5 Ways to Level Up Your E-Commerce Package Design

The most over looked area in e-commerce is the post-purchase. Many think that just because you got them to buy your product, the sales funnel is done, but that could be the farthest from the truth. With repeat customers accounting for 40% of a store’s revenue, it’s so important to keep nurturing your past customers in order for them to keep buying. One such way to keep your brand experience in front of your customer’s eyes past the online cart is through package design.

Selling your product online most likely means that the only physical touchpoint you get to have with your customer is when they pick up their package from the front doorstep after waiting days or even weeks for it. What kind of experience are you giving your customers? Do you have a beautifully put together package with the utmost detail or is it thrown in a UPS box and upside down when they open it? The feeling you give your customers is part of your brand and their experience could mean the difference between them forgetting who they bought that beautiful piece of jewelry from or taking a picture and posting it on Insta for all of the world to see. Not only will you get a repeat customer, but you’ll also get all of their friends and family.

There are many ways to level up your package design. Here are 5 different ways you can showcase your brand and create an experience rather than a quick unboxing and forgetting your store name.

The Package

You were probably thinking of all the things you could put inside your box or envelope that would create a lasting impression, but don’t forget about the actual package itself. Starting with the outside, you can do things such as printing a pattern on your box or envelope or even just using custom tape to seal.

Moving into the inside of the package, you can print on the inside lid as you open. A quote or a simple color or illustration can create an emotion for your customer. Also, think about placement within the package. You can get your package customized to your product, so that you have slits and holes to hold each product you’re sending to ensure that things will not shift during delivery.

Tissue Paper

This is a super easy way to offer an experience as they open their package. The more times they are interacting with your brand, the more likely they won’t forget about you or your business. Wrapping up a product in a custom designed tissue paper will force them to physically touch your brand over and over again as they carefully unwrap. The more senses you can get your customer to use, the better!

Custom Note or Business Card

Always, always, ALWAYS leave some type of piece of paper that has your business name/logo and contact information on it (website, social media, email, etc). If your customer receives their product and God forbid, they forgot who they bought it from, your sales funnel is done. You will not have a chance to get their repeat business and you definitely won’t be getting their friends and family to check you out either.

When creating this note or card, paper is key. I am such a paper nerd, so I’ll save my paper psychology for another post, but be cognizant of the type of paper you’re printing with. Don’t just write on printer paper and call it a day. Think about things like how thick the paper is, texture, color, etc. 

If you have the capability to write a thank you for purchasing note, this should be an absolute must. When your consumer is able to put a face with a company, they will be more likely to buy again because people feel good when they can help others out, especially when they get something great in return.

Scented Packaging

This is a tricky one. Do not overdue this – please. If you throat punch your customer with the smell of potpourri as they open their box, it becomes a negative experience rather than the positive you’re trying to make. If you do this with class and a little bit of experimenting, the soft smells of lavender or lemon could instantly bring a smile to your customer’s face. Like I mentioned before, the more senses you can engage during opening, the better.

There are small scented sachets you can buy online or you could experiment with making your own. Again, I say experiment. Fill a few boxes and then send them through the mail to yourself.

Sustainable Material

The use of recyclable material is HUGE right now and I hope it doesn’t go away anytime soon. By sharing with your customers that you are eco-friendly, gives your customers a sense that they are doing good as well. People like the feeling of doing good if you haven’t noticed.

You can buy biodegradable boxes with corrugated bubble wrap or 100% recycled bags and recycled stickers to seal. The list is endless for this one. 

Don’t end your sales funnel at the purchase button. Keep the party going and you’ll see a return on investment ten-fold. Check out my e-commerce package design services where we can design any of this and more to bring life to your packages and return buyers to your site!