Free shipping is a powerful tool for attracting buyers on Depop, a popular social shopping app for vintage and unique fashion items. For UK-based sellers, understanding how to implement free shipping effectively can boost sales and increase order values. The provided source material outlines several methods for sellers to offer free shipping, along with important considerations for managing costs and buyer expectations. This article details the available options, step-by-step setup instructions, and strategic advice based exclusively on the information from the source documents.
What Free Shipping Means on Depop
On Depop, the term "seller covers shipping" means the seller pays for the delivery cost, not the buyer. Whether shipping is free is entirely the seller's choice. When a seller enables the free shipping feature, a "Free shipping" badge appears next to the item's price in search results and listings, which can help attract more potential buyers. The platform does not automatically apply a "free shipping over a certain amount" rule; sellers must implement this manually.
How to Set Up Free Shipping on Depop
Sellers can enable free shipping through the Depop app or on a desktop. The process involves adjusting settings to make the seller responsible for the shipping cost.
Using the Bundle Discount Feature
One method is to use Depop's bundle discount setting, if available in the seller's region. This allows sellers to offer a percentage discount on purchases of two or more items, which can be calibrated to cover the cost of a shipping label. The discount should be set so that it roughly covers the label cost, enabling free shipping without changing the price of every individual item.
When creating bundles, it is advisable to keep the total weight within the same shipping tier (e.g., "xxs" or "xs" on Depop) where possible. For example, two t-shirts often remain in a light tier, while a t-shirt plus a heavier hoodie may push the bundle into a higher weight category, increasing the shipping cost.
Adding Free Shipping to Listings
Sellers can also add clear copy to their shop bio and the first line of their listings to advertise free shipping on bundles. For instance, stating "Free shipping on 2+ items" or "Free shipping on bundles over £40" helps set buyer expectations and can lead to quicker sales.
Private Offers and Custom Listings
For transactions that occur through messaging, sellers can send a private offer that removes the shipping cost by lowering the item price by the amount of the shipping label. Alternatively, sellers can create a custom "Bundle for @username" listing where the price is the sum of the items and the seller covers the shipping. A simple collage photo can be used for this listing.
Post-Sale Shipping Refund
If a seller cannot edit the price after a listing is created, they can complete the sale and then refund the shipping label amount through the payment method, provided this is allowed by the payment processor. It is crucial to keep clear screenshots of the agreement in the chat with the buyer as a record of the arrangement.
Strategic Considerations for Offering Free Shipping
To protect profit margins and ensure a positive experience, sellers should apply several strategic rules when offering free shipping.
Weight and Category Management
It is recommended to exclude heavy, oversized, or fragile items from free shipping promotions. Free shipping is best suited for lighter items such as t-shirts, light tops, and small accessories. This helps control costs and reduces the risk of loss on bulky shipments.
Timing and Testing
Sellers should consider running free shipping promotions for limited periods, such as a 48-hour weekend test. After the promotion, sellers should review the results to see if it increased orders and average order value. Only continue with strategies that demonstrably lift conversion rates.
Setting Clear Terms
Sellers should list the free shipping rules in plain text within their shop bio. Examples include "Free shipping on 2+ tees but hoodies excluded" or "Free shipping on domestic shipments only." This transparency helps manage buyer expectations and reduces potential disputes.
Domestic vs. International Shipping
The source material advises that sellers should only allow free shipping for domestic shipments initially. International shipping involves volatile rates and higher risks. If offering free shipping internationally, sellers may need to increase the bundle threshold to cover the higher costs or consider using paid shipping for those orders.
Cost Calculation
Before launching any free shipping promotion, sellers are advised to re-calculate their label costs, profit margins, and final prices. This ensures that the promotion remains financially healthy and does not erode profits.
Payment and Shipping Integration
Depop offers multiple payment options, including Depop Payments and PayPal, which work seamlessly with all shipping methods. Sellers can choose to offer free shipping regardless of their payment setup. For those who prefer not to use PayPal, Depop Payments allows direct payment to a bank account. To set this up, sellers must verify their identity and add bank details in their seller settings. Payments are released by Depop once the item is shipped and tracking is updated.
International Shipping on Depop
Sellers looking to reach a global audience can enable international shipping when listing an item. However, due to the complexities and costs involved, the source material suggests starting with domestic free shipping only. For international sales, sellers should compare rates from various carriers if they choose to ship independently, though Depop’s built-in label system is also an option.
Conclusion
Offering free shipping on Depop is a strategic choice that can increase buyer interest and sales volume. Sellers have several methods to implement this, including using bundle discounts, private offers, custom listings, and post-sale refunds. The key to success lies in careful planning: setting clear rules, managing weight categories, testing promotions, and consistently calculating costs to maintain healthy profit margins. By following the guidelines outlined in the source material, UK-based Depop sellers can effectively use free shipping as a tool to grow their business on the platform.