7 Best Practices to Reduce Your Amazon Return Rate

With a massive market share of around 38% of the entire online sales in the US, Amazon leads the online retail scenario by miles ahead of its nearest competitors.

Its sophisticated, AI-integrated, automated fulfillment centers have made it easy for retailers to sell, dispatch, and deliver their products to the consumers’ doorstep.

However, selling is only half the job done. With sales comes returns. It is inevitable in any business. And, as Amazon takes the lead for online sales market share, its return rates are also sizable.

Data shows that the average return rate for products sold on Amazon is around 5 to 15%, with some categories, like clothing, accessories, and electronics, having higher returns than average.

Expert Amazon consultants point out that the reasons for goods returns could be many.

But why does it matter? 

Because returns cost money, can lead to lost opportunities and future business, and also tarnish the image of your business through negative customer reviews.

Fortunately, studying the trends and speaking from their vast experience, most Amazon consultants believe that there are ways you can reduce the sales returns on Amazon.

Here, we have curated a list of seven best practices you can adopt, if you want to lower your Amazon Returns.

7 Ways To Lower Returns of Amazon Sales

While returns are a given in any business, adopting these strategies will ensure that your customers are truly satisfied by the products you deliver through Amazon, which eventually reduces the returns of goods sold.

1. Improve Your Product Descriptions

One of the most crucial reasons products are returned is that they did not match customer’s expectations. Furthermore, for most of such returned goods, the product descriptions were found to be either incorrect or insufficient.

Thus, the first step to reduce sales returns is to improve the way the products are described on the Amazon listing page. Pay close attention to the following while drafting your product description.

• Sizes and Dimensions

Give details of the size charts of your products. It is not enough to categorize them within a broad range of Small, Medium, and Large. Rather give actual dimensions and measurements of your products in a chart, ensuring users understand and choose the correct sizes for them.

It may hold for clothing, accessories, shoes, and many personal branding categories. Nevertheless, product sizes and dimensions, wherever necessary, should be clearly defined, regardless of the category. This will go a long way in reducing the return rate.

• Features, Usage and Specifications

The special features or the USP of your product should be highlighted.

Furthermore, who will benefit from using the product should be described clearly. For example, a kids clothing range should mention what age children can use the product.

Further, if your product has any technical specifications, for example, in the case of a smartphone, its specifications need to be mentioned.

Additionally, wherever required, the description should have the following details mentioned:

• Weight
• Material descriptions
• Manufacturing location
• Warranty information
• Answers to FAQs, etc.

2. Use Multiple, High-quality Product Images

Add multiple high-resolution images of your product and ensure that the images display your product accurately. You may use multiple images clicked from different camera angles to show the various sides of the product.

If you have a variety of options for the same product, for example, different colors of a particular shoe, ensure all the variations of the product have accurate images displayed.

Also, each image must display the correct color in its correct shade. To achieve this, the product images should be clicked under appropriate lighting conditions.

3. Create User-friendly Product Videos

Creating a good video showcasing your product in 360 degrees, highlighting its features, dimensions, specifications, and how practically it can be used, will go a long way in closing a good sale.

A good video creates an in-store visual experience, which may include close-up views of the product, for example, stitches, materials, logos, etc.

It creates a trustworthy resonance in the minds of the consumer, making their expectations more natural and closer to reality because of relevant information.

4. Pay Attention to Proper Packaging

You don’t want your customers to return your product simply because it arrived broken or in bad condition. It is often the reason for a drop in customer ratings and negative reviews.

Packaging changes depending on the product type. For instance, if you deal in fragile products, ensure proper caskets and protective coverings are used.

Thus, actions taken to ensure your products arrive in good condition improve the buying experience and reduce the likelihood of returns.

5. Use Analytics To Find Out The Reasons For Returns

Use analytics, statistics, and data from your Amazon Seller Central account.

• Check for any trend in frequently returning products.
• Check for any trend in the reasons for returns.
• Check for customer reviews upon delivery and upon returning the products.

These insights will give you enough information to take corrective action if any. For instance, if there is a frequently returning product, you may temporarily stop its advertising and then proceed to fix the reasons for frequent returns.

It may take a little expertise to make sense of the data that Amazon Seller Central account provides. Therefore, many entrepreneurs may want to collaborate with professional Amazon consultants to look after their Amazon Sales and Returns.

6. Work With Your Suppliers

If you are not the manufacturer, work closely with the supplier to ensure timely product delivery. Customers may get the product late or in damaged condition due to the negligence of the supplier or a third-party vendor.

Working in close association with the suppliers will ensure that your products are delivered timely in the right conditions, enhancing customer satisfaction.

7. Improve Customer Service And Buying Experience

Amazon consultants suggest helping your customers with an enhanced buying experience by answering any additional questions that are not covered in the product descriptions. If your customers aren’t sure what they are buying, their expectations may be incorrect, leading them to return your products.

Having good customer service will ensure:

• Questions are correctly answered
• Any additional information and guidance is provided
• Assist customers in choosing the right products
• A positive and encouraging buying experience leads to a good sale.

When a customer is satisfied with their purchase decision, it is less likely that they will return the product.

Transform Your Bottom-line By Minimizing Amazon Returns

Since sales returns are inevitable, there are steps you should take to prevent them from going overboard. Your Amazon returns can significantly reduce if you take proper steps towards building a broader and happier customer base. It starts with optimizing your Amazon product listings.

If your Amazon return rates are concerning, you should work together with a professional team of Amazon consultants to bolster your sales and make the customers happy.

At B3NET Inc., our team of expert Amazon consultants has helped clients with optimizing Amazon product listings, store setup, pricing strategies, etc., to foster their sales and reduce sales returns.

If you are looking to expedite your sales on Amazon and reduce Amazon your return rate. Get in touch with B3NET’s Amazon Consultant team for a free proposal or call us (214) 586-0650.