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Shopify Tutorial
10 min read

How to Add Estimated Delivery Date to Shopify Store

Boost conversions by 15% with clear delivery expectations. Learn how to add estimated delivery dates to your Shopify store with code examples and best practices.

+15%

Clear delivery expectations reduce cart abandonment

87%

Of shoppers want to know delivery dates before buying

-30%

Fewer 'where's my order' customer inquiries

Why Add Estimated Delivery Dates to Shopify?

Adding estimated delivery dates to your Shopify store is one of the most effective ways to increase conversions and reduce cart abandonment. Here's why it matters:

Reduces Cart Abandonment

44% of online shoppers abandon their carts due to concerns about delivery timing. Clear delivery dates address this concern directly, keeping customers in the purchase flow.

Creates Urgency

Showing "Order within 2 hours for delivery by Friday" creates healthy urgency that encourages immediate purchases without being pushy.

Sets Clear Expectations

Customers know exactly when to expect their order, reducing anxiety and support tickets asking "where's my order?"

Choose Your Implementation Method

Custom Code
Medium

Free

Pros:

  • Full control
  • No monthly fees
  • Customizable

Cons:

  • Requires coding
  • Manual updates
  • No carrier integration

Best for: Stores with consistent shipping times

Shopify Apps
Easy

$5-50/month

Pros:

  • Quick setup
  • Carrier integration
  • Advanced features

Cons:

  • Monthly fees
  • Limited customization
  • App dependencies

Best for: Stores wanting plug-and-play solution

Theme Settings
Easy

Free

Pros:

  • No coding
  • Built-in support
  • Easy to manage

Cons:

  • Limited themes
  • Basic functionality
  • Less flexible

Best for: Stores using compatible themes

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

Step 1: Add JavaScript Code

Create a new file in your theme: assets/delivery-date.js

// Estimated Delivery Date Calculator for Shopify
function calculateDeliveryDate() {
  // Configuration
  const processingDays = 1; // Days to process order
  const shippingDays = {
    'standard': 5,
    'express': 2,
    'overnight': 1
  };
  
  // Get current date
  const today = new Date();
  let deliveryDate = new Date(today);
  
  // Add processing time
  deliveryDate.setDate(deliveryDate.getDate() + processingDays);
  
  // Skip weekends
  let daysAdded = 0;
  let totalDays = processingDays + shippingDays['standard'];
  
  while (daysAdded < totalDays) {
    deliveryDate.setDate(deliveryDate.getDate() + 1);
    if (deliveryDate.getDay() !== 0 && deliveryDate.getDay() !== 6) {
      daysAdded++;
    }
  }
  
  // Format date
  const options = { weekday: 'long', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' };
  return deliveryDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', options);
}

// Display on product page
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
  const deliveryDate = calculateDeliveryDate();
  const deliveryElement = document.querySelector('.delivery-date');
  
  if (deliveryElement) {
    deliveryElement.innerHTML = `
      <div class="estimated-delivery">
        <svg class="delivery-icon" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
          <rect x="3" y="4" width="18" height="18" rx="2" ry="2"></rect>
          <line x1="16" y1="2" x2="16" y2="6"></line>
          <line x1="8" y1="2" x2="8" y2="6"></line>
          <line x1="3" y1="10" x2="21" y2="10"></line>
        </svg>
        <span>Estimated delivery: <strong>${deliveryDate}</strong></span>
      </div>
    `;
  }
});
Step 2: Include in Theme

Add to your theme's layout/theme.liquid before closing </head> tag:

{{ 'delivery-date.js' | asset_url | script_tag }}

Recommended Shopify Apps

If you prefer a no-code solution, these apps offer excellent delivery date features:

Estimated Delivery Date
4.9Free - $9.99/mo
  • Real-time calculation
  • Multiple shipping methods
  • Geo-location
Order Delivery Date
4.8$14.99/mo
  • Calendar picker
  • Cutoff times
  • Holiday management
Delivery Timer
4.7$7.99/mo
  • Countdown timer
  • Urgency messaging
  • A/B testing

Best Practices for Delivery Dates

Be Conservative with Estimates

Always add a buffer to your delivery estimates. It's better to under-promise and over-deliver. Customers are delighted when orders arrive early but frustrated when they're late.

Account for Holidays and Weekends

Your delivery calculator should skip weekends and major holidays. Consider maintaining a holiday calendar that's updated annually to ensure accuracy year-round.

Show Cutoff Times

Display order cutoff times like "Order within 2 hours for delivery by Friday" to create urgency and set clear expectations about when orders will be processed.

Differentiate Shipping Methods

If you offer multiple shipping options, show delivery dates for each method. This helps justify premium shipping costs and lets customers make informed decisions.

Need Help Implementing Delivery Dates?

Our Shopify development experts can implement custom delivery date features tailored to your specific shipping requirements.

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