Practical eCommerce

Brendang

Morning all,

As we been pushing toward a launch date around May 1, I've been seriously mulling a flat rate shipping policy. If I were rolling in VC cash like Zappos, I'd do rolling free shipping promotions, but sadly I'm not.

Personally, I like it when I shop online, most folk I ask say Free or flat, gives them a warm and fuzzy out of the gate. Anyone here using it and feel it was a boon or a bust?

How do you feel about such promotions as a shopper? I think most shoppers like it, as long as it feels like a good deal. Another question is, how to apply to international purchases. Would it be the same cost as domestic, or do ya add one of the little '*' thingies, and have some small print somewhere on the shipping info page.

Be nice to offer free ship, but my angel investors appear to be on vacation... Wink

Brendan G.
Killersocks.com
(under construction)

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:32 am **Subject:**

I have to say that, in my opinion, incentive offers involving "free shipping" and/or similar offereings tend to entice a prospective customer more than ONLY a desireable product.

Don't get me wrong ... if the customer wants the product, he/she'll purchase it regardless. However, you also have to consider the competition out there ... what are they doing/offrering? Are they offering incentives? If so, what makes your product(s) stand apart from theirs?

I've seen the "Free Shipping with purchase of $X dollars or more" offerings fairly often. In today's very competitive online marketplace, it seems to me that people are looking for the BEST deals they can get.

After all, you have to remember ... it is the customer's job to get your product for as little of their money as possible. It's YOUR job to convince the customer to part with their money on your products/services - as opposed to the other guy's products/services.

Make sense ??

TOM

Brendang · **Date:** Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:30 pm **Subject:**

lol... marginally Tom.

So that would be a thumbs up for flat rate shipping?

Brendang Cool

killersocks.com

Euan · **Date:** Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:56 am **Subject:**

I don't mind as long as it's clear by looking at product page what I'll be charged P&P so I can make easy comparisons between different sites.

tcraw1010 · **Date:** Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:56 am **Subject:**

Brendang · **Date:** Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:25 am **Subject:**

Weight shouldn't be an issue, I mean, they're socks, right? When we move on to Killersafes.com I'll seriously rethink this offering.

Most online shoppers I know (including me),dig a free or flat rate shipping policy, up front. Sort of a- "here ah go, that bit of info is out of the way have a lovely shopping experience"

We're also doing the free shipping over $100 as well, but I wasn't sure which would be more inviting on a front page blurb. You guys figure that's better on the home page? We'll offer all the regular shipping options as well, one-day, two-day, by air, by donkey... I was just curious if folks use flat rate in their store, personally like it, or have any relevant experience with it from either side of the proverbial isle.

Lot's to think about in this wacky world of E-commerce. Might make a good reality show. Cool

Brendan G.

jjrs79 · **Date:** Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:30 am **Subject:**

Hi Guys,

That's the whole AMAZON $25 Free Super Saver shipping approach.

I would go with the Flat rate over a certain amount just to push the customers to spend a little bit more. An "Add $10 to your order and get $4.95 shipping" on the View Cart page always helps.

I think it's also a great idea to offer upgraded shipping options like 2nd day or Next day for those customers that are on a rush.

Brendang if you don't mind, could you let me know what shopping cart software are you using to build your new site?

Brendang · **Date:** Thu Mar 15, 2007 11:31 am **Subject:**

jjrs79,

I like that idea even better, it puts the value of a shipping promotion in the customer's hands, very nice.

Gonzalo and his team at 3Dcart are going to be coding my final site. I designed the mock-up that's up right now.

Oddly enough, I output the entire site from Photoshop. And I mean entire, I used this nifty little plugin that literally codes and spits out an entire CSS site right from PS. It can be pared down and optimized for sure, but apparently the code is pretty clean.

I just needed a mock-up for the folks at 3dCart, but for my non commerce site, I'll be hitting the 'Sitegrinder' for sure.

Brendang Cool

killersocks.com (under construction)

topout · **Date:** Mon Mar 26, 2007 2:54 pm **Subject:**

We've had great success with flat rate ($2.95 in our case) shipping on our boxing equipment site. It outperformed free shipping on orders over ***, including orders over $19.

kabucas · **Date:** Sun May 20, 2007 10:00 pm **Subject:**

the more choices you give the customer, the better you will do..

IE free media rate shipping.. but still offer a faster service for a fee..

But as another poster suggested, a flat rate low shipping fee will only out-perform the other guys if the over-all sale is a better deal

If you offer 3.95 shipping but your prices are $5 higher.. you will not do as well as you could

A few things to remember.. you really don't want to price shipping at a lose or huge profit maker.. you would rather have it at a break even point.. this gives you lower overhead in the product price itself.. It depends a whole lot on your product

If you can ship product for next to nothing, and you can still make at least 20% mark-up.. then by all means give away the shipping

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