--- site_name: Toret.net site_description: WooCommerce plugins for European e-shops site_url: https://www.toret.net contact_email: info@toret.net title: "Shipping for online stores: Tips on how to attract customers and increase sales" url: https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/ date: 2023-10-20 modified: 2026-02-16 type: post categories: [Blog, Marketingové tipy] tags: [e-shop marketing, shipping, shipping for e-shop, WooCommerce shipping] --- # Shipping for online stores: Tips on how to attract customers and increase sales 20/10/2023 For online stores, delivering orders to customers is a necessity. However, only a few e-shops deal with shipping options beyond this basic requirement. Yet shipping can be a great **marketing tool** that helps convince customers to make a purchase. Don’t believe it? Take a look at the **shipping options online stores can use to attract customers** and which **WooCommerce plugins** can help you. Table of Contents [Toggle](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/) - [Free shipping attracts customers and increases order value](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Free_shipping_attracts_customers_and_increases_order_value) - [Specific delivery times: Morning, afternoon, or evening?](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Specific_delivery_times_Morning_afternoon_or_evening) - [Own branches and personal pickup](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Own_branches_and_personal_pickup) - [Scaling shipping types and prices in WooCommerce](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Scaling_shipping_types_and_prices_in_WooCommerce) - [Eco-friendly delivery](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Eco-friendly_delivery) - [Guaranteed delivery time](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Guaranteed_delivery_time) - [Shipping can be a competitive advantage for online stores](https://www.toret.net/woocommerce-shipping-use-shipping-methods-as-a-marketing-tool/#Shipping_can_be_a_competitive_advantage_for_online_stores) ## Free shipping attracts customers and increases order value Free shipping is an evergreen strategy that e-shops use to attract customers—and customers often respond positively. You can use it **as a one-time campaign or as part of a long-term strategy.** > 25% of customers stated that a free shipping offer was one of the main reasons for choosing a particular online store > > > > (marketvision.cz) As a one-time action, you can organize a **free shipping day/week** (for all shipping methods or only selected ones), which can attract a surge of customers in a short period of time. In the long term, use **free shipping above a certain order value.** This method helps increase average order value. However, it’s crucial to set the threshold correctly. Too low? You lose money. Too high? You discourage customers. Another option is offering **free shipping coupons**. These are easy to share on social media and help promote your e-shop. If you want to offer free shipping—whether unconditional or conditional—you need to **calculate it carefully** so the campaign doesn’t cost more than it brings in. The good news is that while free delivery is the most common strategy, it’s definitely not the only ace up your sleeve when it comes to e-shop shipping. ## Specific delivery times: Morning, afternoon, or evening? The option to choose **morning, afternoon, or evening delivery** is not very common among e-shops (or carriers). On the other hand, it’s a service that solves the dilemma for many customers—whether to have the package delivered home or to work. If you offer this service, don’t forget to **promote it properly**. Only then can it become the deciding factor that convinces customers to buy from your store. [![DPD](https://www.toret.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Nahledovy-obrazek-produktu-DPD.png "DPD")](https://www.toret.net/produkt/toolkit/) ### Toret DPD **Morning, midday, and afternoon delivery** Offer your customers delivery to their address at a specific time of day—by 10 AM, 12 PM, or 6 PM. In addition, you can use standard home delivery or pickup point delivery and handle everything quickly directly from your store’s administration. [**View the DPD plugin >>**](https://www.toret.net/produkt/dpd) ## Own branches and personal pickup If your e-shop isn’t located on a deserted island, offer customers the option of **personal order pickup**. It’s a strong argument for **local customers** to choose your store over competitors. At the same time, it appeals to **customers who want their package quickly** and are willing to travel to pick it up. If you have multiple branches (e.g., brick-and-mortar stores), personal pickup should be a given. > 21% of customers use personal pickup at a physical branch. > > > > (E-shopper Barometer) You can also use this advantage in your marketing and **target part of your advertising to customers near your branch.** [![Own branches and shipping](https://www.toret.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Nahledovy-obrazek-produktu-Vlastni-pobocky-a-doprava.png "Own branches and shipping")](https://www.toret.net/produkt/toolkit/) ### Toret Own Branches and Shipping **Your own pickup point network. Made simple.** Create your own branch network, define their name, address, allowed payment methods, shipment dimensions and weight limits, or specific products. Customers can choose from your branches using a clear map widget. You can also use branch import/export or manage stock for individual pickup points. [**View the Own Branches & Shipping plugin >>**](https://www.toret.net/product/custom-branches/) ## Scaling shipping types and prices in WooCommerce Are you shipping a small, inexpensive item at the same rate as a large, oversized package? Don’t use a cannon to shoot a sparrow—**scale your shipping** if you don’t want customers to shop elsewhere. This is especially relevant for e-shops with diverse product ranges. If you sell small, large, cheap, and expensive products, you should **offer corresponding shipping options.** Nothing discourages a customer more than shipping costing as much as the product itself. Proper shipping scaling will **reduce the number of abandoned orders.** > TIP: Shipping plugins can help you scale delivery prices. They allow you to **adjust shipping costs based on shipment weight and dimensions, delivery distance, or order value**. Check out [plugins that support advanced pricing settings](https://www.toret.net/plugin/shipping-and-delivery/advanced-pricing-and-surcharge/). ## Eco-friendly delivery Environmental topics have been resonating across society in recent years—positively in some circles, more critically in others. If your customers belong to a target group that values sustainability, **eco-friendly delivery can be a strong marketing attraction**. > Czech customers are willing to pay extra for sustainable behavior by e-shops or services. 7.6% of respondents chose “definitely yes,” and another 35.9% chose “rather yes.” > > > > (mediaguru.cz) Almost all courier companies are introducing electric vehicles or cargo bike delivery, or offset emissions through additional measures (e.g., Think Green service from [GLS](https://www.toret.net/produkt/gls/)). With proper promotion, **eco-friendly delivery can attract even more customers.** [![Shipping for online stores - courier](https://www.toret.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/doprava-pro-e-shopy.png "Shipping for online stores - courier")](https://www.toret.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10 / doprava-pro-e-shopy.png) Well-optimized shipping can help attract customers and increase order value. ## Guaranteed delivery time “Next-day delivery” or “Delivered within two days” are strong statements with **great potential to convince customers** to shop in your online store. However, you should not promise something you cannot fulfill. A flood of negative reviews could negatively impact **your store’s reputation and rating** and discourage future customers. Whether you can meet such short deadlines **depends on the efficiency of your order processing and the reliability of your carrier**. Many carriers can guarantee delivery within a certain timeframe, but only if the e-shop prepares the shipment in time and it’s not peak season, typically before Christmas. > TIP: **Automation** helps speed up order processing. These [WooCommerce shipping plugins](https://www.toret.net/plugin/shipping-and-delivery/automation/) allow **automatic shipment data transfer to carrier systems, label printing, and pickup ordering**. This ensures your packages are sent on time. ## Shipping can be a competitive advantage for online stores We’ve outlined ways in which different shipping methods can positively influence sales. However, these strategies will only work if customers learn about them **before reaching the checkout page**. Promote them on social media, in email newsletters, on your homepage, and in ads. Only then will they help you attract new customers. **Are you deciding which carrier is right for your online store? Check out our article [WooCommerce shipping: Shipping options and carrier comparison](https://www.toret.net/doprava-pro-eshopy-na-woocommerce-jak-vybrat/) for more information, or browse a suitable [plugin from the WooCommerce shipping category.](https://www.toret.net/plugin/shipping-and-delivery/)** [e-shop marketing](https://www.toret.net/tag/e-shop-marketing/)[shipping](https://www.toret.net/tag/shipping/)[shipping for e-shop](https://www.toret.net/tag/shipping-for-e-shop/)[WooCommerce shipping](https://www.toret.net/tag/woocommerce-shipping/) ←[E-shop obligations: Do you know what information you must provide for the products you sell?](https://www.toret.net/e-shop-obligations-do-you-know-what-information-you-must-provide-for-the-products-you-sell/) [How to easily and quickly create an XML feed in WooCommerce and connect your online store to product comparison websites?](https://www.toret.net/what-is-an-xml-feed-and-how-to-advertise-on-product-comparison-sites/)→ ## More posts ### [PHP2Shell: Critical PHP flaw puts websites and online stores at risk. 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