[FR] 7 original packaging ideas for your e-commerce

There is no shortage of e-commerce packaging solutions on the market.

However, among the wide range available, you may find that most lack that little something extra, a touch of creativity that could delight your customers and set your brand apart from those of your competitors.

Good news: you’ve come to the right place to find original packaging ideas for your e-commerce, and to build customer loyalty by giving them a differentiating experience after their purchase.

Why create original packaging for e-commerce?

If we look at the retail sector, we can quickly see the benefits of adopting original packaging for a product. In the shop, on the shelves, the product is more eye-catching, and therefore sells more easily.

But on the Internet, products are unveiled without their packaging on the brand’s website. So what’s the point of making it original?

There are at least three good reasons for designing creative e-commerce packaging:

• Your packaging contributes to the customer experience you offer your consumers. It evokes emotions in the customer who receives the parcel, who will remember the experience for a long time to come.
• It sets you apart from the competition. In e-commerce, whatever your sector of activity, the competition is growing by the day. Wrapping your products in original packaging helps to anchor your brand image in the minds of your competitors, and to stand up to this competition.
• It also builds customer loyalty. Remembering a good experience means building customer loyalty.

All good reasons to keep in mind when coming up with an original packaging idea!

7 original packaging ideas to consider

Think beyond simply printing your e-commerce packaging, thanks to these inspirations for original packaging that makes a lasting impression on your customers.

Personalised packaging from the inside out

We often think of packaging that can be personalised from the outside, by printing or embossing. While this can be an interesting method, it can be combined with an even more original one: personalising the inside of your packaging.

With packaging that looks simple on the outside, but reveals a message on the bottom and flaps of the case or box when opened, you stand out from your competitors.

Inside your packaging, you can include your logo, your value proposition, a slogan for your current marketing campaign, or advice on how to make the most of your product.

Use our Rajaprint personalisation tool to personalise the various elements of your packaging: in just a few clicks, everything is done online to create original packaging.

Third-party elements of personalised packaging

Personalising third-party elements of your packaging is a method that requires less budget than the previous one, but can make all the difference to your customers.

Consider the following:

Clearly eco-responsible packaging

Betting on eco-responsibility means surfing on a packaging trend that is not ready to disappear. With legislation on eco-packaging becoming stricter every year, and consumers’ expectations of sustainable development increasing, this type of packaging can only be a good investment.

So choose packaging made from materials that are clearly good for the environment. Packaging made from rigid or corrugated cardboard, kraft paper or recycled or biodegradable materials will show your customers that you are committed to CSR.

By making these commitments visible, you play on authenticity, simplicity and the link with nature: all values that consumers hold dear.

For example, you could consider using :

Be sure to indicate on your packaging how it is designed, its low environmental impact, and the optimum end-of-life to be given to it: is it recyclable? Can it be reused by your target audience rather than thrown away?

Round trip packaging

This original packaging idea is interesting if your product return rate is high, or if you offer a “satisfied or returned” guarantee.

Round-trip packaging is designed to withstand two shipments, and has two closing systems to secure the products in the packaging during both phases of transport.

This may seem like a simple idea, but it makes the customer returns experience much smoother for your customers, and ensures that your goods are returned to you in good condition.

Think about :

Tailor-made packaging

What if you designed your own packaging to make it more original?

This approach could enable you to work on several differentiating elements:

• Unboxing your products. For example, you could decide to create compartments in your packaging for the different parts of a product, or add an original cut-out for opening your packaging.
• Putting the package in theletterbox as soon as the delivery driver arrives, to give your customers the best possible delivery experience.
• Eco-design of your packaging, to make it even more environmentally friendly. A good way to stand out from the crowd if you explain how the packaging was designed to your customers.

Connected packaging

In the age of all-digital technology, connected packaging is an interesting original idea.

The concept: you print a QR code or integrate an NFC chip on your packaging, whatever it is: boxes, bags, sachets, etc. When your customer scans this device, they are then sent to a web page, where they can continue to enjoy a special experience with your brand.

You can offer them a tutorial on how best to use their product, an extra discount on their next purchase in your online shop, a competition in which they can take part…

The only limit is your creativity!

Steps to start designing your e-commerce packaging

Whether you’re focusing on the visual, eco-responsible or connected aspects of your packaging, you’ll need to go through several key stages to design it effectively.

First of all, start by clearly defining the objectives of your original packaging design. These may be marketing, communication or logistical objectives. At this stage, you need to align yourself with the different areas of your business to find out what their expectations and constraints are.

You can then create an exhaustive set of specifications to pass on to your designer of original packaging products.

These specifications should include

• A description of your product and the constraints associated with it: size, weight, fragility on delivery, etc.
• The desired size for the packaging
• The materials you want to use
• Signage to be included on your original packaging
• The graphic charter to be respected
• An idea of your budget

Once you’ve chosen your packaging specialist, draw up a graphic design brief and send it to them.

This brief should include :

• Your objectives
• Your targets
• The context in which you want to create this original packaging (your brand’s value proposition, a new marketing campaign, seasonal boxes or gift packaging, etc.)
• The creative ideas you find interesting
• Examples of original packaging that you appreciate

Need to dig deeper into the subject? Take a look at our practical guide to packaging design.

So, are you ready to design original packaging that will leave a lasting positive impression on your customers’ minds?