Creating Multiple Delivery Zones

Modified on Sat, 27 Sep at 11:16 AM

Overview

What are Delivery Zones?

Delivery zones are specific geographical areas defined by your store to indicate where deliveries are available. By setting a radius, you ensure that only orders placed within the designated area are eligible for delivery, improving operational efficiency and offering more flexibility to both your business and customers.

In Buddi, you can offer delivery province-wide, by specific cities, or upload a custom map with defined delivery zones. This allows you to adjust delivery rates, minimum order requirements, and delivery times based on customer locations. Furthermore, tiered pricing allows you to offer lower or free delivery fees for nearby customers and higher fees for those farther away.

Setting Delivery Zones

Create a KML file in Google Maps by Drawing Boundaries (PART I) - see instructions below
Upload the KML File + Complete Configuration in Buddi (PART II)

How to Create a KML File in Google Maps (PART I)

Video tutorial (with full details): Creating Delivery Zones with Buddi

Access Google Maps:
- Go to Google Maps > 'Get Started'.
Click 'Create a New Map'.
Rename the Map Name and Layer Name (untitled by default):

e.g. "Cannabis Co. Weed Store - Delivery Zone", "Delivery Zone 1", etc.
Enter your store address to center the map:
Hit the 'X' sign to clear the green placenode marker:
Draw Zone:
1. Use the 'Draw a line' tool, found just under the search bar, to outline your delivery zones. Ensure each zone is named uniquely to avoid confusion and to facilitate easy management.
  
  The boundary should be closed. You should see a pop-up like the one below if you have drawn a boundary successfully; it should also say 'Polygon 1':
  If it says 'Line 1', then it is wrong. You would need to redraw (it means that the boundary is not enclosed).
  Note: You can adjust the points in the boundary after enclosing it (if needed).
2. Rename the sublayer to something else. e.g. "Local Neighbourhood"
Repeat the last step if you want to create multiple zones. Keep in mind that this is what the customer sees at the checkout screen (your tier option).

Important
```
DO NOT USE 'Add layer' function to add new zones.
```
Use a single layer for all delivery zones!

✅ Correct: Using one layer to contain all zones
❌ Incorrect: Using multiple layers for each zone
- To avoid upload errors, make sure all of your delivery zones are drawn within one single layer:
  
  Creating a separate layer for each zone will cause problems when uploading the file into Buddi:
- ```
TIP: If you accidentally made multiple layers, you can fix it by dragging each zone into the main layer. Just click and hold the zone name, then drag it into the correct layer.
```
Stylize the Zone:
1. Optional: To make the boundaries more distinct in each zone, you can use colors and/or increase the Border Width (thickness).
  
  Click on the 'paint bucket' tool beside the new zone sublayer you just created:
2. Select a new 'Color' (the zone is gray by default). Adjust the 'Polygon transparency' and 'Border width' to make it even more distinct:
Export as KML:
1. Click on the ... icon (three dots) beside the Map Name > select 'Export to KML/KMZ'.
2. Ensure 'Entire map' is selected.
  
  Important
```
Export the entire map (NOT individual zones/layers)
```
3. Check 'Export as KML instead of KMZ':
  
  Important
```
Export as KML
```
Hit 'Download' to save the file.

That's it! PART II is to Upload the KML File and finish entering your delivery parameters in Buddi.

Video Tutorial: Buddi Delivery