Once you start selling parts online, shipping quickly becomes one of the most important aspects of your operations — and your customer experience. It’s not just a necessity; for many dealers, it’s also a profit center. But when shipping costs are too high, it can easily turn customers away. To strike the right balance, here are a few key things to keep in mind.
Shipping options
The SimplePart platform supports several major carriers to help you manage both small and large shipments efficiently:
Small items: USPS (flat rate boxes recommended)
Large items: UPS or FedEx (for bumpers, grilles, and other oversized parts)
💡Tip: Offer local in-store pick up as an additional fulfillment option. It helps customers save on shipping and gives them a reason to visit your dealership — shoppers who choose this option are 13% more likely to complete a purchase, boosting conversion and sales of non-shippable items.
Avoid undercharging for bulky or heavy products: On average, 2% of orders include an item that requires additional shipping fees. To cover this, you can set a fixed shipping rate specifically for these items either by part number or by category.
The value of fast, free shipping
Shipping speed and cost can make or break an online purchase. Research shows:
- 62% of shoppers expect free shipping on their orders.
- 69.8% of carts are abandoned because of unexpected shipping fee
- 84% of shoppers have specifically made a purchase because shipping was free
- 30% said they always increase the size of their orders if it qualifies them for free shipping.
Offering competitive or free shipping rates helps you meet customer expectations, improve conversion rates, and drive higher sales.
💡Tip: Fast delivery turns one-time buyers into repeat customers — 90% of eCommerce consumers expect a three-day shipping time in general for their orders.
As more and more shoppers are coming to expect free shipping when they purchase online, how can you help your dealers take advantage of this trend?
Free shipping strategies
Free shipping doesn’t have to cut into your margins. Try these strategies to make it work for your business:
Set a free shipping threshold — typically 10–15% above your average order value. Adjust as needed for your dealership.
Build some or all of the shipping cost into your product pricing.
Promote free shipping through limited-time offers or email campaigns.
Use the most cost-efficient carrier for your region and package sizes.
Remember, free shipping isn’t mandatory — it’s simply another tool to drive sales and increase customer satisfaction.
Need help?
If you have questions about shipping setup or strategies, our Client Services team is here to help.