5 Evergreen Packaging Design Tips to Boost Branding For Your Online Business
Are you looking for techniques to skyrocket brand awareness for your e-commerce business? Do you want to improve customer retention and loyalty to increase sales? Wouldn’t it be great if you could extend your brand-building efforts beyond the regular online marketing channels?
If you own an online business, chances are you’ve answered “yes” to one or more of the previously mentioned questions. Also, you’re likely already trying your hands at social media marketing and content marketing to grow your brand.
But if you want to take your branding up a notch, it’s high time you focus on product packaging.
Unlike traditional FMCG brands, you aren’t going to showcase your products on supermarket aisles. But that doesn’t mean you get to underestimate the role of packaging design in building and bolstering your brand image.
With unboxing videos becoming all the rage on YouTube and Instagram, it’s more important than ever to harness the power of product packaging to build their brand.
So, how can e-commerce businesses use product packaging design to create a striking impression on customers and build a recognizable brand? Let’s find out.
Take Care of the Basics
Even if you’re new to the world of packaging design, you’re already familiar with the fundamentals. Keep the design simple and make sure there’s plenty of negative space for your business name and logo to stand out. Also, use color palettes and typography that align with other elements of your brand identity.
It’s just as crucial to craft compelling and witty copy for product packaging. Make sure the copy conveys your brand’s values and visions. Also, the tone and language you use should be in sync with the brand persona you’ve already created on various online marketing channels.
Add a Personal Touch with Custom Stamps
Of course, your business logo deserves a special place on product packaging. But if you want to set your brand apart from competitors, try replacing pre-printed logos and stickers with custom stamps.
From quirky monogrammed stamps to creative art and logo stamps – you can use a wide array of self-inking rubber stamps to amp up your package. It’s particularly useful if you want to create the image of a personable and timeless brand.
Show That You Care…about the Environment
It’s now time for us to address the elephant in the room. You can’t discuss modern packaging solutions without recognizing the impact it has on the environment. Packaging materials, in the form of cardboard boxes, plastic bags, envelopes, etc., make their way into the landfill, contributing to pollution and global warming.
Modern consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are becoming increasingly conscious about their carbon footprint. It’s imperative for brands to follow suit, and invest in reusable, recyclable, or compostable product packaging.
Apart from using sustainable packaging materials, make sure you also highlight the same on your website and social media profiles. You could even include instructions on how customers can reuse or recycle their packaging.
Pack a Surprise with Dainty Inserts
A packaging insert is one of the most cost-effective tools for boosting customer loyalty, and encouraging upsells and cross-sells. Think about it – you’re already shipping the product to your customer. Placing an insert inside the box/bag won’t create an additional cost.
Also, you already have a fair idea of the customer’s preferences, purchase behavior, and buying history. You can use that information to create packaging inserts with targeted discounts and personalized “thank you” notes. It’ll give the impression that you go the extra mile to make your customers feel valued.
Apart from offers and thank you notes, you could also send new product samples as packaging inserts. Or you could even include a small gift as a token of gratitude. You could even skip pre-printed inserts and add a simple handwritten note. Enhance its rustic appeal with a custom rubber stamp of your brand logo.
It’s these little touches that improve the customer experience and make your brand stand out. Use the opportunity to encourage customers to share their feedback and review your products on social media.
Focus on Consistency
What’s your brand’s online image like? Does it come across as a humorous friend or a knowledgeable authority figure? Or is your brand perceived as a trustworthy partner who is always ready to help and support customers?
Irrespective of the type of brand identity you’ve created, make sure your packaging reflects the same. For instance, if your website gives the impression of a witty and youthful brand, while your packaging appears more sophisticated and vintage, it could create a disparity for consumers.
Let Your Packaging Do the Talking
Packaging is more than just a medium for sending your products to customers. The correct packaging design will be instrumental in boosting brand awareness and customer retention. Leverage unique elements, such as packaging inserts and custom rubber stamps, to stand out from the competition. Also, invest in eco-friendly packaging materials to show that you care about more than just sales and revenue.
