10 reasons why good product packaging is important
It's just a box, isn't it? No not at all. Your product packaging is the first physical point of contact between your brand and your customers. It's the first time your product has become real in the eyes of customers. You spend a lot of time developing your product and if you deliver it in a drab, unbranded box, you are in no way realizing the potential of packaging.
Reasons for good packaging: In this article you will read 10 reasons why good packaging can make all the difference in changing your customers' first impression from "hmm" to "wow". Do you remember the last time you bought a cheap phone case or some type of gadget? It was probably delivered in a standard brown mailer or, if it came up, in a thin, pure white cardboard box. What do you think of about the brand you bought this thing from?
Absolutely nothing. Sure, the purchase was a small one, you didn't spend a lot of money on it. But the fact is, your experience with this brand has been arbitrary and boring. For various reasons:
The product was likely cheap and easy to replace It was a mass product The seller made a small profit margin on the product
Let's take a look at the other side of the market.
The issues above probably don't have much to do with you or your brand. You spend a lot of time, energy, and love transforming your product from an idea into a product that can be delivered. You make sure that every little detail is perfect and that your customer is simply absolutely delighted when they buy your product. That's them. That's why your brand is special - you love what you do and you bring that love into your products. And here is the 1 million question: Do you deliver your products in the same shipping bag or thin cardboard box that your cell phone case was delivered in? If you don't deliver your product in a box that is just as unique as your product, your products will look as random as a cheap cell phone case. But there are tons of other reasons why you should use unique packaging for your brand - and we're going to take a look at 10 of them in this article.
1 - It makes for a really big entrance You don't get a second chance to make a first impression! The first impression has a great influence on how we humans perceive almost everything. For example, an extremely strong first handshake with someone is quite likely to affect your general opinion about them. And that is exactly what your product packaging is ultimately about: the first greeting, the handshake, the “Hey, nice to meet you”. Not only is your packaging the only part of your brand that reaches 100% of customers, but it's also the first time your customers have physically come into contact with your brand. If such an encounter seems monotonous, boring and arbitrary, that is a disadvantage for you and your brand!
2 - It demonstrates sustainability We all consume a little too much and produce a lot of garbage in the process. If you are concerned that using extra packaging is only adding to that consumption and waste, then rest assured. Most personalized packaging is made from at least 80% recycled material. This means that in a previous life your custom packaging was a children's book, an empty toilet roll or a cereal box. The remaining 20% is glue and ink, which while not reusable, are often biodegradable.
If your brand is geared towards sustainability and the environment, consider shipping your items in packaging that shows the natural structure of cardboard. These types of boxes are made from the same recycled cardboard, but lack the extra layers for an all-over uniform color. The result is a simple, “natural” Kraft cardboard structure that is printed either in black or white. Many larger brands use the natural texture of cardboard to complete their natural, organic, sustainable and / or environmentally friendly image.
Thought one step further: If you're concerned about your box only being used once and then thrown away, think of creative ways your customers can reuse it. See below how a candy brand created a box that doubles as a coloring activity for their customers' children!
3 - It creates a great unboxing experience In case you haven't heard of it, the unboxing experience is a powerful and often untapped way of building a relationship with your customers. Ultimately, it is about the time between receipt of the packaging by your customer and the first use of the product - the unboxing.
4 - It creates added value Is it the first time you ever went to a restaurant and thought, "Wow, that's a lot of food for the price ..." You are impressed and surprised, not even necessarily by the quality of the food, but by the amount. You feel good and really feel like you've got a bargain. Regardless of whether your product is edible or not, bespoke packaging adds value to your brand. Your customer has ordered a product, but when he receives it in an elegant box with customized tissue paper, this thought crosses his mind: "Wow, that's a lot more than I expected." The result? Your customer is happier with their purchase and they'll remember you a little more.
5 - It promotes brand loyalty One of the biggest concerns brands of all types and sizes have is low sales. Smaller brands and boutique brands that are just starting out are particularly hard hit: You work so hard for every single sale, so you want to make sure that every customer stays loyal and comes back.
It's a good idea to simply print your brand's motto on your product packaging. When a customer opens a box, he sees the product and, thanks to your individually printed boxes, he also sees your brand motto right away. The exciting moment when customers hold their purchase in their hand for the first time, they are also reminded of why they bought from you. This experience ensures that your brand will be remembered as a good decision. Over time, this also helps to build a harmonious relationship, trust and, in general, a relationship that your customer wants to remain loyal to.
6 - It helps make people buy Why not use a box with your brand's logo to showcase your range in the real world? Many e-commerce brands also have a physical presence in a physical store. If you are one of these brands, you have probably put a lot of thought into how you want your products to be presented. Your customers (or people in general) are visual creatures, we perceive a lot through our eyes alone. Even the smallest box of your brand's logo and color palette can conceptually bring together the physical space your product resides in. Literally use your boxes as building blocks and place products on them. Showcase your more expensive products in their packaging so buyers can see the added value you offer. Elegant product packaging can also help you with product photography. Add a picture of your product next to your packaging to show your customers the value they are receiving.
7 - It's more than just a box Individual packaging is not just a box. Sure, a square or rectangular box with a lid is by far the most common packaging solution, but there's a little more to it than that. If you're selling a fragile or delicate product, it may well need a little extra padding or protection. Round off your entire packaging ensemble with individually printed tissue paper. This gives that little extra “wow” factor when your customer sees their purchase for the first time.
If you sell textiles or something else that is tough, you might not need a box at all. A simple, biodegradable mailing bag with your brand's logo on it can be a great choice and will keep material waste to a minimum. Mailing bags have the added benefit of being waterproof. If you are shipping a product in a box but are concerned that it will get wet, pack it in a custom shipping bag. If you sell regularly at trade fairs or via other offline channels, you can also inspire your customers by handing over your products in a branded paper bag. These paper bags are made from fully biodegradable and recycled materials. If sustainability and recyclability are important to you (and they should be) then these bags are a perfect match for your brand's image.
8 - It reinforces your branding Your branding consists of your logo, your color choices, and a few other visual elements that you use regularly. These "design elements" can be seen in your online shop and everywhere you want to present your brand.
So why not on your packaging too? By putting your logo and branding in as many places as possible, you are delivering the image of a professional brand that knows how to best present itself to the world. Selling unique, handcrafted products while combining that with a professional brand image is an effective way to attract (and retain) customers.
9 - It's another form of marketing
Believe it or not, your packaging is a great way to market your brand to your customers. Packaging is a visual medium that you can use to encourage your customer that they made the right choice. What are the unique selling points of your brand? Do you produce with sustainable materials? Do you donate to charity? Whatever it is, put these points on your packaging. The result is that once your customers have their new purchase in hand, they will be reminded of why they bought from you. You will be reminded of what makes your brand special and unique. And ultimately, most of all, they will be reminded that they made the right choice by purchasing from you. Affirming these things is marketing in its purest form, and your packaging is the marketing channel.
10 - It combines form and function Regardless of what you design, often either function or form has to be sacrificed for the benefit of the other ideal. One of the joys of product packaging is that these two elements come together and go hand in hand harmoniously. Your packaging plays the role of keeping your product safe in transit, but it is also the stage on which your product is presented to your customers. Form and function in relation to your packaging can also go a little further. Below you can see how this brand put a small "Hello and Thanks" on the inside of their box. The result? On the one hand, the product is safe during transport (function), but on the other hand, the customer is also welcomed as soon as he opens the box (form). Creative packaging like this can solve two problems in one fell swoop.
To pack and take away As you just saw, packaging is so much more than just a simple box. High-quality packaging is the first thing that leads to a “wow” instead of a “hmm” for your customers. Competition and sales in the e-commerce industry are tough. You should therefore be sure that your customer is absolutely delighted with their purchase. And shipping your product in a box that showcases your brand is the first step in doing just that. Further more information you can also visit this site: http://www.biotechpackages.com/