The best order management starts with solid foundations. You can optimize your processes as much as you like, but if you’re building on rocky ground, you’ll never achieve the results you’re chasing. When you’re setting out to improve your order management, start by looking at everything you can do to set a customer up for success before they place an order with you. Here are some ideas to get you started…
Perfect Your Product Descriptions
Eliminating a returns request negates a sizable extra chunk of your order management flow, and an informed customer is a happy customer. Taking the time to craft solid and intentional product descriptions carries a number of benefits. Not only will you work wonders on your SEO (drawing in the right kind of customers, with high purchase intent) you’ll also ensure that they have a solid understanding of what they’ll be receiving. This reduces the chance of returns or complaints. Additionally, product descriptions are a great opportunity to inject a little of your brand’s personality into the process. Aim to build a rapport with your customers that will mark the start of their experience with your ordering process and wider brand.
Including real-world use cases and specific examples helps customers understand not just what a product is, but why it’s the right choice for them. If you sell kitchenware, for instance, instead of just saying "Stainless steel chef's knife," describe how it’s "perfect for precision slicing, with an ergonomic handle designed for extended use without discomfort." These small touches make a big difference in purchase confidence.
Let Your Customers Tell the Story
Another positive step towards reducing returns is to harness the power of your existing customers to tell the story of your products. Leverage review software that allows purchasers to leave attributed reviews – that is, reviews which allow shoppers to include their own personal information (such as build, height, hair type or pet breed) to add context to their appraisal. This helps other customers make a more informed purchase decision, and has been proven to help reduce returns. It can also minimize requests for additional information about how a product will fit or perform under specific circumstances - i.e. is this shampoo good for dry hair? Or will this dog coat fit my basset hound?
Turning Reviews into a Decision-Making Tool
Detailed reviews not only help customers feel more confident about their purchase but also act as a valuable decision-making tool. When shoppers can filter reviews based on attributes that match their own needs, they’re able to make smarter choices, reducing the risk of returns due to unmet expectations.
For example, if a customer is shopping for running shoes, being able to read reviews from others with similar foot shape, arch support needs, or running style makes a huge difference in their decision. Similarly, for beauty and skincare products, customers benefit from feedback from people with the same skin type, concerns, or usage preferences.
Retailers can take this one step further by highlighting common themes in reviews, such as "Runs true to size" or "Best for curly hair", making it easier for potential buyers to find relevant insights quickly. Some brands even display top-rated customer reviews on product pages, reinforcing trust before a shopper adds an item to their cart.
By encouraging more detailed, personalized feedback, businesses can create a better-informed shopping experience, ensuring customers get exactly what they expect while minimizing returns.
Real Time Inventory Management
Once your customers know that they’ve found a product they’re going to love, make sure they can get their hands on it quickly. While good inventory management is hardly a groundbreaking order management recommendation, don’t underestimate the positive impact of clearly communicating your stock to the average customer. If you’ve sold out, do more than ask them to sign up for a restock notification – give them some idea of how long they might be waiting, too. Tight control of your inventory does more than guarantee good order management – it’s a vital tool when it comes to managing customer expectations and experience.
Simplify Your Order Fulfillment with OrderlyPrint
Perfecting your product descriptions is just one part of creating a seamless shopping experience—but what happens after a customer places an order is just as important. Managing order fulfillment efficiently ensures that customers receive exactly what they expect, on time, and with clear, professional documentation.
With OrderlyPrint, you can simplify and automate your fulfillment process, making it easier to handle high volumes of orders while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
As your Shopify store grows, handling increasing order volumes can become more challenging. To keep operations running efficiently and avoid common fulfillment issues, check out our guide on avoiding order management issues as your store scales.
