Would you like to let members trade their points for free shipping on their next order? A free shipping reward gives members a coupon that removes the shipping charge at checkout. That gives them a reason to come back and buy again.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through adding a free shipping reward and how members redeem it. All you need is a WooCommerce store.
Requirements: Free shipping rewards require an active WooCommerce store.
- Preparing WooCommerce for Free Shipping Coupons
- Adding a Free Shipping Reward
- Configuring the Reward Settings
- Saving the Reward
- How Do Members Redeem Free Shipping?
- FAQ
Before you get started, make sure RewardsWP is installed and activated on your WordPress site, and that the points program is turned on.
Preparing WooCommerce for Free Shipping Coupons
To get started, we’ll make sure WooCommerce can remove the shipping charge when a member uses the coupon.
A free shipping reward creates a WooCommerce coupon with free shipping turned on. WooCommerce only removes the shipping charge when a shipping zone offers a Free shipping method that accepts a coupon.
In WooCommerce » Settings » Shipping, add a Free shipping method to each shipping zone where members can use the reward. Then set the method to require a valid free shipping coupon.
For the steps, see WooCommerce’s free shipping guide.
Without that method, the coupon still applies. However, the order keeps its shipping charge.
With the shipping method in place, you’re ready to add the reward in RewardsWP.
Adding a Free Shipping Reward
Free shipping rewards sit with your other ways to redeem on the RewardsWP Points tab.
From your WordPress admin sidebar, go to RewardsWP » Settings and click the Points tab.
Under Ways to Redeem, click Add ways to redeem.
In the list of reward types that opens, click Free shipping.
The reward’s settings open in the same drawer. Next, we’ll fill them in.
Configuring the Reward Settings
A free shipping reward has 3 settings, under General in the drawer.
Status
Status turns the reward on or off. It’s on for a new reward.
To stop offering the reward for a while without deleting it, turn Status off. While Status is off, the Rewards Widget doesn’t list the reward. Members can’t redeem it during that time.
Points required
Points required is the number of points a member spends to get free shipping. The default is 1,000.
Base it on how fast members earn points from purchases and what shipping usually costs in your store. A cost that members reach after a few orders keeps the reward within reach without giving shipping away.
Reward expiry
Reward expiry sets how long the coupon stays valid after a member redeems it. You can choose one of these options:
- Never expires: the coupon has no end date. This is the default. Choose it if you want members to use the reward whenever they’re ready.
- 30 days, 3 months, or 6 months: the coupon ends that long after redemption. Choose one of these to bring members back for their next order sooner.
- 1 year or 2 years: the coupon ends that long after redemption. Choose one of these to set an end date without rushing members.
With the settings filled in, the last step is to save the reward.
Saving the Reward
When the settings look right, click Create at the bottom of the drawer. The Summary above the button shows how many points members spend for free shipping.
Create adds the reward to the list on the page. To save it, click Save Changes in the bar with the settings tabs.
RewardsWP confirms the save with a “Settings saved successfully.” message.
The reward now appears under Ways to Redeem. To change it later, click Edit on its row.
With the reward saved, members can redeem it from the Rewards Widget.
How Do Members Redeem Free Shipping?
Members redeem free shipping in the Rewards Widget. In Ways to redeem, they click Redeem on the free shipping reward.
Before any points are spent, the widget shows the reward’s terms under Before you redeem. It also shows how many points the member will have left. The member then clicks Redeem 1,000 points to confirm, or Not now to go back.
When the member confirms, RewardsWP takes the points from their balance and creates the coupon. The widget then shows the coupon code with an Apply to cart button. Members can also enter the code at checkout, like any other WooCommerce coupon.
That’s it! You now know how to add a free shipping reward and how members redeem it. Next, to offer a discount reward as well, read Setting up a fixed amount discount reward or Setting up a percentage discount reward.
FAQ
Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about free shipping rewards.
Why is shipping still charged when a member uses the coupon?
The store needs a Free shipping method that accepts a coupon. If no shipping zone has one, the coupon still applies. However, the order is still charged for delivery. RewardsWP also lists this as an issue on the RewardsWP » Settings page. To fix it, follow the steps in Preparing WooCommerce for Free Shipping Coupons.
How do my members apply the free shipping coupon?
After redeeming, members click Apply to cart in the Rewards Widget. They can also enter the coupon code at checkout.
Can I create several free shipping rewards at different point levels?
Yes. You can add several free shipping rewards, each with its own point cost and reward expiry. For example, you might offer one at 500 points and another at 1,000 points that lasts longer.
Can I keep some products out of a free shipping reward?
A free shipping reward covers the shipping on the whole order. Fixed amount discount and percentage discount rewards have item rules. To keep products such as gift cards out of a reward, use one of those instead. To set item rules on a discount reward, read Excluding products from rewards and points.