Choosing the proper packaging for your e-commerce business can not only make or break the relationship you have with your customers, but also your reputation as a whole. Here are a few components and factors to consider to ensure you make the perfect choice.
Types of Packaging for Shipping
The first thing you need to do is choose the right type of packaging for your product and needs. While there are sub-types for packaging, the three main types are typically cardboard boxes, mailing boxes, and envelopes.
Cardboard Boxes
Once your product is packaged, you need to get it to your customers. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to do this is by using cardboard boxes. Whether it be eco-friendly packaging or a regular recycled box, these are typically cost-effective shipping options.
While more cost-effective, simple cardboard boxes often don’t have the strength you are looking for to protect your product, and are therefore better used as tertiary packaging, with your stronger, more premium packaging and product shipped inside.
Mailing Boxes
On the other hand, mailing boxes are usually stronger and sturdier, and can handle being tossed around a bit while in shipping. They are more expensive, but the protection they offer is much higher than the cheaper alternatives.
They also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, meaning it is very easy to find a box that suits your needs.
Envelopes
Finally, if you sell something that is flat, something that needs to stay unbent, or something that can’t really get damaged, you can opt for shipping envelopes. However, regular paper envelopes just won’t cut it.
Bubble mailers, in particular, have bubble wrap on the inside, giving you extra protection but remaining relatively compact. Trading card enthusiasts have used them for years, and they are perfect for shipping anything that is relatively flat.
Secondary/Tertiary Packaging
You should also consider secondary or even tertiary packaging options. For instance, spending the extra money on using a bubble mailer, but placing the mailer in the box will give you maximum protection.
Tertiary packaging should be used for more expensive items, such as jewelry. For example, placing the item in a jewelry box, putting that box in a reinforced, smaller mailing box, and then putting that in a large shipping box.
Choosing Your Packaging
Now that you know a few of your options, here are a few factors to consider and remember when choosing the right packaging for you and your product.
What Must It Do?
The first thing you need to consider is fairly obvious, but still important. What do you need the packaging to do? Does it need to survive a night in a distribution center before being delivered, or must it survive air or sea shipping?
Once you understand what the packaging needs to achieve, it is far easier to make the right decision and spend your money in the right ways.
Safety
Always purchase a selection of packaging options and types and test the safety and strength of them. You need to be sure the packaging can handle the bumps and drops of shipping, as well as other factors that it could be exposed to.
For instance, moisture could be a concern, and you want to know that the integrity of the packaging won’t diminish too much, if at all, if it is exposed to moisture for an extended period. You also want to know if it is structurally sound, as it will almost definitely be stacked with other packages, whether it be in a shipping container or delivery truck.
Size Considerations
The size of the packaging will have multiple consequences. Firstly, it is simply more expensive to ship bigger boxes, as they take up more space in delivery vehicles, and therefore are often more expensive.
You also need to think about the size of the packaging if you ship in bulk, as you will fit fewer boxes in trucks or containers, and, therefore will potentially need to pay for an additional truck, container, etc. Additionally, if you use a shipping company, once again, fewer boxes will fit in their vehicles.
Pricing
If you are starting off with your e-commerce business, you may not have a ton of money to spend on premium packaging. Considering it can be expensive, it is best to stick with one layer of packaging, and then use a cheaper option as an extra layer.
You also need to be aware of how shipping companies will charge you. Most will “penalize” you by charging more for oversized packaging. On the other end of the spectrum, mailers are almost always the cheapest as they take up substantially less space than most boxes.
Branding Opportunities
Finally, always choose packaging that allows for branding opportunities. Even if it is a box that the customer will throw away or recycle, you need to brand it to ensure you leave your mark on their memory.
Branded packaging also looks more premium compared to a box that has been left blank, and therefore, your business will appear premium as well, and more often than not, you will retain customers and retain future business.
To read more content like this, explore The Brand Hopper
Subscribe to our newsletter
