Add a new custom shipping method

Custom shipping methods in DecoNetwork allow you to create flexible delivery and pickup options for your customers beyond standard live carrier integrations. You can configure flat-rate shipping, local delivery, courier services, and customer pickup workflows to match the fulfillment services your business provides.

In this article

• Prerequisites
• Why use custom shipping methods?
• Step 1: Access the Shipping Methods page
• Step 2: Add a custom shipping method
• Step 3: Configure the general settings
• Step 4: Configure pricing
• Step 5: Configure shipping locations
• Step 6: Configure availability settings
• Step 7: Save your settings
• Best-practice tips
• Troubleshooting
• FAQs
• Additional resources

Prerequisites

Why use custom shipping methods?

Custom shipping methods allow you to offer shipping and pickup options tailored to your business operations and customer requirements.

• Create flat-rate or free shipping options.
• Offer local delivery services.
• Provide customer pickup workflows.
• Apply custom pricing structures.
• Control which stores and workflows can use each method.

Step 1: Access the Shipping Methods page

1. Log into your DecoNetwork Website.

2. Browse to Admin → Settings → Shipping.

   Select Shipping Methods.

   

   

   A list of your configured custom shipping methods will appear in a list.

   

   The Shipping Methods page lists all configured custom shipping methods.

Step 2: Add a custom shipping method

1. Click on the Add Custom Shipping Method in the top actions toolbar.

   

   The Add Custom Shipping Method page will be displayed.

   

   Settings are organized into tabs based on their function.

Step 3: Configure the general settings

The General tab lets you set the details of the shipping method.

General Section

1. Active: Enable the Active option.

2. Name: Enter a name for the shipping method.

   Tip: Use clear shipping method names so customers easily understand the service being offered during checkout.

3. Description: Enter a customer-facing description if required.

   This will be displayed to the customer next to the name in the checkout process.

4. Customer order email template Select an email template if you want customers to receive workflow-specific notifications.

5. Customer 'order shipped' email template: Select the template to use to inform the customer of the updated status of their order when the order using this shipping method is shipped.

   Templates can be configured in Admin → Settings → Email and Order Templates.
6. Default maximum delivery period: Specify how long this shipping method will take to deliver the order once the order is produced.

   • Show in checkout: Choose whether or not to show the maximum delivery period time in the checkout shipping page.

     Unticking the checkbox will hide the maximum delivery period.

7. Choose the type of shipping workflow you want to provide.

   
   

   • Includes tracking is an information point that is passed to the customer which allows them to track their order. When enabled, the Tracking URL field will be revealed allowing you to provide the URL a customer may visit to track their order's shipping.

     

   • This is a COD shipping method sets the shipping method as being payment on delivery when enabled. Additional fields will be revealed allowing you to provide COD details on the payment page and additional instructions for COD on the order page and email.

     

   • This method is free for orders that meet a minimum order value when enabled, reveals a Minimum order value field, which lets you set the order value at which the shipping method becomes free. Orders below the specified value will incur the shipping fee specified in the Price Breakdowns section. The typical use case for this is to allow free shipping for orders above a certain value or to use this for promotions.

     Note that you probably want this shipping method to appear at the top of the list of shipping methods so it is the default selection for customers if it is available. The customer will be notified they have qualified for "free shipping" during the checkout process if a minimum order value has been specified here.

     

   • This is a local pickup method enables the shipping method to function as a customer pickup option instead of a delivery service. When selected, pickup-specific workflows and notifications are used, including sending the Order Pick Up email instead of the standard Order Shipped email. 

   • This method is only available for orders that meet a minimum order value requirement will make this shipping method only available for orders that meet the specified order value. When enabled, a Minimum order value field will be revealed allowing you to set the order value at which the shipping method becomes available.

     

   • This method has weight limitations when enabled, reveals additional fields for specifying minimum and maximum weight values for the shipping method. The weight limitation specified will apply to both website orders and Business Hub orders. The shipping method will only be available if the total weight of the cart is within the weight limitations. Note, this option is only available for custom shipping methods.

     

Step 4: Configure pricing

1. Click on the Price breakdowns tab.

   The Price breakdowns tab lets you set up the cost calculation of the shipping method:

   
   • Handling Fee is a base fee added to the total charge.
   • Calculation Method sets the price of the shipping method to be determined by either the number of articles to ship (quantity), by weight, or by the value of goods shipped.
   • Price per item when ticked, lets you set the price breakdown to be per item, otherwise, it is for all items in the shipment.
   • Add Breakdown lets you add price breakdowns for incrementally larger shipments, i.e., for shipments of between 1-5 items, the charge is x, for 6-10 items the charge is y, and for 11 or more items the charge is z.

Step 5: Configure Shipping locations

The Shipping locations tab controls where this shipping method can be used.

1. Click on the Shipping locations tab.
2. Configure where this shipping method can be used:
   • International shipping only specifies the shipping method is for deliveries to international addresses only.

   • Domestic shipping only specifies the shipping method is for deliveries to domestic addresses only.

     When this option is selected, the Location Filter setting will be available, allowing you to configure the locations to which the shipping method will apply.

     
     • Zip code filter: enter the zip/postcodes of the locations where you want the shipping method to be applicable. You can specify multiple locations by entering individual zip/postcodes, separated with a comma. You can also specify a set of locations that the shipping method will apply to by entering a zip/postcode range, e.g. 6000-7000.

   • Delivers to all states/counties (or countries) lets you decide, for the given shipping method, which states or countries the shipping method delivers to.

     
   • Exclude own country (only available for custom international shipping only method) lets you exclude your own country as a delivery destination from the shipping method.

Step 6: Configure availability settings

The Availability tab lets you set which parts of DecoNetwork have this shipping method available to use as a selection, and which stores may use the shipping method.

1. Open the Availability tab.

   
2. Configure where the shipping method can be used.
   • The shipping method may be made available to all parts of DecoNetwork by selecting "This shipping method is available in Webstores, Quotes & Orders (Business Hub) and Record Shipments (Business Hub)". In this case Business Hub refers to the creation of quotes and orders in Business Hub. You can remove it as an option from all websites with the option "This shipping method is available in Quotes & Orders (Business Hub) and Record Shipments (Business Hub)". By selecting, "This shipping method is available in Record Shipments (Business Hub) only", the shipping method may only be selected by the Business Hub shipping operator.

   • The Global options define the default behavior of the shipping method, either available in all stores or not available in any store by default. The setting does not affect availability in Business Hub.

     

   • Store Group sets access to the shipping method by a group of stores. Groups are created in Admin → Websites → Store Groups, and stores are assigned to groups in Admin → Websites → Manage → Administration → Group Settings.

     

   • Store sets access to the shipping method explicitly on a per-store basis.

     

     (D) seen after the store name indicates that the store has been deleted.

Step 7: Save your settings

1. Review your configuration changes.
2. Click Save.

Best-practice tips

• Use descriptive names for shipping and pickup methods.
• Test checkout after configuring or updating shipping methods.
• Provide clear customer instructions for pickup workflows.
• Review pricing regularly to ensure shipping costs remain accurate.
• Restrict location-specific methods to the appropriate stores or customers.

Troubleshooting

Shipping method does not appear at checkout

• Verify the method is marked as Active.
• Check the availability settings.
• Ensure the method is enabled for the relevant store.

Customer pickup option is unavailable

• Confirm the method is enabled for storefront or Business Hub use.
• Review any store restrictions configured in the Availability tab.

Incorrect pricing is displayed

• Review the configured price breakdowns.
• Check for overlapping pricing rules.

FAQs

Can I create multiple customer pickup methods?

Yes. You can create multiple pickup methods with different pricing, instructions, and availability settings.

Can custom shipping methods be restricted to certain stores?

Yes. Availability settings allow you to control which storefronts and Business Hub workflows can use a shipping method.

Can I charge a fee for customer pickup?

Yes. Customer pickup methods can use free or paid pricing structures depending on your business requirements.

Can custom shipping methods use email templates?

Yes. You can assign email templates to custom shipping methods, including pickup-specific customer notifications.

Additional resources

• Custom shipping method settings
• To configure custom shipping methods
• How to configure an in-store pickup option for orders
• How to configure an email for customer pick ups