Packaging for eCommerce
Over time, the packaging of online purchases has changed significantly. To keep up with the high expectations of customers, many online retailers have upped their game when it comes to the quality of packaging for eCommerce as well as the automation speed. The product packaging itself can leave many impressions on the customer and serves itself with many copious functions.
The vision of the brand can also play a major factor in the packaging of the product itself. For the transit packaging there are a number of considerations to take into account for sending your eCommerce product.
Companies know the importance of packaging and how consumers interact with it; that is why companies like Amazon, who pride themselves on the customer experience, offer their customers what they call “Frustration-Free Packaging”. According to Amazon “Frustration-Free Packaging” is, “Recyclable and does not include excess packaging materials, such as hard plastic clamshell casings, plastic bindings, and wire ties. Designed to be opened without a box cutter or knife, while protecting products just as well as traditional packaging for eCommerce”.
Cost Savings
There are many aspects to consider when making packaging material choices such as material, labor required, layers of packing, printing and any waste associated. The cost savings on packaging are dependent on the target consumer market. When you have a high spending customer base the cost of the product is more than likely going to cover costly packaging.
The most important things to remember are the goods dimensions (length, width, and breadth) will affect the cost of the product and how it can be shipped. One unique way to save money when trying to cut down costs, is negotiating bulk discounts on shipping materials. There are also shipping suppliers that offer relatively cheap shipping materials such as Uline, Value Mailers, and eBay! Furthermore, one of the best resources for discounts is through the United States Postal Service, that offer regional rates.
Attractiveness
Brands that are making their product packaging more trendy can flourish in this consumer market. According to a recent report by Dotcom Distribution showed that 60% of people who liked the products packaging shared an image of the product on their social networking sites.
The packaging design and attractiveness is just as important as the products itself because improper packaging could leave to be damaging to brand value. The attractiveness of your product packaging is the best way to have exceptional brand marketing that can help you gain the edge over the competitors.
Durability
The primary function of the packaging is to protect the package from any damages that could occur during transit. A study conducted by Pregis Protectic Packaging, found that 82.76% of customers have received a damaged item when they have ordered an item online. From the same study they conducted they found that 58% of people would find it somewhat unlikely to purchase from that retailer again.
There are number of different packaging options that are available according to The Freedonia Group protective packaging will become much more popular and will increase by 4.9% each year. Protective packaging can mean that air pillows, paper fill products, foam protective packages, dunnage bags, protective mailers, and flexible packaging products.
The most important thing is to research what is the most effective way to protect and ensure durability of your package when making decisions for your product.
