8 ways to decrease returns for your Shopify store

1. Use high quality images and descriptions

Provide detailed and accurate product descriptions with high-quality images. This decreases the risk that your customer receives an item that doesn’t meet their expectations.

• Include detailed specifications such as dimensions, material, weight, and care instructions.
• Use high-quality images that show the product from multiple angles and in different lighting.
• Use videos to demonstrate how the product works or how it looks in real-life situations.

2. Provide size charts for every product

Use size charts and other helpful tools to ensure customers order the right size:

• Include a size chart that is easy to find and understand.
• Provide guidance on how to measure and how to choose the best size.
• Include reviews from customers who have purchased the product to give others an idea of how the product fits.

3. Have a clear return policy

Clearly state your return policy and make it easy for customers to understand:

• Clearly state your return policy on your website and in your order confirmation emails.
• Use simple language and avoid using jargon.
• Make it easy for customers to initiate a return, either through an online form or by email.

See this post on how to write a clear return policy and this post for a return policy template.

Don’t know where to start? Try Shopify’s refund policy generator to create a return policy.

4. Consider free returns

Offer free shipping or free returns to incentivize customers to complete their purchase:

• Offer free shipping on all orders, or on orders over a certain amount.
• Offer free returns for a certain period of time after the purchase.
• Clearly advertise the free shipping or free returns offer on your website and in your marketing materials.

5. Have good customer support available

Offer customer support to answer any questions or concerns before and after purchase:

• Provide a clear and easy-to-find contact form or email address for customer inquiries.
• Respond to customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
• Offer online chat support to help customers with questions and concerns.

6. Monitor return reasons

Monitor return reasons and make improvements based on feedback:

• Track the reasons for returns in your ecommerce platform or in a spreadsheet.
• Analyze the reasons for returns to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Use the feedback to make changes to your products or processes to reduce the likelihood of returns.

Make sure you use reasons that will give you information on why they returned such as too big size, wrong color, or not as advertised.

7. Improve your packaging for shipping

Improve packaging to prevent damage during shipping:

• Use sturdy packaging materials such as paper based bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or air pillows.
• Use appropriate box sizes to prevent items from moving around during shipping.
• Use “fragile” or “handle with care” labels on packages that contain delicate or fragile items.

Have a look at these two posts on more tips on how to package your items – PostNord Packaging advice and Medium Packaging 101.

8. Have a system for quality control

Implement a quality control system to reduce the likelihood of defective or damaged products being shipped out:

• Inspect products before shipping to ensure they are in good condition and meet your quality standards.
• Use a checklist or quality control form to ensure consistency and completeness of the inspection process.
• Train employees on the importance of quality control and the steps to take to ensure the products meet your standards.