E-commerce packaging for your webshop
4min read
22/12/2017
Whether you run a large webshop or are just thinking about starting your own, at some point you’ll need to decide on your packaging – but what packaging should you use and what’s best for your products?
As a packaging supplier, we are often asked which packaging is best, cheapest, most protective and most effective. The truth is that there are a number of factors to consider before you can decide what is optimal for your webshop.
In this post, we will therefore try to provide a general guide to the points you need to pay attention to when choosing packaging.
Have fun!
How to find the right packaging:
To get an overview of the type of packaging that suits your needs, it is a good idea to make some considerations about the product you are dealing with.
1. What types of products do you sell?
Your choice of packaging should always be based on the type of product you are sending. Is the product fragile and requires extra protection? Is it a heavy product that requires a double corrugated cardboard box and possibly reinforced tape? Or can you make do with a single-corrugated cardboard box, which is somewhat cheaper than the thicker version?
You may also be selling clothes that must not get wet or creased and therefore need to use shipping bags... Or maybe you sell car and engine parts that need moisture and rust resistant kraft paper or maybe electronic components that require anti-static packaging for example? – In other words, think about the type of product you are selling and make sure that the packaging protects and highlights the features you want the customer to see when the product arrives.
We have created an overview of the types of packaging suitable for different products which you can find on the link below:
(source: ‘Package insight study 2016))
2. How big is your budget?
Another important factor is how much resources you have allocated to packaging in your budget.
Do you want the packaging to be as cheap as possible – or do you need to think about your branding from the start and want logo printed or custom packaging?
Standard packaging is generally much cheaper than custom packaging, but there may be other benefits such as optimising the packaging process, reducing the number of returns or branding benefits of choosing more customised or engineered packaging. It should be said that there is a very wide range of standard packaging, so it should be possible to find one that matches your needs.
When choosing packaging, always keep in mind where you will save and what it will mean for the customer experience in the end. What is the expectation from your customer in terms of the perception of the product. (Call or write to our packaging specialists for advice on your choice here.)
Below are 4 links to standard packaging with different benefits and features:
- Standard cardboard boxes – Classic corrugated cardboard boxes that fit many products.
- Self-adhesive bottom boxes with or without self-adhesive closure – Saves you time and you avoid the use of tape.
- Height adjustable boxes – One box for several products.
- Shipping bags with return closure – Provides practical benefits to customers and makes returns easy.
3. Make returns easy for both you and the customer
Imagine you buy a shirt or a dress online, but when you receive the package, the clothes don’t fit anyway. Most people who shop online have been in this situation. You now want to return the clothes, but you need packaging to send the product back in. This is where a company can make it easy for the customer and at the same time provide an extra good service by using return packaging. For example, use boxes with return seals that allow the customer to return the product in the same box it came in. At the same time, you ensure that your products are returned in packaging that protects the product so that you can sell it again on your webshop after return.
(source: Metapak 2016)
If you have any doubts about how to choose the right packaging for your webshop, please contact our advisors on 44 58 77 00 or write to info@rajapack.dk
