Running a small business can be highly competitive. No matter how high-quality your products are and how excellent your customer service is, you will need to work hard to stand out against your competitors.
Consider your attention to detail. There may be ways in which you can improve your products and practices to add value to your brand, increasing your customer base and supporting the growth of your business.
For artisan businesses offering everything from natural cosmetics to handmade jewellery, the quality of your packaging is vital to protect your products in transit. Furthermore, high-quality, aesthetically pleasing packaging that reflects your brand encourages repeat purchases.
Pick A Colour Scheme
A fantastic way to establish your brand identity is to reflect your product through your packaging. If you’re not already familiar with colour theory, it may be worth considering. Colours have the potential to affect mood and influence emotions. For example, consider packaging associated with high-tech gadgets such as smartphones and wireless headphones – predominantly minimal, monochrome and modern, representing power, sophistication and brilliance, allowing the product to speak for itself. Suppose your business involves making and selling natural bath products, in which case you could design packaging using colours that evoke feelings of serenity and simplicity, such as sage green and soft beige.
Custom Printed Boxes
Along with an identifiable colour scheme, you could also choose a design for your packaging that aligns with your brand’s concept. Choose packaging that incites suspense and excitement for the product through visual cues to make it appear as desirable as possible. Whether you opt for an attractive pattern or your company’s logo as a motif, your packaging is the very first thing the customer sees, and of course, first impressions matter.
Logo Stickers
If you prefer to keep your packaging minimalistic, you could increase brand awareness by adding logo stickers. Provided your unique logo is simple, distinctive and defining of your brand, you can use online printing services to create stickers made of waterproof vinyl, suitable for most packaging material surfaces. Ensure the placement of each logo sticker is central and eye-catching. You could even use logo stickers to seal boxes and envelopes, demonstrating that your customer’s package is fresh and exclusive.
Extras And Gifts
Offering simple thank-you gifts is a great way to encourage repeat purchases and customer loyalty. You don’t need to hinder your profits by throwing in free products, but small tokens such as product samples, sweets, stickers, and hand-written thank you cards speak volumes about your gratitude towards your customer base. In fact, you will find that many customers much prefer receiving a little extra in their package than getting a small discount on their purchase.
Sustainable Packaging
Sustainability is a core value of many small businesses. You can purchase sustainable wholesale packaging made from recycled cardboard and compostable matter from numerous packaging supply companies. Sustainable packaging can significantly reduce your company’s carbon footprint whilst targeting an environmentally conscious customer base – this is particularly vital if your business centres around natural products such as eco-friendly cosmetics and organic produce.
Creative Filling
While your packaging itself may be unique, you can further ensure your business stands out against competitors by considering how you package your products. Avoiding damage between your business premises and the customer’s doorstep is vital, which is why many companies use package filling to cushion delicate items. While scrap paper, polystyrene chips and bubble wrap are easily-available and cost-effective options, they are made from environmentally damaging materials.
Deciding on eco-friendly alternatives to traditional package filling could be an opportunity to flex your creativity. You could opt for brightly-coloured recycled paper honeycomb – attractive yet sustainable. Alternatively, you could choose something a little more quirky, such as popcorn or multicoloured biodegradable packing peanuts.
Offer Gift Wrapping
Many small and medium-sized businesses offer gift wrapping for a small extra charge – this is an excellent service, ideal for customers who value convenience, adding an element of luxury to your company. Providing a gift-wrapping service could be the feature that sets you apart from your competitors and is particularly attractive to customers who would prefer to purchase a gift and have it sent directly to the recipient’s home. Ensure you use high-quality, recyclable gift wrap and hone your wrapping skills to perfection.
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