Shipping policy template Shopify: Everything you need to know (with templates and examples)
When purchasing online, one of the most essential things customers pay attention to. So, as a store owner, you have to consider to bring them the highest satisfaction. If you’re running a Shopify online store yet don’t have the Shipping policy on your store, this is the right time for you to create it. With this reason, in this blog, Arrowtheme will deliver you the Shipping policy template Shopify you should know to apply for your store. So, let’s explore right away!
The reason we need Shipping policy Shopify on ecommerce store
#1. Give crucial shipping details
First of all, as you may know, the majority of online buyers require vital shipping information from your site. And, they frequently look for a shipping policy to learn more about the cost. As a result, you should try to provide them with a well-developed shipping policy so that they can determine how much it will cost them based on their location. What’s more, your consumers will also be able to see what shipping choices are currently available before deciding to place an order.
Best of all, if you display your shipping charges and current shipping options, you’ll be less likely to have buyers complain about the unexpected payment they must make. Furthermore, you can save a lot of time by not having to respond to client questions regarding your shipping information because your consumers can look it up on their own.
#2. Supply your other store’s policies
Typically, a store’s policy includes more than just shipping information. In fact, it also includes much necessary information such as the return and exchange policy, product damage, and foreign shipping expectations, among other things. As a result, with Shopify’s shipping policy, it’s also a terrific opportunity to notify your customers about the rest of your store’s policies.
#3. Inform customers about the delivery time
Online customers always demand speedy delivery. If not, they will be nervous. Hence, when customers pay a certain amount of money, they have the right to know where their orders are and when they will arrive. So, your shipping policy is what shows your delivery alternatives and informs your customers whether there are any shipping cutoff deadlines, transit times, and so much more.
What does Shipping policy Shopify include?
First and foremost, highly depending on your current business operations and supply chain, you can decide what your shipping policy covers and how you convey it will be heavily. For more detail, it’s more crucial than ever to keep your shipping policy up to date. Hence, you should keep the following critical elements in mind:
Necessary shipping information is easy to find
Although it’s standard to provide a link to your shipping policy page in the footer of your website, think about how you can additionally present critical shipping information in the right place at the right time. For instance, you can display it on your product page or website banner.
Clear and brief presentation
It will be extremely good if customers shouldn’t have to sift through your shipping policy page to find the information they need. So, let’s make it as simple to explore as feasible by using clear subheadings, tables, bolded text, and links to learn more.
Order processing times
These questions like: How long will it take to prepare an order for shipment after it is placed? Also, It’s worth mentioning if you don’t handle orders on weekends or holidays, and if you have specific cutoff periods for processing orders. What’s more, in case your supply chain changes as a result of peak periods or COVID-19, you should alter your processing timings to reflect this.
There are options for both domestic and international shipping
First of all, What are the regions that qualify for domestic shipping options? Besides, International shipping can be separated into its own area, with a list of countries to which you ship and projected delivery times. If you have a variety of shipping alternatives, you can list them in a table so that customers can quickly review the information.
Costs of shipping
For the customer, it will be very smart if you can break down your delivery costs. Also, if you have a free shipping threshold, you may advertise it in a variety of ways as a consumer incentive. In particular, you have to disclose any potential surprise fees that the customer may incur such as tariffs and taxes.
Local delivery and buy online, pickup in-store
If you offer local shipping choices like local delivery or buy online, pick up in store, you can clearly express your local delivery coverage and explain the steps clients must take after placing an order.
Returns, adjustments, and cancellations are all transparent
You are able to outline how your firm 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.
Service disruptions are a possibility
In fact, due to factors beyond your control, orders may take longer to arrive. So, this is the reason why your shipping policy page is very important. Because it is where you may let them know how much longer it will take and why.
Examples of successful Shopify shipping policy
#1. A shipping policy that caters to local clients
In fact, many brick-and-mortar 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. Each of these local options has its own set of processes that must be presented effectively to create a positive client experience. Now, we will show you a Shopify store that is a successful example of this model – Merchant of York.
For more detail, in the midst of the pandemic, Merchant of York, a store that sells home items and houseplants, for example, began favoring local purchases and revised its shipping website with clear bullet points explaining how each option worked. Besides, it gives an estimate of when local deliveries will arrive and offers a pick-up window for orders. What’s more, if your sales mainly come from local customers, you can also indicate the ZIP/postal codes you serve. Not only that, you can take a cue from Storyteller Beverages and use a map to explain your local delivery ranges on your shipping page.
#2. Using multiple pages to break down your shipping policy
Can’t help but mention Billy when coming to the example of using many pages to break down your shipping policy. First of all, Billy is an apparel and accessories company with a shipping policy spread across numerous pages. In fact, the majority of their clients’ needs are addressed in a concise two-part FAQ on their main shipping page. This page, however, includes links to additional pages where customers can learn more about order processing and international delivery.
#3. Tables are used to discuss shipping alternatives and expectations effectively
Delivery deadlines must be made especially apparent for customers in some circumstances, such as if your products are commonly ordered as a present or for an occasion. In fact, customer satisfaction is dependent on on-time arrival, so you must focus on this issue. Now, we should refer to Kigurumi – a company that offers animal onesies. Firstly, it is one of these companies, and their delivery times are broken down by state for both normal and priority shipping options.
Shipping policy template Shopify for you to get more ideas
In reality, each Shopify shipping policy is unique, and there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution. However, if you haven’t had any idea to create your own shipping policy, let’s Shopify policy template Shopify below assist you.
Although the original form of Shipping policy template is quite pretty, we strongly advise against using it as is. Instead, tailor the following portions to your company’s specific needs by cutting, adapting, expanding, or rearranging them. So, check out How to Choose an Ecommerce Shipping Strategy for more information on developing your shipping strategy.
#1. Shipping policy
First and foremost, you must let customers know that your order processing times are distinct from the shipping times they see at checkout. In fact, this is extremely crucial you must pay attention to. Following receipt of your order confirmation email, all orders are handled within X to X business days (excluding weekends and holidays). When your order has been delivered, you will receive another notification. Hence, you can contain any other relevant information at the start, such as possible delays due to a high volume of orders or postal service issues beyond your control.
#2. Domestic Shipping Rates and Estimates
- Firstly, for determined shipping rates: your order’s shipping charges will be calculated and displayed during checkout.
- Secondly, for simple flat rate shipping: Shopify provides $X flat rate shipping to [list countries].
Best of all, you also have the ability to highlight any free shipping criteria you provide. For example, free delivery on orders over $100 or any price level you want. Furthermore, you can display carrier options, pricing, and delivery timeframes in a table for numerous shipping alternatives.
| Shipping option | Estimated delivery time | Price |
| Option 1 | X to X business days | $X |
| Option 2 | X to X business days | $X |
| Option 3 | X to X business days | $X |
#3. Local delivery – Shipping policy template Shopify
If you offer clients in your area local delivery or in-store pickup, you can explain the process in a part of your shipping policy page or develop a separate shipping page for local customers. Orders above $X within [region of coverage] qualify for free local delivery. We charge $X for local delivery on orders under $X.
What’s more, deliveries are provided on [available days] from [delivery hours]. On the day of our arrival, we will contact you through text message using the phone number you gave at checkout.
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.
#4. In-store pickup
With free local pickup at [name the places where in-store pickup is offered], you may avoid paying shipping fees. Your order will be processed and ready for pick up within X to X business days after you place it and select local pickup at checkout. When your order is complete, we will send you an email with instructions.
On [available days of the week], our in-store pickup hours are [store hours]. When you arrive, please bring your order confirmation email with you.
#5. International shipping
The following countries are included in Shopify’s international shipping service: [list of nations].
If relevant you can also include countries you don’t ship to: We do not ship to [list of countries] at this time.
Besides, If you’re using calculated shipping rates: Your order’s shipping costs will be calculated and displayed during checkout.
In addition, you can also list multiple foreign shipping choices in a table if you offer them. Because expectations vary widely depending on the location, you might offer broader delivery estimates (e.g. 8 to 20 days) for overseas shipping.
| Shipping option | Estimated delivery time | Price |
| Option 1 | X to X business days | $X |
| Option 2 | X to X business days | $X |
| Option 3 | X to X business days | $X |
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 responsible for them; they are your obligation as the client.
#6. Way to check the order’s status
You will receive an email notification from us once your item has arrived, along with a tracking number that you can use to trace its progress. Also, you may wait 48 hours for the tracking information to appear. Besides, you can 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.
#7. Shipping to P.O. boxes
Unluckily, some carriers have restrictions when it comes to sending to P.O. Boxes. Hence, in case one of your carriers falls under this category, you should research their policies and inform your clients about it.
#8. Refunds, returns, and exchanges an order
Last but not least is the shipping policy template Shopify about Refunds, returns and exchanges orders. Following that, if the item is unused and in its original condition, we allow returns up to X days following delivery and will refund the whole order amount minus the return shipping expenses.
Please inform us as soon as possible at [email protected] with your order number and a photo of the item’s condition if your order arrives damaged in any manner. We deal with issues on a case-by-case basis, but we will do everything we can to find a satisfactory solution. Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] if you have any more questions.
Best places to put Shipping policy Shopify on your store
Announcement bar on the website
There are a lot of online companies that save their website banner for high-priority shipping-related information. For examples, shipping discounts, delays disclaimers, or alternative shipping options like local delivery. Moreover, one of the most effective methods 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. Many Shopify themes include these banners, which normally show at the top of an online store. But they can also be added to your store using one of these Shopify Apps. Otherwise, you are able to take advantage of this space on your website to highlight any shipping incentives that might entice people to buy.
A link in the footer of your website
Your shipping policy, as well as any connections to self-serve customer care, will most likely be found at the footer of your website. If shipping is a major concern for your customers, you might want to consider putting your shipping page in the dropdown menu of your website navigation to make it easier to find.
On Product page
When shopping on your site, customers frequently inquire about shipping when exploring your product pages. Then, it will result in providing another opportunity to highlight crucial features of your delivery policy. So, this is the reason why you should consider adding a short statement about your free delivery offer or a dedicated shipping tab on your product page.
On FAQ page
Can’t help but mention the FAQ page if you’re wondering about the space to place Shipping policy on your Shopify store. So, in addition to answering other frequently asked questions, you can show customers about the shipping policy of your store. In fact, an FAQ page isn’t simply for resolving customer issues; it can also be used to address objections that customers may have while making a purchase. It’s an excellent area to emphasize components of your shipping policy that could help you win over skeptics, such as your return policy or free delivery threshold.
Labels for delivery options
Although it is not always essential, labeling your shipping alternatives with your delivery times can help buyers choose the best option for them. Besides, this could be particularly useful 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.
In conclusion
All in all, Arrowtheme hopes this blog will bring you various helpful information about Shopify shipping policy. And especially, the Shipping policy template Shopify to develop your store. Aside from this blog, you can explore more of our Shopify tutorials. For instance, How to avoid chargebacks, Shopify DNS, Shopify customer accounts and so much more.
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