Moving consumers from “browsing” to “buying” is one of the biggest challenges for e-commerce. Consumers like the convenience of shopping online, but not if they have to pay for shipping. Turns out that having to pay for shipping causes many shoppers to walk away. With average order values of around $128 in the US (Salesforce Commerce Cloud), GPB 117 in the UK (IRP Commerce) and Euro 282 (Wolfgang Digital), charging even $5 for shipping stops consumers from hitting the “Buy” button. Today, charging for shipping is the biggest deal breaker, according to several e-commerce studies. <img src="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Benefits-that-amazon-prime-members-value-most.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Benefits-that-amazon-prime-members-value-most.jpg 648w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Benefits-that-amazon-prime-members-value-most-300x122.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" width="648" height="264"> <h3>‘Free’ Works for Me</h3> Despite the hype about next day or even same-day shipping, consumers are willing to wait to receive their order in return for not paying shipping charges. Recent research has shown that 23% of consumers will wait 8 days or longer for delivery in order to get free shipping. Another 29% said they would wait 6-7 days for free shipping. (eFulfillment Service data) <img src="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping-1024x506.png" alt="" srcset="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping-1024x506.png 1024w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping-300x148.png 300w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping-768x379.png 768w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping-750x370.png 750w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping-1140x563.png 1140w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/how-long-will-consumers-wait-for-delivery-to-get-free-shipping.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" width="1024" height="506"> Price remains the top influencer (82%) in choosing one product over another. Next is shipping cost, with 70% of consumers rating it as “very important”. (Feedvisor survey) That’s where Amazon has a critical advantage with its Prime membership. Third party sellers on the site compete with each other driving down prices. Then Prime provides free 2-day shipping, on most orders - even very small orders. Sephora has capitalised on the pull of free shipping with its FLASH shipping membership. For a $15 membership fee customers get Free 2-business-day shipping, with no minimum purchase for an entire year. The site also offers free returns. <img src="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Improve-customer-experience.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Improve-customer-experience.jpg 648w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Improve-customer-experience-300x120.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" width="648" height="259"> Once people are used to something, it’s difficult to take it away from them. Amazon established standard with free shipping. The key is “free”. Consumers are willing to “wait” but are less willing to pay. <img src="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Shipping-method-most-often-chosen-by-online-shoppers.jpg" alt="" srcset="https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Shipping-method-most-often-chosen-by-online-shoppers.jpg 648w, https://insidefashionlive.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Shipping-method-most-often-chosen-by-online-shoppers-300x226.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 648px) 100vw, 648px" width="648" height="488">