How to set up shipping on Shopify for dropshipping?

Shipping logistics is a key factor of the prosperity in eCommerce businesses including dropshipping companies, and by the way underscores Shopify platforms. How to set up shipping on Shopify for dropshipping?

This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of setting up shipping for dropshipping ventures on Shopify. Exploring the array of options available, from free shipping to advanced rate mechanisms. 

By mastering these aspects, dropshipping businesses can streamline shipping processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and ultimately expand their operations. The manual will delve into shipping strategies and provide step-by-step instructions for setting up shipping on Shopify specifically tailored for dropshipping operations.

Overview about shipping on Shopify for dropshipping

Despite not shipping products directly, dropshipping companies typically incur shipping costs from their suppliers. Dropshipping companies have several options for handling these shipping costs:

• offer free shipping and deduct the cost of shipping from their profits
• offer free shipping but raise the price of their goods 
• charge a low flat shipping rate and marginally raise the price of the goods
• charge a flat shipping rate to customers.
• forward the precise cost of shipping to the client. 

Let’s begin with the various types of delivery on Shopify followed by the steps needed on how to configure Shopify for dropshipping. Thus, the following are the five dropshipping techniques for Shopify shipping:

• Free shipping
• Single flat shipping rate
• Tiered flat rates
• Per-item shipping rates
• Advanced shipping rates

Let’s discuss each method’s operation for Shopify dropshipping.

Free shipping

It can be easier to provide your customers with an upfront price if you include delivery in the price of your goods. Customers are more assured that there won’t be any additional costs at checkout when they are aware of the entire price upfront.

In essence, an upfront cost removes the need to compute shipping during the checkout process by combining the product price and delivery charge into one. Therefore, giving them the whole cost upfront fosters trust and helps to prevent any unforeseen fees during the checkout process.

Single flat shipping rate

Providing your clients with a single, flat shipping charge has the following advantages:

• marketing chances,
• a chance to recoup some of your shipping expenses,
• a higher chance of a sale.

We must project the weekly order volume to make this shipping arrangement. Next, we must tally the shipping costs that we have received from our suppliers and divide that amount by the anticipated number of orders. We will then be able to determine the one flat amount that each customer purchase will need to pay to cover the cost of shipping.

Tiered flat rates

In the meanwhile, a more precise method of calculating delivery costs is to include a tiered flat rates option. Specifically, we can adjust shipping charges based on several variables, including price and weight. 

Providing your clients with tier-based flat shipping prices can yield the following advantages:

• assist in defraying your shipping expenses,
• more precise shipping quotes depending on the transaction,
• the chance to offer free delivery on bigger purchases.

For example, we can set up tiers of pricing for orders between $0 and $50, $51 and $100, and so forth.

Per-item shipping rates

Using per-item delivery charges is an additional shipping option for Shopify drop shippers. When our supplier charges a fixed price for every item but does not give volume savings, this delivery option is perfect. We may avoid losing money due to high volume demands by maintaining accurate delivery prices with this shipping solution.

Additionally, we can use a shipping profile to add various items with the associated shipping rates; at checkout, the total cost of shipping will be displayed. However, by using this delivery option, we can completely offset our shipping expenses and increase our profits.

Advanced shipping rates

Finally, we can handle many situations while dropshipping on Shopify thanks to our sophisticated shipping rates. Keep in mind that shipping costs vary throughout suppliers based on the origin and destination of the order. Because of this, a customer’s order could include multiple products, each with associated shipping charges.

Furthermore, our vendors can provide a variety of shipping options, including normal, expedited, and more. We will be able to determine the proper shipping charge for each order without losing money by using the estimated order volume and total shipping cost.

How to set up shipping on Shopify for dropshipping

You can configure shipping charges that are calculated, flat, or free and show up to your consumers at the checkout. Find out more about the various shipping rate categories.

Make sure you familiarize yourself with shipping profiles and zones before creating any shipping rates. You can construct shipping profiles to set up shipping prices for particular products and places, and shipping zones are groups of nations or areas that you can use for your shipping rates.

Create flat shipping rates

When combining price-based shipping rates, Shopify combines rates that apply to the total price of the cart. Shopify adds your store’s default package weight to each product when combining weight-based shipping prices, thereby combining rates that apply to the weights of the individual products. 

Step 1: Go to Settings > Shipping & delivery from your Shopify admin.

Step 2: Click the shipping profile to which you wish to apply shipping costs in the Shipping section.

Step 3: Click Add rate next to the zone you wish to add a rate to.

Step 4: To specify the fee, either a bespoke flat charge or a transit time.

Optional: Enter a delivery description, like “Tracking number provided” or “Ship next day,” if a custom flat rate is chosen. Use 25 characters or less for your delivery description for the best display.

Step 5: Enter the cost of shipping. Add conditions depending on price or weight, if desired.

Make sure your shipping rate appears as intended by reviewing the checkout preview.

Step 6: After selecting Done, select Save.

Create shipping rates in local currencies

Customers from other markets can have flat shipping prices created for them in their native currency. One way to do this would be to charge a fixed rate of $10 USD for shipping to customers in the US and €15 EUR for customers in Europe.

All nations included in a shipping zone must use the same currency, and local currencies must be enabled for each country’s market to provide flat-rate shipping in local currencies. 

Step 1: Select Settings > Shipping & delivery from your Shopify admin.

Step 2: Click the shipping profile to which you wish to add shipping prices in the Shipping section.

Step 3: Click Add rate for the zone to which you wish to apply the rate.

Step 4: To identify the rate, either choose a bespoke flat charge or a transit time.

Optional: If a custom flat rate is chosen, provide a delivery description, like “ships the following day” or “tracked shipping.” Use no more than 25 characters for your delivery description for the best presentation.

Step 5: After entering the shipping cost, choose the appropriate local currency for the nation or area. It is optional to include conditions based on price or weight.

Verify the checkout preview that your shipping rate appears as anticipated.

Step 6: After selecting Done, select Save.

Create calculated shipping rates

Based on the specifics of the order, a third-party shipping service calculates the delivery costs at checkout. This enables you to bill your clients the precise amount that you will be charged when you buy a shipping label from a shipping company like UPS or FedEx.

To give your customers correct shipping quotes at checkout, you must specify the weights of each product when adding carrier-calculated shipping prices.

Expected transit times are frequently shown next to shipping rates in carrier-calculated shipping rates at checkout, but they do not account for your processing time. Delivery dates that include your processing and transportation times might be shown to you throughout the checkout process. 

Step 1: From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery.

Step 2: In the Shipping section, click the shipping profile to which you want to add carrier-calculated rates to.

Step 3: Next to the zone where you want to add a rate, click Add rate.

Step 4: Select Use carrier or app to calculate rates. 

Step 5: In the drop-down menu, choose the shipping service to which you want to add calculated rates.

Choose the shipping options from that shipping service that you wish to offer to your customers throughout the checkout process in the SERVICES section.

• Optional: Select whether to automatically offer any additional services that the shipping service offers in the FUTURE SERVICES section.
• Optional: Enter any handling fees you would want to have added to the estimated rate in the HANDLING FEE area.

Step 6: After selecting “Done,” select “Save.”

Markup or discount calculated rates

The charges that are shown to your customers at checkout might be marked up or discounted by adjusting the computed shipping rates. For instance, you may reduce the tariff by a specific percentage to boost sales if it’s too high to draw in clients. Alternatively, you can raise it if, for instance, the rate isn’t high enough to offset your handling and packing expenses.

You have the option to add a flat fee or a percentage of the total shipment cost to the computed shipping prices. When you modify a shipping rate calculation to incorporate both a percentage markup and an extra flat fee, the percentage is determined before the addition of the flat price.

Step 1: Select Settings > Shipping & delivery from your Shopify admin.

Step 2: Click the shipping profile you wish to change in the Shipping section.

Step 3: Click the … drop-down menu next to the rate you want to change, then select Edit rate.

Step 4: Set the rate modifications under the handling charge section.

Step 5: After selecting Done, select Save.

Setting up free shipping rates

Tailors will add free shipping rates to any shipping zone and your clients won’t have to spend extra bucks on shipping it at checkout. Shipping could be made free on the website and other possible delivery plans could be kept in disguise until customers visit on-site or only certain conditions could be required during checkout. These rules may be satisfied if goods are over a weight limit or a prefixed dollar value.

Free shipping is a huge marketing and corporate strategy as it gives customers the mental confidence that preferred products or services will be delivered without being hit by unexpectedly high delivery fees and so depressed consumers.

Step 1: From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Shipping and Delivery.

Step 2: In the Shipping section, click the shipping profile that you want to edit.

Step 3: For each shipping zone, add the free shipping rate:

• Click Add Rate.
• Enter the name of the rate.
• Make sure that the value of the Price field is 0.

Step 4: Click Done, and then click Save.

Edit a rate

Step 1: Select Settings > Shipping & delivery from your Shopify admin.

Step 2: Click the shipping profile you wish to change in the Shipping section.

Step 3: Click the… button next to the rate you wish to change. Click Edit rate from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: After making any adjustments, click Done. Press Save.

Delete a rate

Step 1: Select Settings > Shipping & delivery from your Shopify admin.

Step 2: Click the shipping profile you wish to change in the Shipping section.

Step 3: Click the… button next to the rate you wish to remove. Click Delete from the drop-down menu.

Step 4: Press Save.

Conclusion

Efficient delivery is paramount for drop shipping orders on Shopify. Sellers can opt for free shipping, flat rates, or more intricate options to meet customer needs. Shopify offers versatile solutions, whether it’s enticing shoppers with free shipping or tailoring rates for different products. Mastering shipping settings is crucial for smooth operations. 

This guide outlines steps to streamline shipping processes and ensure seamless deliveries. Well-handled shipping not only satisfies customers but also bolsters competitiveness in online retail. Leveraging Shopify’s services transforms shipping into a seamless experience, fostering customer satisfaction and business growth for dropshipping ventures.