Shipping costs are one of the most overlooked areas of eCommerce profitability. Many WooCommerce store owners underestimate how much they spend on delivery or fail to compare what customers pay versus what suppliers charge. The ProfitBlue financial reporting plugin makes it simple to track and configure shipping costs so you always know whether your shipping strategy is profitable—or draining your margins.
Why Shipping Costs Matter
Shipping is a variable cost that changes with order volume. When managed well, it can boost your revenue and customer satisfaction. When miscalculated, it can silently erode your profit.
By using ProfitBlue’s Data Settings, you can:
- Track the difference between shipping fees charged to customers and actual carrier expenses.
- See whether shipping is a cost center or profit driver.
- Calculate real profit margins after delivery fees.
- Adjust your pricing or delivery strategy based on data, not guesswork.
How to Configure Shipping Costs in ProfitBlue
The ProfitBlue plugin offers several flexible ways to manage shipping costs inside WooCommerce.
1. No Shipping Cost
If your store doesn’t handle physical deliveries—for example, if you sell digital products or software—select No Shipping Cost.
- Go to Data Settings → Shipping Costs
- Choose No Shipping Cost and click Save
ProfitBlue will immediately set your shipping expenses to zero in your Profit & Loss (P&L) report.
2. Shipping Cost Equals Customer Fee
If you want shipping to break even, select the option “Shipping Costs Equal What Customers Pay.”
Example:
- Customer pays $10 for shipping.
- You pay your supplier $10 to fulfill the order.
Both your shipping revenue and shipping cost will match, keeping the margin neutral. In ProfitBlue, you’ll see the same amount under Shipping & Fees Revenue and Shipping Costs.
3. Different Shipping Cost Than Customer Fee
If your pricing structure intentionally charges customers more or less than what you pay carriers, choose “Shipping Costs Differ From Customer Fees.”
Example:
- Customer pays $100 for express delivery.
- You pay $70 to your logistics supplier.
ProfitBlue automatically calculates the $30 profit margin you earned on that shipment. Likewise, if you undercharge for shipping, the plugin reflects the resulting loss.
4. Percentage-Based Variable Shipping Cost
Since shipping typically scales with order volume, you can set it up as a percentage of revenue.
Example:
- Enter 10% as your shipping cost.
- If total monthly revenue is $170,000, ProfitBlue will record $17,000 in shipping expenses.
This method is perfect if you use multiple couriers or blended rates that fluctuate based on order value.
5. Fixed Cost per Order
If you prefer a flat fee, ProfitBlue allows you to charge a fixed amount per order, regardless of order size.
Example:
- Set $10 per order
- If you processed 46 orders in a month, ProfitBlue automatically logs $460 in total shipping costs.
This is ideal for businesses with stable logistics fees or standardized packaging.
Analyzing Shipping Profitability
After setting up your preferred method, open the Profit & Loss report to instantly see:
- Total shipping revenue vs. shipping expenses
- Whether you’re covering your logistics costs
- How shipping affects your overall net profit
You can then fine-tune your shipping strategy—for example, offering free shipping only when margins allow or renegotiating courier contracts to reduce costs.
Free vs. Pro Version
ProfitBlue offers both Free and Pro versions:
- The Free version includes the essential “match customer fee” option.
- The Pro version unlocks all configuration methods (different costs, variable %, fixed per order, and no-shipping).
Upgrading gives you complete flexibility and more accurate profit tracking.
Final Thoughts
Shipping is more than a delivery cost—it’s a key component of your profit equation. By configuring your shipping costs in ProfitBlue, you can finally see the full financial picture of your WooCommerce store.
Whether you charge customers the same as your carrier or build profit into shipping fees, ProfitBlue ensures your numbers are always transparent and up to date.
Set it up once, and you’ll know exactly how shipping influences your margins—every single order.