WooCommerce Advanced Shipping is a plugin for WooCommerce, the popular eCommerce platform for WordPress, that provides advanced shipping options for your online store. It allows store owners to set up more customized shipping methods, rules, and rates, beyond the basic options provided by WooCommerce. This plugin is particularly useful for stores with complex shipping requirements, multiple shipping zones, or specific conditions for different products or customer groups.

Key Features of WooCommerce Advanced Shipping:

1. Custom Shipping Rules:
   • Set custom shipping rates based on various conditions such as product weight, price, quantity, or even specific product categories.
   • For example, you can set shipping rates that differ based on whether a customer buys from a specific category (e.g., "Free shipping on all electronics") or based on the weight of the cart.
2. Shipping Zone Customization:
   • Create specific shipping zones for different geographical locations (e.g., countries, states, or cities). This allows you to offer different shipping rates based on the customer’s location.
   • You can define zones and then set different shipping methods for each zone, such as flat rate, free shipping, or more complex calculations.
3. Complex Condition Logic:
   • The plugin allows you to use multiple conditionals to apply shipping rules. You can combine multiple conditions to create highly customized shipping options.
   • Conditions can include:
     • Cart value (e.g., free shipping over $100).
     • Shipping class (e.g., specific products like fragile items could have a different shipping cost).
     • Product weight or dimensions.
     • Product category or tag (e.g., different shipping rules for different types of products).
     • Cart item quantity (e.g., offer discounts for bulk purchases).
     • User role (e.g., different rates for wholesale customers).
     • Coupon code (e.g., apply a specific shipping method if a coupon is used).
     • Shipping address (e.g., different rates based on shipping address or postal code).
4. Multiple Shipping Methods:
   • You can define multiple shipping methods within a single zone or use a combination of shipping methods like Flat Rate, Free Shipping, and even Table Rate Shipping.
   • Create shipping methods such as standard shipping, express shipping, pickup, or local delivery.
5. Flexible Calculation Methods:
   • The plugin allows you to calculate shipping costs in several different ways:
     • Flat rate shipping: Charge a set rate for shipping, regardless of cart contents.
     • Per-item rate: Charge shipping based on the number of items in the cart.
     • Weight-based rates: Charge based on the total weight of the cart.
     • Price-based rates: Calculate shipping based on the total price of the cart.
     • Custom formula: Define your own custom formula for calculating shipping rates.
6. Conditional Shipping Costs:
   • You can add conditions for shipping costs. For instance, offer a discount on shipping when a customer purchases over a certain threshold or applies a specific coupon code.
   • Set minimum or maximum limits for shipping charges to control how much customers are charged for shipping under specific conditions.
7. Dynamic Shipping Display:
   • Display dynamic shipping options to customers at checkout, based on the conditions you've defined (e.g., show only eligible shipping methods based on cart contents or shipping address).
8. Shipping Method Prioritization:
   • You can prioritize shipping methods and display them in a specific order on the checkout page. This allows you to offer the most favorable shipping options first, such as free shipping or discounted rates.
9. Real-Time Shipping Quotes:
   • If you're integrating with a shipping carrier API (such as UPS, FedEx, or USPS), you can show real-time shipping quotes based on the customer's location, product dimensions, and weight.
10. Discounted or Free Shipping:
    • You can offer free shipping or discounted rates under specific conditions, such as cart totals exceeding a certain amount, a specific coupon code, or membership in a loyalty program.
11. Multiple Payment Gateways Integration:
    • The plugin works well with other payment methods, meaning you can combine specific payment gateways with different shipping rules, such as free shipping for PayPal transactions or discounts when a specific credit card is used.
12. Shipping Method Visibility Control:
    • You can hide or show shipping methods based on customer information, such as their shipping country, state, or postcode.
    • This feature is useful when you offer specific shipping options only to certain countries or regions.
13. Reporting and Logs:
    • Track shipping performance and make adjustments based on customer behavior or shipping costs.
    • You can analyze which shipping methods are used the most, helping you to optimize costs and processes.

Common Use Cases for WooCommerce Advanced Shipping:

1. Flat Rate Shipping for Multiple Zones:
   • You can create multiple shipping zones with flat rates based on location. For example, flat rate shipping for the U.S. and Canada, and a different flat rate for international orders.
2. Discounted Shipping for Bulk Orders:
   • Offer discounted or free shipping when the total cart value exceeds a certain amount. For example, free shipping for orders over $100, or a 10% discount on shipping for orders over $50.
3. Custom Shipping for Specific Products:
   • Charge different shipping rates for different product categories. For example, charge a higher shipping fee for large or fragile items (like furniture or electronics) and a lower fee for smaller items like books or accessories.
4. Weight-Based Shipping:
   • Set up a shipping calculator based on the total weight of the items in the cart. For instance, charge a flat fee for the first 5 kg, then a progressive fee for every additional kilogram.
5. Express vs. Standard Shipping:
   • Offer multiple shipping methods like standard shipping and express shipping. Set conditions for when each option is available, like offering express shipping only for specific products or for orders above a certain price.
6. Local Delivery:
   • Offer local delivery for customers in specific regions, with a special rate or free delivery for local customers within a defined postal code or radius.
7. Shipping by Product Quantity:
   • Offer discounted shipping for customers who purchase multiple items. For example, “Free shipping when you buy 3 or more items.”

How to Set Up WooCommerce Advanced Shipping:

1. Install and Activate the Plugin:
   • Purchase and install the WooCommerce Advanced Shipping plugin. It can be installed directly from the WordPress admin panel under Plugins > Add New, or by uploading the plugin files.
2. Configure Shipping Zones:
   • Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping and set up your shipping zones based on location.
3. Create Shipping Methods:
   • For each zone, create one or more shipping methods. You can choose from flat rates, table rates, or other custom shipping calculations.
4. Define Conditions and Rules:
   • Use the Advanced Shipping conditions to set up complex rules. For example:
     • Cart subtotal greater than a specific amount.
     • Product weight above a certain threshold.
     • Apply free shipping to specific shipping classes or categories.
5. Test Your Settings:
   • Before going live, test your shipping settings thoroughly. Place test orders to ensure that the shipping methods are being calculated correctly based on your rules.
6. Review Shipping Performance:
   • After your store is live, monitor the shipping methods and adjust them as necessary to optimize shipping costs and customer experience.

Conclusion:

WooCommerce Advanced Shipping is an incredibly flexible and powerful tool for store owners who need more control over how shipping is handled. Whether you’re offering discounts, handling complex shipping zones, or calculating shipping rates based on product weight or customer location, this plugin provides the functionality to create a highly customized shipping setup for your WooCommerce store. It helps you optimize the shipping experience for both the store owner and the customer, potentially increasing conversions and improving customer satisfaction.