So you’ve got everything figured out for your business except packaging and shipping. Maybe you’ve saved it for last because it seems unimportant, overwhelming or you already have a decent service provider. Whatever the reason, packaging and shipping should never be overlooked.
For some customers you’re packaging will be the first tangible experience with your brand. Shipping might be the first service experience. They are an extension of your brand.
These experiences can make or break a customer relationship. In our guide, we’ve listed all the important things to know when it comes to e-commerce packaging and shipping.
Packaging
Packaging serves two important factors, branding, and conservation. Your packaging might be the reason someone buys something before they even see the product. Packaging also needs to be durable to protect products during transit.
Materials
The first thing to determine is what material(s) is right for your product. If you sell a variety of products, you might have different packaging options. There are two types of packaging to consider: product packaging and courier packaging.
Product packaging is the box your product will be in whether it is being shipped or on retail shelves. Courier packaging is the package used for shipments. Both of these packaging needs can be met in the form of a box, corrugated mailer, padded mailer, or polymailer.
It is also important to consider your budget and the environment when choosing what packaging materials to work with.
Branding
The fun part of the packaging is designing it. You can include your logo, interactive or educational text, and eyecatching designs on both your product and carrier packaging. Customization does come with a cost. If your customer unboxing experience is important, it might be worth the added price.
Shipping
There are four major shipping couriers: USPS, UPS, DHL, and FedEx. Who you work with will depend on where, when, how, and what you ship. It will also depend on your budget and shipping frequency.
Fulfillment
How you ship your products will depend on your experience, inventory, and budget. There are many options such as a shipping warehouse or self-fulfillment, which means you are your own distributor.
Some businesses use dropshipping, which enables you to send a product from a vendor without owning inventory. 3PL, third-party logistics providers, store inventory for you and fulfill your orders similar to a warehouse.
Rates
93 percent of customers say shipping is an important marker in their online shopping. Determine whether or not you will offer free shipping. You can run A/B testing to find the most profitable shipping options for your business.
It is also important that you look into courier rates for businesses. The prices for a business are different than retail. Find which courier service is the best financial match for you.
Effective Packaging and Shipping
There are many factors to consider when it comes to e-commerce packaging solutions and shipping. Analyzing your unique business, current capital and customer profile is the right place to start. Contact us for packaging and distribution advice unique to your business!
