Why Custom Packaging Matters for Your Business.

Who doesn’t love getting a parcel? But as eCommerce keeps growing, every small and growing business is fighting to stand out from the crowd.

That’s why it pays to look beyond the plain cardboard box. Custom colours, branding, quotes, even freebies, there’s a lot you can do to get noticed.

Why does personalised packaging matter?

We tend to stop noticing things once they feel routine. But packaging shouldn’t be one of them. It plays a big role in the overall shopping experience, especially online.

People often describe eCommerce as a journey that ends when someone places an order. We’d argue that’s not quite right. The real ending is when the parcel arrives, the moment your customer opens it up. As a nation, we love getting parcels. But with an average of 74 parcels delivered to each person every year, yours needs to stand out from the pile.

💡 Did you know: 43%of consumers expect their parcels to be personalised to them.

It’s not just about standing out, either. Packaging is part of your marketing. From the branding on the outside to the inserts on the inside, it all helps sell your brand and bring customers back. It’s the one piece of marketing that 100% of your customers will actually see.

6 benefits of custom packaging

1. It makes a great first impression

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s especially true for first-time buyers.Custom packaging can be the difference between winning a loyal customer and losing them to the next competitor, at a time when acquiring new customers costs more than ever.

Interesting packaging usually signals an interesting brand. Bold, on-brand packaging sets an expectation for the quality of what’s inside, and gives you an edge before the customer’s evenopened the box.

2. It earns you free marketing through user-generated content

The hashtag #unboxing has racked up over 73.8 billion views on TikTok.

Take a second to let that sink in. In the age of social commerce and influencer marketing, people love sharing photos and videos of what they’ve bought. But influencers and everyday shoppers alike won’t feature your parcel unless it actually stands out.

💡 Did you know: 40%of consumers will share a photo of your packaging on social media if it’s unique or branded.

Memorable packaging can put your brand in front of huge audiences, without spending a penny on ads.

3. It keeps customers coming back

As customer acquisition costs keep climbing, more businesses are shifting their focus to retention.

💡 Did you know: 61%of people say they’re more likely to make a repeat purchase after receiving premium packaging.

Unboxing plays a real part in building customer loyalty. You handle the sale, we can handle everything that happens after: delivery, packaging, even returns. Every step matters when it comes to building your reputation and earning repeat business.

4. Referrals turn into sales

We all like to feel we’re making smart decisions with our money, which is why so many of us read reviews before buying. And we trust recommendations from people we know even more than reviews. Win over one loyal customer, and they can bring you many more.

💡 Did you know: Customers are 77% more likely to buy from you if a friend recommended you.

If a customer’s happy with their purchase, including how it arrived, they’re far more likely to recommend you. And if your packaging stood out, you’ll be the brand they remember first.

5. It helps you stand out from the competition

Custom packaging is one of the simplest ways for a small business to differentiate itself. Shoppers today want more than just a good product, they want a reason to choose you over everyoneelse.

If a customer’s impressed by your packaging and the unboxing experience, not just the product itself, they’re more likely to come back next time instead of shopping around.

And if that packaging is branded, you get free brand exposure the whole time it’s travelling to your customer. Win-win.

6. It adds perceived value

The pandemic sparked a wave of support for small, independent businesses, and that support has stuck around.But shopping small often costs more than buying from a big retailer.

Custom or personalised packaging helps justify that price difference. It reassures the customer they made the right call choosing you over a mainstream alternative.

Looking for a fulfilment partner that can pick and pack and ship your orders in custom packaging, exactly to your spec? That’s what we do.

Find out more about our eCommerce fulfilment services today.