How To Configure Magento 2 Shipping Methods

0 comments | B2B eCommerce,Magento | Updated: August 23, 2024

Summary

It's important to understand that no shipping method fits all.

Finding the ideal approach requires thorough research and identifying what suits your business model. Take the time to assess various options and experiment with different setups.

This will allow you to refine your shipping strategies and deliver an exceptional customer experience.

In today's fast-paced eCommerce world, delivering a seamless customer experience is crucial for fostering loyalty, satisfaction, and business growth.

Magento 2 offers excellent dependability and convenience with various shipping options, such as UPS, FedEx, Flat Rates, Free Shipping, and Table Rates.

An easy and improved delivery process can significantly boost sales, and real-time cost estimates during checkout enhance customer satisfaction.

However, challenges like high shipping costs, delivery delays, and complex logistics can deter customers.

Optimizing shipping is vital as it directly impacts customer retention and operational efficiency.

Offering options like free shipping or loyalty rewards can mitigate abandonment issues caused by unexpected costs, as over 61% of consumers cite these as reasons for transaction abandonment.

Let’s explore how to create custom shipping methods in Magento 2 and optimize your eCommerce operations for success.

Overview: Magento 2 Shipping Methods
Default Magento Shipping Methods
Third-Party Shipping Extensions
Preparation Before Configuration
Free Shipping Method Configuration

Overview: Magento 2 Shipping Methods

Magento's shipping methods fall into two main categories: Default Magento Shipping Methods and Third-Party Shipping Extensions.

These shipping methods are crucial in how businesses manage logistics and cater to customer preferences, ensuring smooth and customizable shipping experiences.

Default Magento Shipping Methods

Magento 2 offers various shipping options tailored to store owners' needs. These include flat rate, table rate, free shipping, and in-store delivery.

⇨ Flat Rate Shipping

With flat-rate shipping, retailers can charge the exact shipping for every order, regardless of weight or size. This approach is particularly beneficial for small businesses with a narrow product range.

⇨ Table-Rate Shipping

The shipping cost varies depending on the destination, package weight, and order value.

Magento 2 shipping Table Rates let you set up different shipping rules tailored to specific products or customer segments, providing greater flexibility.

⇨ Free-Shipping

With Magento 2, store owners can target specific consumer segments or meet minimum order values to be eligible for free shipping.

By setting up a cart price rule, free shipping is activated automatically when specific requirements are met.

⇨ In-Store Delivery

In-store delivery allows customers to collect online orders from a nearby physical store.

This feature integrates with the Magento 2 eCommerce platform, enabling you to provide this convenient option to your valued customers.

Third-Party Shipping Extensions

Third-party shipping plugins can significantly improve your shipping processes.

These extensions let you create shipping labels quickly, set complex shipping rules, and automatically update tracking information.

They also provide customized delivery options based on your unique requirements.

Preparation Before Configuration

Determining the shipping point of origin in Magento 2 is essential before you begin configuring the default shipping methods.

Performing this step guarantees precise computations of product taxes and shipping charges for each of your shipments.

It is the foundation for your shipping strategy and affects how you handle delivery to different locations.

Log in to the Admin panel, go to Stores < Settings < Configuration.
Go to Sales < Shipping Settings from the Magento Sidebar, and fill in the required details.
Expand the Expansion selector from the Origin section and add the required details.
Click the Save Config button.

⇨ Shipping Policy

Complete the Shipping Policy Parameters setting to display your shipping policy at checkout. Customers may view this information by selecting 'See our shipping policy' during checkout.

From the Magento Sidebar, go to Stores < Settings < Configuration.
Expand Sales < choose Shipping Settings.
Expand Expansion selector from Shipping Policy Parameters.
Set Apply Custom Shipping Policy to Yes.
Enter your Shipping Policy into the text box.
Click on the Save Config button.

⇨ Flat Rate Shipping Method Configuration

Go to Stores < Configuration < Sales < Shipping Methods.
Find the Flat Rate section and expand its settings.
Enable this shipping method by setting Enabled to Yes.
Enter a Title for the shipping method, which customers will see at checkout.
Choose either Per Order or Per Item for the Type field:

Per Order charges one shipping fee for the entire order.
Per Item charges shipping for each item in the order.

Set the Price field to the desired shipping amount.
Optionally, add a Handling Fee to the shipping cost.
Select Ship to Applicable Countries:

All Countries or restricted to specific countries.

Save your settings by clicking Save Config.

⇨ Table-Rate Shipping Method Configuration

Navigate to Stores < Configuration < Sales < Shipping Methods.
Find and expand the Table Rates section.
Set Enabled to Yes to activate this shipping method.
Once enabled, click Configure next to Table Rates to set up your shipping costs.
Choose a Condition, like Weight vs. Destination, to determine how shipping costs are calculated based on item weight and delivery location.
Add new rates to define specific shipping rates. Enter details like destination, weight, price, and quantity.
Save your changes by clicking Save Config.

⇨ Table Rates

In the Magento 2 admin panel, choose the Store View to make these adjustments.
From the menu in the top-left corner, select the Main Website or any other relevant website to which you want the settings to apply.
When finished, the following two new options will appear under the section for your table rate:

Export Table Rate Data

Click "Export CSV" to download the tablerates.csv file.
Save the downloaded file to your computer.
Open the file using a spreadsheet application.
Fill in the table with the correct values for shipping calculations.
Use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard for any category's values.
Ensure each row in the "Country" column contains a valid three-character country code.
Save the tablerates.csv file again after making updates.

Import Table Rate Data

Navigate to the Table Rates section in your store configuration.
In the upper-left corner, select the Store View corresponding to the website where this method will be applied.
Click "Choose File" to upload your completed tablerates.csv file containing the rates.
After uploading, click "Save Config."
To ensure accurate calculation, proceed through the payment process using a different address to verify the shipping and handling rates calculated using the steps above.

Free Shipping Method Configuration

Go to Stores < Configuration < Sales < Shipping Methods.
Expand the Free Shipping section.
Enable the shipping method by setting Enabled to Yes.
Enter a Title for the shipping method that customers will see during checkout.
Specify the Minimum Order Amount required for free shipping.
Optionally, set a Maximum Order Amount if there's a limit, leaving it blank for no maximum.
Choose whether to apply free shipping to All Countries or Specific Countries.
Decide whether to Include Tax in the minimum order amount.
Select the Free Shipping method for each applicable shipping carrier.
Save your changes by clicking Save Config.

⇨ Configure Free Shipping In UPS Carrier

Choose your preferred carrier service.
Select "Ground" in the Free Method field for shipping.
Enable the Free Shipping Amount Threshold to limit free shipping to orders above a minimum amount.
Set a specific amount (e.g., $100, $200) for customers to qualify for free shipping.
Save your configuration to finish setting up this method.

⇨ In-Store Delivery Configuration

Go to Stores < Configuration < Sales < Shipping Methods.
Find the In-Store Delivery section and click to expand.
Set Enabled to Yes to activate this shipping option.

Next, create store locations:

Navigate to Stores in the admin panel and select Locations.
Add store details like name, address, and contact information.

Specify pickup details:

Choose which stores offer In-Store Delivery.
Set pickup days, times, minimum/maximum order amounts, and customer pickup instructions.

Make sure customers see In-Store Delivery at checkout:

Go to Stores → Configuration → Sales → Checkout.
Enable In-Store Pickup under Display In-Store Pickup on Storefront.
Save your changes by clicking Save Config.

Jennifer

Jennifer Simon is a highly experienced ecommerce expert and business consultant with a proven track record of driving growth and success. With over 15 years of industry experience, Jennifer has developed a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by ecommerce businesses. As a thought leader in the ecommerce space, Jennifer has helped numerous businesses optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and increase revenue. Jennifer is also a contributing author to various ecommerce publications and blogs, providing actionable tips and advice to the ecommerce community. You can find her actively on LinkedIn

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How To Configure Magento 2 Shipping Methods

Summary

Table of Contents

Overview: Magento 2 Shipping Methods