Protect & Delight: The 4 Keys to Great Ecommerce Packaging

If you’re fulfilling online orders, your packaging is pulling double duty.

Not only does it have to keep your products safe on the bumpy shipping journey. But these days it’s also a key element of your brand.

That’s a lot to keep in mind.

We’ve helped dozens of companies and entrepreneurs create their perfect ecommerce packaging, and we’ve found there are four keys to really nailing it.

This article walks you step-by-step through all four.

Protection is Job #1 for Shipping Online Orders

If your product arrives broken, nothing else matters.

Broken items erode customer trust, and they take a deep cut into your bottom line.

So keeping your merchandise safe en route is non-negotiable. That’s why our in-house engineering team works with you to make all the right choices, like:

How thick should the corrugated walls of your box be?
Should you consider interior cutouts to hold your items in place?
What kinds of packing material suit your needs?

Nailing your product-protection saves you money in replacements and returns, and earns you money in repeat business.

If you’re shipping particularly fragile items like glass or electronics, you’ll want to invest a little extra in this step. But even for tough products, a little planning up front makes sure they arrive in mint condition.

Grow Your Brand and Delight Your Customers With Custom Packaging

One of the big revolutions in packaging in the past 20 years is the rise of custom, branded ecommerce boxes.

Sending a plain brown box misses a key opportunity.

These days your packaging is a powerful marketing tool. From the outer lid to the interior surfaces, and even the arrangement of items inside—your box is a canvas to delight your people and drive action.

You just need to imagine your customers receiving and opening your package, and answer these three questions:

What do you want them to feel?
What do you want them to learn?
What do you want them to do?

Then design your box for those outcomes.

From unboxing videos to joining your email list, thoughtfully designed packaging earns customer loyalty and drives critical business outcomes. Our in-house designers are here to help you create it.

Keep Your Packaging Cost Effective and Operationally Efficient

Custom ecommerce packaging used to be limited to big brands who shipped thousands of orders per week.

But digital box production technology has leveled the playing field. Now everyone from small businesses to bootstrapped startups can get custom boxes tailored to their brand and products.

To make your custom packaging efficient for you budget and operations, plan around these 3 factors:

At the quantities you need, is digital or traditional production more cost-effective?
How can you right-size your packaging to efficiently fit your product line?
Would our warehousing service let you take advantage of a quantity discount?

By nailing these variables you get custom packaging that fits your business goals.

Future-Proof Your Packaging With Sustainable Materials

Regulations, consumer sentiment, and employee values all point the same direction:

The future of packaging is sustainable.

When you choose sustainable ecommerce packaging materials, not only do you tangibly demonstrate your company values, but you’re prepare your business to thrive going forward.

Most people don’t know that the humble corrugated box is the most recycled shipping material on the planet. The boxes that carry your goods can be made of up to 65% recycled content.

Combine that with renewable and sustainably managed inputs, and you get a sustainability powerhouse.

Position Your Ecommerce Business for Success With Great Custom Packaging

Your packaging is often the first hands-on impression you get to make with a new ecommerce customer.

Which means your packaging represents your company.

You need it to protect your products and boost your brand while staying cost-effective and sustainable.