WHAT IS IT?
A Free Shipping / Cart Incentives campaign automatically discounts or eliminates shipping costs when a customer meets a condition, such as spending a certain amount, reaching a minimum item quantity, or being a first-time buyer. It applies to all delivery options at checkout.
An optional progress bar widget can be shown in the cart to motivate customers:
"Add $20.01 more for free shipping!"
SHIPPING OFFER TYPES
Free shipping over threshold: Spend $X → all shipping rates become $0
Tiered shipping discounts: Multiple discount levels (e.g., 50% off at $30, free at $60)
Free shipping on first order: New customers (0 prior orders) get free shipping automatically
Discount code shipping: Customer enters a code at checkout to get the discount
WHEN USE IT
- Increase average order value → Free over threshold ($50, $75, $100)
- Reduce cart abandonment → Show a progress bar widget
- Reward new customers → Free first order
- VIP shipping perk → Custom rule restricted to a customer segment
- Seasonal promotion → Free shipping with a discount code
STEP BY STEP: CREATE A FREE SHIPPING CAMPAIGN
Scenario used in this guide:
Goal: Free shipping for customers who spend $50 or more, with a progress bar widget.
Step 1: Go to Create Campaign
From the Discount Prime sidebar, click Campaigns → Create Campaign.
Step 2: Choose Campaign Type
Click the Free Shipping / Cart Incentives card.
Step 3: Pick a Scenario (Optional)
- Free shipping over $50 → pre-fills: Min spend = $50, Discount = Free (100%)
- VIP free shipping → pre-fills: Free first order, customer segment mode
Step 4: Name Your Campaign
Enter a name like: Free Shipping, Orders Over $50
Step 5: Choose the Offer Type
Select Free shipping over threshold.
Step 6: Set the Discount
- Discount type: Free Shipping (100%), Percentage off, or Fixed amount off
- Discount value: 100% for fully free shipping
Step 7: Set the Minimum Requirement
- Minimum type: Amount ($) or Quantity (items)
- Minimum value: e.g. $50.00
Step 8: Choose Delivery Method
Automatic (recommended): shipping discount applies silently at checkout, no code needed.
Discount code: The customer must enter a code.
If choosing a code:
- Letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores only
- No spaces allowed (use FREESHIP, not FREE SHIP)
- Minimum 3 characters
Step 9: Enable the Progress Bar Widget (Recommended)
Toggle Enable progress bar widget ON.
This shows a bar in the cart telling customers how close they are to free shipping.
Options:
- Show on product page: widget also appears on product detail pages
Step 10: Customer Eligibility (Optional)
Restrict to all customers, specific segments, specific tags, or customers with a purchase history condition (e.g., more than 2 prior orders).
Step 11: Countries (Optional)
Apply to all countries or select specific countries.
Enable Exclude remote zones if you don't want to cover expensive remote shipping areas.
Step 12: Combination Setting
Choose whether this shipping discount can be combined with product or order discounts.
Step 13: Save the Campaign
STEP-BY-STEP: VERIFY THE CAMPAIGN WORKS
Test scenario:
Campaign: Free shipping when spending $50+
Store shipping rates: Standard $8.99, Express $18.99
Verification:
Cart $29.99 → Standard $8.99, Express $18.99 (not discounted)
Cart $49.99 → Standard $8.99, Express $18.99 (1 cent below threshold still NOT free)
Cart $64.98 → Standard $0.00, Express $0.00 (free!)
Step 1: Add Below Threshold
Add items totaling $29.99. Go to checkout. Confirm shipping rates are not discounted.
Step 2: Check the Progress Bar
Return to the cart. The widget should show:
"Add $20.01 more for free shipping."
The bar should be at approximately 60%.
Step 3: Cross the Threshold
Add items until the total reaches $64.98. The widget should update to:
"Free shipping unlocked!"
Go to checkout, both Standard and Express should show $0.00.
Step 4: Test the Exact Boundary
Add items totaling exactly $50.00 → should qualify (>= $50).
Add items to $49.99 → should NOT qualify.
Step 5: Verify Widget on Product Page
If the Show on product page was enabled, navigate to a product detail page and confirm the widget appears near the Add to Cart button.
Step 6: Verify Widget Does Not Appear on Home or Collection Pages
Navigate to your home page and a collection page. The widget should NOT appear there.
TIPS & COMMON MISTAKES
$49.99 does NOT qualify for a $50 threshold: The comparison is strict; the subtotal must be $50.00 or more. Be clear in your widget messaging.
Execution order matters when combining: With the AFTER mode, a product discount that reduces the cart below $50 would also lose the free shipping.
Automatic is almost always better than a discount code: Customers won't benefit from code mode unless they remember to enter the code at checkout.
Remote zones: Some carriers charge significantly more for remote areas. Enable Exclude remote zones to avoid absorbing that cost.