The success of your eCommerce business depends on many different factors. Even the smallest of details — for example, your eCommerce packaging materials — can make a lasting impression on your customers.

The best packaging for shipping will ensure that your products arrive in good condition. Protective packaging also helps minimize returns and can even be used as a marketing tool. Ultimately, it enhances the customer experience.

Understanding packaging solutions for your eCommerce business and choosing the right one can be hard. That’s why we’ve written this shipping and packaging guide. It will help you navigate the choices available and find what works for your eCommerce business.

Why Is Choosing the Right Packaging Materials Important for eCommerce?

The right product packaging can make a huge difference to the success of your eCommerce business.

You already know that its primary role is to protect your goods, ensuring that they arrive in pristine condition. If your items are inadequately packaged and items arrive damaged, your brand and reputation can get damaged too. Your customer will be disappointed, and you’ll spend time and money on a returns process. There’s also the risk that your customer won’t order from you again.

The right packaging solution will also impact your eCommerce business costs. Choose quality packaging that offers value for money by shopping around or buying in bulk. This contributes to keeping your overheads low so you can plow more of your profits back into your business.

Your eCommerce packaging materials can also enhance the customer experience. Think of it as the shop window to your business — it’s the first thing customers see when they receive your package. Custom printed packaging, for example, can personalize the user experience. It creates a memorable interaction and reinforces your brand values.

What Are the Different Types of Packaging Materials Available?

You’ll certainly be spoiled for choice when it comes to commerce packaging options. Let’s take a look at the main types of packaging available.

Outer Packaging

This packaging forms the outer layer of your parcel.

  • Corrugated cardboard boxes: This robust solution is suitable for shipping heavy or fragile items.
  • Double-wall boxes: The additional layers provide extra protection for their contents.
  • Poly mailers: These are ideal for small, light items that don’t need cushioning.
  • Padded mailers: These are an excellent solution for small, light items that require protection.

Infill Options

Infill is inner packaging that provides extra protection to your products. It also stops them from moving around during transit.

  • Bubble wrap. This is a popular choice for packaging fragile items.
  • Foam wrap. This lightweight material offers an alternative to bubble wrap.
  • Air pillows. These air-filled plastic bags are one of the lightest options for infill.
  • Packing peanuts. These are small, lightweight pieces of Styrofoam.
  • Shredded cardboard. This option is easy for your customers to recycle.
  • Kraft paper. This is another sustainable and practical option for infill.

Sustainable Packaging Options

Sustainable packaging for your eCommerce business is well worth considering. Customers are increasingly choosing the greenest options at every step of their purchase.

A recent survey by global management consulting company McKinsey revealed that 43% of consumers rate the environmental impact of packaging as an extremely or very important factor when making purchasing decisions.

The survey also found that around 50% were willing to pay more for sustainable packaging options.

Cardboard packaging is generally a biodegradable, as well as practical, option. You can also find sustainable versions of the other types of packaging. Great examples are corn starch mailers and packing peanuts and organic fabric pouches.

How to Determine the Best Packaging Material for Your Products?

The plethora of choices available can make deciding on the best packaging material seem overwhelming. Consider the following factors to decide on the best one for you:

Size

Size is the first consideration. If you’re sending out small, non-fragile items like clothing, a poly (or biodegradable) mailer is a good option. Larger and fragile options suit a cardboard box with plenty of infill.

Weight

For heavy items, a corrugated cardboard box is your best option. Cardboard boxes are also suitable for large but lightweight products. The lightest options can travel in mailers or smaller cardboard boxes.

Fragility

Fragile items need plenty of infill around them to protect them in transit. Choose outer packaging that provides plenty of space for inner packaging, so they arrive in great condition.

Environmental impact

Environmental impact should always be a consideration when it comes to eCommerce packaging. Many of your customers will expect you to provide sustainable options. Alternatives to traditional packaging include compostable mailers and paper infill.

What Are the Benefits of Using Sustainable Packaging Materials?

Sustainable packaging offers many benefits for the environment, eCommerce businesses, and consumers.

  • Reduces carbon footprint. Choosing sustainable options contributes to a reduction in carbon footprint.
  • Minimizes waste.  Many sustainable packaging options recycle materials, helping to reduce waste.
  • Enhances your brand.  Consumers are increasingly opting for sustainable options at every stage of their purchases. They will rate brands that promote environmentally friendly practices more highly, elevating your status.
  • Promotes customer satisfaction and loyalty.  Green credentials are important to today’s consumer. If your company values reflect those of your customers, they are more likely to feel satisfied and remain loyal to your brand.
  • Future-proofs your business. Bills on recycling and sustainability have been recently passed by the Senate. This marks a trend toward increased legislation around corporate responsibility. You can future-proof your eCommerce business by opting for sustainable packaging now.

How to Balance Cost and Protection in Packaging?

Your packaging needs to do its job properly while being cost-effective. Knowing how to strike this balance is vital to the success of your eCommerce business. Check out our strategies to achieve this:

  • Consider bulk-buying. Bulk-buying any commodity always works out cheaper — and the same goes for product packaging.
  • Make connections. Build up relationships with packaging suppliers. When you’re on good terms, you can negotiate special deals, subscriptions, and favorable payment plans.
  • Shop locally. Keep costs down by shopping locally in your area. You’ll pay less in delivery costs if you can call into your manufacturer’s premises to pick up your packaging.
  • Avoid false economies.  Don’t skimp on the quality of your packaging to save a few dollars. If your products arrive damaged or broken because of poor packaging, you’ll pay the price in customer dissatisfaction.

What Role Does Packaging Play in Enhancing Customer Experience?

Well-designed packaging is part of the customer experience. It does more than simply protect the product on its journey from supplier to consumer. Judging by the number of unboxing videos out there on social media, it’s an integral part of the entire customer journey.

One of the key roles packaging plays is strengthening brand identity. Start with custom printed shipping labels with your brand logo. Select tissue paper used to wrap your product in your corporate colors. Add a personalized sticker to seal the package. All these small touches will enable your customers to recognize your brand identity, conveying a sense of familiarity.

Another element in a satisfying customer experience is packaging design. Choose packaging that’s easy to open to make the unboxing experience seamless. Ensure that your packaging suits the product within. It should be big enough to protect it but not so voluminous that it frustrates the customer.

Opt for innovative solutions to enhance your customers’ experience further. Choose shipping boxes with the latest sustainable materials or resealable closures to show that you’re one step ahead of the game.

How to Optimize Packaging for Different Shipping Methods?

Tailor your packaging solutions to suit your chosen shipping method. This helps to ensure product safety and cost-efficiency.

Ground shipping generally involves the shortest distances. Choose outer packaging that’s in proportion to your product with adequate infill. This should protect your products as they make their way to your customers — no special measures are required.

Rail freight is a good choice if your products are bulky and need to travel medium- to long-distance. Ensure that your infill and outer packaging is robust enough to withstand any knocks on the way.

Air freight involves longer distances and travel time. This means your products will be handled more frequently and are at an increased risk of damage. This shipping method can be the most costly. So you’ll need to get the balance between adequately protecting your products and keeping your packages as light as possible.

Ocean freight usually takes the longest out of all the shipping methods. You’ll have to ensure that your products are well-packaged with waterproof material. You’ll also need to vacuum pack perishable goods to ensure they don’t deteriorate on longer journeys.

What Technologies and Innovations Are Available in Packaging?

Tap into the latest technologies and innovation in packaging materials and design to ensure that you’re offering the best service to your customers.

We’ve already seen that there is a shift toward sustainable packaging options in today’s eco-conscious climate. Plant-based plastics are replacing traditional petroleum-based packaging. Recyclable and compostable materials are in demand as consumers choose to live by their green values.

Smart packaging is another growing area. Adding an RFID tag allows products to be traced from the packaging process to receipt by the customer. QR codes added to packaging can be scanned by customers and provide a wealth of information about the product inside.

Active packaging is an innovative way to package perishable items like food, beverages, and medication. Oxygen absorbers and humidity controllers keep products fresh, while antimicrobial agents reduce the risk of bacterial contamination within the package.

These are just a few of the options for innovative packaging to help you improve efficiency, protect your products, and please your customers. Technology is evolving at a rapid rate, so it’s worth keeping up with the latest trends so you can provide an excellent customer experience.

How Can SEKO Logistics Help with Packaging Solutions?

SEKO Logistics is leading the way in logistics and packaging solutions for eCommerce business customers.

For us, it’s personal. Let us customize a logistics and eCommerce delivery solution that’s perfect for you, to include the optimal packaging for your products and shipping method.

We offer road, air, and ocean freight services, with a strong focus on innovative technology to ensure that every step of your product’s journey meets customers’ expectations.

Reach out to us today for a quote!