The importance of a returns label

With more people shopping online than ever before, providing your customers with an effective returns label has become a top priority. A 2015 study conducted by Royal Mail confirmed the necessity of a returns label, with 78% of the 1,500 people surveyed saying their returns experience affected their sentiment towards a seller.

Easy route to return

Providing a straightforward way for customers to return unwanted items will eliminate any worries they may have about ordering from your business. This will increase sales as customers feel reassured that if a product is not suitable they won’t have to go to a lot of trouble to return it.

In industries where customer returns are common, such as clothing and accessories, providing an easy route to return will retain existing customers and encourage repeat purchases.

Make sure you outline your returns policy clearly on your site, so customers can quickly reference it and know their rights. This will give them further confidence in your returns and is a demonstration of your commitment to excellent customer service.

Reduce returns rates

Although some returns are inevitable, there are ways you can reduce the chance of returns. The most common reason for returning a product is disappointment, so to avoid this create product descriptions that clearly inform the customer what they can expect from the product. High quality product photography will also help prevent returns that could be avoided.

Including product reviews on the page can be an extremely persuasive way to convert browsers into buyers. Seeing the honest opinion of other customers will show them exactly what to expect, and see answers to questions you may not have provided in your product description.

Checking all customer orders for faults before sending will decrease unnecessary returns due to internal error. A customer can quickly lose faith if they are delivered a faulty product, and once it is returned they will be unlikely to purchase again. Always make sure that every product you send to your customers is in good condition, it’s a simple concept but one often overlooked.

Monitor products that are regularly returned and ask yourself why it may be the case. Perhaps the product description needs another look, or the photo isn’t clear enough. Asking customers for feedback on why they have returned an item can help with this process. You may also want to think about discontinuing products that are regularly returned.

We design a variety of integrated forms that can combine delivery, returns and invoicing in a single form. Get in touch to discuss your needs and we can provide you with a free consultation to create a solution that meets your specific returns label requirements.