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Vertical-by-vertical breakdown of great FAQ pages


TL;DR:

  • Clear policies reduce tickets. When customers can’t find return windows or shipping timelines, they turn to your support team — often unnecessarily.
  • Each vertical has different CX needs. A fashion shopper wants fit info. An electronics buyer needs setup help. Tailor your policies to match.
  • Proactive placement matters. Don’t bury policies in the footer — surface them in product pages, chat, emails, and account portals where customers actually look.
  • Policy + AI = self-service support. Gorgias’s AI Agent can guide shoppers to answers instantly, reducing WISMO and freeing up your team for high-value work.

For many ecommerce teams, store policies are an afterthought, tucked away in the footer or buried deep in the FAQ. But they shouldn’t be.

Great customer experience (CX) starts before a customer reaches out. And with 55% of shoppers preferring self-service support, your store policies are often their first stop for answers.

In this guide, we break down the must-have policies for five key ecommerce verticals, based on real Gorgias ticket data. From shipping delays to subscription changes, you’ll learn how to prevent tickets before they happen.

Why store policies are a CX power move

If you’re constantly fielding questions about returns, shipping times, or order changes, it’s a policy opportunity.

Well-crafted store policies are one of your CX team's most effective tools for setting expectations, building trust, and preventing support issues before they happen. When done right, they turn common friction points into effortless experiences.

Common blind spots that lead to tickets

When policies are vague or hard to find, customers turn to your inbox, driving up ticket volume and slowing down your support team.

Here are the most common blind spots we see:

  • Unclear or missing return windows lead to questions like, “Can I still return this?”
  • No defined process for exchanges or editsconfuses customers who need to fix an order.
  • Subscription rules hidden in fine printfrustrate loyal customers trying to pause, skip, or cancel.
  • Shipping timelines that shift without explanation cause “Where’s my order?” messages that could’ve been avoided.

When policies aren’t clear or easy to find, customers turn to your inbox. And that means more tickets, wait times, and pressure on your team.

Proactive policies = fewer tickets, happier customers

Based on real data from Gorgias, these are the top 10 tickets customers send across channels like chat, contact forms, and email:

  1. Order damaged
  2. No reply tickets
  3. Shipping policy
  4. Shipping change
  5. Order change
  6. Product question
  7. Return status
  8. Thank you tickets
  9. Discount request
  10. Shipping status

What do most of these have in common? You can address them with clear, accessible policies. 

15 store policies you need, organized by industry

Customer expectations aren’t one-size-fits-all, and your store policies shouldn’t be either.

What shoppers expect from a fashion brand is very different from what they need from a wellness company or electronics provider. 

We’ve broken down the top policy must-haves by vertical, using real-world examples from Gorgias customers and ticket data.

Use these examples as your plug-and-play guide to write better policies, reduce ticket volume, and create smoother support experiences — no matter what you sell.

Apparel and fashion

When it comes to fashion, uncertainty drives tickets. “Will this fit?” “Can I return it?” “Where’s my order?” The most successful fashion brands like Princess Polly cut down on support volume by making these answers easy to find before customers ever reach out.

Key policies to prioritize

  • Returns and exchanges: Be clear on timeframes, conditions, and the process. Bonus points for adding visuals or quick links to return portals.
  • Size guide and fit: To minimize confusion, include details on model sizing, garment measurements, and fit notes.
  • Order changes: Let customers know how to update their order before it ships.
  • Shipping timelines: Set expectations around processing and delivery windows (especially during peak seasons).
Princess Polly returns and exchanges store policies
Princess Polly’s returns hub simplifies the process for every payment method, reducing tickets around what’s eligible and how to start a return.
Princess Polly returns and exchanges FAQ button circled in yellow with an arrow
By linking their returns policy and FAQ, Princess Polly helps shoppers self-serve without needing to reach out to support, reducing WISMO and return questions. 

Where to share store policies

  • Link return and shipping policies on product detail pages (PDPs).
  • Trigger chat campaigns with the sizing guide when shoppers linger on product pages.
  • Add return instructions in post-purchase emails to cut “How do I return this?” tickets.

Consumer goods

Consumer goods customers often want to know two things right away: “What’s it made of?” and “When will it get here?” These questions can quickly pile up in your inbox if your policies aren’t front and center.

Trove Brands, home to household favorites like BlenderBottle and Owala, solves this by proactively answering product and shipping questions across their site and emails.

Key policies to prioritize

  • Shipping: Share estimated delivery times, carrier information, and instructions on how customers can track their orders.
  • Product specs and materials: List dimensions, materials, care instructions, and safety notes to avoid product-related confusion.
  • Damage/defect resolution: Set clear expectations around what qualifies as a defect and how customers can report it.
  • Warranty or guarantee: Outline what’s covered, for how long, and how to claim it, especially important for durable goods.
BlenderBottle manufacturing policies collapsible menu
BlenderBottle uses collapsible menus that let shoppers find key policy details without scrolling through long blocks of text.

At the end of each product page, BlenderBottle shares a support menu where shoppers can find information on order status and replacement parts. 

BlenderBottle support menu with store policies
A built-in support menu on every PDP gives customers immediate access to order status, product care, and parts — reducing pre-purchase hesitation.

Where to share store policies

  • Embed product-related FAQs directly on PDPs to answer questions where they arise.
  • Use conversational AI assistants like AI Agent to automatically resolve tickets related to product questions and damaged orders.
  • Add warranty and damage policy links in order confirmation and shipping emails to keep customers informed.

Read more: What's the secret to reducing WISMO requests?

Consumer electronics

In electronics, clarity is everything. Customers want to know how to use the product, what to do if it doesn’t work, and how to get a replacement — without jumping through hoops.

Over-the-counter hearing aid company Audien Hearing nails this by creating crystal-clear support content around setup, shipping, and returns, so customers can troubleshoot confidently and independently.

Key policies to prioritize

  • Warranty/repairs: Explain what’s covered, how to file a claim, and turnaround times for repairs or replacements.
  • Returns and exchanges: Clearly state the return window, list of eligible items, processing time, and whether you accept refunds, in-store credit, or exchanges.
  • Shipping and delivery expectations: Share average delivery timelines and what to expect once a product ships.
  • Troubleshooting steps: Provide self-service guides for common issues like connectivity, battery life, or setup confusion.

Audien Hearing has clear visual policies that make it simple for shoppers to find the info they need quickly. 

Audien Hearing visual store policies with orders, shipping, and returns information
Audien Hearing uses a clean, visual layout to guide customers through setup, shipping, and warranty policies, reducing confusion and support requests.

Where to share store policies

  • In chat, set up an automated flow that answers questions like “How do I set this up?” or “Can I return this?”
  • Let customers track their return or exchange process, especially when high-value items are involved.
  • Create step-by-step guides, accompanied by video or images, in your Help Center for setup and basic troubleshooting.
  • Include warranty and return information in the product packaging, so customers have it readily available in case something goes wrong.

Health and wellness

In the health and wellness space, trust and transparency are everything. Customers want to feel confident that the products they’re using are safe and that the support will be just as thoughtful as the product itself.

Brands like period underwear brand Saalt do this exceptionally well, pairing clear product education with empathetic policies that guide customers through everything from first use to subscription changes.

Key policies to prioritize

  • Product safety and use: Provide detailed instructions, safety disclaimers, and FAQs for first-time users, especially for intimate or ingestible products.
  • Returns (especially for hygiene items): Be upfront about what can and can’t be returned, and include compassionate language to build trust.
  • Order change or cancellation: Make it easy to update or cancel orders, especially for items that ship quickly or automatically.
  • Subscription FAQs: Clearly explain how to skip, pause, or cancel a subscription, and what benefits subscribers get.

Saalt lets customers phrase questions themselves or choose from a dropdown menu.

Saalt what can we help you with search bar
Saalt offers a flexible help experience. Customers can type their questions or choose from smart dropdowns, making product education accessible and intuitive. 
Saalt Bliss guarantee and warranty store policies
A one-year satisfaction guarantee reassures first-time buyers, helping reduce hesitation and post-purchase concerns around intimate products.

Where to share store policies

  • Prioritize clarity on your contact form by using dropdowns or checkboxes to organize customer inquiries by topic.
  • Let AI Agent handle recurring product questions like “How do I use this?” or “Is this safe?” to free up your team.
  • Include shipping and return info in SMS flows so customers can get answers on-the-go, without needing to email.

Food and beverage

Food and beverage customers tend to be both curious and cautious. They want to know what they’re putting in their bodies — and what to do if something goes wrong with the order. 

Brands like Everyday Dose get ahead of these concerns by making their policies clear, accessible, and customer-first.

Key policies to prioritize

  • Ingredient and allergen disclaimers:Transparency is everything. List ingredients, possible allergens, and sourcing details to build trust.
  • Subscription changes: Give customers full control to pause, skip, or cancel deliveries with minimal friction.
  • Damaged orders: Outline what customers should do if a product arrives broken or spoiled, and how fast they can expect a replacement.
  • Shipping and delivery FAQs: Cover delivery timeframes, how orders are packed, and what to do if a shipment is delayed.

Everyday Dose lists frequently asked questions and makes it simple for customers to find important allergen and ingredient information. 

Everyday Dose Frequently Asked Questions collapsible menus
Everyday Dose’s use of emoji icons and collapsible menus turns a standard FAQ into a branded, user-friendly experience — inviting customers to explore before they ask.

Given that Everyday Dose is a mushroom supplement brand, many shoppers will likely have questions around allergens and exact ingredients. On each of their product pages, there is a clear “Read the Label” button. 

Everyday Dose read the label button annotated in yellow with arrow
A dedicated “Read the Label” button puts full transparency front and center — reducing ingredient-related inquiries and building trust with health-conscious shoppers. 
Everyday Dose full ingredient list and supplement facts
Providing a detailed ingredient list and supplement facts helps customers find the specific information they need without reaching out to support. 

Everyday Dose also has a chat which encourages customers to click through to the correct support link or to track their order. 

Everyday Dose chat bot with frequently asked questions
Everyday Dose integrates FAQs and order tracking directly in chat, letting customers solve their own issues and cutting down on manual support. 

Where to share store policies

  • Enable self-service order management on chat to give customers real-time updates on shipping status and subscription changes.
  • Feature policy links prominently in your customer account portal — especially for managing subscriptions.
  • Include your damage/return policy in post-purchase and thank-you emails, so customers know exactly what to do if something’s wrong.

Pro Tip: Use a conversational AI platform to handle common questions at scale. For example, Gorgias’s AI Agent can instantly respond to FAQs like “How much is shipping?” or “When will my order arrive?” — all in your brand’s voice. And when a request needs a human touch, it routes the ticket to the right agent automatically.

Best practices for writing and distributing store policies

Even the most well-written policy won’t reduce tickets if it’s buried three clicks deep in your footer. To truly support your customers (and lighten your team’s workload), your policies need to show up in the right places, at the right moments.

Here’s how to get them in front of customers when they need them most:

Surface policies across key customer touchpoints

  • Product detail pages: Link to size guides, shipping timelines, or ingredient lists directly on PDPs.
  • Chat: Use a combination of automated flows and conversational AI to proactively suggest relevant policies based on the customer’s question or page.
  • Help center: Turn your most common ticket topics into easy-to-scan articles with clear titles and headers.
  • Email flows: Include return and warranty info in post-purchase emails, shipping updates, and thank-you messages.
  • Account portals: Make it easy for customers to manage subscriptions, view order policies, and find FAQs in their account dashboard.
  • SMS or mobile support: Include quick policy reminders in transactional texts, like shipping delays or renewal reminders.

3 core elements of a strong store policy

  1. Clear: Use plain language, short sentences, and bullet points. Avoid legal jargon.
  2. Accessible: Link them prominently in your footer, header, Help Center homepage, chat, and product pages.
  3. Actionable: Tell customers exactly what to do — where to click, who to contact, and what to expect.

Well-placed policies turn support into a self-service experience. They empower your customers to get what they need without ever opening a ticket — and that’s a win for everyone.

Turn store policies into your first line of support 

Clear, proactive policies do more than answer questions. They prevent tickets, build trust, and make your support team’s job easier. By tailoring your policies to your industry and placing them where customers actually need them, you turn potential friction points into smooth experiences.

Want to take it a step further? Book a demo to see Gorgias’s AI Agent handle common inquiries like shipping, returns, and product questions, across chat, email, and contact forms.

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