How to reduce return rate?

By reducing returns you can avoid paying unnecessary costs and also work at improving your profits. Returns are time-consuming and can significantly damage customer relationships. So, follow these measures to reduce your returns and better your performance as a Seller.

1. Optimize product descriptions, use high-quality images & videos

You should describe the item so well that your customers can practically feel it through the screen. Be clear about the key features, benefits, fit, the size, the material, technical specifications, etc. Always provide complete size information like chest, bust, waist, length, etc. in cm/inch; if possible make a drawing that illustrates the product dimensions. If you have a model wearing your products make sure to share his/her height, weight, and other dimensions so that customers can understand how the product will fit them. With regards to shoe sizes, provide both UK and US sizes with mm/cm measurements.

Control what your customers expect vs. what they get. Several high-resolution images on your website, that can be zoomed and show the product from various angles, provide 360-degree views, close-up color swatches, help shoppers decide whether the product is right for them. And where it makes sense, why not produce a video that shows the product in use? Make sure that your photos aren’t overly edited or inaccurately represent your product. Now your customer knows what to expect upon delivery and is less likely to return the product.

2. Analyze product reviews and ratings

Customer reviews are extremely valuable for anyone who purchases online. It gives an honest opinion of a product and customers may give answers to questions that you did not. Reading your product reviews can help you notice what products are doing well, what is the response towards your products, any recommendations, reasons why a customer is returning a product or not willing to buy again. Product reviews are an effective indicator of quality, and those products with average higher ratings result in not only higher sales, but also lower returns.

vedson.cstechns.com makes sure each customer has a chance to write a product review and displays it on the website. Reviews do impact buying behavior and help prospective customers make an informed decision on your product. This, in turn, will reduce your returns, because customers are less likely to misunderstand the product or what they are getting from it, as real-life customer reviews paint a picture of said product from their angle. Sellers can study data from product reviews and use it to optimize product descriptions and photos or even work on the flaws of the product, thus increasing sales.

3. Reply to the Question of customer

vedson.cstechns.com has a facility where a customer can ask any question about any product. The Seller can answer those questions thus increasing the reliability of their product. If someone is interested in the product, he hesitates, but finds answers to his questions; he will be more inclined to carry out his act of purchase. This way you also interact with your customers which build a long term relationship.

It is important to review questions asked and customer inquiries to see if there is a common question about specific products. Review these customer questions and make sure to include your answers in your product descriptions to avoid returns.

4. Ship products on time

Customer satisfaction plays a major role in the reason for product returns. By shipping customer orders on time, the expected delivery capability is met; you will reduce disappointment related to the product received. If a customer has to wait too long to receive their order they’ll ask, “I waited all this time for this?”

Costumers tend to check the order status on an everyday basis once they place it. Sellers should always ship the product on time as per the SLA or before that if possible to meet the delivery timeline and by doing so you leave a good impression on the customer. A positive impact on the customer concerning seller services is a must to ensure that the products are not returned. When the customer knows that they will receive the product soon because the Seller processes their order on time, they are less likely to cancel the order.

5. Check orders thoroughly before packing & shipping

It will be very little chance that Seller packs the wrong product but there is a very high chance to pack the defective item, wrong color or size. Be careful to send the right product and that it is undamaged. Take enough time to pack as you have 48 hours window to handover the product package to the courier partner. This will reduce your loss due to wrong product packing.

By checking your customers’ orders for damages and accuracy before shipping, you will decrease any returns due to internal mistakes. It is a simple concept but still many sellers’ ship orders without doing a final check. Such negligence is wrong and invites return which can be avoidable. These mistakes not only cost you time and money to rectify but pose a big risk to your customer satisfaction and loyalty.

6. Pack your products properly

Good packaging protects your products from getting damaged while it is being transported and reduces customer returns. So, follow these guidelines to pack the product properly: packaging size should match the product, you should use new and strong packaging material, you should use adhesive tape to seal package neatly, you should label/attach invoice as per guidelines. If possible, try to protect the product with suitable internal packing materials/product cover/box from your end whenever required that will absorb and protect from shocks.

It is not only important to deliver the right product but delivering it in the right packaging. This is why we mandatorily ask sellers to use SportALook branded packaging material coming in different sizes for various products that adhere to all the necessary checks, requirements and government packaging policy. This will also indicate to customers that you truly care about their orders and make an effort to protect them properly.

7. Price it right

When you fix the price for your products it should match its value and quality. Try to price the product just right. This is because customers select other sellers if the selling price is too high. Otherwise, they may be unsure of the quality if the selling price is too low.

8. Include freebies and combo items

If there is a freebie or combo, use images that have the extra product in them to make it clear to the customer. Freebies and combos attract customers. So, when a customer receives a product without the freebie or a missing product from the combo, or a defective item the customer returns the product out of disappointment.

Do not forget to pack the freebie or combo products. Also please check the quality of the same even if it is been given as a free product or charged at a lesser price with a combo. Customers tend to purchase such products more or recommend others. You can either test your new products through freebies and combos or clear your inventory. Through these schemes try delighting the customers and not disappointing them.

Sellers will be able to maximize their sales in the rapidly growing e-commerce industry once they have the right returns strategy. Make sure to review these simple ways to decrease returns and keep your profits where they belong – in your pocket! Not only will they save you money, but they will also improve customer satisfaction and retention, earning you more money in the long run.

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