Top Returns Management Techniques for E-Commerce

Returns management is a thorough procedure that involves quality control and inventory monitoring. Implementing returns management will boost warehouse inventory and supply chain administration and maximize overall profitability by effectively recovering the value of returned items.

Tips to consider for choosing the best ecommerce returns management software :

1. Understand which returns you can eliminate (and which you can’t)

It isn’t feasible to remove all returns at your e-commerce firm — and nor should you. If a client has second thoughts or decides that a product doesn’t match their requirements, it’s within your interest to provide a flexible and uncomplicated returns procedure; 96 percent of customers said they would buy with a retailer again depending on if they gave an “easy” returns experience!

Instead, you should concentrate on eliminating the returns that you CAN control. For example, if consumers are bracketing their orders due to difficulty finding the proper size, you could think about providing more extensive sizing instructions to your website. Likewise, if poor-quality packing results in damaged items in transportation, this should be remedied to safeguard your brand’s image.

2. Have a robust returns policy

A robust e-commerce returns policy isn’t simply appealing to most customers — it’s an essential requirement. Global Web Index revealed that approximately 80 percent of U.S. customers would examine a store’s returns policy before buying, while 63 percent would refuse to purchase from a company without a return policy on their website.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have grown even more accustomed to no-questions-asked returns. With increasing numbers of customers enjoying online shopping, merchants have been pushed to adjust their returns policies for more flexibility. This involves lengthier returns periods and increasing omnichannel capabilities into in-store returns and returns pick-ups.

If you don’t keep up with these developments, you’ll lose customers, and they’ll go elsewhere. See our dedicated page for additional information on how to establish an e-commerce return policy.

3. Anticipate the desire of your customers to return

Proactiveness, rather than reaction, is the key to a hassle-free return procedure. Consider incorporating return instructions and a link to your returns portal in the email body when you send out purchase confirmations. So, in the event a consumer decides to return an item, they won’t have to go via your customer service department first. Returns will be more straightforward, and customers will be more likely to make more purchases as a result.

As a result of utilizing the Whiplash platform, merchants may automatically send their customers completely branded return authorization links, which relieves your customer service staff of a great deal of stress.

4. Use packaging that can be returned (includes pre-paid labels)

Spoiler alert: Neither customers nor merchants like the opportunity to return items. To make things worse, most companies don’t utilize packaging that can be recycled for return shipping, which makes it challenging to get things back.

Because of inadequate design considerations, consumers may be forced to pay for return packing. This provides a point of friction in the returns process for customers. It’s inconvenient for your consumer to have to make a remarkable journey to USPS, and they could think you’re attempting to charge them for return shipping.

You can prevent customers from having a bad return experience by adopting return-ready e-commerce packaging. Additionally, this saves your company money by using packaging that can be reused for repeated residential deliveries.

5. Work with a third-party logistics provider

There’s a good reason for the phrase “reverse logistics.” The end-to-end procedure must be as well-coordinated as your outgoing orders for good returns handling. A delayed or inefficient returns procedure may cause many issues, including missed sales opportunities, returned products stacking up in warehouses, late reimbursements, and dissatisfied customers who are less likely to return.

These are some excellent suggestions for selecting the finest returns management software.