How to create a return policy that protects business & keeps customers happy

Introduction

Ecommerce return policies are important for two reasons: they protect your business from fraud and build customer trust. A good return policy will do both of these things, while a bad return policy can cost you dearly in terms of both money and reputation.

For any business, having a clear and well-written return policy is essential. To help you out in this blog post, we will show you how to create the best return policy for eCommerce business.

How to create the best return policy for your eCommerce store?

1) Keep it simple and clear

The first and most important rule of creating a return policy is to keep it simple and clear. You don't want your customers to be confused about what they can and cannot return, so make sure that your policy is easy to understand.

Using bullet points and short sentences is a good way to do this. Also, make sure that your policy is prominently displayed on your website – you don't want customers to have to search for it.

2) Offer a generous return window

Another way to create a customer-friendly return policy is to offer a generous return window. Giving your customers a longer time frame to return items will show that you are confident in your product and that you want them to be happy with their purchase.

Of course, you don't want to offer an unlimited return policy, as customers could abuse this. A good return window to aim for is around 30 days.

3) Consider offering free returns

While free returns can cut your profits, they can also be a powerful marketing tool. Offering free returns shows that you are confident in your product and want your customers to be happy with their purchase.

Moreover, free returns can help increase customer loyalty and repeat business.

4) Make the process easy for the customer

Consider offering free shipping for returns, and make sure your return form is easy to find and fill out. You should also provide clear instructions on how to return items. The easier you make the return process for your customers, the more likely they will take advantage of your policy.

5) Use positive language

When writing your return policy, use positive language that will put your customers at ease. For example, rather than saying, "You have 14 days to return an item," try something like ", We want you to be happy with your purchase. If you're not, you can return it within 14 days."

6) Keep your policy easy to find

Make sure that your return policy is easy to find on your website. The best place to put it is on your "Shipping and Returns" page. You can also include a link to your policy in your order confirmation email.

7) Review and update your policy regularly

Your business will inevitably change over time, so it's important to regularly review and update your return policy. At a minimum, you should review it once a year. If you make any changes to your policy, update the version number or date so that your customers know that they're looking at the most current version.

8) Consider your target market

When crafting your return policy, it's important to consider your target market. For example, selling high-end products may want a more lenient return policy than selling lower-priced items.

9) Promote your policy

Make sure your customers know about your return policy. The best way to do this is to include a link to your policy on every page of your website and your order confirmation email. You can also post a sign in your store or mention your policy during checkout.

10) Keep it fair

Your return policy should be fair to both you and your customers. For example, you might want to specify that customers are responsible for return shipping costs or that they can only receive a refund through store credit.

How can ClickPost help you create the best return policy for your eCommerce store?

ClickPost is a logistic intelligence platform that helps eCommerce businesses with their entire outbound logistics, from order management to creating the best shipping label and return labels. Here's how ClickPost can help you with creating the best return policy for your eCommerce store:-

1) Asses your shipping volume and average order value: 

We will assess your business and give you a good idea of how many monthly return shipments you can expect. You can also use this information to decide what percentage of your customers' order value you're willing to refund for a return.

2) We will help you to set the right return window

The return window is the time frame a customer has to return an item after receiving it. A too-short return window may deter customers from buying from you, while a too-long return window may encourage "wardrobing" (when people buy items to wear them once and return them).

3) We will also help you to create shipping labels and choose the best shipping carrier

Once you've decided on your returns policy, we can help you create shipping labels and choose the best shipping carrier for your needs. We offer a variety of shipping carriers, so you can find one that fits your budget and meets your delivery needs.

4) We will also provide a return shipping label

We will provide you with a return shipping label if you need to return an item. You can print the label from your account page or have it emailed to you.

Conclusion

It is no secret that return policy plays a significant role in the customer's decision-making process. A study conducted by Accenture shows that 62% of customers check the return policy before making a purchase.

An important thing to remember is that the returns process starts even before the customer has received their purchase.

By offering a clear and concise returns policy on your website, you can set the right expectations for your customers and make sure they are happy with their purchases.

ClickPost offers several features that can help you streamline your returns process and make it more efficient. With our platform, you can track your return shipments, integrate with your existing systems, and offer 24/7 customer support. We can help you create a seamless returns experience for your customers, no matter where they are.