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Seal the Deal: Create Memorable Customer Experiences

With Smart Product Packaging

When it comes to product packaging, small tweaks can deliver big results. In fact, studies show that 52 percent of consumers are more likely to demonstrate loyalty to a brand if products are received in premium

packaging. This is why small businesses — particularly e-commerce businesses — are increasingly investing in clever approaches to packaging,

transforming a necessity into an opportunity to bolster their brand.

From the personalized to the pretty, here are five tips for creating memorable branded packaging, along with easy-to-replicate examples.

Write a Personalized NoteCommunicate with customers by including a handwritten,

personalized note with every packaged item. Invest in some custom or thoughtfully selected stationery instead of

a blank piece of paper for the note. 1

Small Business Doing It Right

PeaceLoveandGinger's founder Lindsey Ritter includes a handwritten note on stationery that matches her branding with each item she ships to customers. This personal touch lends her customizable products the feeling that they are coming from a longtime friend rather than a business. 1

Give a KeepsakeProve your brand goes above and beyond the norm to

connect with customers by pairing packages with a relevant keepsake. Choose an item that will both delight customers and complement your brand to deliver a lasting impression.2

Small Business Doing It Right

DutchDetails, an online vintage shop, delights its customers by including a postcard from the city or country where the customer lives with every order. 2

Ship Delicates With DetailsSecuring delicate or expensive items with an added

protective layer, such as bubble wrap, isn’t just practical — it shows that you take pride in your product. Use it as a

blank canvas to add a unique touch such as a label featuring your logo or an artfully arranged ribbon that

speaks to the season. 3

3Small Business Doing It Right

RusticOccasion, a home decor shop, finishes bubble-wrapped items with seasonal yarn and a sticker that reads “hand made” to emphasize the brand’s commitment to its craft.

4Add Fill-in-the-Blank Cards for Interaction

Introduce an interactive element to packaging such as a simple card that guides customers to share constructive feedback. This is especially helpful for businesses that

specialize in ongoing personalized curation, demonstrating a commitment to accurate customer satisfaction.

4Small Business Doing It Right

DriftawayCoffee, a personalized subscription service, packages orders with smartly crafted cards, encouraging customers to note their response to each new blend to help build a more perfect custom experience.

5Showcase Your Brand, Inside and Out

It’s not just what’s inside that counts. Use stamps, stickers and stencils to personalize the exterior of your packaging so that customers will recognize

your brand the moment it arrives.

– 4 –

5Small Business Doing It Right

CausticThreads, an online T-shirt shop, ships tees in simple, screen-printed paper packaging or boxes branded with stickers. To boost brand exposure, the seller includes complimentary stickers inside, too.

Studies show that 90 percent of all consumers will repurpose product packaging, and 40 percent of consumers will share photos of interesting or original packaging via social media.

Thoughtful product packaging is no longer just a part of the customer experience; it’s also a way to give a product — and your brand — legs far beyond checkout.

TWEET THIS SLIDESHARE

For more creative ways toconnect with customers, visit the

Staples Small Business Hub.