Have you ever ordered something online and received multiple packages? This is split shipping in action.
Since the pandemic, this has become a popular delivery method with an increase of 27%, transforming how e-commerce stores are processing orders.
Despite some misconceptions, split shipping is very advantageous for both retailers and shoppers. It’s a powerful tool for modern e-commerce because it allows businesses to manage inventory across many locations and provide flexible delivery options.
Shopify has recently introduced split shipping into its platform which brings new opportunities to merchants. Split shipping may be your savior if you want to deal with products that are too big, manage several warehouses, or offer more delivery choices.
In this blog post, we will discuss what split shipping means, the advantages of using this feature as well as how you can use Shopify checkout for better e-commerce management. Read on to understand if it makes sense for your Shopify store to adopt this strategy.
What is Split Shipping?
Source: Ingrid
Split shipping is when multiple parcels are used to deliver a single order containing more than one item. Even though they have made just one purchase, customers do not get all their ordered items in one package.
The system allows for delivery of goods from various places or at different times subject to stock availability and logistics. Splitting shipments increases the ability of firms to fulfill orders in shorter periods and maintain inventory levels.
And although it is technically known as split shipping, what Shopify calls it is “split” shipping. This happens during the checkout option on Shopify which helps merchants offer this kind of flexible delivery which boosts the overall shopping experience while making order processing better.
What is Shopify Checkout?
Shopify Checkout is an exclusive one-click interface for enabling customers to shop faster. Shopify checkout is reliable, scalable, and lightning-fast. It is a powerful eCommerce integration that can convert.
The checkout process is where the most subjective and emotional decisions are made by customers on your website. The best checkout process should maximize conversion while providing a fast and seamless experience.
This Shopify checkout gives you an easy and frictionless purchasing experience and the added convenience of ensuring that your customers will not be subjected to long check-out processes when they want to buy something.
Also read: Shopify Scripts and Optimizing Shopify Plus Checkout
What’s New in Shopify Checkout: Shopify Summer Editions ‘24 Updates
The new features of Shopify Checkout are combined to create a checkout experience that is both streamlined and secure; thereby enhancing customer satisfaction, driving higher conversion rates, and improving overall e-commerce performance.
With the release of Shopify Editions Summer 2024, a new milestone has been set in the field of e-commerce checkout that allows merchants to deliver outstanding shopping experiences that foster consumer loyalty while spurring business growth.
To sum up, Shopify Checkout now allows:
- Dynamic Checkout: Enable customers to check out directly from product pages using preferred payment methods like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, streamlining the purchase journey.
- Customizable Checkout: Customize the checkout experience to align with your brand's identity, ensuring consistency and reinforcing trust throughout the purchasing process.
- Mobile Optimization: Optimize the checkout flow for mobile devices, providing a seamless experience across all devices and platforms.
- Real-Time Shipping Rates: Display accurate shipping costs based on location and order specifics, minimizing surprises and improving transparency.
- Guest Checkout: Allow customers to complete purchases without creating an account, reducing barriers to entry and encouraging impulse buys.
However, the most exciting of them all is split shipping!
What is Split Shipping in Shopify Checkout?
The world’s best checkout now gives buyers more choices on their shipping choices. In the past, customers only saw one shipping choice and delivery date even if items were sent in multiple shipments or from multiple warehouses.
Now, with split shipping in checkout, customers can see if their order will arrive in multiple shipments upfront. If multiple shipping speeds are available, customers can select options between the lowest price, fastest, or even customized for each shipment so they have more control over speed and cost.
How Does Split Shipping Work in Shopify?
Split shipping in Shopify’s checkout is a game-changer that enables customers to receive their orders in multiple shipments. This flexibility caters to various customer needs and preferences, enhancing the overall shopping experience.
This is how it works:
- Order Placement – When customers add items to their cart, they can choose different shipping options for each product.
- Shipping Speed/Fare Selection – For example, customers may want to have faster shipping for urgent items while choosing standard shipping for products that are not very time-sensitive or cheaper shipping options.
- Checkout Process – During checkout, customers see a breakdown of their order with separate shipping options and costs for each item or group of items.
- Order Processing – Upon placement, Shopify’s system processes the order as multiple shipments according to the chosen means of transportation.
- Fulfillment – Then merchants can fulfill and ship them separately according to customer preferences.
For instance, consider a customer who buys a desk lamp, sofa, and chair. Maybe they need the lamp urgently but don’t mind if other furniture arrives later. With split shipping, they can expedite the delivery of the lamp while using standard shipment for larger items such as furniture.
Moreover, this feature integrates perfectly into Shopify’s Shop Promise program. If an item qualifies for Shop Promise, there will be a badge that gives confidence about its timely delivery when checking out.
Besides subscription-based orders also benefit from this service because it allows customers to control their recurring purchases’ shipping speeds more effectively.
By implementing split shipping, retailers can meet diverse customer needs, reduce cart abandonment, and improve overall customer satisfaction.
Benefits of Split Shipping in Shopify
Split shipping is also known as partial delivery or order splitting and provides several advantages for both retailers and customers. Let’s see how this can aid in optimizing the operations and improving the shopping experience.
1. Overcoming Inventory Challenges
Split shipping becomes an invaluable tool when managing inventory across multiple sites. In situations where a single warehouse cannot fulfill a multi-product order, shipping items from different locations may be more cost-effective than waiting for one fulfillment center to restock. Such a case becomes especially useful if warehouses are situated far away from each other geographically.
2. Broadening Delivery Options
Retailers resort to split shipments not just in order to adjust their fulfillment networks but rather to offer more delivery choices. Split shipping allows for faster order processing with options even for same-day deliveries (store-to-door solutions). That is why it is possible now to use physical stores as mini-fulfillment centers, thus allowing retailers to offer much more flexible and responsive service.
3. A Boost for Sustainability
In combination with localized fulfillment techniques, split shipping can go a long way toward reducing e-commerce’s environmental impact. By 2025, research shows that last-mile emissions could drop between 17% - 26% through the establishment of local fulfillment centers. Moreover, such an approach might help reduce overproduction, waste, etc., and the need for aggressive discounting by ensuring better alignment of supply with demand.
4. Possibility of Enhancing Profitability
While split shipping may increase shipping costs, it can also open up opportunities for profit. Some customers are willing to pay for multiple deliveries, especially for expensive or bulky items, or to receive their orders faster. Charging for deliveries can not only cover shipping costs but potentially improve the bottom line.
5. Faster Partial Deliveries
Even when some items on an order are unavailable, split shipping enables retailers to quickly fill at least part of the order. This approach ensures satisfaction by delivering available items immediately rather than holding back the whole order.
6. Managing Customer Expectations
According to Ready Cloud, 54% of online shoppers claimed they would shop from a store again if the delivery conditions were clear.
With Shopify’s split shipping, retailers can offer customers more flexibility and transparently indicate different delivery timelines for various items in an order by giving them split shipping options at checkout. This kind of upfront clarity will enable you to manage your customers’ expectations properly.
Need Professional Help In Leveraging Split Shipping In Your Shopify Store?
Implementing split shipping in your Shopify checkout can help you harness these benefits, enhancing your e-commerce operations and customer satisfaction. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, adaptable fulfillment strategies like split shipping play a crucial role in meeting consumer expectations and driving business growth.
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