Shipping policy sample: Tips to create it to build trust and increase order volume for your online stores

No less important than any page on an ecommerce website, the shipping policy page contains a lot of essential information that any client needs to know before buying from you. With this reason, in this article, Arrowtheme will deliver you several outstanding Shipping policy sample for businesses to choose with the goal of building trust as well as boosting order volume. So, let’s explore with us right now!

What does Shipping policy mean?

Just as important as any page in an online website, Shipping policy is a succinct document or webpage that contains critical facts about shipment when an order is placed online. To put it plainly, this frequently comes with information on shipping costs and procedures, as well as delivery schedules.

Besides, although some shipping policies are more comprehensive than others, they should all be clear, precise, and simple to comprehend. In particular, important information including a return and exchange policy must be frequently offered to customers with a thorough resource.

What should Shipping policy include?

Your current business operations and supply chain will decide a lot to what your shipping policy covers and how you convey it. And, the main purpose is none other than transparency for customers. Then, let’s take a look at the following part to see what your shipping policy should contain.

#1. Necessary Shipping details

Normally, providing a link to your shipping policy page in the footer of your website is very common. However, you should think about how you can display crucial shipping information in the right place at the right time in order to grab customer’s attention. For instance, you can place it on your product page, website banner or anywhere you want.

#2. Brief and clear presentation

If you can make customers shouldn’t have to sift through your shipping policy page to find the information they need, this is extremely useful and will bring them the highest satisfaction. Then, you can achieve this goal when you utilize clear subheadings, tables, bolded text, links, etc to make it as simple to explore as possible.

#3. Order processing times 

In this one, you have to let your buyers know how long it takes to prepare an order for shipment after it is placed. What’s more, you also should mention whether you can handle orders on weekends or holidays. In particular, if your supply chain changes as a result of peak periods or COVID-19, you should adjust your processing times accordingly.

#4. Shipping options: both domestics and international (if you have)

First and foremost, you need to list the domestic areas that you can accommodate to deliver orders to customers. 

In terms of international shipping, it can be separated into its own area, with a list of countries to which you ship and projected delivery times. Moreover, if you have a variety of shipping alternatives, you can list them in a table. Hence, your customers can quickly review the information with ease.

#5. Costs of shipping

For each customer, don’t forget to break out the shipping costs. Especially, in case you have free shipping thresholds, let’s take advantage of them to attract customers’ interest. In addition, regardless of any additional fees such as: tariffs, tax, etc incurred by the customer, you must mention it at the beginning to avoid unnecessary conflicts later. 

#6. Delivery

In terms of delivery, you should mention every delivery form you can implement. Specifically, in case you provide local shipping choices like local delivery or buy online, pick up in store, you should clearly express your local delivery coverage and explain the steps clients must take after placing an order.

#7. Transparent returns, changes and cancellations policy

You can outline how your company considers refunds, order modifications, exchanges, and what your process is in the event of a lost or damaged order, in addition to accommodating returns through a specific return policy.

#8. Notify the service disruptions

Occasionally, due to circumstances beyond your control, orders may take longer to arrive. So, this is the reason why you need to build the shipping policy page because this is where you may tell them how long it will take and why it will take so long.

Shipping policy sample any ecommerce business need to know

Shipping policy sample 1: The policy targeted towards local customers

Many traditional stores have embraced local shopping through local delivery and buy online, picking up in-store shipping alternatives as a result of the pandemic and social distancing safety concerns. Moreover, each option has its own set of processes. Also, they must be presented effectively to create the best experience for customers and then encourage them to come back many times in the future.

In order to make it easier to understand of this Shipping policy sample, let’s explore through the example of Merchant of York. For more details, this is a home items and houseplants store. They began favoring local purchases and revised its shipping website with clear bullet points explaining how each option worked in the midst of the pandemic. In addition, Merchant of York gives an estimate of when local deliveries will arrive and offers a pick-up window for orders. 

Furthermore, if your store serves mainly local customers, you are able to specify the ZIP/postal codes. Or, you can also take a cue from Storyteller Beverages and use a map to visually explain your local delivery ranges on your shipping page.

Shipping policy sample 2: Display the shipping policy down on multiple pages

Coming to the second shipping policy sample that will help you build trust and increase order volume for your online stores is displaying your shipping policy on many pages. If you haven’t imagined it, let’s refer to the shipping policy example of Billy! – one of the most effective ecommerce businesses with a shipping policy spread across numerous pages. First of all, Billy! is an apparel and accessories ecommerce business. Moreover, the majority of their clients’ needs are addressed in a concise two-part FAQ on their main shipping page. However, this FAQ page is also linked to additional pages where useful information about order processing and international delivery is placed for customers to learn more. 

Shipping policy sample 3: Tables are used to discuss shipping alternatives and expectations effectively

The delivery deadlines must be made especially apparent for customers, especially in some important circumstances such as if your products are commonly ordered as a present or for an occasion. The sooner or on time an order arrives, the more satisfied your buyer will be. As a result, this will create the trust of customers about your brand and boost order volume for your online stores quickly.

For more details, you can explore the shipping policy sample of Kigurumi – a famous business that offers animal onesies. Specifically ,their delivery times are broken down by state for both normal and priority shipping options.

Suggest an outstanding shipping policy template for your business

In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to shipping policies because each one is unique. However, you can refer to the following Shipping policy template to get ideas to create your own. Of course, you shouldn’t use it in its original form because it’s not unique and there may be other businesses using it already. Instead, you need to tailor the components below to your company’s specific needs by cutting, adapting, expanding or rearranging them. 

#1. Shipping policy

First and also the most crucial thing is to let customers know that your order processing times are distinct from the shipping times they see at checkout.

Besides, following receipt of your order confirmation email, all orders are handled within X to X business days (excluding weekends and holidays). Then, when your order has been delivered, you will receive another notification.

What’s more, keep in mind to include any other relevant information at the start. For example, possible delays due to a high volume of orders or postal service issues beyond your control.

#2. Rates and Estimates for Domestic Shipping

Firstly, for determined shipping rates: At checkout, your order’s shipping charges will be calculated and displayed. 

Secondly, for flat rate shipping: We provide $X flat rate delivery to [list countries]. 

What’s more, you are able to specify any free shipping thresholds you provide to attract customers’ attention. For instance, with orders over 50$ will get free shipping. Furthermore, you can create a table that lists carrier options, costs, and delivery times for different shipping alternatives like below:

#3. Local delivery

In case your store provides clients in your area with the local delivery or in-store pickup, you can leave information about them in a part of your shipping policy page or develop a separate shipping page for local customers.

Orders above $X within [area of coverage] qualify for free local delivery. On the other hand, if your order is under $X, you will be charged $X for local delivery. The order will be provided on [available days] from [delivery hours]. When we arrive, we will contact you through text message using the phone number you gave at checkout.

What’s more, customers may quickly discover if they are within your local delivery range by listing the ZIP/postal codes you service and/or integrating a map. So, don’t forget it.

#4. In-store pickup

Coming to the another shipping policy template for your business that you can’t ignore is In-store pickup. 

When using the free local pickup at [name the places where in-store pickup is offered], you can avoid paying shipping fees. Your order will be processed and then you can receive it within X to X business days after you place it and select local pickup at checkout. After your order is finished, we will send you an email with instructions.

On [available days of the week], our in-store pickup hours are [store hours]. As soon as you arrive, don’t forget to bring your order confirmation email with you.

#5. Overseas Shipping

If you wish to refer to an awesome Shipping policy template, let’s take a look at International shipping. 

The following countries are included in our international shipping service: [list of nations].

You can also include countries where you don’t ship if it’s relevant: We do not ship to [list of countries] at this time.

If you choose calculated shipping rates, your order’s delivery costs will be calculated and presented during checkout.

Besides, you are able to list multiple foreign shipping options in a table if you offer them. Because expectations vary widely depending on the location, you might offer broader delivery estimates for overseas shipping.

In addition, import charges and taxes (including VAT) may apply to your order once it reaches its destination country. If these charges are charged, [Your Company] is not liable, and you must be responsible for them as the client. 

#6. What is the best way to check the progress of an order?

As soon as your item has arrived, we will send you an email notification along with a tracking number that you can use to trace its progress. Then, please wait 48 hours for the tracking information to appear.

Please contact us at [email protected] with your name and order number if you have not received your order within X days of getting your shipping confirmation email. We will look into it for you.

If possible, include a link for customers to track their orders.

#7. Shipping to P.O. boxes

In fact, some carriers have restrictions when it comes to sending to P.O. Boxes. Therefore, if one of your carriers falls under this category, you should research their policies and inform your clients about it.

#8. Refunds, returns and exchanges

If your store has refunds, returns and exchanges policies, you need to summarize your return policy here and link to your full return policy website.

We accept returns up to X days after delivery if the product is unused and in its original condition, and we will refund the entire order price minus the return shipping costs.

If your product arrives damaged in any way, please contact us as soon as possible at [email protected] with your order number and a photo of the item’s condition. We handle problems on a case-by-case basis, but we will do everything possible to find a satisfactory solution.

If you have any additional queries, please contact us at [email protected].

Shipping policy examples you should learn to come up with great ideas for ecommerce businesses

#1. Ernest Alexander

The first Shipping policy example we highly recommend for you is a famous men’s fashion brand named Ernest Alexander. For more details, this brand has a simple shipping and returns page on their website. Besides, it uses a simple visual to convey information about shipping alternatives, shipping cutoff times, and ground shipping transit times. Let’s view its Shipping & Return page. 

#2. Organic Olivia

Coming to another example you can’t miss if you want to generate a reliable ecommerce store to build trust and increase order volume – Organic Olivia. Brand for health and wellness Organic Olivia’s shipping policy page is simple to navigate, with a drop-down FAQs menu and a search function in the sidebar. 

#3. Your Super

If you wish to refer to a wonderful and successful Shipping policy example, let’s have a glance at Your Super. Simply speaking, Your Super is an ecommerce store that specializes in selling superfoods. This store spells out the charges of local and international shipping, as well as the projected delivery times. Then, you can see HERE. 

Where should you place it on the website? 

Not only the delivery policy page, your Shipping policy should be placed anywhere on your website as long as your clients can see it. Then, your customers can easily find key points by communicating your policy wherever shipping questions may make customers hesitate about making a purchase. Now, we will suggest some examples of how you might showcase your shipping policy to help clients decide whether or not to place an order. So, let’s explore below!

#1. Announcement bar

In the market, there are a wide range of online companies that save their website banner for high-priority shipping-related information. For example, shipping discounts, delays disclaimers, or alternative shipping options like local delivery. Moreover, the most effective solution to be upfront with clients when you anticipate shipment delays or a higher volume of orders is to communicate this through your website announcement bar. Not only that, you can take advantage of this space on your website to highlight any shipping incentives that might entice people to buy.

#2. Product page

The second place you should consider to put your shipping policy is the Product page. Following that, customers frequently inquire about shipping when exploring your product pages, providing another opportunity to highlight crucial features of your delivery policy. Hence, you should consider adding a short statement about your free delivery offer or a dedicated shipping tab on your product page.

#3. A link in the footer of your website

Your shipping policy or any connections to self-serve customer care will most likely appear at the footer of your website. Additionally, if your customers have a major concern on shipping issues, you might want to consider putting your shipping page in the dropdown menu of your website navigation. As a result, your customers will be easier to find. In most circumstances, a link in your footer would suffice.

#4. FAQ page

If you are wondering where to put your shipping policy, the FAQ page is the ideal place for you to consider. Aside from using it in order to answer frequently asked questions, FAQ is also used to place shipping policy for customers to easily see. Hence, this is an excellent area to emphasize components of your shipping policy that can help you win over skeptics, such as your return policy or free shipping threshold. 

#5. Shipping option labels

Last but not least is delivery option labels. While it is not always essential, labeling your shipping alternatives with your delivery times can help buyers choose the best option for them. Furthermore, if you have delivery times greater than a week and want to limit the amount of clients who contact you with questions regarding their orders, this is extremely useful. 

Wrapping up

To sum up, as you can see, Shipping policy plays a significantly crucial role with any ecommerce store. This is because it can decide a lot to the trustworthiness as well as drive the order volume effectively for your store. All in all, Arrowtheme hopes through this article about the topic of Shipping policy sample, you can choose the most suitable one and from it, you can develop your business in the shortest time. Aside from this topic, if you want to refer to many other useful ones, let’s visit our BLOG.