The Complete Guide to Ecommerce Packaging

The Complete Guide to Ecommerce Packaging

Over the past few years, the ecommerce space has continued to experience steady growth due to changes in consumer shopping behavior and the convenience created from mobile shopping. Because of this trend, it has become more imperative for your business to capture your share of the ecommerce buying movement. Part of your strategy should center on improving your product packaging design.

Ecommerce product packaging is essential to the basic protective functions of your products, but there are many other benefits. Using product packaging as a marketing tool can significantly increase the perceived value of your products and educate customers about complementary products, promotions, offers, and use cases. 

If you want to create custom packaging that will enhance your customer’s product unboxing experience, the infographic below should serve as your complete guide to ecommerce packaging.

what is ecommerce that packaging

What is Ecommerce Packaging?

Ecommerce-ready packaging helps your business regulate and protect your products in the most efficient way possible. You can also customize your designs to appeal to your customers and attract a loyal following. 

Common Types of Ecommerce Packaging

Ecommerce packaging can come in numerous forms. Below are some of the most common types of packaging materials used today. 

  1. Corrugated Boxes

Cardboard can take on multiple shapes and sizes that will allow your product to fit perfectly. They can also be reinforced by additional materials such as flutes to increase the general strength of your packaging. 

  1. Folding Cartons

This is a lightweight yet durable packaging material that comes in custom shapes and sizes. The different types of folding cartons include Solid bleached sulfate (SBS), Coated unbleached kraft (CUK), and Chipboard paperboard.

  1. Envelopes and Bubble Mailers

This packaging is most popular when sending products safely through the post. Apart from being low cost, they can also be customized according to your needs.

  1. Poly Bags

This flexible, thin plastic film fabric is widely used for food products, chemicals, flowers, and paper. Not only are poly bags lightweight, but they are also one of the cheapest packaging options available in the market. 

  1. Custom boxes

It’s best to use customized boxes to help your products stand out from other competitors. These types of packaging can be printed with any design choice in any shape or form. 

  1. Rigid Boxes

These are highly condensed paperboard that most luxury brands use to package their items. On average, this material is four times thicker than regular paperboard, making it less likely to collapse during transit.

  1. Paper Bags

Using paper bags is a typical way of packaging goods and can be found in nearly all types of industries. They are cheap, easy to attain, and are familiar to most consumers today. 

  1. Bottle and Cap 

This type of ecommerce packaging is best for liquid products such as drinks, cosmetics, and chemicals. In most cases, businesses use bottle and cap packaging to avoid chemical reactions with the item while in prolonged storage. 

  1. Cotton Bags

Cotton bags have an airy quality that is more commonly used for luxury products such as jewelry. These materials can also be customized using embroidery and fabric dye 

  1. Burlap

This type of packaging is most popular amongst sustainable brands because they are 100% biodegradable and recyclable. While it is similar to cotton bags, you can directly print your designs onto the material. 

The Importance of Ecommerce Packaging

Ecommerce packaging serves several purposes that make it vital for any business, and here are the reasons why.

  1. Safety and protection

Your packaging is the sole material that helps protect your product during transit and keep it safe from being altered by other substances. Without standardized packaging, your item can easily be tampered with, affecting its condition and presentation. 

  1. Customer attraction

You can use custom ecommerce packaging to catch your customers’ attention and help influence their purchasing decision. When a design option is more eye-pleasing, your customers are more likely to buy and recommend your products to their peers.  

  1. Brand reputation and loyalty

Your packaging designs are one of the best ways to distinguish your product from other brands. When you keep this consistent, your customers become more familiar with your company and are more likely to stay loyal to your brand.

  1. Product differentiation

Ecommerce packaging can help differentiate multiple products from one another by using different design colors and visuals. This can help your customers make faster decisions and can increase convenience when buying them.

  1. Marketing/promotion

Your choice in product packaging and designs can help highlight the key features of your items. As a result, your customers gain a better idea of what they can expect from your company. 

  1. A boosted bottom line

Establishing what types of materials to use in your packaging can help you cut down operational costs. It also prevents you from making last-minute decisions, which can hinder the quality of your products. 

Effective Tips and Strategies for Your Ecommerce Packaging

Use these tips or a combination of them to create the best ecommerce packaging strategies for your brand.

  1. Spice up your packaging paperwork

Use everything in your packaging to appeal to your customers in any way possible. These strategies include using custom printed messages, decorative invoices, and coupons.

  1. Create a unique unboxing experience

Create your packaging in a way that is enjoyable for your customers from start to finish. This can help improve their overall experience with your products and your relationship with them.

  1. Showcase your brand throughout the entire packaging

Take advantage of the limited surface area you have and establish messages and visuals that promote your brand. These include the bottom of your packaging, its inner walls, etc.

  1. Use eco-friendly packaging 

Shifting to sustainable packaging is an effective way to show your customers that you have the initiative to take care of the planet. At the same time, your products can be free from interacting with toxins in other materials.

  1. Leave thank you messages

Thanking your customers with a custom-made card can be a great way to engage with your consumer base. By doing so, they are more likely to keep purchasing your products and give you positive reviews. 

  1. Make it easy to return

While not all customers may enjoy your products, easing the return process can still gain you favorable points from them. At the same time, you also ensure that the items remain safe as it travels back to your warehouse. 

  1. Attain an FSC certification

Getting Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified is one of the best ways for your customers to trust your brand. When they find this seal on your products, they are more likely to keep choosing your company over others.

  1. Attract more customers with freebies

Small free items and promotions always give customers more initiative to invest in your products. These giveaways can come in various options such as free samples, exclusive merchandise, etc.

  1. Customize your seals

Use a seal that establishes the legitimacy of your brand to ensure your customers that they are getting what they paid for. These can take the form of stickers, tape, stamps, etc.

  1. Present it like it’s a gift

Create appealing packaging that will enhance your customer’s unboxing experience. This can be done by presenting it in a way that makes them feel as if they are receiving a gift from you.

Seal the Deal with the Right Packaging

Using the right type of ecommerce packaging is not only for the product’s appeal but also for its safety and security. Before you make your packaging choice, consider various options and strategies that will best fit your brand. Apart from this, it would be best to consider how you can keep the product safe until it reaches your customer.

For more guidance on making your packaging vision come to life, reach out to experts from Meyers Printing today.