Online retail is going through a period of accelerated growth as more and more people turn to the internet to shop for everything—from bulk purchases of frozen foods and household supplies to individual items like clothing, shoes, jewelry, and even flowers.
Retailers that want to stand out in a crowded market need to find unique methods of getting shoppers' attention. Here are five ways that retailers can use custom packaging to help them do just that:
Custom packaging makes it possible for retailers to capitalize on impulse buying and encourage customers to respond quickly to a special promotion or sale.
It’s also a way for you to add an element of urgency into your pricing structure and offer products at a discount based on how quickly shoppers make their decisions. This creates an incentive for buyers to act quickly to avoid missing out on a deal.
For example, a shoe retailer might offer a small discount on athletic shoes if shoppers commit to buying them within 24 hours of seeing the online ad. If the shopper wants greater savings, they need to decide ASAP—this helps make sure your customer won’t wait until tomorrow or even later in the week to make this purchase.
When there are so many options available, it's easy for shoppers to delay making a decision because they believe something better will come along. Retailers can use custom packaging to persuade shoppers not to wait until they're ready but to take advantage of the opportunity right now.
With so many goods available for sale online, retailers need to find ways to get their products in front of shoppers and make sure potential buyers take action as fast as possible.
One way to show your customers you care is by including a promotional gift or message with each purchase. It doesn't have to be expensive—if it shows the retailer is willing to put in some extra effort, rather than just tossing the product into a box and shipping it off to customers, it will get the job done.
Custom packaging offers a way for retailers to be creative and customize each package. It's a great way to make sure that each shopper feels valued, important, and appreciated for his or her business.
When customers feel valued, they are more likely to buy from you in the future. That makes it much easier for an online retailer to turn one-time buyers into lifelong customers.
Custom packaging offers retailers a way to build brand recognition and make their products stand out from the competition. It's a great way to improve your overall sales by appealing to shoppers who have never heard of your business, as well as those who are already familiar with you.
Using custom product packaging is especially useful for items that are sold in stores. Your packaging should stand out from the crowd, but it also needs to be attractive enough that customers are tempted to pick it up and investigate further.
Designing eye-catching custom packaging is as much an art as it is a science. It's not enough for your package design to be different or unique—it has to be something shoppers will be excited about. If you sell products online, it's crucial to develop something special that will help you outperform other sellers and make people look at your product before scrolling on to one of your competitors' goods instead.
Custom packaging will only be cost-effective if it can be shipped at a reasonable price, including sending the packaging itself before packing your goods. Typically, the solution is working with a packaging design team that can create boxes sturdy enough to protect the items inside but light enough so that shipping costs don’t increase too much.
It's traditional to include some type of marketing material with your product to entice potential customers to do business with you. If the item can be used more than once, it may be helpful to include something inside the package that promotes repeat business and encourages shoppers to buy from you again down the road.
There are many options to choose from. You could insert business cards, coupons, or a personalized message. The most important thing is to include some form of marketing or collateral material in the package.
Something as simple as a thank you note packaged with your product is the key to turning customers into repeat buyers. It's not difficult as long as you know your goals and work with a design team that understands the best way to accomplish them. Simple, affordable tactics like this are a way for retailers to improve sales and customer loyalty.
It's a good idea to think about what you want and need before jumping into the design process with both feet. If you're unsure of what works best for your target market, a good custom packaging provider can help you narrow your focus and design the perfect package for your brand.
For example, one brand or product might need a box that opens from the side rather than from the top. Another might want something with a more modern feel, while another may work better with a traditional design.
Whether you choose to stick with a tried-and-true approach or work with a supplier that specializes in unique packaging solutions, it's essential to keep an open mind as you go through the process of creating your custom packaging.