How to easily block PO Boxes in Shopify checkout
Shipping logistics and restrictions are crucial aspects of any ecommerce business. One common issue many Shopify store owners encounter is the inability to block shipments to PO Boxes. Certain products, such as large items or perishable goods, may not be suitable for delivery to PO Boxes due to carrier restrictions or logistical concerns. This article provides a solution to this problem by using the BeSure Checkout Rules app, allowing you to hide all shipping methods when a customer enters a PO Box in their shipping address.
Problem: Blocking PO Boxes in Shopify
While PO Boxes are essential for many customers, there are certain scenarios where shipping to these addresses is not feasible or cost-effective. By default, Shopify does not provide an option to block shipments to PO Boxes, which can lead to logistical issues and increased shipping costs. The problem arises when a customer enters a PO Box as their shipping address and all shipping methods remain available, even those not suitable for such deliveries.
Solution: BeSure Checkout Rules App
The BeSure Checkout Rules app is a potent solution to this problem, allowing you to modify checkout behaviors on your Shopify store. You can add a rule to hide all shipping methods when a customer enters a PO Box in their shipping address.
Here's how to use the BeSure Checkout Rules app to block PO Boxes in Shopify:
1. Install the BeSure Checkout Rules app
Start by installing the BeSure Checkout Rules app on your Shopify store. You can find the app in the Shopify App Store. Click on "Add app" to install.
After that, you can follow this video guide or if you prefer, you can continue to follow the rest of the steps below.
2. Create a rule to block PO Boxes
After the app installation, navigate to the app's dashboard. Click on "Create rule" and then select "Hide shipping methods" under "Shipping".
After that, please choose Condition set 2. This will allow you to choose PO Box Address condition.
3. Set the rule conditions and actions
In the "Conditions" section (Where it says When...), choose P.O. box address. This means this rule will trigger when a P.O. box address is detected.
In the "Actions" section (Where it says Then hide shipping methods using...), select Hide all shipping methods. This action will ensure that no shipping methods are displayed when the rule's conditions are met.
After setting up the rule conditions and actions, click "Create" to save and activate the rule.
You can also, optionally change the error text which is displayed to customers at the checkout shipping page, as described below in the customer experience.
4. Test the new rule
After setting up the rule, it's important to test it. Go to your store and proceed as a customer would. Input a PO Box address and verify that no shipping methods are displayed. Conversely, when a standard shipping address is entered, all the appropriate shipping methods should appear.
Customer Experience
After the rule setup, when a customer tries to checkout using a PO box, then they will see this error message.
Optionally, we can customize this error message as well. You can go to Online Store > then click on 3 dots next to your active theme and choose the option of "Edit default theme content".
Then you can search for the text of "Your order cannot be shipped" and you will see this,
This will allow you to write a new error message to be displayed instead of the default message. In this new message you can mention we do not ship to PO boxes.
For example, here is an example error message which mentions to customers that we do not ship to PO boxes,
Conclusion
The BeSure Checkout Rules app provides an effective and easy solution to block PO Box addresses on Shopify, overcoming a common challenge for many store owners. By hiding shipping methods for PO Box addresses, you can avoid potential delivery issues, reduce costs, and provide a smoother checkout process. Whether you're new to Shopify or a seasoned professional, this app can help you streamline your operations and deliver a better customer experience.