I want to change the free shipping threshold later?
→ You can go back to Shipping settings and update the conditions anytime. Regular reviews help keep your policy aligned with your business strategy.