Estimated Delivery Dates: A Simple Way to Boost Sales and Improve UX

When people shop online, they want things to be simple and clear. If they don’t get the right information quickly, they may leave without buying. Small details on your product page can help customers feel confident and ready to purchase. One crucial detail is showing when their order will arrive. Around 60% of customers check delivery dates before deciding to buy.

Sharing this delivery information early can make a big difference. That’s why using estimated delivery dates on your product pages can improve the shopping experience and help you sell more.

How Delivery Date Visibility Impacts User Confidence

When someone shops online, one of the first things they look for is when the order will arrive. If the delivery date is missing, unclear, or keeps changing, it creates doubt, which can stop someone from buying again.

This usually happens for a few reasons. Some systems don’t show the delivery date clearly at checkout. Others give rough estimates that change because of manual errors or outdated systems. Sometimes, the stock isn’t updated, or due to busy seasons or unexpected situations like bad weather or traffic, couriers also take longer than expected. Without real-time tracking or updates, buyers are left guessing. That’s when frustration builds.

Now, think about how this affects buyer confidence. When there’s no clear delivery timeline, buyers feel unsure. They may repeatedly message you, ask for updates, or cancel the order. In some cases, they might not come back to shop again. This gap between what’s promised and what happens creates doubt and kills trust.

That’s where delivery date visibility comes in. When you clearly show when the product will arrive right at checkout, the customer knows what to expect and when.  Showing a delivery date builds trust. It tells the buyer that you’re in control of your orders and that they’ll get their product on time.  Here’s how it helps:

• Less doubt: A fixed delivery date removes the guesswork and reduces hesitation.
• More sales: Shoppers are more likely to buy when they see an estimated delivery date.
• Fewer abandoned carts: When customers see accurate delivery information, they’re less likely to leave their carts behind, with abandonment dropping by as much as 30%.
• Better experience: On-time delivery makes customers happy and improves satisfaction.
• Stronger trust: Accurate dates and updates build a reliable brand image.
• Fewer complaints: Real-time updates reduce customer support calls.
• Quick problem handling: Real-time tools help update the customer early if delays happen.

When buyers see that you’re transparent and keep them informed, their confidence in your brand grows. They’re more likely to wait for the order, trust your store, and return for future purchases.

To do this, using the right tools helps a lot:

• Real-time tracking, so buyers can follow their order’s journey without asking.
• Accurate delivery estimates that stay consistent, helping set the right expectations from the start.
• Automatic alerts for every status change, so you and the buyer stay informed at every step.
• Inventory sync, so you never promise what you can’t deliver, which avoids delays caused by stock-outs.
• Estimated Earliest Delivery (EED) helps show the quickest possible delivery date based on location, inventory, and courier performance. 

How to Strategically Place EDDs for Maximum Impact

To help your customers feel confident while shopping, it’s essential to show them when their order will arrive. That’s what an Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) does. But just showing the date is not enough. Here’s how you can place EDDs smartly so they work for your business:

1. Show EDDs early in the shopping process

Estimated delivery dates should be visible before the customer adds a product to the cart. Placing them on the product page helps build trust and sets clear expectations from the start. Some sellers also show EDDs on category pages to help buyers decide quickly.

2. Place EDDs near important actions

It’s helpful to show the delivery date close to the “Add to Cart” button. This makes it easy for customers to notice it while making a buying decision. Showing the EDD again during checkout reassures them that the item will arrive on time.

3. Keep EDD visible until purchase is complete

Once a buyer adds a product to the cart, the estimated date should stay visible throughout the checkout process. On the cart or payment page, seeing the delivery date again helps reduce confusion and builds confidence in the order.

4. Use clear and simple language

The message should be easy to understand. For example, instead of saying “delivery within 2–4 business days,” say “Get it by Thursday, May 22.” Giving a specific date feels more reliable and easier to plan around.

5. Highlight faster delivery options

If faster delivery is available, show it next to the standard option. This can help increase conversions as buyers often prefer quicker deliveries, even at a slightly higher cost.

6. Adjust EDDs based on location and time

Ensure the delivery date changes based on where the buyer is located and when they place the order. For example, orders placed late in the day might need an extra day to arrive.

7. Keep the EDD accurate and updated

An estimated date should be realistic. Avoid showing a date if it’s likely to change or if there are delays. A wrong promise can lead to unhappy customers and order cancellations.

Brands That Nail EDD Placement on Their Product Pages

Amazon

Amazon puts estimated delivery dates right on the product page. This helps your customers see exactly when their order will arrive before they buy. Doing this makes shopping easier and faster for them.

Walmart and Target

Walmart and Target show delivery dates and explain shipping costs on their product pages. This clear info helps your customers pick the best option without confusion. Showing this upfront builds trust and makes people want to buy from you.

Nike

Nike asks customers to enter their ZIP code for more accurate delivery times. Adding this feature helps customers feel special because they get delivery information that matches their location.

Rush Order Tees

Rush Order Tees has a “Delivery Options” box on their product pages. It clearly shows when customers will get their orders. This simple step helps customers decide quickly and feel confident about buying.

Adidas

Adidas shares clear delivery timelines, telling customers how many days delivery takes for different cities. This transparency helps your customers make smart decisions based on where they live.

Michaels

Michaels shows different shipping options on product pages, like Store Pickup, Ship to Me, and same-day delivery. This lets customers pick the delivery method that works best for them.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters lets customers enter their zip code on the product page to get personalised delivery estimates. This gives your customers accurate information and makes their shopping experience better.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom asks customers to enter their zip code to show if a product is in stock and how fast it can be delivered. This helps customers know exactly what to expect and feel confident to buy.

How Shiprocket Checkout Enhances the Post-Purchase Experience

Checkout is the last step before a customer buys. If it is slow or confusing, many people leave without buying. Shiprocket Checkout makes this step fast, up to 70% faster. This helps your customers finish their orders quickly. It also fills in addresses automatically. This saves time and stops mistakes in delivery. You can give coupons and discounts at checkout to make customers want to buy more.

Showing the estimated delivery date during checkout helps customers know when their order will arrive. You can offer different payment options and reduce cash-on-delivery orders to lower returns. Shiprocket Checkout uses smart tools to see how customers behave and bring back those who almost leave. It works well on phones and fits easily with stores on Shopify and WooCommerce.

With Shiprocket Checkout, your store becomes faster, easier, and better for customers. This means more sales and happier buyers.

Conclusion

Showing estimated delivery dates on your product pages helps customers know when their order will arrive. This means fewer questions for you and less confusion for them. When customers see clear delivery dates, they trust your store more. It also makes your business look organised and reliable. Adding delivery dates is a simple way to make shopping easier and help your store do better.