How to Add Shipping Methods in Zibster ECommerce
Overview
Shipping methods control how shipping charges are calculated when customers purchase physical products through your Zibster ECommerce store. You can create options such as standard shipping, expedited shipping, local delivery, free shipping, or free in-studio pickup.
Shipping methods can also work with additional shipping costs assigned to individual products. This guide explains how to create and manage shipping methods, choose how shipping is calculated, and make sure additional shipping costs are handled correctly at checkout.
STEP ONE
Log in to your Zibster account and click ECOMMERCE in the left-side menu.
This opens your ECommerce Dashboard, where you can manage your products, payment settings, shipping methods, orders, and other ECommerce settings.
STEP TWO
At the top of your ECommerce Dashboard, click PAYMENT, then click SHIPPING from the dropdown menu.
This opens the Shipping page where you can create new shipping methods and manage shipping methods you have already set up.
STEP THREE
The Shipping page displays any shipping methods you have already created. Each existing shipping method shows its name, description, rate, and whether country fees are configured.
To edit an existing shipping method, click the SHIPPING METHOD NAME.
To delete an existing shipping method, click the checkbox to the left of its name, then click DELETE.
To create a new shipping option, click NEW SHIPPING METHOD.
FINAL STEP
Enter a name in the SHIPPING METHOD field. This is the name customers will see during checkout, so use a clear description such as Standard Shipping, Rush Delivery, Local Delivery, Free Shipping, or Free In-Studio Pickup.
You can also enter a DESCRIPTION with additional information about the option, such as delivery expectations or pickup instructions.
Under PRICE, select FLAT SHIPPING to charge a fixed shipping amount per order.
Select PERCENTAGE SHIPPING to calculate shipping as a percentage of the order total. If you use Percentage Shipping, you can also enter a MINIMUM amount so the shipping charge does not fall below the amount you specify.
Next, choose how you want EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS handled:
- NO: Applicable additional shipping costs configured on individual products can be added to this shipping method.
- YES: Additional shipping costs configured on individual products are excluded.
Review your settings and click ADD SHIPPING OPTION.
Your new shipping method will be added to the Shipping page with your existing shipping methods.
How Additional Shipping Costs Work
Additional shipping costs can be configured on individual products when an item requires an extra charge for packaging, handling, or delivery.
These additional shipping costs are added to a shipping method. They do not replace the shipping method itself.
For example, if your shipping method charges $10.00 and a product has an additional shipping cost of $5.00, the shipping total can be $15.00 when the selected shipping method allows additional shipping costs.
The EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS setting controls whether those product-level charges are added:
- NO: Include applicable additional shipping costs.
- YES: Exclude applicable additional shipping costs.
Because the setting asks whether you want to exclude the additional costs, selecting NO means those costs can be included in the shipping calculation.
See How To Add Additional Shipping To Individual Products for complete instructions.
Using a $0 Shipping Method With Additional Shipping Costs
If you do not normally charge a base shipping fee but have products with additional shipping costs, you should still have a shipping method available at checkout.
For example, you may sell most products without a shipping charge but have one product that requires a $10.00 additional shipping cost. You can create a shipping method with:
- Shipping Method: Standard Shipping
- Flat Shipping: $0.00
- Exclude Additional Shipping Costs: No
When a customer purchases the applicable product, its additional shipping cost can be added to the $0.00 shipping method so the correct shipping amount is calculated during checkout.
Without an available shipping method, additional shipping costs may not calculate as expected.
How Shipping Applies to Different ECommerce Items
Shipping applies to physical products that are configured to require shipping.
Products can be configured to charge shipping or not charge shipping. Products can also have additional shipping costs when an individual item requires an extra charge.
Gift Cards and Services do not require shipping.
Example: Free Local Pickup
You can create a free pickup option for customers who will collect physical products from your business instead of having them shipped.
A Free Local Pickup method may use:
- Shipping Method: Free Local Pickup
- Description: Local Pick Up
- Flat Shipping: $0.00
- Exclude Additional Shipping Costs: Yes
Selecting YES for EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS prevents product-level shipping costs from being added when the customer chooses free pickup.
Example: Free Shipping
You can create a regular free shipping option by setting FLAT SHIPPING to $0.00.
If you want the entire shipping charge to remain $0.00, select YES for EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS.
If you want the base shipping method to be free but still want applicable product-level shipping costs added, select NO instead.
If free shipping should only be available as a promotion, you can use a Free Shipping coupon rather than offering a permanent $0.00 shipping option.
Additional Options or Helpful Notes
- You can create multiple shipping methods so customers can choose between options such as standard delivery, rush delivery, local delivery, or in-studio pickup.
- Shipping method names and descriptions are created by you. Use wording that accurately explains the delivery option you provide.
- You can return to ECOMMERCE → PAYMENT → SHIPPING at any time to edit or delete existing shipping methods.
- Country fees can be added when you need to charge an additional amount based on the customer's shipping country.
- If you use additional shipping costs on individual products, review each shipping method to confirm whether EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS should be set to YES or NO.
- Zibster provides the tools used to configure shipping calculations. You are responsible for establishing the shipping rates appropriate for your business and for processing and fulfilling customer orders in accordance with the Zibster Terms of Use.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Why isn't my shipping method appearing at checkout?
Confirm that the shipping method has been created and that the product being purchased is configured to require shipping.
If the order does not contain a physical product that requires shipping, a shipping method may not be needed during checkout.
Why isn't the additional shipping cost on my product being added?
First, confirm that at least one shipping method is available for the order. Additional shipping costs are added to a shipping method rather than acting as a shipping method by themselves.
Next, review EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS on the shipping method. This setting should be NO if you want applicable additional shipping costs included.
If you do not charge a normal base shipping fee, you can create a Flat Shipping method for $0.00 and select NO for EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS.
Why does Free In-Studio Pickup still have a shipping charge?
Confirm that FLAT SHIPPING is set to $0.00.
You should also select YES for EXCLUDE ADDITIONAL SHIPPING COSTS if you do not want additional shipping costs from individual products added to a pickup order.
Can I edit an existing shipping method?
Yes. Go to ECOMMERCE → PAYMENT → SHIPPING, then click the name of the shipping method you want to edit.
Can I delete an existing shipping method?
Yes. Go to ECOMMERCE → PAYMENT → SHIPPING, click the checkbox to the left of the shipping method you want to remove, then click DELETE.
Before deleting a shipping method, make sure it is no longer needed for your ECommerce checkout setup.
Can I charge extra for orders shipped to certain countries?
Yes. Country fees allow you to add an additional shipping charge based on the customer's shipping country.
Does Zibster determine how much I should charge for shipping?
No. Zibster provides the tools used to configure and calculate shipping during checkout. You are responsible for determining the shipping rates appropriate for your business and for accepting, processing, and fulfilling customer orders.
Need Help?
Zibster Support Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
