Where to insert shipping fees?

[sleidia]

Hi guys :)

I'm currently designing a ecommerce site with custom shopping cart and all, and I'm hesitating on something : is it better to display the shipping fees options before the customer registers or after?

So we have

Option 1 : add to cart > recalculate cart with shiping fee > register > pay

Option 2 : add to cart > register > recalculate cart with shiping fee > pay

What's the best option?

Thanks!

[akmac]

Let them know the shipping cost early. The earlier the better. If your product allows-offer free shipping, with the shipping cost absorbed into the retail price.

[sleidia]

Thanks Akmac,

That's where I wanted to go too but what if the customer chooses a shipping zone that is different from his address?
( the shop is supposed to handle international shipping )

[WiseWebDude]

That is one of my biggest things. I want to KNOW the shipping costs BEFORE I go any further after adding something to my cart. I do NOT want people having my information and then find out they are paying for the Christmas party off their ridiculous shipping fees. We make sure you can calculate what shipping will be in the CART.

:)

[webtress]

Option 1 : add to cart > recalculate cart with shiping fee > register > pay

Without a doubt option 2 only deters customers for checking your site first if forced the login to get totals. It also creates more abandon carts. IMHO well designed carts will show shipping estimates before a customer logins in.

[sleidia]

Thanks :)