How to Add Local Pickup to Shopify: A Complete Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting Up Local Pickup in Shopify
3. Enhancing Customer Experience
4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
5. Real-Life Examples and Use Cases
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine your customer is excited about purchasing a product from your online store, but they need it immediately and can't wait for delivery. What if you could provide them with the option to pick up their order from your store? This not only enhances their shopping experience but also drives more traffic to your physical store. In today's competitive market, offering local pickup options can be a game-changer for both you and your customers. This blog post will walk you through the steps to add local pickup to your Shopify store, ensuring a seamless process for both you and your customers.

By the end of this guide, you'll learn how to:

1. Set up local pickup for your Shopify store.
2. Customize pickup instructions and notifications.
3. Manage orders and updates in real-time.

This post stands out because it not only covers the essential steps but dives into various angles, including customization options, troubleshooting common issues, and providing practical examples.

Setting Up Local Pickup in Shopify

Setting up Shopify to offer local pickup involves several steps to ensure it operates smoothly and your customers are well-informed throughout the process.

Step 1: Enable Local Pickup

To get started, you need to activate the local pickup option in your Shopify admin panel:

1. Navigate to Settings > Shipping and delivery.
2. In the "Pickup in store" section, click Set up or the › icon next to the location you want to enable.
3. Select This location offers in-store pickup.
4. Add expected pickup times and any specific pickup instructions.

Step 2: Manage Locations

If your business operates in multiple locations, ensure each store's settings are appropriately configured:

1. Go to Settings > Locations.
2. Check that each location where you want to offer pickup is listed.
3. Enable local pickup for each relevant location by following the steps above.

Step 3: Display Pickup Availability

Make it clear to your customers that in-store pickup is available. You can do this by:

1. Customizing your theme to show pickup availability. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes > Customize.
2. Add a "Pickup availability" section on product pages.

This feature is available for several Shopify themes, including Dawn and others available in the Shopify Theme Store.

Enhancing Customer Experience

Step 4: Customize Notifications

Customize the notifications that alert customers when their order is ready for pickup. This helps in setting clear expectations and provides instructions specific to your processes.

1. Navigate to Settings > Notifications.
2. Edit the Ready for local pickup notification to include specific details and any relevant instructions.

Step 5: Prepare and Mark Orders as Picked Up

Efficiently managing pickup orders is crucial. Here's how you can streamline this process:

1. When an order is placed, verify stock levels and prepare the items.
2. Notify the customer through the customized notification.
3. Once the customer picks up their order, go to the order in Shopify admin and mark it as fulfilled.

Using Shopify POS can further simplify this process. It allows you to manage inventory and update the order status directly from your point-of-sale system.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Supported Checkouts and Accelerated Payment Methods

Be aware that not all checkout methods support local pickup. Methods like Google Pay or Apple Pay might not give the customer the option to select local pickup. Encourage customers to use the normal checkout process to benefit from pickup options.

Handling Mixed Orders

Shopify currently doesn't split orders into shipping and pickup categories. If a customer places an order with both shippable and non-shippable (pickup-only) items, they'll have to place separate orders. Make this clear on your product pages and during the checkout process to avoid confusion.

Setting Restrictions for Certain Products

Some products may be too bulky, fragile, or restricted to ship. To set these as pickup-only:

1. Create a new shipping profile for these products under Settings > Shipping and delivery.
2. Ensure the profile does not include any shipping zones.
3. Make a note on the product page to inform customers about the pickup-only restriction.

Real-Life Examples and Use Cases

Example 1: Local Bakery

A local bakery offers fresh products that customers prefer to pick up the same day. By enabling local pickup, they allow customers to place an order in the morning and collect it during their lunch break. This increases daily sales and reduces shipping costs.

Example 2: Furniture Store

For a furniture store dealing with large pieces, offering local pickup is a practical solution. Customers can select pickup for items that are too bulky or fragile to ship. Each product page clearly states that the item is available for pickup only, ensuring transparency.

Conclusion

Adding local pickup to your Shopify store can expand your customer service options, enhance the shopping experience, and drive more traffic to your physical locations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a seamless and efficient pickup process for your customers.

To summarize:

• Setup: Enable local pickup in your Shopify settings and manage locations.
• Customization: Provide clear pickup instructions and customize notifications.
• Management: Efficiently handle the preparation and pickup process with real-time updates.

Whether you're a small business or a large retailer, local pickup can offer significant benefits. Start setting it up on your Shopify store today and enjoy the advantages it brings to both you and your customers.

FAQ

1. Can I offer local pickup and shipping simultaneously?

Yes, but customers will need to place separate orders for items that need shipping and items they wish to pick up.

2. How do I handle sales tax for pickup orders?

Sales tax for pickup orders is based on the location where the order is picked up. Ensure your tax settings reflect this to avoid discrepancies.

3. Can I customize the email notifications for pickup orders?

Yes, you can customize the Ready for local pickup and Order confirmation notifications in the Shopify admin panel under Settings > Notifications.

4. Is local pickup available for all Shopify plans?

Local pickup is available to all Shopify plans, but some features like push notifications might require Shopify POS Pro.

5. How do I inform customers about the pickup availability of products?

Customize your theme to show pickup availability directly on the product page. This helps customers know if an item is eligible for pickup before they add it to their cart.

Implementing local pickup on your Shopify store is straightforward and offers numerous benefits. Start today to enhance your customer's shopping experience and streamline your order fulfillment process.