The way you package your products can make or break your business. There is a common misconception that the product is more essential than the cardboard packaging. However, it would be best if you remembered that your packaging is where you showcase your brand identity, and it is the first thing your clients interact with before they use your goods, so think of it as a first impression. Therefore, you should note that you might have one of the best products, but without the unique packaging, you’ll dust them on your shelves time and again.
Packaging can significantly affect sales. You cannot expect to increase revenue if you disregard packaging. Moreover, customers today are exceedingly discerning and demanding. With so many comparable products on the market, the packaging is the first thing that will draw people to your product. Keep in mind that products that have been well packaged promote themselves.
Even though the outside appearance of a product’s packaging is significant, its primary function is to protect the goods. Therefore, packaging should be sturdy, particularly for products that will be utilized for an extended period. It is also important to note that people estimate the quality of a product based on its packaging because it reveals a piece of your story and who you are. For that reason, it would be best if you pack wisely.
Today, businesses outsource the packaging of their products to assembly and packaging firms that are familiar with the appropriate way of packing various items. These companies have the knowledge and skills to determine the suitable size and kind of packaging for each product. If you are uncertain about the packaging your products will require, you may let the specialists advise you on the quality and style of packaging that will appeal to your target market.
Here are some mistakes to avoid when packaging your products:
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Plain Unattractive Packaging
Our eyes are naturally drawn to visually appealing items, which is why packaging is crucial in the presentation of your products. Depending on how attractive a product appears, the packaging will decide whether or not the customer feels valued. It could also indicate how much work was invested. A customized or tastefully adorned gift can go a long way toward customer retention. It may be a tiny ribbon with the brand’s emblem on top, or a ‘thank you for shopping with us’ tag.
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Replicating Package Designs
An old adage that says there’s nothing new under the sun, but that doesn’t mean a little ingenuity isn’t welcome.
As well as morally reprehensible, you may also face legal consequences if you use someone else’s idea without crediting them. As a result, your products may lose their trustworthiness from buyers.
If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘I’ll just make it a little less obvious,’ you’d be wrong. It’s important to remember that your product’s packaging is the face of your company, thus it’s crucial to make it stand out and not something that can be identified as somebody else’s product due to apparent similarities in its packaging.
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Exceedingly Large Package
When you’re packaging your things, you already have them and know how large or tiny they are. Products may be destroyed in a large box, especially during transit. To guarantee that your packages arrive securely to the customer, you should always utilize appropriate measurements. It can be deceptive for a consumer to receive a tiny product in a large packaging. It’s also cost-effective and makes you appear well-organized.
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Inconsistency In Branding
Everyone enjoys familiarity, which is why consistency keeps customers returning to their goods. As previously stated, the product and packaging go hand in hand; a customer’s first experience with your product determines whether or not they will return. Customers will remember your brand if you build consistent messaging. Even if your customers already adore your product, it’s critical to provide them with something they initially connected with. Consider it your first impression, and make sure your brand is consistent across all your products.
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Over Packaging
You’re probably thinking of things that have been stuffed to the brim and will spill out like confetti once opened. No! That sounds terrifying. This entails using a lot of stuff on the package that serves no use or is aesthetically pleasing. When the consumer opens it, this can be not very pleasant. Every interaction with your product contributes to the customer’s overall experience, and nobody wants to waste time cutting through layers of material. This is especially true for things packed in boxes, envelopes, or gift bags. Customers that are environmentally sensitive and concerned about sustainable packaging may stop supporting your product due to material waste.
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Lack Of Instructions Or Labeling
This varies from product to product because some require instructions, while others don’t need them at all. But for products, such as oils, skin care products, or even plants, you should provide labels or instructions. By conveying how to utilize your goods, you can simultaneously show your concern for your product and customer. In addition to saving your customers time, the package must contain answers to any queries they might have regarding your product.
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Errors In Labeling
This blunder could cost you and your customers because of a typographical error or, even worse, providing erroneous or missing information. Consequently, typographical errors might give customers the impression of inexperience and unprofessionalism. Furthermore, you’re not going to distribute your items with spelling errors and expect to make a lot of money. Note that leaving out critical information could spell the end of your company. For example, customers may be allergic to some of the ingredients in your products, and intentionally leaving that out could cost you revenue and chances of being sued. Always remember that your customers must believe that you know what you’re offering and that you have their best interests in mind.
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Forgetting The Principle Of Simplicity
When you think of simplicity, you probably think of boring and carefree, but simplicity is displaying your products without distracting elements. The notion ‘less is more’ is very much applicable here because you might advertise many things that aren’t important to your brand. You’ll end up overshadowing the key message you’re attempting to convey to your customers.
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Unreadable Prints Or Labels
Prints or text that clients cannot read are entirely useless. This immediately devalues your offering because no customer agreed to have their vision tested by the fonts used in your product. It’s frustrating for a customer to figure out what your package says when it’s unclear, or the words are nearly minuscule. If the words are incomprehensible, your items may be recalled and rendered unusable. This, like labeling errors, portrays you as poorly informed and unprofessional.
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Putting Irrelevant Features
Highlighting critical characteristics of your product is beneficial to your business, but understanding when to stop is just as crucial. Customers have particular expectations while shopping for things, from how the package is formed to how convenient its shape and size are. With design trends changing practically daily, you may find yourself over-customizing with elements that aren’t appropriate for your product.
Don’t leave customers wondering what you thought when you threw a bunch of unnecessary features on a product that didn’t need them. Take the time to plan and narrow down to only the most relevant aspects that will also convey your brand concept.
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Using Cheap Material
Using low-cost materials is detrimental to your business and ruins your products. Customers frequently associate the quality of a product with the package it comes in. This means that trust is generated when your offering meets expectations. Keep in mind that your products will be delivered for some time; thus, cheap packaging can be more prone to damage and will cost you extra money. Moreover, it also conveys the impression that you are focused on cash and are careless about the consumer experience.
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Under Or Over Budgeting
When you’re just starting out on a small scale, you can afford to use expensive packing materials for your few consumers. However, if your product’s consumer base grows, it may be challenging to retain the same. As a result, consider the long term when you begin packaging your products. Will you continue to use the same materials as your company grows, or will you need to downgrade or upgrade? When you plan, you will save a lot of money because you will only make minor alterations if necessary.
Conclusion
You can now avoid costly packaging mistakes by following the advice mentioned above. In addition, allow yourself time to learn and understand that getting things wrong the first few times is normal. Packaging can be difficult, especially given how quickly ideas change, but it is not impossible.
Listen to your customers and experiment with various designs and materials until you find what works best for you. Remember that complicating your packaging will cause more harm than good. Keep things basic and balanced. You can also acquire ideas and benchmarks from companies that sell comparable products to yours.
Interesting Related Article: “The Perfect Package: How to Choose Product Packaging Designs for Your Company“