Top E-Commerce Packaging Tips
Global e-commerce sales are growing at an astonishing pace. According to a 2017 report by Statista, global e-commerce sales are poised to reach $4.5 trillion in 2021.
Top brands must now design with e-commerce in mind to maintain customer loyalty and grow their sales. According to the 2018 Mintel report on packaging trends, “As more and more consumers embrace online shopping, packaging will play a pivotal role in brands’ and consumers’ e-commerce experiences.”
Designing for e-commerce is different from packaging for retail as e-commerce packaging must be compact and fulfill various international regulations. Online shopping is streamlined and convenient, and your packaging should be too. Here are five top tips for packaging designing for e-commerce.
1. Follow the Leader: Amazon’s Packaging Rules
is a global e-commerce titan. The company’s sales accounted for 44% of all U.S. e-commerce sales in 2017 according to data from One-click retail. Amazon has mastered the art of online shopping and shipping, so it’s smart to follow its packaging guidelines.
If you are a seller on Amazon failure to comply with its packaging rules could mean your shipment won’t be fulfilled, or be fined. However, if you follow their rules, you could reap significant rewards. Before sending your package to Amazon make sure it complies Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) rules and Amazon’s packaging and prep requirements. It’s important to note that packaging requirements vary based on the category of your product. However, in the case that your product falls under multiple categories, you must follow the rules of all of those categories. For example, if you’re selling luxury lotion, your product must fulfill the liquid packaging rules and the set packaging rules.
For more, visit Amazon’s website.
2. Secure Your Precious Shipments with Polybags
Polybags are a fantastic way to keep your bags safe during shipping because they are less prone to tearing or weather damage, compared to paper bags or even standard plastic. Polybags are also the best be to protect your goods from moisture and dust.
3. Make it eye-catching
A report by One Click Retail found that luxury items were one of the fastest growing e-commerce items. There is an appetite for luxurious items, so cater to consumers’ desire for luxury with deluxe packaging that is eye-catching. For a sophisticated design, pair a gem tone colour like silver, gold or bronze with a black accent. Black accents also pair well with rich, vibrant colours like pink. For example, pink boxes with black ribbons create a stunning finish as illustrated below.
It’s essential that your packaging design reflects the branding and experience of your brick and mortar stores because consistent branding improves brand awareness. According to the 2018 Mintel report, “ The home, the experience of e-commerce packaging must reflect consumer expectations from shopping with that brand in-store.”
This Ellie bag is a fantastic example of best practices for e-commerce packaging as it clearly reflects the company’s chic and feminine branding with its gorgeous rose gold packaging. Its e-commerce boxes are also sustainable and compact, two important characteristic of e-commerce packaging.
4. Make it compact
The cost of shipping is decreasing, but it is still expensive, so lower your shipping bill by creating packaging that is sustainable and compact. Instead of stuffing your packaging with tons of paper, or plastic, opt to use strong and sustainable materials such as polybags.
5. Go the extra mile
Thank your customers for their purchase by rewarding them with small tokens of appreciation. For example, place a small postcard with a coupon code in your packaging to encourage future purchases. Or add a little token or gift, such as a small sample of your other products. For example, if they purchase shampoo, add a small sample of your company’s hair gel. Or if your client buys tea from your e-store, send them a cute teaspoon or coupon code for a free cup of tea at your retail store.
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