All in all, when it comes to business online, the very first impression matters most. A shopper lands on your website, or he opens his parcel; both contribute towards building a perception regarding how much trust and loyalty your brand commands.
And one thing that sets most startups apart in this particular space is professional packaging. Many new, successful e-commerce start-ups rightly find that using flexible packagingnot only eases the process of shipping but helps shape or create a brand’s identity right from the beginning.
In this post, we are going to delve into 10 lessons about branding and packaging that online startups have to learn from the already established names.
What is Flexible Packaging?
Flexible packaging is made from materials like plastic, foil, or paper that can easily bend or change shape. It includes pouches, bags, wrappers, and sleeves used to hold products. This is lightweight packaging used for food, cosmetics, and e-commerce.
Now let’s explore some lessons for packaging for e-commerce start-ups:
1. Simple, Yet Memorable Branding
One of the best brands for startups is simple. They do not try to do too much in colors or designs. They have one or two main colors, a clean logo, and a clear message. “Less is more,” because it is much easier to remember the brand, and it looks better across all types of packaging. A simple brand is much easier on the eye and is likely to create more memorable features in people’s minds about a certain brand.
2. Make Unboxing an Experience
When it comes to unboxing, companies like Glossier and Allbirds do a tremendous job of capturing the spirit and drama of the program. Importantly, the process should make the opening of a package feel special. This can be achieved through custom tissue paper, a tiny thank-you card, or little stickers. Such frivolities would coax people to post their unboxing experiences with you online, leading to free advertisement for your brand.
3. Good Materials Selection
That is how packaging for e-commerce startups works: It has to deal pretty much with the shipping process. Ouch, too bad if all your items arrive in a broken state or if they’ve been rained on. Such successful start-ups use strong and lightweight materials, but few do. Felixable packs include all kinds of options like padded mailers, kraft paper wraps, and really strong poly bags, which have held their products safe but saved on shipping at the same time.
4. Don’t Forget Sustainability
Consumers of today are even more cognizant about the environment. This is one major factor, along with other things, that made brands like Package Free Shop and Blue Land popular. Recycled paper, compostable mailers, or boxes could make it seem like this.
Add a small note inside your box about how your packaging can be reused or recycled.
5. Use Every Inch of Your Packaging
Well, what’s inside the packaging speaks a lot to customers. Put something funny on the inside flap, a social media shout-out, or a little coupon to use on their next order. Many startups use it as an opportunity to cultivate an even deeper relationship with the customer.
For example, in the packaged clothing company, handwritten thank-you notes are put in with the merchandise, customized to each customer who purchased.
6. Be Honest About Your Brand
Packaging should reflect the essence of your brand. If your brand is an embodiment of fun, so should your packaging. On the contrary, if it portrays an earthy and natural image, stay with soft colors and uncomplicated designs. Customers can tell if your website and your packaging are mismatched.
7. Storage and Shipping
Most startups start small, and they can barely afford storage space. Big, heavy boxes look appealing, but they eat up storage space and cost money to ship. Lightweight, compact solutions such as flat mailers or roll-up sleeves save on shipping costs and simplify life. That is one reason flexible packaging has become all the rage- it bends and fits easily but still is protective.
8. Offer Personalization Where You Can
Research proves that 95% of people want to feel special. You very likely will not be able to personalize every order, but some thoughtful touches – name tags, thank-you cards, a personalized coupon code – can certainly present the fact that you care and see the customer beyond just another sale. Startup trick: A lot of companies, very simply, use a printed “Thank You” slip with empty fields where a few words can be said.
9. Watch what People Say Online
People tend to talk about packaging on social media as part of the entire customer experience. Successful startups are interested in their feedback from customers regarding packaging – what they like, what they don’t- as a way to improve and keep building customer loyalty. Encourage them to post images of your packaging under a specific hashtag.
10. Conduct Continued Testing and Learning
Most successful startups made horrible mistakes in their first packaging designs. They repeated some tests, and also had feedback collections, and they made changes. Your first packaging choice may not be the perfect option, and that is just fine. The most important thing is that you are listening to your customers and making improvement strides as you go.
Conclusion
When it comes to e-commerce, branding and packaging work hand in hand. Whether you’re a newbie starting out or currently making sales, how a product is presented can either build or destroy trust among customers.
Learn from other startups who have done it right and avoid mistakes in building something meaningful. From using Felixable packaging to save costs and protect the items to ensuring every part of the box feels like “you,” smart packaging means more than just wrapping – it’s part of the brand story you’re telling.
So, take time to think about what message you want your packages to send. After all, your packaging is often the only physical connection your customer has with your brand. Make it count. If this is an idea for your first product launch or you’re considering giving your brand a facelift, consider these ten lessons. They are simple, tried and true come from the real world. Because in e-commerce, every little thing counts, packaging would not be excluded.