In e-commerce, a first impression happens before the customer even interacts with the product. It starts as soon as someone touches the package. Packaging is so much more than a box, it's part of your branding, customer service, and business model.
This complete guide will help you identify the right packaging to protect your products, wow your customers, and improve the process of shipment. Regardless of whether you are a new Shopify store owner or revisiting how you do things.
Choose Materials That Work For You
Utilizing appropriate packaging materials may protect your product from damage, improve the unboxing experience, and assist with your fulfilment process.
Here is a list of types of packaging materials used typically:
- Corrugated boxes - made from resilient material and excellent for shipping heavier or more fragile items.
- Padded mailers - perfect for shipping smaller delicate, but not heavy, accessories, cosmetics etc.
- Poly mailers - good for shipping soft goods, like clothing, as it is lightweight.
- Tissue paper and inserts - lovely addition that adds visual appeal, and extra protection to the product.
- Void Fill Packaging- Kraft paper, shredded filler, biodegradable peanuts, etc. designed to prevent anything from moving around within the box or during shipping.
If you are bundling products or stacking different products together, the stretch wrap roll for packing can be a good option. It will also keep everything together while shipping without adding in or creating unnecessary bulk or additional cost.
Make Unboxing Memorable
Unboxing is more significant than ever. In fact, shoppers are more likely to post and share pictures of thoughtfully packaged orders on social media, potentially free advertising for your store.
You can take simple steps like using custom tape, or adding a thank you note, or branded stickers to create a memorable experience when the customer receives a standard delivery. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. It is more about:
Consistency with your brand colours and voice
Tidiness in presentation
Ease of opening ease of their package or what can be a frustrating experience
Your packaging is a representation of your store’s personality–so you have to make it count.
Cut Costs Without Cutting Corners
Packaging can be stylish and economical. It’s about making good choices rather than spending a fortune.
Here are a few smart cost-saving ideas:
Purchase materials in bulk, which gives you bulk rates.
- Use flat rate shipping if possible.
- Use light materials to drop ship costs for carriers.
- Standardize box sizes so packing is easier and excessive inventory is reduced.
- A cost-saving tactic is to use packing stretch wrap to bundle products or to wrap pallets. This adds protection to the product while keeping packaging light and simple.
Go Green with Packaging
Sustainability is more than just a buzzword, it’s a competitive advantage. Customers are more and more buying from brands that reflect their values to be sure they are making some improvement for the environment and packaging is one area where you can do this.
Some eco-friendly options include:
- Recycled or recyclable cardboard boxes
- Compostable mailers
- Soy based inks on printed materials
- Less or plastic free packaging
By calling out your sustainable practices on your website or insert cards, you are also affirming your brand's commitment to the environment while attracting its eco minded customers.
Test and Improve
Run some small tests before investing in thousands of units of packaging. Package your products as if it were going to a real customer, then send one to yourself or a co-worker and analyse the experience.
Ask questions like:
Did it arrive undamaged?
Was it easy to open?
Did the branding feel professional?
Was there anything you could improve?
Your packaging will change as your store changes. Pay attention to customer feedback, look at returns or reports of damage, and continue to improve.
Conclusion
Packaging is more than protection for a product; it creates excitement, represents your brand story, and shows your customers you care. We have all been packaging and shipping products, whether it is from a home-based online store or scaling up from a warehouse; making the right investment into the proper packaging and supplies is critical to your brand's success and problems in shipping and handling.
Custom boxes, eco-mailers, packing materials like stretch-wrapping roll, your packaging materials create the first impression. Finding the right mix of protection with presentation at a price that works for your business means your packaging is now a key part of your very own Shopify success equation.
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