Andrew Grant once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” That has never been more true than for a new online business when shipping products to its customers.
When you don’t have an opportunity to meet prospects and customers face to face, every interaction you have with them matters. From the first ad a prospect sees, to the first time they visit your website, you make an impression on them. Then, once they’ve bought your product and are handed the box you’ve shipped to them, these moments tell customers what they can expect if they become a loyal customer.
Could you use all generic boxes, tape, and filler to keep packaging and shipping costs down? Sure, but at what cost to repeat business? Consider the impact if you spend more on packaging supplies that are good quality, are customizable, and give your customers an experience that says they’ve bought quality items.
Would that be more likely to earn their repeat business if they ordered an item they could easily find at another shop? How can you pick and choose where to spend more and how to save while still giving your customers something they didn’t expect?
I’m here to give you some food for thought and suggestions to help you navigate the confusing world of packaging. To be clear, I am talking about the packaging products used when shipping your items to your customer, not the packaging you put your product in for display.
Let’s Talk Boxes
When shipping products to customers, you need to consider if your products are breakable, heavy, liquids, things that melt or cannot be frozen, and so on. Every unique product can require a different solution.
When we talk about the outer packaging, most products are shipped in corrugated boxes, which come in standard kraft paper brown. They also come in white, self-sealing side load, double wall, triple wall, weather-resistant, multi-depth, and in every size and shape imaginable. There are padded paper flats and plastic bags to consider as well.
For use inside your box, to protect your products, there are also corrugated sheets in brown and white, anti-slip, flat or corrugated, bubble wrap, foam sheeting, loose fill, and air pillows. There are also a wide variety of papers, shredded paper, and tissue in just about any color you could want.
When it comes to sealing your box, there are also options. Those include packaging tape and water-activated tapes, colored tape, and many more options in different colors, sizes, and strengths.
Customization
Customization is where you can upscale your first impression. Sure, a white box sends an impression of neat, clean, and fresh, but one that is customized with your logo and perhaps a QR code that takes customers on the next step of the journey to leave a review, enter a contest, or join in on an event will take your packaging to the next level.
Using tissue or colored shreds that compliment your company logo is another nice touch that won’t cost extra, and a sweet, handwritten notecard saying thank you for the purchase goes a long way and helps customers remember you.
Tape is also customizable and can be a fun way to add another layer onto the customer experience.
Before you get a headache trying to figure out which combination is best for your products, and how to fit them into your budget, give us a call at (773) 235-6060 and let us help you find the best fit, function, and custom options for your business that will work within your budget.
About Us
Pinnacle Packaging, Inc. offers our customers the best product selection and fast delivery, all at great prices. We are proud to offer over 20,000 quality products from well-known and trusted brands like 3M, Sealed Air, Tape Logic, Rubbermaid, Ivex, and many more. Our mission is to be the single source answer to all our customers’ packaging needs.
Through the years, we have established a reputation with our customers for providing fast, reliable, and professional service. Our high level of responsiveness to our customers’ needs keeps them coming back.