How to Remove Taxes and Shipping Calculated at Checkout on Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Importance of Checkout Clarity
2. Accessing Your Theme Settings
3. Removing the Shipping and Tax Message
4. Customizing Shipping Information for Better User Experience
5. Best Practices for Checkout Optimization
6. Conclusion and FAQs

The checkout process is a critical moment in the customer journey, and any friction can lead to cart abandonment. Did you know that according to the Baymard Institute, unexpected costs at checkout are the leading cause of cart abandonment? It's true! In fact, about 27% of online shoppers leave their carts due to surprise fees, including taxes and shipping costs. This statistic highlights the importance of streamlining the checkout experience to foster customer trust and satisfaction.

For Shopify merchants, managing how taxes and shipping fees are presented during checkout can significantly impact conversion rates and overall customer satisfaction. Many merchants want to remove or customize the “Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout” message to create a smoother experience. In this blog post, we will explore how to remove this message, provide alternative options for displaying shipping information, and explain the implications of these changes.

By the end of this article, you will understand the step-by-step process to modify your Shopify store settings and theme to enhance your checkout experience. We will cover the following topics:

1. Understanding the Importance of Checkout Clarity
2. Accessing Your Theme Settings
3. Removing the Shipping and Tax Message
4. Customizing Shipping Information for Better User Experience
5. Best Practices for Checkout Optimization
6. Conclusion and FAQs

Let’s dive in!

Understanding the Importance of Checkout Clarity

The checkout stage is the final step in the purchasing process, where you convert a potential buyer into a customer. Many factors influence a customer's decision to complete their purchase, and one of the most significant is the clarity of pricing. A confusing or cluttered checkout page can lead to frustration, prompting customers to abandon their carts.

When customers see unexpected costs, such as taxes and shipping fees, it can create doubt about the total cost of their order. Removing the phrase “Shipping calculated at checkout” can help eliminate this confusion and provide a cleaner, more straightforward checkout experience. As merchants, we must prioritize transparency and make the purchasing process as seamless as possible.

Additionally, understanding how shipping and taxes are calculated can lead to better customer satisfaction. By providing flat-rate shipping or free shipping thresholds, we can create a more predictable experience for our customers. In turn, this can lead to increased trust in our brand and higher conversion rates.

Accessing Your Theme Settings

To remove the “Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout” message, we first need to access the theme settings in your Shopify store. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Log into Your Shopify Admin Panel: Navigate to your Shopify admin dashboard.
2. Go to Online Store: Click on "Online Store" in the left-hand menu.
3. Select Themes: Locate your current theme under "Themes."
4. Edit Code or Edit Languages: Depending on how you prefer to make your changes, you can either edit the code directly or adjust the language settings.

For most merchants, using the language editor is the simplest approach. However, if you need deeper customization, accessing the theme code may be necessary.

Removing the Shipping and Tax Message

Method 1: Using the Language Editor

1. Access Theme Language Settings: Click on the three dots next to your active theme and select “Edit Languages.”
2. Search for the Phrase: In the search bar, type “calculated at checkout.” This will help you locate all instances where this phrase appears in your theme.
3. Edit the Text: You will see the field that contains the “Taxes and shipping collected at checkout” text. You can either delete this text or replace it with a custom message that suits your brand better.
4. Save Changes: Don’t forget to click the “Save” button to apply your modifications.

Method 2: Editing the Theme Code

If you prefer to remove the text directly from the theme code, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Code Editor: Go back to your theme settings and click on “Actions” next to your active theme, then select “Edit Code.”
2. Locate the Correct File: You will typically find this message within the product-template.liquid or cart.liquid file.
3. Search for the Phrase: Use the search functionality (Ctrl+F or Command+F) to locate the phrase “calculated at checkout.”
4. Remove the Code: Safely remove or comment out the line of code that generates this message.
5. Save Changes: After you have made the necessary changes, save the file.

Customizing Shipping Information for Better User Experience

Now that we have removed the “Shipping calculated at checkout” message, we can enhance the user experience by providing clearer shipping information. Here are a few tips on how to customize this aspect:

Offer Flat-Rate Shipping

Flat-rate shipping simplifies the decision-making process for customers. When they know the exact shipping cost upfront, they are less likely to abandon their carts. We can implement a flat-rate shipping option by navigating to the “Shipping” settings in the Shopify admin panel and adjusting the rates.

Highlight Free Shipping Offers

If you offer free shipping, make sure to prominently display this information on your product pages and throughout the checkout process. For example, you can add a banner stating, “Free shipping on orders over $50!” This creates an incentive for customers to increase their order size, ultimately benefiting your bottom line.

Adjust Checkout Settings

Shopify allows us to customize the checkout experience further by navigating to the “Checkout” settings in the admin panel. Here, we can adjust options such as displaying estimated shipping costs before checkout, which can help manage customer expectations.

Best Practices for Checkout Optimization

Enhancing the checkout experience goes beyond just removing the “Shipping calculated at checkout” message. Here are some best practices to ensure a seamless checkout process:

1. Minimize Steps: Aim to reduce the number of steps required to complete a purchase. Utilize a one-page checkout if possible.
2. Guest Checkout: Allow customers to check out as guests without the need to create an account, which can deter some users.
3. Mobile Optimization: Ensure that your checkout process is mobile-friendly, as many customers shop using their smartphones.
4. Trust Signals: Incorporate trust signals such as security badges, customer reviews, and guarantees to reassure customers during the checkout process.
5. Testing and Feedback: Regularly test your checkout process and solicit feedback from customers to identify areas for improvement.

By implementing these best practices, we can enhance customer satisfaction and encourage more conversions.

Conclusion and FAQs

In summary, removing the “Taxes and shipping calculated at checkout” message from your Shopify store can streamline the checkout process and reduce cart abandonment. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can enhance your customers' experience, build trust, and ultimately drive more sales.

FAQs

Q1: Can I completely remove taxes from my Shopify store? A1: While you can choose not to collect taxes in your store settings, it's essential to comply with local tax laws. Consult with a tax professional for guidance on your specific situation.

Q2: How can I offer free shipping? A2: You can set up free shipping by navigating to your shipping settings and creating a rate that applies to orders above a specific amount.

Q3: Will removing the shipping message affect my sales? A3: Removing the shipping message can potentially reduce cart abandonment by providing a cleaner and clearer checkout experience, which may lead to increased sales.

Q4: How often should I review my checkout process? A4: Regularly review your checkout process, at least quarterly, to ensure it aligns with best practices and meets customer expectations.

Q5: What if I encounter issues while editing my theme? A5: If you face difficulties, consider reaching out to Shopify support or hiring a professional developer for assistance.

By taking these steps, we can create a more efficient checkout process that not only boosts our conversion rates but also fosters lasting customer relationships. If you want to take your shipping protection to the next level, explore how ShipAid can help safeguard every package while turning potential losses into profits. Together, we can ensure that every order is a revenue opportunity! For a deeper understanding of our solutions, check out our interactive demo and see how we empower ecommerce merchants like you.