The verdict in three sentences
A single flat rate penalizes nearby customers and makes you lose on distant ones; splitting by zones restores fairness. In 2026, a district map with 3-4 price and time tiers is the best margin/conversion trade-off. Well configured in the back office, it automatically shows the right price at the cart.
Sample multi-zone grid for a large city
Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a city like Lagos or Abidjan, from center to outskirts.
| Zone | Typical districts | Rate | Time | Free-shipping threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 - Center | Downtown, CBD | 1,000 FCFA | 2 - 4 h | 25,000 FCFA |
| Zone 2 - Near | Nearby residential | 1,500 FCFA | 4 - 24 h | 30,000 FCFA |
| Zone 3 - Extended | Served suburbs | 2,500 FCFA | Next day | 40,000 FCFA |
| Zone 4 - Outskirts | Far zones | 3,500 FCFA | 1 - 2 days | 50,000 FCFA |
| Out of zone | Neighboring towns | On quote | 2 - 3 days | — |
The free-shipping threshold rises with distance so you never offer a delivery that exceeds your margin.
Coverage and conversion
The wider your coverage, the more orders you capture; but every added zone must stay profitable. The table below shows the trade-off.
| Strategy | Coverage | Conversion | Margin risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center only | 40% | High | Low |
| Center + near | 65% | High | Low |
| Whole city | 90% | Medium | Medium |
| City + outskirts | 100% | Variable | High if mispriced |
The right approach: start on profitable zones 1-2, then expand gradually while measuring the failure rate and real cost of each new zone.
Handling undelivered zones
A poorly managed out-of-zone area generates impossible-to-fulfill orders and refunds. The fix: block out-of-zone orders in the back office with a clear message ("delivery unavailable in your district, pickup point available"), or auto-switch to a pickup point. This avoids frustration and costly failures.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Ngozi, who runs a home-decor store in Lagos, delivered the whole city at a flat 1,500 FCFA. On 300 orders/month, 90 were on the outskirts at a real cost of 3,200 FCFA: she lost 1,700 FCFA × 90 = 153,000 FCFA/month. Setting up a 4-zone grid (1,000 to 3,500 FCFA) with tiered free shipping, she covers her cost on each zone, reduces center abandonment (cheaper delivery) and recovers about 200,000 FCFA of margin per month, while keeping 100% coverage.
FAQ
How many zones should I create?
Three to four are enough for most cities: center, near, extended, outskirts. Too many zones complicate configuration and the customer experience with no real gain.
How do I set each zone's rate?
On the observed average real cost per zone, plus a small safety margin. The center costs less than the outskirts: your grid must reflect that reality to protect margin.
Should the free-shipping threshold differ by zone?
Yes: the farther the zone, the higher the threshold must be to cover delivery cost. A single threshold would give away deliveries at a loss on the outskirts.
How do I handle a customer outside my delivery area?
Block the order with a clear message or offer pickup at a relay point. Letting an unfulfillable order through generates refunds and bad reviews.
Can all this be configured in the back office?
Yes: a well-built store lets you draw zones, set rates, times and thresholds, and automatically shows the right price by district at the cart.
Let's talk about your project. We map your delivery zones and configure your pricing grid in your store. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.