Written by me  |  under Ecommerce

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Chargebacks are frustrating and it’s what online merchants despise the most. It is not only the loss of your product or service, but also the risk of expensive fines, account closures, and even blacklisting. Definitely this is a major threat to your online business. Chargebacks are an unfortunate part of ecommerce but practical and smart merchants can learn from some their chargebacks experiences.

When a consumer asks his or her credit card company for a refund, a merchant can suffer a chargeback. The credit card company will reach into a merchant’s bank account and take the total amount of the transaction that’s being charged back. Then, any one of three or more different types of organizations could charge the merchant a fee for its trouble. Throughout this process, no one bothers to inform or ask the merchant. Avoiding chargeback is all about communicating and setting expectations.

Set Product Expectations. Make sure that the customer could correctly understand what he is ordering. He may decide to return the purchase or, worse, call his card-issuing bank and initiate a chargeback if conflicts happen. To set this right, use clear product description. Include product dimensions, weight and all applicable measurements. And don’t to forget to describe materials and special handling.

Set Shipping Expectations. Clearly mention when their product is likely to be shipped, how many business days? Consider adding an “About Shipping” section to your site, describing how you pack orders and why it can take several days for a package to arrive

Set Policy Expectations. If good fences make good neighbors, then good policies make good online retail transactions. To set these expectations explain step by step how a customer can return or exchange an item. Require customers to accept store policies as they check out and if refunds are required, pay promptly.

Set Customer Service Expectations. When a customer has a problem, he or she expects you to be there. Acknowledge customer service emails automatically, setting the customer’s expectations about when they’ll get a response .

It’s important to understand that the way the chargeback system works is in favor of the customer and the process is sometimes abused. You need to do everything you can to ensure that if you do have to issue a challenge or your account comes under scrutiny, you’ve taken all the appropriate steps.

Many online businesses have seen and reaped the rewards of blogging. Your blog could easily draw new visitors and keep them coming back only if you know the secrets to successful blogging. Some bloggers make mistake without being aware and it hinders them from attaining their goals. Take a look at the do’s and don’ts to successful blogging and maximize the potential of your blog.

DON’T: Make your blog your press center. Blogs should always carry a conversational tone, it serves as a tool or a medium for you to connect with potential customers on a more personal level.

DO: To make people become an avid visitor of you blog, come up with interesting articles. Make sure that is related to your industry and include your personal experiences and personal insights.

DON’T: Take too long to update your blog. Today’s most successful blogs update content twice a week at the very least. But don’t just copy articles from other sites or plagiarize.

DO: Set a schedule for when will you update your blog and if possible stick with that schedule. Plan your topics ahead of time so you would not suddenly find yourself staring at the blank screen when it’s time to do updates. You can also enlist other people to write for your blog.

DON’T: Disable commenting. You may be doing these because you are afraid to be criticized but know that having comments on your site is good way to interact with your customers. It is always a good way to engage your customers in a conversation. Negative feedback helps you improve and learn, so you don’t have to be afraid.

DO: If you are doing a business blog, link its URL to your corporate site. Include the blog address in your email signatures, business cards, profile pages, status messages, and sales collateral’s. Enable users to subscribe to your blog through RSS feeds.

DON’T: Give up easily. Remember that the success of blogging doesn’t happen overnight. For the first few months, you may feel like you don’t have an audience or a reader at all. This is the reason why many bloggers give up too soon. Don’t expect to see returns immediately after the launch of your blog.

DO: Be consistent and work hard. Keep in mind the tips provided in this article then give it at least a year of updating regularly and publishing quality content.

Following and remembering Do’s and Dont’s is difficult but if you are able to follow them strictly then you will see great success with your blogs.