National Free Shipping Day: How Shopify Brands Can Turn One Day Into Long-Term Sales
Shipping costs are one of the leading reasons online shoppers abandon their carts, with studies showing that nearly 48% of customers leave due to unexpected fees. Many shoppers also hesitate to complete purchases when they are unsure if their orders will arrive on time for a special occasion, resulting in lost sales.
Free Shipping Day addresses this challenge by removing shipping fees for a single day, increasing shopper confidence, and converting hesitant visitors into paying customers.
For Shopify brands, this event is not just a perk; it is an opportunity to create a smooth shopping experience that drives traffic, improves conversion rates, and develops customer loyalty.
By leveraging National Free Shipping Day, Shopify merchants can attract new shoppers, increase average order value AOV, and generate long-term repeat customers in just one day.
Before diving into strategies, it’s important to understand what National Free Shipping Day is and why it’s becoming a must-attend event for Shopify brands.
What is Free Shipping Day?
National Free Shipping Day 2025 will be on Sunday, December 14th, giving shoppers one last chance to get their orders delivered before Christmas without paying shipping fees.
The History of National Free Shipping Day
National Free Shipping Day was created in 2008 by Maisie and Luke Knowles, founders of Coupon Sherpa and FreeShipping.org.
They noticed that online shopping slowed after December 10 because customers feared orders wouldn’t arrive before Christmas. To counter this, they organized the first Free Shipping Day.
The first event included 250 online stores and generated $764 million in sales in just 24 hours. Over the years, the holiday has grown, generating over $1 billion in sales and outperforming some Black Friday promotions in certain years.
While smaller than Cyber Monday or Black Friday, it’s quickly becoming essential for Shopify merchants who want to drive traffic to their stores and increase sales during the crucial holiday season.
Why Customers Love Free Shipping Day?
Customers love National Free Shipping Day for several reasons:
1. Free shipping on everything
Unlike standard promotions with minimum purchase requirements, customers don’t have to worry about extra fees.
2. Coupons and gifts
Many Shopify stores also offer discount codes or free gifts to make purchases even more enticing.
3. Guaranteed delivery
Participating brands promise delivery before Christmas, reducing buyer anxiety.
4. A better shopping experience
Removing shipping fees while maintaining fast delivery encourages repeat purchases and strengthens trust in your brand.
Now that we understand why shoppers love this event, let’s see why Shopify brands should take full advantage of Free Shipping Day.
Why Shopify Brands Should Participate?
Participating in National Free Shipping Day is not just about offering free shipping; it’s a strategic move to boost revenue, increase conversion rates, reduce cart abandonments during checkout, and grow your customer base.
1. Boost Sales and Average Order Value
Customers are more likely to complete purchases when shipping costs are removed. Additionally, you can set a minimum purchase threshold to qualify for free shipping. This encourages shoppers to add more products to their carts, increasing your average order value (AOV).
For example, if your average order is $35, setting free shipping at $50 encourages customers to spend a little extra, which directly impacts your revenue.
2. Attract New Customers
62% of online shoppers won’t make a purchase if free shipping isn’t offered, showing how essential it is for conversion optimization. The word “free” is powerful. Many online shoppers will notice National Free Shipping Day even if they haven’t visited your store before.
By promoting this day through email marketing, social media, and other channels, you can attract new customers who might become loyal buyers.
3. Enhance Long-Term Customer Loyalty
Providing a seamless shopping experience with no shipping fees makes customers feel valued. When shoppers know they can rely on your brand for free shipping, they are more likely to return, increasing long-term sales and customer retention.
Offering free shipping is just the first step. To maximize results, Shopify brands need a solid preparation and marketing strategy.
Planning for National Free Shipping Day Success
A successful National Free Shipping Day requires careful planning. You need to prepare your Shopify store, marketing campaigns, and shipping logistics to handle increased traffic and orders.
1. Prepare Your Shopify Store
To make the most of National Free Shipping Day, your Shopify store needs to be ready to provide a smooth and enticing shopping experience:
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Highlight free shipping
Update banners, landing pages, and product pages to clearly promote free shipping offers. Shoppers should instantly see the benefit when they visit your store.
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Mobile optimization
Many online shoppers browse and buy using smartphones. Ensure your store loads quickly and navigation is seamless on all devices to avoid losing potential customers.
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Inventory check
Double-check stock levels and coordinate with suppliers to prevent popular items from running out. Nothing discourages shoppers more than seeing “out of stock” during a big sale.
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Traffic handling
Ensure your website can handle real-time traffic spikes without slowing down or crashing. Use Shopify tools or third-party services to test and optimize performance before the event.
2. Marketing Channels to Maximize Impact
Once your store is ready, focus on spreading the word and attracting traffic:
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Email marketing
Send well-timed reminder emails, announce the event, and share free shipping discount codes to encourage purchases. Segment your customer list to target loyal shoppers and first-time buyers differently.
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Social media
Promote National Free Shipping Day using hashtags like #FreeShippingDay. Post engaging content, countdowns, or sneak peeks of deals to create excitement. Encourage shares and tagging to reach a wider audience.
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Flash promotions
Run limited-time offers or daily deals to create urgency and prompt immediate action. The sense that these deals are temporary can significantly boost conversion rates.
3. Promotional Strategies
To make free shipping irresistible while keeping it profitable:
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Free shipping types
Offer either site-wide free shipping or conditional options, such as a minimum purchase requirement or selected products. Conditional free shipping helps increase the average order value (AOV) while managing shipping costs.
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Customer rewards
Encourage newsletter sign-ups, loyalty program memberships, or account creation by giving free shipping. This not only drives sales for the day but also builds long-term engagement.
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Shopify tools
Use apps to create a free shipping bar, track progress, and display how close shoppers are to unlocking free shipping. This visual cue motivates customers to add more items to their cart.
While offering free shipping is attractive, Shopify brands also need to manage shipping costs effectively to maintain profitability.
Let’s understand how you can start with that.
Also read: 6+ Best Labor Day Marketing Ideas for Shopify Merchants
Managing Shipping Costs Effectively
Many Shopify merchants worry that free shipping will hurt profits. However, there are ways to balance customer satisfaction with business sustainability.
1. Covering the Costs Without Losing Profit
There are several strategies to balance customer satisfaction with profitability:
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Calculate profit margins
Before launching free shipping, determine how much you can afford to absorb in shipping costs. Include the cost of goods sold (COGS), operating expenses, and shipping fees. You can use the Shopify profit margin calculator to run the numbers.
For instance, if a product costs $20 to make and sells for $30, that equals a 50% markup. You can slightly adjust product prices to include shipping costs without making products too expensive for customers.
Calculate your profit margins with Shopify’s free calculator.
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Limit free shipping strategically
Not all products or regions may be feasible for free shipping. Consider offering it only on certain items, lighter products, or within specific geographic areas to reduce shipping expenses.
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Negotiate carrier discounts
Work with shipping carriers like USPS, DHL, or UPS to secure reduced rates. Many carriers offer bulk or Shopify-specific discounts that can help offset the cost of free shipping.
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Offer alternatives
Options like curbside pickup, local delivery, or in-store pickup allow customers to avoid shipping fees while still enjoying convenience. These options can also enhance the shopping experience and reduce fulfillment costs.
2. Balancing Free vs. Fast Shipping
While most customers prioritize free shipping over speed, some need same day shipping or next day shipping. Offering expedited shipping for an additional fee allows you to:
- Cater to shoppers who need their orders quickly without losing revenue.
- Maintain a balance between cost-effective shipping and premium delivery options.
- Enhance the customer experience by providing choice and convenience.
This approach ensures both casual buyers and urgent shoppers are satisfied, helping to build long-term repeat customers and improve overall conversion rates.
Once shipping logistics are planned, it’s time to think about long-term benefits and how to make National Free Shipping Day a repeatable success.
Click here to read: 7+ Brands That Nailed Singles’ Day (And What Shopify Stores Can Learn)
Maximizing National Free Shipping Day for Long-Term Growth
National Free Shipping Day can do more than drive one-day sales. When executed strategically, it can create loyal customers, increase average order value (AOV), and strengthen your Shopify brand for the long term.
1. Turning a One-Day Event into Ongoing Revenue
- Collect customer information during the event, such as email addresses, to engage shoppers in future marketing campaigns.
- Encourage repeat purchases with follow-up discount codes, loyalty rewards, or special offers for returning customers.
- Analyze performance metrics like conversion rates, traffic sources, and AOV to identify what worked well and optimize future campaigns.
2. Strengthening Your Shopify Brand Reputation
A smooth free shipping experience builds trust and satisfaction among shoppers.
Positive experiences encourage customer loyalty and repeat business, increasing lifetime value for your customer base.
After the event, tracking key performance metrics and analyzing customer behavior helps Shopify brands refine strategies, ensuring each National Free Shipping Day drives more value than the last.
Metrics to Track National Free Shipping Day Success
Retailers offering free shipping experience 20% higher conversion rates. Therefore, it is crucial to track the metrics to measure the impact of Free Shipping Day and identify opportunities for improvement. Shopify brands can learn a lot from analyzing data during this one-day event:
1. Number of new and repeat customers
Determine how many first-time shoppers your National Free Shipping Day attracted and how many existing customers returned. This helps assess the event’s effectiveness in expanding your customer base and strengthening loyalty.
2. Conversion rates compared to regular days
Measure how many visitors completed purchases during National Free Shipping Day versus typical days. A significant increase shows that free shipping effectively motivates shoppers to finalize orders.
3. Average order value (AOV)
Track how much customers spend on average. Free shipping thresholds often encourage shoppers to add more items to reach the minimum purchase requirement, boosting AOV.
4. Reduction in shopping cart abandonment
Extra shipping costs are a leading cause of abandoned carts. Monitoring cart abandonment rates during Free Shipping Day indicates how much removing shipping fees encourages shoppers to complete their orders.
5. Engagement on social media campaigns (#FreeShippingDay)
Measure likes, shares, comments, and hashtag usage to understand how well your National Free Shipping Day promotions resonated with your audience. High engagement often translates into increased traffic and sales.
By carefully reviewing these metrics, Shopify merchants can determine the ROI of Free Shipping Day, identify trends, and refine strategies for future promotions.
Tools and Apps for Shopify Brands to Maximize National Free Shipping Day
Leveraging the right tools and apps ensures your Free Shipping Day runs smoothly and drives maximum results:
1. Shopify’s built-in free shipping setup
Easily create automatic or conditional free shipping rates for your store. This ensures customers see the benefit without extra steps at checkout.
2. Apps for discount codes, countdown timers, and flash sale campaigns
Tools like Fomo, Privy, or Bold Discounts can create urgency and excitement, encouraging more shoppers to take advantage of National Free Shipping Day offers.
3. Email marketing tools
Automate targeted campaigns to inform customers about National Free Shipping Day, send reminders, and follow up post-event. Email remains one of the most effective ways to drive traffic to your Shopify store.
4. Analytics tools
Monitor real-time traffic, orders, and conversion rates during the event. Platforms like Google Analytics or Shopify Analytics help track the effectiveness of your campaigns and identify high-performing products.
Using these tools, Shopify brands can manage National Free Shipping Day efficiently, reduce operational errors, and create a seamless shopping experience that delights customers while maximizing sales.
Conclusion
National Free Shipping Day is more than a one-day promotion; it’s a chance for Shopify brands to boost sales and build long-term customer loyalty. Careful planning, targeted marketing, and smooth fulfillment can turn this single day into a major growth opportunity.
Success comes from using email campaigns, social media, optimized product pages, and smart shipping options to attract new customers, increase average order value (AOV), and reduce cart abandonment. Well-executed National Free Shipping Day campaigns build trust, improve customer experience, and encourage repeat purchases.
With Mastroke’s Shopify marketing expertise, you can drive targeted traffic, optimize your store for higher conversions, and create campaigns that grow your customer base.
Start preparing your Shopify store for National Free Shipping Day with Mastroke and turn one day into months of sales and loyal customers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Free Shipping Day, and when is it in 2025?
Free Shipping Day is a one-day event where Shopify stores remove shipping fees. In 2025, it falls on Sunday, December 14th.
2. Do I need to offer free shipping on all products?
No. You can offer free shipping on select products or categories to attract shoppers while keeping costs under control.
3. Why is there free shipping?
Free shipping is offered to reduce cart abandonment, attract more customers, and increase sales and average order value.
4. When should I offer free shipping?
Offer free shipping during special promotions, holidays, or milestone events, such as Free Shipping Day, to maximize traffic and conversions.
5. What is the cheapest way to ship a package?
Using discounted carrier rates, bulk shipping, or fulfillment services like Shopify Shipping can lower costs while maintaining fast delivery.
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