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The ecommerce business is booming and now more than ever before, we are shopping and ordering online. This isn’t just an estimation, in fact, since 2008 both customers of both sexes have increased their online purchasing. Statistics have shown that 77% of men shopped online in 2015, compared to 75% of women.
With this trend taking over the retail market, the rise in ecommerce sellers has hit an all-time high, with ecommerce platforms like ASOS Marketplace, Etsy, and Amazon allowing us all to post and ship goods to a worldwide market.
If you are currently selling good online, keeping them protected should be at the top of your agenda. Depending on the size and fragility of your goods, you may need to re-think your packaging strategy for ecommerce.
First Impressions Count
Have you ever had a faulty good sent to you from an ecommerce website? If you have then you will understand the frustration that comes with sending it back. Many customers will be put off your business if it does not have an efficient packaging strategy.
Customer service should be just as important to your ecommerce business as your brand reputation can be damaged, much quicker. Statistics have shown that a dissatisfied customer will tell 9-15 people about their experience with a brand meaning your poor packaging not only is exposed to them but their friends, family, colleagues and so on.
The main three factors which should be taken into consideration by any business are:
- Does your packaging protect the goods from damage and degradation?
- Does your packaging look professional?
- Does it include all the information that your customers will need for using the product?
The Cardboard Box is King
What would we do without cardboard boxes? We have become so reliant on the material that millennials make over 31.9million tonnes of it each year! Showing the power behind corrugated cardboard box.
The main benefit of cardboard boxes is the flexibility that lies behind them. Cardboard boxes come in number of shapes and sizes which make them the most suitable form of carrier for ecommerce goods.
Technology has come a long way over the past one hundred years, yet cardboard has only changed ever so slightly since its invention. The fact is, goods need to be packaged efficiently for customers to buy them.
Ecommerce sellers usually buy corrugated cardboard boxes in bulk. Buying in bulk speeds up delivery times for your customers and it Is vital if you expect your business to have a fast turnaround.
Why Corrugated Cardboard Boxes?
Packaging experts, Big Brown Box, recommend fresh large packing boxes as “boxes that you could pick up from the local supermarket or shop may not be as durable and may be more susceptible to collapsing if they get damp or wet.”
Corrugated cardboard boxes are particularly study, as each box has a Kraft paper outer lining which is added by packaging specialists for added protection.
If you are planning on selling your goods on a worldwide platform, corrugated boxes will keep your goods secure during their time in storage or transit. The protective outer layer which comes with cardboard boxes is a great protective method for businesses would want to invest in protective packaging on a budget.
Staying Sustainable
The word “sustainability” is often flung around by businesses. Being environmentally friendly is a major stance among many millennials. You may not think it, but using recyclable corrugated cardboard boxes will make a huge difference to the environment. One ton of recycled cardboard saves:
- 390 kWh hours of electricity.
- 46 gallons of oil.
- 6 million BTUs of energy
- 9 cubic yards of landfill space
On The Inside: Inflatable Protective Packaging
This may seem like an obvious one, but getting your filling material is vital for keeping your customers happy.
A consumer favourite is bubble wrap. Quality bubble wrap will keep what’s inside your cardboard boxes protected over a longer duration of time. Bubble wrap is still one of the most widely used type of inflatable packaging, due to the protection, it offers goods during transit.
In case you are unfamiliar with the construction bubble wrap, it is made up of flexible plastic sheeting. Due to the flexibility of the sheets, it can be wrapped carefully around both larger and smaller items.
The most successful type of inflatable packaging is Air-Cap bubble wrap. Air cap is more efficient as It has double layers of plastic that seal each bubble. For bubble wrap that is able to protect items for far longer than others, Air-Cap is your ideal choice.
Sealing and Sending
Creating trust between you and your customers is vital. Showing them that you care about the service you are providing them, will encourage them to buy again.
Make sure your goods get to them successfully with industrial packaging tape. This is much sturdier than tape that can be retrieved from the high street and it will stick for much longer.
The main takeaway from this blog is that you must manage your brands reputation online. Millennials love ecommerce as it is not only quick but it is convenient. If your brand is having faulty goods sent back to it, then it may be time to re-evaluate your business’ packaging strategy.
Also read: How Ecommerce Packaging Affect Buying Decisions in Consumers
About the Author
Melissa Lang is a writer from Glasgow, Scotland. Melissa has a keen eye for all things design and in the past has consulted on business branding and marketing.
