Yes, you can add free shipping to your Squarespace store. Offering free shipping can be a strategic move to attract more customers and can help increase your sales. Below are steps on how to set up free shipping on Squarespace, as well as considerations and limitations you should keep in mind.

Steps to Add Free Shipping on Squarespace

1. Log in to Your Squarespace Account:
2. Go to the Squarespace website.

3. Log in with your credentials.

4. Navigate to Settings:

5. Once logged in, go to your main dashboard.

6. Click on "Settings" from the navigation menu on the left-hand side.

7. Select Shipping:

8. Under "Settings", scroll down and select "Shipping" under the Commerce section.

9. Add a Shipping Option:

10. In the shipping settings, click on the "Add Shipping Option" button.

11. Choose Free Shipping:

12. In the pop-up menu, select "Free Shipping".

13. Set Up Free Shipping Criteria:

14. You can configure how free shipping will be applied. For example:

    • Flat Rate with Conditions: Optionally, set a minimum order amount that customers must reach to qualify for free shipping.
    • Flat Rate Without Conditions: Apply free shipping to all orders regardless of the amount.

15. Save Your Settings:

16. After configuring the criteria, make sure to save your changes by clicking "Save".

17. Test the Free Shipping Option:

18. It’s advisable to test the new shipping settings to ensure that they apply as intended. You can do this by going through the checkout process on your website as a customer would.

Considerations

• Cost Impact on Business:

• Offering free shipping can significantly impact your profit margins. It may be beneficial to set a minimum order value to ensure that the shipping cost is offset by the sale amount.

• Geographic Limitations:

• Decide if you want to restrict free shipping to certain regions or countries. Shipping internationally can cost significantly more than domestic shipping, so you may want to limit free shipping to certain areas.

• Marketing Strategy:

• Utilize free shipping as a marketing tool. Advertise it on your homepage, product pages, and at the checkout to incentivize customers to complete their purchases.

• Promotion Period:

• You can set free shipping as a time-limited promotion. Announce it during holidays or special sales events to generate a sense of urgency and encourage purchases.

Limitations

• Platform Constraints:

• While Squarespace offers robust tools for e-commerce, there are certain limitations when it comes to customizing shipping options. For highly complex shipping rules, additional third-party integrations or custom coding might be required.

• Customer Expectations:

• Once you begin offering free shipping, customers may come to expect this as a standard offering. Consider whether you can sustainably offer this service long-term, and prepare for potential backlash if you decide to remove it later.

By following these steps and considerations, you can effectively add and manage free shipping on your Squarespace store. This can help improve customer satisfaction and potentially boost your sales, provided that it is done in a cost-effective manner.