Frustrated with complicated shipping calculations for each product?
WooCommerce’s flat rate shipping makes managing shipping costs simple and predictable. It lets you set fixed delivery costs, giving customers clear rates and making shipping easier for store owners.
Whether you offer different rates for domestic and international shipping or customize rates based on product types, flat rate shipping provides the flexibility you need.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for setting up and optimizing flat rate shipping in your WooCommerce store.
Let’s jump in!
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WooCommerce flat rate shipping is a versatile method that allows store owners to charge a fixed amount for shipping products based on shipping zones, regardless of weight or size.
This method lets you customize rates for different regions, providing flexibility to manage shipping costs efficiently.
Imagine you run an online store selling physical products like books. With WooCommerce flat-rate shipping, you can set different shipping costs based on your customers' locations, regardless of the book’s weight or size.
For example, you can charge a flat rate of $5 for customers within the USA and $10 for customers in Canada. If someone from Europe places an order, you can set a different flat rate, like $15.
This flexibility allows you to manage shipping costs efficiently while providing clear, predictable customer rates based on location.
A flat rate is one of the most commonly used shipping options in WooCommerce because it offers simplicity and flexibility when setting up shipping costs.
The following are some key features or benefits of using the flat rate shipping options for WooCommerce.
Now, we'll show you how to fully set up and customize flat rate shipping and implement it in your store.
Here, we’ll show how to set different flat rates for different areas.
For this scenario, we'll create different flat rates for the iPhone 15 Pro Max inside and outside the USA. The shipping rate will be $80 inside the USA, and $120 outside the USA.
We'll also offer free shipping for those who meet the threshold of $1200 (in the USA) and $1000 (outside the USA).
Let’s see how to do it.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on setting up flat rate shipping in WooCommerce.
First, navigate to WooCommerce > Settings.
On the top menu, you’ll notice the "Shipping". Click on it and you’ll find the details of shipping here.
Then, you must create shipping classes for your zones. To do that, navigate to WooCommerce> Settings> Shipping> Classes.
And then click on the “Add shipping class” button.
Here, we’re going to determine the charge inside the USA will be $80. So provide a name that you can easily recognize. Here we have set it as “Inside USA $80.”.
And then hit save.
Similarly, add another class for outside of the USA.
Head over to the shipping zone section and add a new zone.
We'll be adding two different zones here: one for the inside of the USA and another for the outside of the USA.
Provide a zone name and select the regions. And hit save.
Now, click on the Add Shipping Method. Select the flat rate and hit continue.
Now, provide a title for your method, set the tax to none, and map the field with the relevant cost. Since we put the shipping price for the inside USA at $80, insert the amount there.
Then click Create and Save.
Yes, your shipping method has been added. Now, let’s add another method.
But this time, we’ll create a free shipping method. Also, we’ll set a condition. A minimum order amount.
The user will enjoy the free shipping cost if anyone completes a minimum order amount.
The user will receive free shipping if the minimum order exceeds $1000.
Once done, hit create and save.
You have successfully created a shipping zone and method by defining the class.
Following the same process, create a shipping zone for the outside USA region. In this case, we chose Asia.
So, outside the USA, the shipping charge will be $120. The shipping charge will be free if the minimum order is $1000.
To configure your shipping settings, tap Shipping Settings.
These settings control the default shipping address that WooCommerce uses and how it handles shipping addresses during checkout.
Calculations
Shipping destination
Debug Mode
It helps troubleshoot by showing which shipping zones and methods are active and bypasses the shipping rate cache for testing.
Now open the product for which you want to assign the shipping class.
Scroll down and assign the shipping class. Also, update the page.
Now you’re done with the setup.
Flat-rate shipping is one of the predictable shipping methods for WooCommerce store owners. With the right plugins, you can customize your shipping strategy to suit your business needs, which helps you utilize flat-rate shipping to maximize profit.
Here are the top 6 WooCommerce flat rate plugins with key features you can use to enhance your shipping strategy
WooCommerce Shipping allows you to set up flat-rate shipping methods and integrate shipping labels directly within the WooCommerce dashboard. This plugin provides an easy way to manage shipping costs and print labels with a few clicks.
Key features:
Pricing:
WooCommerce Shipping is free, but shipping label printing is available through USPS and Canada Post integrations. You can print shipping labels at a discounted rate with no additional fee for the plugin itself.
Advanced Flat Rate Shipping Method for WooCommerce offers a simple yet powerful way to implement flat rate shipping in your WooCommerce store. It allows you to set different shipping rates based on product categories, shipping zones, or order totals, providing flexibility for store owners.
Key features:
Pricing:
The Flat Rate Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce costs $79 annually and includes one year of updates and support.
Flat-rate Box Shipping simplifies offering flat-rate shipping by setting a fixed shipping cost based on box dimensions and weight. It is ideal for stores that want to apply shipping costs per item or for specific regions.
Key features:
Pricing:
Flat Rate Box Shipping is available for $79 per year. This price includes regular updates and support for one year.
Conditional Shipping and Payments for WooCommerce allows store owners to manage shipping and payment options conditionally based on various criteria. You can configure rules to apply flat rate shipping based on order total, shipping address, product category, and more.
Key features:
Pricing:
WooCommerce Conditional Shipping and Payments is priced at $49 per year for a single site license, which includes one year of updates and support.
The WooCommerce Shipment Tracking plugin allows you to provide tracking information for shipments to your customers. This plugin integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce’s flat-rate shipping and helps keep customers informed throughout the delivery process.
Key features:
Pricing
WooCommerce Shipment Tracking is a premium plugin for a single site license, which costs $49 per year and includes one year of updates and support.
Flat rate shipping increases your average order value by pairing it with strategic upsell offers.
Since customers pay a fixed shipping fee regardless of order size, they may be more inclined to add additional items to maximize their shipping costs.
By utilizing FunnelKit Funnel Builder, you can take full advantage of this behavior.
FunnelKit Funnel Builder fully customizes your WooCommerce store, creating high-converting, personalized checkout experiences.
With easy drag-and-drop tools, you can design tailored checkout funnels, upsell, and thank you pages, all without coding.
It lets you enhance your store’s look, add custom offers, and optimize the shopping journey to boost conversions and increase order value.
Let’s look at how you can boost your store’s average order value
Now, navigate to the FunnelKit > Store Checkout.
We have already built a store checkout page.
So, if you want to create a fully customized checkout page for your store, you can go through this guide.
After you enter the page, you can change the current template, edit it, or delete it. You can also use different checkout page templates for your store.
Next, you can add steps or leave it as is. Also, from the right side, you can drag-drop any widget that you want to use on the checkout page.
Here, we have separated the workflow into three steps. In the second step, we kept the shipping method, shipping phone.
Once you’re done with it, hit save.
Since you’re providing different shipping costs for other places, you can add more offers to increase the AOV. This way, you’re providing more value to your users without increasing the order amount.
You’re allowing your customers to combine their frequently bought items for the same shipping cost.
To simplify your tasks, FunnelKit has an amazing feature to let you do that: Order Bump.
What is an Order Bump?
An order bump is a small offer displayed to customers at the checkout page. It encourages them to add an extra item to their order with a single click. By offering these relevant add-ons, you can increase the Average Order Value (AOV) without disrupting the checkout flow.
Learn More About Order BumpsLet’s see how to create and include an order bump in the workflow.
First, on the store checkout page, click the “Add Order bump” button.
Provide the name of the order bump.
Choose the template for your order bump.
Next, choose the product you want to display on the order bump. You can add more products. Once you’re happy, hit save.
Now, in the rule tab, add the main product for which you want to show the order bump offer on the checkout page. You can also choose the shipping country and define the specific country you want to display the offer.
Once you’re done, hit the save button.
Useful resources for order bump:
Add the iPhone 15 Pro Max to your cart and see how the WooCommerce flat rate shipping works.
Inside the USA
After adding the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the cart within the USA region, the shipping cost of $80 is shown in the order details.
Also, the order bump shows the related offers just above the order details specific to the USA region.
So, this is how you can set the order bump offer for your specific country or area.
Outside the USA
After adding the iPhone 15 Pro Max to the cart outside the USA region, the shipping cost of $120 is shown in the order details.
Also, as a part of the order bump, you can see the offer inside.
Getting free shipping inside the USA by availing of a minimum order amount of $1200
Free shipping is available outside the United States with a minimum order of $1000.
That’s all. This is how you can set up WooCommerce flat rate shipping for your targeted product and provide value to your customers.
Also, this way you’re giving a super shopping experience through the free shipping charge.
Flat-rate shipping is a go-to for many WooCommerce store owners because it’s easy. However, tweaking and optimizing your setup will make it work effectively.
Using some smart strategies, you can make flat-rate shipping convenient and a real asset for your store—boosting customer satisfaction, keeping costs under control, and creating a smoother checkout process.
Here are six simple tips to help you get the most out of your flat-rate shipping game.
Shipping classes allow you to assign different flat rates based on product type. For instance, charge higher rates for bulky items and lower for lightweight goods.
Ensure your shipping costs align with the product’s nature and budget.
Offer standard and faster flat-rate shipping options to cater to different customer needs.
Customers who want faster delivery can pay extra for express shipping, improving their shopping experience.
Set up shipping zones to apply different flat rates based on customer location.
This helps you optimize domestic and international order rates, ensuring you cover costs accurately without overcharging.
Set a threshold to encourage larger purchases. For example, offer free shipping on orders over $50; this will incentivize customers to add more items to their cart, boosting your average order value.
FunnelKit Cart lets you set up threshold-based rewards, such as free shipping, a discount coupon, and free gifts based on the cart value.
Combine the flat rate with other shipping methods like local pickup, free shipping, or same-day delivery.
Offering a combination of shipping options allows customers to choose what works best for them, whether they want the most affordable option or the fastest delivery.
This variety can make a big difference at checkout, encouraging more customers to complete their purchases.
Shipping costs change over time, so regularly review your rates to ensure they’re competitive and profitable.
Adjust your flat rates to reflect current shipping costs, keeping your pricing strategy aligned with market conditions.
Flat rate shipping can be appealing for its simplicity, but it’s not without challenges.
Here are some potential disadvantages that you need to know:
While flat-rate shipping is convenient, these factors must be evaluated to ensure it aligns with your shipping strategy.
1. What are the common mistakes to avoid when configuring flat rate shipping in WooCommerce?
Here are some reasons store owners often forget while implementing flat shipping rates.
2. Can WooCommerce Flat Rate Shipping be combined with other shipping methods, like free or local pickup?
Yes, WooCommerce allows you to combine flat rate shipping with other methods, such as free shipping, local pickup, or table rate shipping.
This flexibility lets you offer multiple shipping options at checkout, catering to different customer preferences.
For example, you could set up free shipping for orders over a certain amount while offering a flat rate for standard deliveries and local pickup for customers who prefer to collect their orders.
3. How do shipping classes affect WooCommerce's flat rate shipping costs?
Shipping classes allow you to set different flat rate shipping costs for specific types of products.
For example, you can create a “Heavy Items” shipping class with a higher rate than a “Light Items” class.
By assigning shipping classes to products, you can charge appropriate shipping fees based on the item’s nature, size, or weight. This gives you more control over your shipping strategy and ensures costs are accurately reflected.
4. How do shipping classes affect WooCommerce's flat rate shipping costs?
Shipping classes allow you to set different flat-rate shipping costs for specific types of products. For example, you can create a “Heavy Items” shipping class with a higher rate than a “Light Items” class.
By assigning shipping classes to products, you can charge appropriate shipping fees based on the item’s nature, size, or weight. This gives you more control over your shipping strategy and ensures costs are accurately reflected.
Considering these aspects, you can effectively manage your WooCommerce flat rate shipping, offering your customers clear and fair shipping options while maintaining control over your costs.
5. Can WooCommerce Flat Rate Shipping be combined with other shipping methods, like free or local pickup?
Yes, WooCommerce allows you to combine flat-rate shipping with other methods, such as free shipping, local pickup, etc.
This flexibility lets you offer multiple shipping options at checkout, catering to different customer preferences.
For example, you could set up free shipping for orders over a certain amount while offering a flat rate for standard deliveries and local pickup for customers who prefer to collect their orders.
6. What are the common mistakes to avoid when configuring flat rate shipping in WooCommerce?
Here are some reasons that store owners often forget while implementing flat shipping rates:
WooCommerce flat rate shipping is a simple yet effective way to streamline your shipping process, keeping costs predictable and transparent for your customers.
By customizing flat rates, using shipping classes, and setting up shipping zones, you can tailor your shipping strategy to fit your business needs.
To enhance your checkout experience, consider integrating FunnelKit Funnel Builder. You can design custom checkout funnels highlighting your shipping options, adding personalized upsells, and providing your customers with a seamless, high-converting experience.
Mastering flat rate shipping with FunnelKit’s added power can effortlessly transform your store’s performance, reduce cart abandonment, and boost sales.
