How to Set Up WooCommerce Free Shipping with Advanced Rules

Free shipping is one of the best incentives to boost sales and reduce cart abandonment. WooCommerce allows you to set up advanced free shipping rules so customers qualify for free shipping only under specific conditions.

With the Flat Rate Shipping Plugin, you can go beyond WooCommerce defaults and set flexible rules like minimum order amount, coupon-based free shipping, or product-based free shipping.

Why use advanced free shipping rules?

• Increase average order value by requiring a minimum spend.
• Run promotions with coupon-triggered free shipping.
• Encourage product sales by offering free shipping on selected items.
• Customer satisfaction with transparent and easy-to-understand shipping perks.

Configuration steps

1. Install and activate the plugin

• Go to Dashboard → Plugins → Add New.
• Install and activate the Flat Rate Shipping Plugin for WooCommerce.

2. Add a new shipping method

• Go to Dashboard → Dotstore → Flat Rate Shipping
• Click Add New Shipping Method.
• Name it “Free Shipping with Advanced Rules”.

3. Choose your free shipping option

Option 1: Minimum order amount based free shipping

• Add a new rule.
• From the Condition dropdown, select Cart Subtotal.
• Set a rule like Cart Subtotal ≥ $200 → Shipping = Free.

• Save changes.

  

Option 2: Free shipping on a coupon

• Add a new rule.
• From the Condition textbox, add the Coupon amount.
• Enter the coupon amount (e.g., 50 ).
• Set the shipping cost to $0 when the coupon is applied.

• Save changes.

  

Option 3: Free shipping on the product

• Add a new rule.
• From the Condition dropdown, select Product.
• Choose the product(s) you want to qualify for free shipping.
• Set the shipping cost to $0.

• Save changes.

  

Two real examples

Example 1: Minimum order amount

• Rule: Cart Subtotal ≥ $100 → Free Shipping.
• Result: Customer adds items worth $120 → Shipping = Free.

Example 2: Coupon + Product specific free shipping

• Rule 1: Apply coupon 100 → Free Shipping.

  Rule 2: If product = “Wireless Headphones” → Free Shipping.

  Result:

  • Customer applies coupon 100 → Shipping = Free.
  • Customer buys “Wireless Headphones” → Shipping = Free, even without a coupon.

Expected outcome

Once configured, WooCommerce will automatically apply free shipping when the rules you set are met. Customers see clear benefits at checkout, while you maintain control over when and how free shipping is offered.