How Custom Packaging Can Boost Business for Ecommerce Retailers

Custom packaging and labels can help e-commerce operations boost sales and build lasting relationships with customers.

 

While the most important component of the customer experience is, of course, the product itself, the demand for “shareable” unboxing experiences is only going to increase as e-commerce continues to dominate B2C sales. Retailers on sites such as Etsy have set a high bar, proving that quality custom packaging can elevate the unboxing process to create a fully immersive branded experience for consumers.

The best part? Custom packaging options are available for every product and every budget — and can actually bolster revenue and drive real results for your business. Here’s how.

 

Make the Unboxing Experience Shareable on Social Media

When a package is wrapped or decorated thoughtfully, consumers are more likely to show it off to their friends and social media followers. This quality of “shareability” can drive brand recognition, boost sales, and encourage customers to recommend your products to friends and family.

In 2015 alone, Youtube users watched unboxing and unveiling videos a total of 1.1 billion times, for a total of 60 million hours of viewing. And with the popularity of Instagram showing no signs of slowing, unboxing videos remain a valuable outlet for brands to gain exposure across platforms that customers love. In fact, 74% of consumers ages 18 to 25 report that they will share a recent purchase on social media if the product packaging is unique.

This personal touch is a gold mine for marketers: nearly 90% of consumers trust online reviews as much as they do personal recommendations.

 

Boost Brand Awareness for Repeat Sales

Consider the ways in which packaging, in general, can create brand awareness and inspire customer loyalty. For example, the success of Trunk Club boxes, Birchbox collectible designs, and Voodoo Doughnuts’ pink packaging prove that people commit to a brand when its packaging goes the extra mile.

E-commerce retailers should be ready to leverage the potential of custom packaging to build brand awareness. From custom-printed boxes and bags to branded labels and thoughtful design details like ribbons, customization sends the signal to customers that your company cares about their experience — even after they’ve checked out. In a competitive online marketplace, that thoughtfulness counts.

 

Project Professionalism that Inspires Trust

When your entire business is run online, your packaging is the main way you can make a positive first impression. Yet research reveals that only 11% of customers are completely satisfied with today’s retail packaging.

Your packaging serves as the face of your brand, so take pains to project a level of professionalism that inspires trust in consumers who have a wealth of options to choose from. When consumers see that a brand invests in quality custom packaging, they’re more likely to trust that the brand invests similarly in the quality of its products. In turn, customers are more likely to buy from brands that they trust again and recommend their products to friends.

 

Stand Out from Other Sellers

You know your product is great, but most major e-commerce platforms are chock-full of retailers offering similar products. To stand out from the crowd, deliver the best customer experience and inspire more sales with unique custom packaging.

When a customer is browsing a crowded online marketplace, it pays to include images of your packaging on your listing. Showcase your brand’s unique style with high-quality photos of your packaging, your custom designs, or images of products nestled in boxes and tissue paper that simulate the unboxing experience.

However, you choose to package your products, remember that custom packaging can serve as the ultimate competitive advantage. Get started with Paper Mart today.