How Do Dropshipping Sites Offer Free Shipping Worldwide?

Curious about how dropshipping sites offer free worldwide shipping? It may seem impossible, but many successful dropshipping businesses are doing it!

While shipping fees can quickly add up and cut into your profits, many sites have found ways to provide free shipping worldwide without breaking the bank.

By utilizing various strategies, such as working with multi-warehouse suppliers and offering a minimum order value for free shipping, these sites can provide a great customer experience while still making a profit.

In this article, you'll learn how dropshipping sites offer free shipping worldwide so that you can implement similar strategies on your own online store.

So let's get started!

7 Types of free shipping dropshipping sites offer

To better understand how dropshipping sites offer free shipping worldwide, it's important to first explore the various types of free shipping.

This will help you decide which approach will work best for your online store.

So let's dive in and explore your options!

1. Free shipping on orders above a certain amount

Want to know how most dropshipping sites can offer free worldwide shipping? It's by setting a minimum purchase requirement!

This means customers must spend a certain amount of money before getting free shipping.

It's a win-win situation: customers are incentivized to purchase more products to reach the threshold, and the dropshipping site can cover the shipping cost for larger orders.

In fact, a study by UPS found that 58% of online shoppers add items to their cart to meet the minimum purchase requirement for free shipping.

This shows setting a minimum spend for free shipping can effectively increase sales.
However, setting the minimum cart value at a reasonable level is important to avoid turning away potential customers.

In addition, dropshipping sites should clarify to customers what the minimum requirement is and how much they need to spend to qualify for free shipping.

Make the number stand out so that it entices customers to spend more.

2. Free shipping for a limited time

A limited-time offer creates a sense of urgency for customers to take advantage of the free shipping offer before it expires.

Limited-time offers can be applied to a specific product or a certain period, such as a holiday or a sales event.

Imagine this - you're scrolling through your email, and you see a subject line that grabs your attention: 'Up to 75% discount on summer styles (P.S.: This week only!).'

You might not have planned to purchase summer clothes, but the irresistible offer has drawn your interest!

This strategy is also known as FOMO, or 'fear of missing out,' and it's a powerful marketing strategy.

And if you're investing in email marketing, you should definitely use this trick because 55% of consumers who sign up for email marketing are looking for discounts and money-off deals.

All in all, whether you use social media posts, website banners, or email newsletters to communicate with your customers, use limited-time offers to increase sales for your dropshipping site.

3. Free shipping for loyalty program members

With a membership program, dropshipping sites can offer free shipping as a perk for members, attracting repeat customers and increasing sales.

Think about it; you’re more likely to shop at an online store where you feel appreciated and rewarded for your loyalty.

According to PR News Wire, 75% of consumers say they will be loyal to a brand if a program makes them feel special. And membership programs provide an excellent way to do just that.

When you offer exclusive benefits such as free shipping, early access to sales, and discounts, stores can increase customer loyalty and retention rates.

One example of a successful membership program is Amazon Prime, which offers free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, and other perks for a yearly fee.

But make sure you create a membership program tailored to your store and customer base rather than offering a generic program copied from elsewhere.

4. Free shipping on select items

When you offer free shipping on select items, you absorb the shipping costs of only specific products.

For example, a dropshipping clothing store might offer free shipping on all shoes or accessories — or a tech store might offer free shipping on all mobile phone cases.

This approach can be particularly effective for stores with a large variety of products, as it allows the retailer to strategically choose which items to offer free shipping on.

In fact, a survey by Marketing Sherpa found that 83% of online shoppers are more likely to buy a product if free shipping is offered on it.

But you should know that offering free shipping on select items can also lead to confusion and frustration among customers if the criteria for free shipping are not clearly communicated.

Plus, if the criteria are too restrictive, it can be off-putting and can hurt your sales. So consider which items to offer free shipping and clearly communicate the terms and conditions to customers.

5. Free shipping for returning customers

Free shipping for returning customers can incentivize them to make repeat purchases and can lead to increased customer loyalty.

According to a study by Adobe Digital Index, returning customers are responsible for generating 40% of a retailer's revenue, even though they make up only 8% of website visitors.

So when you offer free shipping to this valuable customer base, your dropshipping site encourages repeat purchases and ultimately increases your bottom line.

To implement this strategy, you can track customer purchases and offer free shipping to those who have made a certain number of purchases or have spent a certain amount.

This approach rewards loyal customers and encourages them to continue shopping with the site.

All said and done, free shipping for returning customers shouldn't be the only approach you use on your dropshipping site.

You should implement a combination of the different types of free shipping strategies to appeal to a broader range of customers and maximize sales.

6. Free shipping for new customers

Did you know that nine out of ten consumers say free shipping is the top incentive for them to shop online?

So when you offer free shipping to new customers, you can entice them to try out your products without the added cost of shipping, potentially converting them into repeat customers.

But how do you do it?!

You can advertise the offer prominently on your website or in email marketing campaigns targeting first-time visitors.

You can also use coupon codes that automatically apply free shipping at checkout for new customers.

And people do love coupons! But you need to ensure you’re not losing money on the deal.

You can set a minimum order value or only offer free shipping on certain products to ensure you’re still making a profit.

7. Free shipping at certain times of the year

Free shipping can be particularly effective during peak sales periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or holiday shopping seasons.

Holiday shopping is a great time to encourage new customers to make purchases they might not have made otherwise. It's a win-win situation: customers save money on shipping, and your dropshipping site boost sales during critical periods.

According to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, 41% of consumers said that free shipping was the most important factor when purchasing online during the 2020 holiday season.

As you can see, offering free shipping at certain times of the year can be a powerful marketing tool that can help boost sales and attract new customers.

But you need to plan carefully when offering free shipping during peak sales periods to ensure that you can handle the increased volume of orders and still provide excellent customer service.

After all, great customer service is the lifeline of a dropshipping business.

So set clear guidelines and communicate them effectively to avoid customer misunderstandings or frustration.

6 Ways dropshipping sites can offer free shipping worldwide

Now that we've gone through different free shipping offers let's go through how you can do that.

We'll break down the reasons why and how dropshipping sites can provide this amazing perk to customers all over the globe.

So sit tight, grab a cup of coffee, and let's dive into the world of free shipping in dropshipping!

1. Negotiating lower shipping rates

The dropshipping industry is highly competitive, and profit margins are often narrow.

That's why dropshipping businesses negotiate lower shipping rates with carriers to avoid shipping costs eating into their product profits.

This strategy allows them to offer customers free or reduced shipping costs while still making a profit.

However, dropshipping sites with large order volumes have the leverage to negotiate shipping rates. Plus, shipping rates are influenced by factors such as package weight, dimensions, and destination.

According to a survey conducted by Shippo, in 2022, shipping costs were reported as the greatest challenge by 41% of merchants, and 36% of them expect it to remain the same in 2023.

This shows that many store owners find it challenging to maintain profitability while offering competitive shipping rates to their customers.

So if you have a low volume of orders, the best approach is to negotiate with your supplier for reduced shipping rates.

You can secure a better deal if you agree to meet a certain threshold of orders or order value.

2. Sourcing products from local dropshipping suppliers

Another way dropshipping sites can offer free shipping worldwide is by sourcing products from local dropshipping suppliers.

This way, the products are shipped from a location closer to the customer, which reduces the shipping time and cost.

Plus, sourcing products from local suppliers can also reduce the risk of products being lost or damaged during shipping.

According to a survey by AlixPartners, 60% of online shoppers reported that they were willing to wait a few days to a week for their orders if it meant receiving free shipping.

So when dropshipping sites can source products from local dropshipping suppliers, they can offer free shipping, provide faster delivery times, and decrease the chances of shipping-related issues.

In addition, partnering with local suppliers can lead to better communication and support, as well as potentially lower product costs.

This approach can be especially effective for targeting specific geographic markets, as it allows for more customized and localized product offerings.

If you're interested, we have compiled a list of local dropshipping suppliers:

• The 15 Best Dropshipping Suppliers for Shopify Stores 2024
• The 15 Best Fashion and Beauty Niche Dropshipping Suppliers
• The 14 Best Dropshipping Suppliers in Europe (Free & Paid)
• 12 Best US Dropshipping Suppliers in 2024 (Fast Shipping)

3. Adjusting product prices

One effective strategy for dropshipping sites to offer free shipping worldwide is by adjusting product prices.

In this method, the product prices are slightly increased to cover the shipping costs. The customers then perceive the shipping as free, even though the cost is hidden in the product price.

Many dropshipping sites use this method to offer free shipping worldwide, as it can be more effective in convincing customers to make a purchase.

According to a 2021 study by Baymard Institute, 48% of customers abandon their carts if there are high extra costs, such as shipping and taxes.

Therefore, adjusting product prices to include shipping costs can help dropshipping sites attract and retain customers.

If you’re using the same strategy, ensure you find the right balance between the product price and shipping cost so that the customers perceive the price as fair.

4. Offering bundled products

Some dropshipping sites offer free shipping worldwide by offering bundled products.

By bundling products together, the total value of the order increases, making it easier for the retailer to absorb the shipping cost.

For example, let's say you run a dropshipping store that sells fitness products. You could create a bundle that includes a yoga mat, resistance bands, and a water bottle and offer it at a slightly discounted price.

Not only does this encourage customers to buy more products, but it also allows you to offer free shipping. This is because the cost of shipping the bundle is lower than if the customer purchased each item separately.

Plus, the perceived value of getting multiple items for a discounted price can help increase sales and customer satisfaction.

Bundling products is a common strategy used by many successful ecommerce companies, including Amazon sellers.

In a way, you can differentiate your store from competitors and potentially increase revenue while still offering free shipping.

5. Using a multi-warehouse dropshipping supplier

A multi-warehouse dropshipping supplier helps dropshipping sites offer free shipping worldwide.

When a supplier has multiple warehouses located in different countries, they can fulfill orders from the warehouse closest to the customer. This can significantly reduce both the shipping time and cost.

Moreover, a multi-warehouse dropshipping supplier can also help reduce the risk of lost or damaged products during shipping, as they have multiple warehouses to store and ship from.

In addition, a multi-warehouse dropshipping supplier can also provide a wider range of products for the dropshipping site to offer, as they can source products from different warehouses in different regions.

This can help the site offer a more diverse product catalog to customers, further enhancing their shopping experience.

If you're interested, we have compiled a list of local dropshipping suppliers:

6. Avoiding split orders

One of the biggest challenges for dropshipping sites when offering free shipping worldwide is avoiding split orders.

This happens when a customer orders multiple products, but those products are located in different warehouses or locations.

In this case, the products must be shipped separately, increasing the shipping cost and time.

To avoid split orders, dropshipping sites can source products from a multi-warehouse supplier or use inventory management software to ensure that all products are in one location before fulfilling an order.

This not only reduces shipping costs but also helps to improve the customer experience.

Remember, offering free shipping can help increase sales and attract more customers, but it's important to find a balance between offering free shipping and maintaining profitability.

For more information, check out our article on if you should do dropshipping with one or multiple suppliers.

Summary

Before we go to the conclusion, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:

• Dropshipping sites offer free shipping through various methods including minimum purchase requirements, membership programs, free shipping on select items, and during holiday seasons, for both new and returning customers.
• 60% of online shoppers are willing to wait for their orders for a few days to a week if they can receive free shipping.
• A survey found that offering free shipping increases the likelihood of online shoppers purchasing a product by 83%.
• Dropshipping sites offer free worldwide shipping by negotiating lower shipping rates, sourcing products from local dropshipping suppliers, adjusting product prices, offering bundled products, using a multi-warehouse dropshipping supplier, and avoiding split orders.

Final thoughts

We hope you’ve understood how dropshipping sites offer free shipping worldwide!

By implementing some of the strategies we've discussed, you can offer your customers free shipping and increase sales.

Consider product pricing, supplier location, and order volume when choosing your shipping strategy.

If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments section below.

We're always happy to hear from our readers and help out in any way we can!

Want to learn more about dropshipping?

Ready to move your dropshipping store to the next level? Check out the articles below:

• How to Save Fees When Dropshipping in 2024 (8 Great Tips)
• Top 28 Shopify Tips to Create a Great Ecommerce Store in 2024
• Can You Do Dropshipping Worldwide in 2024? (Know This First)