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
Table of Contents
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:
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.
Showing "Order within 2 hours for delivery by Friday" creates healthy urgency that encourages immediate purchases without being pushy.
Customers know exactly when to expect their order, reducing anxiety and support tickets asking "where's my order?"
Choose Your Implementation Method
Free
Pros:
- Full control
- No monthly fees
- Customizable
Cons:
- Requires coding
- Manual updates
- No carrier integration
Best for: Stores with consistent shipping times
$5-50/month
Pros:
- Quick setup
- Carrier integration
- Advanced features
Cons:
- Monthly fees
- Limited customization
- App dependencies
Best for: Stores wanting plug-and-play solution
Free
Pros:
- No coding
- Built-in support
- Easy to manage
Cons:
- Limited themes
- Basic functionality
- Less flexible
Best for: Stores using compatible themes
Step-by-Step Implementation Guide
Create a new file in your theme: assets/delivery-date.js
// Estimated Delivery Date Calculator for Shopify
function calculateDeliveryDate() {
// Configuration
const processingDays = 1; // Days to process order
const shippingDays = {
'standard': 5,
'express': 2,
'overnight': 1
};
// Get current date
const today = new Date();
let deliveryDate = new Date(today);
// Add processing time
deliveryDate.setDate(deliveryDate.getDate() + processingDays);
// Skip weekends
let daysAdded = 0;
let totalDays = processingDays + shippingDays['standard'];
while (daysAdded < totalDays) {
deliveryDate.setDate(deliveryDate.getDate() + 1);
if (deliveryDate.getDay() !== 0 && deliveryDate.getDay() !== 6) {
daysAdded++;
}
}
// Format date
const options = { weekday: 'long', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' };
return deliveryDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', options);
}
// Display on product page
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
const deliveryDate = calculateDeliveryDate();
const deliveryElement = document.querySelector('.delivery-date');
if (deliveryElement) {
deliveryElement.innerHTML = `
<div class="estimated-delivery">
<svg class="delivery-icon" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2">
<rect x="3" y="4" width="18" height="18" rx="2" ry="2"></rect>
<line x1="16" y1="2" x2="16" y2="6"></line>
<line x1="8" y1="2" x2="8" y2="6"></line>
<line x1="3" y1="10" x2="21" y2="10"></line>
</svg>
<span>Estimated delivery: <strong>${deliveryDate}</strong></span>
</div>
`;
}
});
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:
- Real-time calculation
- Multiple shipping methods
- Geo-location
- Calendar picker
- Cutoff times
- Holiday management
- Countdown timer
- Urgency messaging
- A/B testing
Best Practices for Delivery Dates
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.
Your delivery calculator should skip weekends and major holidays. Consider maintaining a holiday calendar that's updated annually to ensure accuracy year-round.
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.
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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