Include Shipping in Product Price?

Nov 19 in Small e-Business Written by: Harris

Including the shipping price in the cost of a product is very attractive to many customers (it’s one less thing to worry about), but its not always possible.

“Free shipping & handling” allows the customer to shop around, focussed on your product, and free of any fear they will be slapped with fees around the next corner, or unreasonable  shipping fees at the very last moment.

Don’t include shipping cost in price if;

• You sell heavy items
• You sell large items
• You offer international shipping
• You sell very competitive, brand products (customers will compare your price to your competition)
• Your products

Consider including shipping cost in price if:

• You sell small, light items
• You don’t sell highly competitive band name products (whose price can be easily compared)
• You only ship locally

Customers need Reassurances

Whatever you do, be sure to reassure the customer that they will be treated with kindness when it’s time to add shipping & handling fees.

• Tell them there is no additional handling fee.
• Offer free shipping for order quantities
• Make shipping calculation available before checkout
• Offer multiple shipping methods
• Offer pickup if possible

Tags:

business strategies, checkout, ecommerce, offer free shipping, shipping calculation, shipping cost, shipping fees, shipping methods, shipping price, Small e-Business, usability, web design

About the author

Harris
I have been in the Internet industry since 1994, when I was one of the directors and owners of Cyberloom Pty Ltd - an early ISP based in Sydney, NSW. Cyberloom was sold in 2001. That's when I started X Pty Ltd as a website development company. xEcommerce.com.au is now my primary focus. xEcommerce.com.au builds small business sites on two platforms - Magento & Wordpress. One day I would like to operate the business from the Greek Island of Meganisi - and why not? The Internet is everywhere! ;)