by Brian McKay
When it comes to your packaging, the chances are that you focus on quality appearance over everything. That’s what packaging is all about. This is your chance to make your product stand out in the market. A memorable package could be the thing that ensures those customers come back to you time and again. At the very least, a pretty package is a sure way to make your business look good on the shelf.
But what if we were to tell you that the packaging you choose should offer more than a pretty appearance? In many ways, this is like dating. A potential partner could look great, but that relationship won't last if the benefits end there. The same applies to your product packaging. It can look great, but it’ll still fail to keep customer interest if it falls down in these three significant ways.
Packages that don’t retain product quality
This one seems simple, but it’s astounding how many business owners fail to consider it. You need packaging to protect your products above all. That’s the primary function that you should never forget. If your packaging exposes your products, you’ll never succeed. So, make sure to think about how your packaging choices protect the quality of your products. If you sell fragile goods, you need rigid packaging that keeps everything in one piece. If you sell food or even items that need to stay fresh, consider something like these stand-up pouches. These may not be the designs you had in mind, but functionality should always win out. A pretty package won’t do you any favors if your products are moldy or damaged once customers get into it.
Packages also need to reflect product quality. A company that will design packaging boxes can create a look that adds value to your product. If any company has shown the value of packaging for receiving a premium price, it is Apple. Take a look at their packaging.
An impractical shelving solution
When we’re dreaming up our wild and wonderful packaging, many of us also neglect to consider how they’ll appear on shelves. Instead, we focus on the funkiest shapes going. Go figure that these are rarely easy to shelve. If your package doesn’t stand up on its own, for example, display could become difficult. If your packaging is bulky to boot, you could find that you end up with a bad shelf placement. Everyone knows that top-shelf products don’t see the best profits. So, make sure this doesn’t happen by considering shelving-friendly designs. Self-standing options like the pouches mentioned above are best for this. Equally, flat packages that can hang on shelf pegs can work well in prime positions, while small jars or tubes can be a good option for beauty or skincare products. If you're looking to upgrade or reinvigorate your beauty or skincare packaging, it may be time to check out companies such as Impacked. Impacked supply cosmetic packaging that can be customized to your brand and their plethora of options also allows you to choose sustainable options, attracting eco-conscious customers who may typically overlook your products.
A package no one can get into
Last, it’s crucial you make your packages easy to get into. Access isn’t often high on the priority list, but tough-to-crack options are sure to annoy. In case you didn’t know, annoying customers isn’t the best for business. Instead, you want to make packages as easy for your customers as possible. That means providing access flaps or easy-to-tear serration. If you fail to include these things, you may find that no one is willing to take your packaging on a second try. The only time that you should make your packaging a tougher to open is when it is a product that children should not consume. This doesn't mean it will be tougher for the customer, more so that it will be tougher for any kids that might happen upon it. Take a look at the child resistant packaging requirements if you are producing a product that needs to be kept safe, so you can stick to the regulations and ensure that you have done everything possible to keep children free from harm even if they get their hands on it.