As consumers order more and more things from the web, sending things back (also known as reverse logistics in the supply chain world) has become a frequent event. Consumers want the experience to be painless and free.

So it’s an area where online merchants have a chance to shine. If you’re looking to invest in a returns management solution for your ecommerce store, the options are plentiful. And most programs are integrated easily with any warehouse management system (WMS), including BOLD VAN’s distribution enablement system — there’s no need to change what you’re already doing.

Here are six solid returns platforms that are worth checking out.

1. RETURNLY

“The only return solution that lets customers get the right item before returning the wrong one.” —Returnly.com.

Integration: Returnly’s hosted analytics dashboard, CSV exports, or API are connected easily to your data warehouse. The company has built direct integrations with partners like Klaviyo, Gorgias, and Bergen to integrate your process from day one.

Add ons: Instant credit, instant exchanges, in-store returns, international returns, and green returns.

Pricing: From $99/month. Two-week free trial. Additional charges may apply.

Website: https://returnly.com

Returnly plan features (https://returnly.com/plans/).

2. RETURNLOGIC

ReturnLogic is for Shopify retailers only.

Integration: E-commerce platforms connect with ReturnLogic’s out-of-the-box integrations. Also, customers may build their own connections with ReturnLogic’s open-source API.

Pricing: begins at $300 per month.

Website: ReturnLogic.com

This is just a handful of the numerous offerings from ReturnLogic. For the complete list, go to www.returnlogic.com/pricing/.

3. LOOP

“Loop is the exchange-first returns platform for scaling Shopify brands.”

Like ReturnLogic, Loop is for Shopify retailers. The best thing I saw on their site is the return demo: You can click through a “pretend” return and get a feel for how it will work in your online store. Genius!

While Shopify does offer returns data, Loop dives deeper into the analytics, because not all returns are the same. Loop provides a breakdown of the return composition, including refunds, simple exchanges like swapping out sizes, gift cards, and “Shop Now” exchanges for new products.

Integration: Loop integrates with a plethora of tools to make returns automation a breeze. You can show returns info inside of Gorgias, send return events to your 3PL (like ShipBob), and fully integrate into an ERP.

Pricing: Contact the company for a custom quote.

Website: LoopReturns.com

This Gameboy illustration demonstrates how Loop helps clients take their returns to the next level, integrating with Klaviyo, Gorgias, ShipHero and NetSuite.

4. HAPPY RETURNS BY PAYPAL

This provider wins points in my book for a name and logo that make me smile. Happy Returns’ claim to fame: Returns are made in person without boxes or labels at third-party locations known as “Return Bars” (U.S. returns only).

“Our expansive network of 5,000+ Return Bars allows shoppers to easily return items without printing or packaging and have refunds or exchanges initiated immediately — all while saving merchants up to 40% on return shipping,” the company’s website says.

I was curious how close a Return Bar is to me, and my search showed the nearest one to be 4 miles away at a FedEx office. Other locations nearby included Ulta Beauty, Staples, and Cost Plus World Market.

Additionally, the company partners with other returns merchants, like Loop Returns, to spread the Retun Bar love around.

“Since we started Happy Returns, it’s been our goal to make sustainable, in-person returns available to as many merchants and shoppers as possible,” the company stated in its Loop announcement. Those who use Loop Returns are able to offer their customers convenient, box-free returns at any Return Bar location.

Integration: Happy Returns works with BigCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and Solidus retailers.

Pricing: Merchants that offer PayPal as a payment method can use Happy Returns’ Return & Exchange Portal for free, with no limits. (Note: Any associated PayPal fees still apply.) Otherwise, Happy Returns account starts out at $500 per month.

Website: HappyReturns.com

Happy Returns accepts box-free returns from participating retailers in person at local Return Bar locations. The products are aggregated and shipped in reusable containers to regional Return Hubs for processing. Returns are processed and shipped in bulk from the Return Hubs in reusable containers.

5. NARVAR

I’ve received many a shipping notice from Narvar in my day.

You probably have as well, seeing as it “powers billions of interactions” across multiple channels — Web, mobile, email, SMS, Facebook Messenger, Google Assistant, voice, and more. Just like Happy Returns, Narvar Return & Exchange offers box-free returns, yet with quite a few more drop-off locations at 200,000 and counting. Narvar allows customers to schedule their return pick up from home as well.

Integration: Narvar supports any order, warehouse, or transportation management system in use now and it will adapt if you change systems. The system works with pretty much any ecommerce platform: Shopify, Shopify Plus, Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, SalesForce Commerce Cloud, in-house platforms, and more.

Pricing: To find out how much Narvar will run, you need to contact the company’s sales department.

Website: Corp.Narvar.com/return-exchange

Narvar offers 200,000+ drop off locations, integrations with just about anything, and status updates via SMS, WhatsApp, and more.

6. WESUPPLY

WeSupply boasts a “fully branded experience.” Instead of sending shoppers to a third-party courier page, users retain control of the look with their own branding, logos, and colors. This includes tracking emails, landing pages, and SMS notifications. Another cool feature: Merchants can highlight key products and promotions at the aforementioned touchpoints based on the customer’s interests.

The company helps clients nip unnecessary communication in the bud with proactive email and SMS notifications. “Stay ahead of the curve by proactively notifying your customers before they need to ask you a question about their order,” their website states. (This reminds me of how I try to preempt the annoying “what’s for dinner?” question from my kids by writing it on our whiteboard as soon as I have a plan.)

Integrations: WeSupply integrates with hundreds of third-party tools. Just click on their integrations page and keep scrolling … and scrolling … and scrolling.

Pricing: The company offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card to get started; after that, pricing begins at $9 per month. See WeSupply’s pricing page for all the details.

Website: WeSupplyLabs.com

WeSupply has a two-week free trial so users can give it a shot before signing on.