Squarespace Shipping Setup Guide
TL;DR:
- Set up flat rate, weight-based, or carrier calculated shipping options
- Add free shipping, local pickup, and delivery options for customers
- Use fulfillment profiles to manage shipping for different product types
- Create shipping zones to offer regional rates and prevent checkout issues
- Test your setup by going through the checkout process yourself
Getting your shipping options sorted in Squarespace doesn't have to be complicated. You've got several ways to charge for shipping, and once you know where everything lives, you can set up exactly what your business needs.
Setting Up Basic Shipping Options
Start with the basics. Squarespace gives you three main ways to calculate shipping:
Flat Rate charges a fixed amount per order. You can also add a per-item fee if you need to scale costs based on quantity rather than weight.
Weight-Based shipping scales with the total weight of the order. This works well if you're selling items that vary significantly in weight.
Carrier Calculated pulls rates directly from shipping carriers like Royal Mail or DPD. The carrier works out the cost based on their standard pricing.
Adding Free Shipping and Local Options
You're not stuck with just charging for shipping. Here are your other options:
Free Shipping can be set up using the flat rate option with zero cost, or you can create a free shipping discount code.
Local Pickup works if customers can collect from your location. Set this up in your shipping options and it'll appear at checkout.
Local Delivery is handy if you deliver within a certain area yourself. You can set specific zones for this.
Make sure you explain these options clearly in your product descriptions. Customers like to know their options upfront.
Managing Fulfillment Profiles
Fulfillment profiles are useful when different products need different shipping rules. Maybe you sell small items that can go in standard packaging, plus larger items that need special handling.
Here's how to set them up:
- Go to the Products panel and select 'Fulfillment profiles'
- Click 'Add custom profile' and give it a clear name
- Set the shipping options that apply to this type of product
- Assign the profile to relevant products
You can create up to 49 different profiles, which should cover most situations. Keep these updated when your product line changes or your shipping policies shift.
Creating Shipping Zones
Shipping zones help you charge different rates based on where you're sending items. This is essential if you're shipping internationally or have different rates for different regions.
Set up zones in the Shipping panel and specify rates for each area. Make sure every zone is properly configured, or you'll get checkout errors and confused customers.
Always test your zones by going through a checkout process yourself. It's the only way to see what customers actually experience.
Editing and Troubleshooting Shipping Options
When you need to change something, head to the Shipping panel and select the option you want to edit.
If carrier calculated shipping isn't appearing at checkout, check your container sizes. The system needs to match your product dimensions to a suitable shipping container. If there's no good match, the calculated rate won't show up.
Keep a list of your product dimensions handy. It makes setting up carrier calculated shipping much faster.
FAQs
How do I make sure carrier calculated shipping appears at checkout?
Check that you've selected a container size that matches your product dimensions. If Squarespace can't find a suitable container, the calculated rate won't display.
Can I offer free shipping in Squarespace?
Yes, either set up a flat rate with zero cost or create a discount code specifically for free shipping.
What are fulfillment profiles and how many can I create?
Fulfillment profiles let you assign specific shipping methods to particular products. You can create up to 49 different profiles.
Why isn't my shipping option showing at checkout?
Usually it's because the settings don't match the product or shipping zone. Check your container sizes for carrier calculated shipping, and make sure your zones are set up correctly.
Jargon Buster
Fulfillment Profiles: Settings that control which shipping options are available for specific products.
Carrier Calculated Shipping: Shipping costs calculated directly by carriers like Royal Mail or DPD based on their standard rates.
Shipping Zones: Geographic areas where you apply different shipping rules and rates.
Wrap-up
Squarespace's shipping tools are flexible enough to handle most business needs. Start with the basics and add complexity as you need it. The key is testing everything from a customer's perspective and keeping your settings updated as your business grows.
Remember to revisit your shipping setup regularly. Carrier rates change, product lines evolve, and what worked six months ago might not be the best option now.