Every company wants to find the best way to maximize its revenue. Your company is no different. Minimizing your returns volume can uncover more profit potential, but first, you must determine why those returns are happening in the first place. When analyzing the possible reasons for a return, most reverse logistics managers will first examine their products for quality issues. When quality isn’t to blame, it’s time to review the information you share about your product.  

Here are 3 ways to use product information to reduce returns and capitalize on profits.  

1. Include More Information in your Size Guides

With online shopping, it’s hard to get an accurate understanding of how an item fits or feels – regardless of how many photos are in the product description. That can have a lot more to do with the sizing information than the photos themselves. For example, if your company is based in the United States, but you’ve got lots of shoppers overseas, U.S. sizing guides won’t make sense.  

A conversion calculator is one way to set the customer’s mind at ease. A pop-up window that shares a conversion chart for other countries can be a great way to get the correct information to your customer. When customers know what to buy, their purchase is less likely to lead back to a return.  

2. Encourage Consumer Testimonials and Reviews

One of the most powerful pieces of information you can share with the public is honest feedback from your customers about your products.  Prospective consumers seek out reviews or testimonials first to decide if they will buy a product. Customers will be less likely to return an item when they’re comforted by other user’s experiences.  

If you sell your products in an online marketplace, ask your customers to share their experiences through testimonials on that website. Another great way to acquire reviews is by sending surveys to your customers after they make a purchase. Use the positive feedback as a quote on the individual product page or directly on your website in a testimonials area.  

3. Establish a Content Sharing Strategy

When your customers are weighing a buying decision, their first stop is usually your company website. With just one click of a mouse, customers can find all the information they want or need on an item. Although sharing testimonials and reviews is a good idea, you don’t have to stop there with how you inform consumers.  

Posting consistent news about your company or products on a blog is a great way to engage customers and provide timely information. Another great way to do this is through a company newsletter. Customers can learn about your company’s personality even more if you share your information on social media.   

Any of these methods you can write daily, weekly, or less often, but customers will appreciate the open nature of your business and respond by purchasing repeatedly.  

Whether you post content to your networks, use testimonials from your customers, update your product descriptions, or all of the above, your customers will find they can engage with your company in a more personal way. Personalization leads to brand loyalty, and loyal consumers who are well informed are far less likely to return merchandise. 

Image credit: agaumont