What if you found out that high-quality packaging can lead to a more delightful unboxing experience and lower shipping costs? You’d likely be very interested, right? After all, online retailers have to contend with rising shipping costs, while customers have come to expect free or inexpensive shipping. Plus, customers want to feel that special connection with a brand when opening a new product.
The right packaging materials not only help protect products during the shipping process, they promote the brand and create a better unboxing experience for the customer. But premium packaging comes at a cost, and it can be challenging to find the right balance.
With a little planning and ingenuity, however, you may be able to have your cake and eat it too. That is, you can get high-quality packaging to delight your customers without blowing the budget.
Here’s how:
Wasting space can lead to higher warehouse and transportation costs. Keeping packaging tight and compact can save costs and also help decrease the risk of damage by reducing the possibilities of bounce. Plus, properly packaged products can also help ease the loading and unloading process, which can then reduce both time and resources for the warehouse staff.
Some carriers use dimensional weight to calculate the costs for bags and boxes of various sizes. You may be able to significantly cut back on shipping costs by adjusting dimensions to package your products more efficiently and decrease unused space in boxes.
Avoid the overuse of materials like bubble wrap, paper, or foam pellets. Consider affordable mailer boxes or folding cartons as options and keep things simple. You can often have these customized both inside and out to help you share your brand’s story.
Make sure to use packaging materials that protect your products, so they arrive at your customers’ doorsteps in great condition. When unsuitable packaging materials are used, products risk being damaged – as does your brand reputation.
Before you go placing a large order for new supplies, be sure to put your new packaging to the test. Discovering if your packaging is able to stand up to the mechanical strains of compression and stacking during shipments, can undergo vibrations and shocks, and can withstand common and extended environmental stresses (such as high or freezing temperatures and various degrees of humidity) will help ensure your products arrive at doorsteps as intended.
Just because you have a system that is working for you now doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. The number of packaging options available can be overwhelming, but it’s worth it to take the time and effort to look at your packaging materials, designs, and needs regularly to see how you can continue to refine and improve on both costs and presentation.
QuickBox offers value-added services including packaging consultation, postage optimization, and labeling services. Get in touch with us and tell us how we can help your business.