8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Free Shipping or not?

by RyanPiccolo
7 replies
Is it better to build in the price of shipping into the prices of your products and offer free shipping or would it be better to keep prices low and competitive and offer free shipping over $99. Share your thoughts.
#free #shipping
  • Profile picture of the author MarkH45
    When I was selling a stretching aid I had the price of shipping built into the price of the product. Then I was using the old "Free Shipping Offer Ends In XXXX" which was typically 2 days from the current date.

    I noticed a lot more people taking action and buying the first time they visited the site. I know when i shop online I always look for free shipping even if the cost of the product itself is a little higher. For me it's psychological...
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049026].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Korey Carter
    I think it really depends on your product. If you have a unique item or you sell something that people can easily shop price.

    The bottom line is people love free shipping and it will increase sales.

    If you have a unique product that can't be easily shopped then add an appropriate number to your product price and offer free shipping. This approach will get you more upfront sales that you can then sale other products to as they become part of your list. If you have a great backend sales system then this very well might be your best approach as customer acquisition is king.

    If you have a product that is not unique and can be easily shopped I would say the approach where you offer the lowest possible price per item and try to inflate the total sale amount might be a better approach. Ihave seen many times that if you say that shipping is free over $99 then some people will make sure they buy at least $99 or more worth of your product to get the free shipping. This is especially true if your prices are low. That way they win both ways. They get low prices and free shipping. You get bigger total sale amounts.

    There are pros and cons to each to consider. As is always said here the only true way to know for sure is to split test it.
    Signature

    Our Secure Shopping Cart will integrate into any website quickly and easily! We also have a Wordpress plugin to make any Wordpress site a full fledged Ecommerce site.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049074].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author proactive1
    Hey Ryan,

    I think anytime you have an opportunity to build value into a product or service, it can give you a competitive advantage. You'll have to decide whether or not you can absorb the cost. Perhaps you can recoup some of the cost of shipping by writing it off as a business or promotional expense.
    Signature
    Chuck Anthony
    "You can always better your best."

    Home Business Hints
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049103].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author edd666666
      People new to your company or item will be reluctant to spend a lot in order to get free shipping. Free shipping is a great way to get new people into your "funnel" and retain your old customers.
      Signature
      “Over 1,000 People Have Used My Unique Pitch System To Achieve Their Publicity Goals... And I’ll Work Personally With You Too, One-On-One To Help You Get On TV!” CLICK HERE
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049664].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Punkaj Dube
    Free shipping would not be a practical option even for a $100-$150 product and including it in your product price, your product would look costlier in comparison to your competition. Let the customer bear the shipping costs. He should be able to understand that shipping costs are not pocketed by the owner of the product.

    Being in India, I have paid sometimes shipping costs more than the product cost. But I don't mind if the product is worth it.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049765].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      When I was selling my "Printed Manuals" and customers were paying $97 and more....I always offered FREE Shipping.

      And...a "New Marketing Technique" that helps get "Prospects" (Not Customers, yet) to "Sign Up and Be Counted"...is to offer a "FREE VIDEO"... BUT, for them to receive the FREE Video they must pay "$7.95" for Shipping....and....they MUST use their Credit Card to pay for the Shipping.

      So...what you do with this technique is;
      ....Sell the heck outa your FREE Video (which is a Sales Video for a higher priced product)
      ....Capture the Names of prospects who have CC's.

      A List of these folks is good as Gold. People HIGHLY Interested in your product AND...they have a CC to pay for it. WOW! Talk about "Qualifying Your Prospects"! Ya can't get better prospects than this.

      Midas Man
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049855].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JWB
    Free shipping is always a great selling point
    but I am sure there have been people that
    kinda put the price of shipping in the cost
    of the product
    Signature
    URGENT...Over 1000 new members are joining the Pre Launch every single day....Extremely Time Sensitive Information!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1049883].message }}

Trending Topics