Despite conventional wisdom telling us not to judge a book by its cover, it’s fair to say that first impressions do matter. It doesn’t take long for a consumer to form an opinion on your business based on design alone. In fact, customers form an opinion of your business in a matter of seconds. That’s why now is the perfect time to switch to custom packaging supplies.
Whether you are a small business or an established brand, the pride of shipping your goods in personalized packaging remains unparalleled. It brings with it a host of other benefits as well, such as improved brand awareness and enhanced customer recognition and retention.
American businesswoman Mary Kay Ash once said, “Pretend that every single person you meet has a sign around his or her neck that says, ‘Make me feel important.’ Not only will you succeed in sales, you will succeed in life.”
In line with this philosophy, personalizing your packaging supplies is a great way to convey uniqueness, which translates into a sense of importance for your customer. The wholesome feelings that personalized offerings evoke can be the very reason your customers keep coming back. It harnesses the Scarcity Principle, the idea that when something is rare, it instantly acquires more value. This concept of rarity is introduced through the magic of personalization, which will lay the foundation for customer loyalty.
Naturally, consumers will be more impressed with shipping boxes that reflect the brand better than the drab plainness of your run-of-the-mill brown cardboard box. It indicates that you are serious about your business and aren’t afraid to go the extra mile to make them feel special.
You can tap into the power of emotional marketing through color customization. For instance, bright, warm colors like red and yellow can elicit excitement for the purchase. Similarly, cooler hues of blue could convey security and safety. Use color wisely to build an emotional connection with the customers. This will play a contributing role in increasing customer engagement and long-term loyalty.
Brand experience is not just limited to your product or its website. The deeper emotional connection spikes right when the customer receives their package and begins the act of unboxing. Think of your custom boxes as a preview of the product inside and an embodiment of your brand’s personality and thoughtfulness.
Use it to narrate a brand story – from your company’s inception to its current position – to build brand equity. Or you could share the story of how the product came to be, personal tales of the people involved in making the item, or the manufacturing process itself.
Alternatively, if you cater to a price-sensitive audience, print discount coupons across the box or announce upcoming sales. In short, let customers know that you care about their experience. Such considerations will keep them hooked and encourage repeat purchases for greater retention.
The modern-day consumer is socially conscious and understands the power they wield in this customer-centric world. As a result, they want brands that align with their personal values and beliefs and who take actionable measures to prove their support to the cause.
Amongst the several social responsibilities expected from companies, putting the needs of the environment first reigns supreme. That’s why several e-commerce giants are attracting flak for using oversized shipping boxes that contribute to waste. With custom folding boxes, you can get the perfect sized box for your goods, which reduces waste, and this eco-friendly approach will earn you long-term customers.
When dealing with fragile items, the safety and security of the packaging are of prime importance. The same applies when you order sensitive goods that require discrete packaging. However, stock shipping boxes come in fixed, standard sizes, which may not accommodate the product perfectly, leaving room for damage. But with custom folding boxes, you can keep the product snug and secure until it makes its way to your customer’s porch. Fewer in-transit damages mean greater customer satisfaction and higher retention.
If you run a subscription-based model (or plan on doing so in the near future), your mailer boxes could be the “it” factor that differentiates you from your competitors and captivates the customer’s interest.
Take Birchbox for example. When you strip it down to its basics, the company is essentially supplying customized makeup to its customers, but the brand’s fancy packaging gives the customer a sense of elegance. Add to that the fact that the brand lets customers customize their own box, and you have the perfect recipe for a successful subscription-based business model.