How to Set Up Shipping Zones on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Create specific shipping zones to control where and how you ship products
- Configure zones for countries, states, cities, or postal codes
- Set different rates for different regions (like $5 domestic, $10 international)
- Regional shipping zones are only available for certain countries
- Always run a test order to check your settings work properly
Setting up shipping zones properly means you can charge different rates for different areas. You might want to charge less for local deliveries and more for international shipping, or offer free shipping to certain regions.
Getting Your Shipping Zones Ready
Start by setting up your general shipping rules in your Squarespace store. The regional and local shipping options you'll see depend on which country you're based in – not all countries get the same level of detail.
How Shipping Zones Work
Each shipping rule connects to specific geographical areas. You can target countries, states, cities, or even postal codes.
Here's a simple example:
- Domestic zone: Flat $5 rate for the UK
- International zone: Flat $15 rate for everywhere else
This gives you two clear pricing tiers without getting complicated.
Setting Up Your Zones
When you create a new shipping option, you'll choose which areas it covers:
For broad coverage: Select "Rest of the World" to create a catch-all rule that applies everywhere except areas with their own specific rules.
For specific regions: Search for and select individual countries you want to ship to.
For detailed targeting: In supported countries, you can drill down to states, provinces, cities, or postal codes.
Editing Existing Zones
To change shipping zones you've already set up:
- Go to your Shipping panel
- Pick the shipping method you want to change
- Open the Shipping Zones tab
- Make your adjustments
Advanced Regional Settings
Squarespace lets you get quite specific with shipping in certain countries:
State or province level: This applies to everywhere in that region unless you set specific exclusions.
City or postal code level: Within a state or province, you can target particular cities or zip codes.
Important: If you're excluding specific areas, deselect all regions first, then add back only the ones you want. This prevents accidentally including areas you meant to exclude.
Testing Your Setup
Run a test order before going live. This catches any issues with your shipping calculations or zone coverage. It's much better to find problems during testing than when a real customer tries to check out.
FAQs
Can I charge different shipping fees for different regions?
Yes, that's exactly what shipping zones are for. You can set up different rates for as many regions as you need.
Are regional shipping zones available everywhere?
No, detailed regional options are only available for certain countries. Check whether your target areas are supported before building your strategy around them.
How do I know if my shipping settings are working correctly?
Run a test order from start to finish. This shows you exactly what customers will see and pay for shipping.
Jargon Buster
Shipping Zones: Geographic areas where specific shipping rules apply
Flat Rate: A fixed shipping fee that doesn't change based on package weight or size
Postal Code: Geographic codes that help sort mail and deliveries
Test Order: A practice run to check your shipping setup works as expected
Wrap-up
Good shipping zones make your store more profitable and give customers clear expectations about delivery costs. Start simple with just a few zones, then add more detail as you need it. The key is testing everything works before customers start placing real orders.
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