When one flat rate does not fit everything.
WHY USE THEM
A ring and a mattress cost different amounts to deliver. Shipping classes let one flat rate method charge differently by product type.
SETTING THEM UP
- WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping > Shipping classes. Create classes such as Small, Bulky, Fragile.
- Assign each product to a class on its Shipping tab.
- In the flat rate method for each zone, set a cost per class, and a cost for items with no class.
CALCULATION TYPE
Per class: charges once per class present in the cart
Per order: charges only the most expensive class
Per order is usually fairer to the customer and simpler to explain.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Keep the number of classes small. Three or four is manageable; twelve is not. Review the rates against what delivery actually costs you, and adjust. Under-charging on delivery quietly erodes margin on every order. Say what delivery costs before checkout. Unexpected shipping charges at the final step are the most common reason carts are abandoned.
