When was the last time you had a package shipped to your home? If you’re like 57% of the people who participated in a recent Circuit survey, the answer is: Within the last week. 22% of people in the same survey also reported receiving daily packages.
The takeaway here is that eCommerce is an extremely prevalent and popular way for consumers to make purchases. With annual sales totaling more than $1 trillion dollars in the U.S. alone, there is no doubt that it is an incredibly high potential market. That being said, it is also extremely competitive. Chances are, that no matter your industry or niche, there are numerous other businesses offering similar products and vying for the attention of your target consumer base.
With this in mind, distinguishing yourself from the competition to stand out to customers, gain their loyalty, and perhaps even receive a positive review or social media referral is critical. Every bit of attention to detail counts, and nowhere is this more evident than in the packaging of your products and the message it sends to your customers.
The process of designing and bringing standout eCommerce packaging to life does not have to be overly complicated or break the bank. It does, however, require a savvy, intentional approach, the ability to combine function with aesthetic appeal, and a willingness to think outside the box and put yourself in the shoes of your target audience.
At SupremeX, our decades of experience as leaders in the print and packaging industry puts us at the forefront of innovative eCommerce packaging design and manufacturing. We are up-to-date with the most cutting-edge technology in our field and have our finger on the pulse of all the most current advances and trends. If you are looking to delight consumers with customized eCommerce packaging that truly stands out from the crowd, our dedicated team at SupremeX can help you achieve and exceed your goals.
Below, we have provided an overview of the importance of well-designed eCommerce packaging and some actionable ways to enhance and heighten the unboxing experience to help your brand and products truly shine. Are you looking for guidance creating one-of-a-kind eCommerce packaging that is perfectly tailored to your needs and niche? Get started today with our expert team at SupremeX!
The Importance of Well-Designed Product Packaging
With a little attention to detail and an awareness of the various functions that effective eCommerce packaging serves, your company will be well on its way to curating elevated and memorable experiences for its consumer base. Thoughtful eCommerce packaging that checks all the boxes is 100% achievable, but should keep the following design considerations in mind:
- Safety and Protection – First and foremost, the function of eCommerce packaging is to keep products safe during shipping and ensure that they arrive undamaged and in pristine condition. No matter how stunning a packaging design may be, there is no getting around the disappointment and frustration that accompany the delivery of a damaged or broken item. This type of negative experience should be avoided at all costs, and selecting packaging materials that are sturdy and protective enough to hold up to the demands of transport, handling, and delivery is key.
- First Impressions – In eCommerce, there is no brick-and-mortar store for your customers to visit. After making a purchase on your eCommerce website (or at your distributors website), their first real-world interaction with your brand occurs when a package is delivered directly into their hands. Make this moment count by maximizing the unboxing experience and creating an immediate bond with each customer despite the limitations of time and space. First impressions matter in eCommerce, so make your brand’s moment in the spotlight cohesive, connected, and memorable (see the unboxing section below).
- Brand Identity – Besides protecting the items within and making an excellent first impression, on-the-mark eCommerce packaging should also communicate your brand’s values and identity. A cupcake company might look to communicate fun and decadence with its packaging concept, while a hiking apparel company’s packaging might aim to evoke ruggedness, quality, and environmental stewardship. No matter the narrative you wish to tell consumers about your brand, on-point packaging can speak volumes.
- Sequence and Flow – Carefully consider the sequence in which you want customers to unbox your product and plan your packaging concept accordingly. From the visibility of instructions and packing slips to the placement of fillers and stickers, each and every element counts.
Create a Unique Unboxing Experience for Your Customers
With the advent of unboxing videos (videos that document the opening and unpacking of eCommerce packages) and their astronomical rise in popularity over the past few years, the hype and expectations surrounding eCommerce packaging have skyrocketed. While functional and creative packaging has always been a plus for any brand, today’s eCommerce landscape places a particularly high value on the unboxing experience. With this in mind, any detail that distinguishes your product’s eCommerce packaging has the potential to make a measurable difference in your overall sales, revenue, and brand awareness.
Below, we will take a closer look at some of the ways companies can customize various packaging elements to promote a unique and engaging unboxing experience:
External Packaging
Your product’s external packaging is the very first thing customers will encounter when your eCommerce product is delivered into their hands. While simple cardboard boxes, shipping boxes, or mailers are often standard for external eCommerce packaging, there’s always the potential to jazz them up from the outside-in or the inside-out (or both).
Consider adding unique branding to the outside of your product’s packaging to create a feeling of anticipation right from the get-go. Alternatively, delight your consumers with simple exterior packaging that belies a customized interior when opened and makes for a captivating moment in the unboxing experience. At SupremeX, we can help you customize the exterior and/or interior of your eCommerce boxes, cartons, mailers, envelopes, and more. Speak with one of our representatives to learn about our extensive selection of high-quality print options, finishes, and embellishments.
Filler and Padding
While traditional filler and padding options like Styrofoam peanuts and bubble wrap have become associated with eCommerce packaging over the years, why not boost your branding with something fresher, brighter, or more sustainable? Crinkle paper or wood fiber (sometimes known as excelsior) are both filler and padding options that can effectively protect fragile products while also adding a pop of fresh color or texture to your overall packaging design. Speak to our team at SupremeX for other possible filler and padding options that may meet your particular needs.
Labels
Whether strategically placed on one or more eCommerce packaging elements or directly on the product itself, a gorgeous label can be a game-changer in terms of drawing the eye and engaging the senses. In addition, it can also represent an important means of communicating information about your product.
At SupremeX, our expertise in label design and manufacturing allows us to help eCommerce brands integrate innovative labels into their packaging designs for the greatest possible impact. We specialize in everything from pressure-sensitive labels to labels printed on a variety of different substrates, cold foil applied labels, expanded content labels, and more.
Packing Slips
Packing slips and product receipts are typically viewed as nothing more than a necessary component of eCommerce packaging, but why not maximize on the opportunity to make yours stand out? Consider stylizing your brand’s packing slips and receipts, using them as an opportunity to offer a free coupon or discount code, or incentivize satisfied customers to leave a positive review (ensuring, of course, that you are not breaking the rules set out by any of the online retail platforms you may be working with).
Ideas and Considerations To Help Your Products Stand Out
Are you looking for further inspiration in designing standout eCommerce packaging? The ideas below are sure to grab attention and get your brand and products noticed in all the right ways:
Create Packaging That Seems Too Nice To Throw Away
Imagine this: You have opened an eCommerce package and are about to throw away or recycle the packaging. But you can not quite bring yourself to do it. The branded packaging is too pretty, interesting, or functional. Instead, you keep it and find another purpose for it in your home. Every time you look at it, you think fondly of the brand and the positive experience you have had with the product the packaging contained. When it comes time to make another purchase, guess which brand is on your mind?
In addition to building brand loyalty, exceptionally “keepable” packaging is also great for the environment, as it naturally gets repurposed and noticed time and time again. At SupremeX, our wide variety of professional finishing services can help you create high-impact eCommerce packaging that customers will naturally feel compelled to keep, rather than toss in the trash or recycling bin.
Use a Custom or Unique Package Shape
Are you selling a product with an unconventional shape? Instead of hiding this fact in a rectangular box, how about accentuating its uniqueness with an eCommerce packaging concept that makes a statement? There is something attention-grabbing and appealing about receiving a package that doesn’t conform to your expectations of how a “standard” package should look. At SupremeX, we can bring an almost endless range of custom eCommerce package shapes and designs to life!
Do Not Neglect the Design of the Inside of Your Packaging
As we mentioned earlier, being greeted with an unexpectedly rich or eye-catching interior when you first open a box, mailer, or envelope is a welcome surprise that can contribute to an incredible unboxing experience and set your brand and product apart. Instead of viewing the inside of your packaging as simply a functional necessity, try seeing it as an empty canvas ready to be animated and see what transpires!
Use FSC-Certified Packaging
Sustainable eCommerce packaging (including packaging made of recycled materials and/or that can, itself, be recycled) is in high demand and definitely something to consider incorporating into your eCommerce packaging ideas. Data from 2023 indicates that 82% of global consumers indicate a willingness to purchase products with sustainable packaging despite potentially higher costs. With this in mind, FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) packaging is a savvy choice for the sake of the environment and for winning over consumers.
At SupremeX, we are proud to carry a wide range of FSC-certified products, all of which can be fully customized.
Custom Labels for an Eye-Catching Finishing Touch
Labels are one of our areas of expertise at SupremeX, and we pride ourselves on helping our clients design and manufacture the right custom labels to make their eCommerce packaging concepts truly pop. From helping you understand which substrate will be most appropriate for your purposes to adding high-quality finishes and embellishments that will capture the attention and admiration of your consumers, our dedicated team will be by your side throughout every step of the decision-making process.
Include Free Items in Your eCommerce Packaging
Free items are always a win that will bring smiles to the faces of your customers. And they do not have to be bulky or expensive to do so! As you design your custom product packaging, consider what lightweight item(s) you might add in as freebies.
Receiving something gratis makes the arrival of an eCommerce package feel more like an unexpected gift and can often be a factor in eliciting positive reviews and/or gaining repeat customers. Consider offering a free sample to hook customers and keep them investing in more products in the future.
If you are ready to start shipping your latest products and looking for ways to make your eCommerce packaging turn heads, SupremeX can help. If this post has whet your appetite for designing eCommerce packaging that is fresh, smart, and exciting, contact our dedicated team today to learn how we can support you and bring your vision to life with professionalism, precision, and expertise. We look forward to working with you!
