5 PACKAGING TIPS TO LEARN FROM THE BIG E-COMMERCE PLAYERS

If you work in the e-commerce sector, you are certainly following the same path as large e-commerce companies. Companies like Amazon or Zara ship their products and organise all their logistics with well-managed warehouses, endless stocks, optimised packaging, efficient delivery methods, etc.

By closely observing the quality criteria of these e-commerce companies, we have managed to retain some very valuable tips that you can apply in your business.

What are the tips that can be learned from thepackagingstrategy ofa large e-commerce? What packaging and systems need to be implemented to provide a great experience for your customer?

Tip #1: Make sure your product is well protected first

To satisfy their customers, large e-commerce players know how essential it is to deliver orders in perfect condition. Imagine, therefore, the costs that this brand could incur if their packaging arrives damaged, and it’s not just economic, but also image costs. To avoid this, companies opt for resistant packaging that guarantees the protection of products effectively.

Each type of packaging (box, bag, tube, etc.) has resistance qualities, which can be chosen according to the fragility of the product to be sent. Therefore, you must bear in mind that the packaging, from the moment it is in the hands of the carrier until it is delivered to the customer, will be handled several times, more or less carefully. Therefore, don’t take any risks when choosing your packaging!

Also make sure you choose your packaging according to the environmental conditions, as it may suffer during transport: humidity, temperature changes, etc. For example, in some cases, it may be favourable to buy a dehydrating (anti-humidity) sachet.

However, the closure of your packaging is also essential to protect it. Here are some recommended practices:

The use of traditional adhesive tape or water-activated gummed tape;
The use of adhesive tape resistant to specific environmental conditions.

In conclusion, your first concern should be to deliver your products as they were presented on the web: in great condition, protected by sturdy and secure packaging.

Tip nº2: Choose Eco-Responsible Packaging

Furthermore, it is a fact that your customers are increasingly concerned about the impact that packaging has on our planet.

Large e-commerce companies have been opting for packaging that reduces their environmental impact. For example, in the Amazon Packaging programme guidelines, we read that:

Packaging should be made of recyclable materials;
It is recommended to label packaging with the logos ‘recycled’ or ‘recyclable’.

Even if your company is not the size of Amazon, this type of solution is also available for smaller e-commerce. This way you can also limit the environmental impact of your activity and improve your customers’ shopping experience.

Eco-designed packaging, from renewable resources, certified with eco-labels, etc. The choice is very wide and we are here to offer you ecological alternatives to your usual packaging . To discover them, do not hesitate to browse our selection of Eco-Responsible packaging.

In addition to outer packaging, you can also use environmentally responsible filling. Replace plastic materials with more environmentally conscious ones, such as:

So in your selection try to put the 5-R’s of RAJA packaging into practice. Do you remember them?

Reduce;
Reuse;
Repurpose;
Renew;
Recycle.

Tips nº 3: Optimise the use of your packaging

Above all, using only the most environmentally friendly packaging is not enough. The logistics of online shops must be environmentally responsible and the amount of packaging used for shippingmust be taken into account.

In the same way, the big e-commerce companies are clear when it comes to “waste avoidance”. The aim is to avoid wasting packaging materials as much as possible, with an Eco-Responsible approach. And also economically, of course.

How to use theright amount of materials in the packaging of your e-commerce orders?

Start by increasing your packaging range. Your packaging should be the most suitable for the size of the product being sold.

Another good option is for example “flexible packaging”, such as a cardboard envelope or a padded envelope.

So understand the typology of your products and identify those that can be shipped in this type of packaging. The additional advantage? The possibility of going straight to the letterbox on the first delivery, guaranteeing your customer greater purchase satisfaction.

Create a simple and pleasant unboxing experience. To improve your customers’ shopping experience, you need to provide a differentiating unboxing experience: fast, pleasant and without major difficulties.

Similarly, we have already said it in our article Frustation free packaging – Say goodbye to hard to open packaging! A packaging that is difficult to open means a bad shopping experience for your customer.

Why not also think about creating packaging that is tailor-made for you, personalised with your brand colours and perfectly adapted to your type of products?

Tip no. 4: Test your packaging

If you have already decided on a package, but have doubts, the best thing is to try it out on one of your shipments. It could even be with someone you trust. Some of the big e-commerce companies also do this kind of test, with some customers, to make sure that a particular package is the best option.

In conclusion, this testing phase is essential to retain any information that may have relevance to your business. This testing process will ensure that you have chosen the best packaging for your products, that it is resistant to transport and handling and that it offers a great customer experience.

If you already have an e-commerce site or are about to open one and would like advice on packaging… Do not hesitate to contact us!

We are available on our website: www.rajapack.pt, by calling 707 788 008 or by e-mail: contacto@rajapack.pt