Whether you’re planning on opening an online shop to market your crafts or selling old collectables after cleaning out your attic, you need the right shipping supplies. Packaging materials are often an overlooked aspect of selling items online, but they can actually be one of the most important things to stop and consider.
A portion of your budget should obviously be set aside for packaging supplies, but on top of that, you’ll also need to think about how the materials you choose to use will portray your brand. Customers notice everything, packaging included. It’s crucial to be mindful of every aspect of your business.
1. Decide What You Need
The packaging supplies you should choose depend on what you’ll be selling, how fragile the items are and how you want your packing to look. If you’re not sure how you should package your products, think about the last time you purchased something similar to what you sell. How was that item packaged? If you liked the packaging, think about how it could be improved upon to suit your products. If you didn’t like it, make a quick list of what you would change.
2. Consider Ease of Use
You want your products to arrive safely. That is your top concern. However, you should also consider how easy or difficult it will be for your customers to open their package. Ideally, you want your packaging to be as easy to remove as possible while still providing protection. Try to find the balance between the two. You may have older customers with arthritis or other issues that make difficult packaging frustrating. If you can avoid that and make things as easy as possible on your customers, they will appreciate and remember the effort the next time they wish to order a similar product.
3. Focus on Protection
Another important factor you’ll need to take into consideration when designing a packaging strategy is the cost. You might be tempted to cut corners to save money. It’s understandable, especially in a tough economy and highly competitive marketplace. However, if you cut corners and don’t get the packaging you need to keep your products safe, you’ll likely end up spending more in the long run. If a product arrives damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
4. Make it Beautiful
Packaging isn’t all about protection. It can also be a great way to show off the personality of your brand. It’s important to think outside the box when it comes to packaging. You don’t have to stick to basic cardboard or a simple mailer. You can use bright colors or patterns if you like. The point of selling products is to offer something unique to the world. Don’t be afraid to show off what makes you special.
If you’re struggling to figure out a packaging strategy for your business, consider jotting down your biggest priorities and keeping the list in mind while shopping for packaging materials. This should help you stay organized and find just what you need for your business.