Think back to the time when you were a kid and bought your favorite pack of cards. The new pack's smell and the excitement with which you opened it are still fresh in your memory. The unboxing experience has helped you hold the memory close to your heart. I bet you are taken back to that memory lane, and it is absolute bliss.
As a grown-up, you feel the same excitement and thrill when you order a product online and see your package on your doorstep. You know precisely what you have ordered, but the excitement remains. As an e-commerce brand, you can use this rush of excitement to create a lasting impression on your customers.
Competition in the e-commerce business is increasing, and customer satisfaction is the huge retention booster that keeps the brands on their toes. As an e-commerce business owner, success means more than providing high-quality products. It is now beyond that requirement. Brands now have to think outside the box to keep their customers coming back to them.
We have already talked about leveraging an awesome unboxing experience on social media. Today we will guide you on how to wow your customers by creating a memorable unboxing experience. As custom packaging plays a vital role in customer retention, we can use this marketing tool to build customer loyalty and fulfillment. Let’s see how we can use different strategies to give your customers a memorable unboxing experience.
What is Unboxing?
Today, unboxing is considered a powerful marketing tool for companies. It creates a lasting impression on existing, new and potential customers. As it is a final touchpoint in the customer’s journey, brands try hard to impress their customers with the branded packaging style.
But what is unboxing? If you are still unsure and wondering what this maunder about unboxing is, this section will help you. The self-explanatory word unboxing simply means opening a delivery box. However, it has a whole new level of importance, value and definition in e-commerce. For buyers, it creates an unforgettable and delightful experience. It is an opportunity for businesses to charm their customers, show off their custom packaging, and build brand awareness.
Customers already know what they have ordered or their expectations from their online purchases. However, the moment they see the package waiting on their doorstep, the mood changes, and the excitement builds up. The final touchpoint in your customer’s journey reaches its climax at this point. Custom packaging plays an important role in shaping a customer’s perception of your brand. It is an excellent opportunity for businesses to impress their customers, create brand awareness and connect with them.
What Does Unboxing Mean To Your Business?
Branding for a business is its backbone. If you stand out and have a staunch standing in the market, customers will be able to order from you and remember you. We know that the unboxing experience is the “wow factor” for customers but let’s delve deep into what it means to your business.
Over the last few years, e-commerce has grown rapidly and become an integral part of the global retail industry. The trend of online shopping (thanks to Covid) has increased, and paying for goods and services online is a common practice.
As a business owner, you know that the moment a buyer places the order, the anticipation starts building up. The arrival of the product in one piece is essential for customers. The unboxing experience is a big success factor for vendors as it helps them market their brands and products. If the product has custom packaging, customers share their reviews and unboxing images and videos. So using high-quality custom folding cartons will help your brand build customer loyalty.
At least 60 million hours have been spent watching other people open things. Another interesting fact about unboxing is that Google Consumer Survey shows that 62% of those that watch unboxing videos do so when looking for a particular product.
So, there is no denying the fact that unboxing is popular and holds significant importance for brands. Customers rely heavily on online reviews before purchasing, which is crucial for building brand awareness and retaining customers. Try your best to avail this free marketing tool.
Why is The Unboxing Experience Necessary?
Custom packaging plays a huge part in creating a delightful customer experience. It has the power to influence the purchasing decision of customers. A survey found that 72% of consumers’ purchasing decisions are influenced by packaging.
The question is: Should brands pay any heed to their packaging style to influence the buyer’s decision? The short answer is yes. For a long answer, keep reading.
For a business, unboxing presents an excellent opportunity to build brand awareness, connect with customers personally and give a memorable experience. The custom packaging, paired with a great unboxing experience, evokes emotions and communicates the brand story. Let us find out how the unboxing experience can benefit your business.
Builds Loyalty
Looking for new customers is exciting, but retaining long-term customers is profitable and less expensive. It does not mean that we do not encourage companies to get new customers. We do not endorse the idea; however, keeping a larger percentage of existing customers for a long time builds on the company’s revenue. In addition, it is more profitable and creates a predictable growth graph.
Today customers have so many choices that it takes a lot of work to leave a lasting impression. The good news is that it is not impossible. Customer satisfaction and loyalty mean they can remember you even after a long time.
37% of consumers consider themselves loyal to a brand only after making five purchases. One of the ways of building customer loyalty is by giving an unforgettable unboxing experience. Custom packaging with personalized notes is far better than a plain brown box containing the product. So, a great unboxing experience guarantees customer retention, reorders and builds loyalty.
Reinforce Branding
Your brand is unique and has its story. With a great unboxing experience comes an opportunity to communicate your story with your existing and potential customers. The logo design, color choice and intricate designs are a way to keep the brand fresh in the minds of your customers. Moreover, it also differentiates you from competitors.
With custom packaging, brands make a deliberate choice of choosing packaging materials that stand out. The graphic designs and colors create a positive first impression, and for existing customers, it meets their expectations. When creating a memorable unboxing experience, make sure you do not overlook the packaging trends that influence customers’ decisions and reactions towards your products and their packaging.
Social Media Shares
Social media is a powerful tool, and there is no denying it. You can consider it modern-day word of mouth. People rely on online reviews before making a purchase, whether it is a pair of glasses or planning a vacation. 93% of consumers say that online reviews impact their buying decision. Social media dramatically influences a buyer’s decision. An online presence of a business enhances accessibility and helps you build trust.
If you create an enduring unboxing experience, there is a high probability that people will share it online. So, with the unboxing experience, you give your customers a chance to spread the word and reach potential customers. It is one of the inexpensive marketing strategies. Learn more about how you can create an unforgettable unboxing experience.
Impress New Customers
YouTube is the second largest search engine and the most popular among GenZ. 90% of people say that YouTube helps them discover new brands. Unboxing is a known phenomenon, and according to Google, it is a popular trend.
Building a social media presence in the modern day is necessary. Brands need to build their social media presence, create brand awareness and make it easy for customers to find services and products. Using social media branding to reach potential customers is a smart choice. Unboxing videos on YouTube is a great way to reach new customers and make a lasting impression.
So, now you know the importance of the unboxing experience for your customers.
How To Enhance The Unboxing Experience?
The trend of unboxing is here to stay. Customers today need more than just a product. They enjoy the experience and expect brands to follow the trend that others or your competitors follow. As we have already explained the importance of unboxing, let’s see how you can add the “wow” factor to your packaging to create an unforgettable experience.
Customize It
One of the biggest trends in e-commerce is the transition to delivering customized services and products. Customers notice every minute detail and prefer to buy from companies that provide tailored experiences. 36% of consumers believe that retailers should offer more personalized experiences. Customers feel more connected to the brand with a simple, humane touch.
With such an expectation, it becomes necessary for brands to invest their time and resources into providing a custom experience. Custom packaging protects the product from external factors and carries a message that “WE CARE”. A simple thank you note can go a long way.
Add Free Inserts
No one in this world does not like free unexpected inserts in their parcel. Adding custom inserts is a great way to value your customer and make them want to come back. With free inserts, you are making each unboxing experience memorable.
However, one thing should be kept in mind each free sample should align with your brand. Do not add items just for the sake of it, and think it through. For instance, you might want to send nuts but avoid doing it as someone might be allergic to them.
Use Sustainable Packaging Materials
Your customers are more conscious of your choice of packaging material. With the change in the climate, consumers have become more responsible and choose products that do not harm the surroundings. As a result, they incline more towards sustainable packaging. If a brand chooses non-recyclable material, it gives the impression that the company does not care about the environment. Customers share negative views, which damages the reputation of the company.
Arka provides a wide range of sustainable and recyclable packaging. If you switch to sustainable packaging materials, it boosts your reputation.
Focus on The Presentation
Believe us when we say presentation is everything. You know how custom packaging plays a huge role in impressing your customers. Apart from adorning the outside of a package, make sure you also focus on the inside. If you just put the product inside, it might lose its charm when customers open the box and take it out.
Think about putting custom inserts, bubble wrap, tissue paper or air pillows inside while packing the product. Moreover, the dimension of the package also matters. The size of the box should not be too large or too small.
Pro tip: print inside the box with your custom labels and logos to give an aesthetic appeal.
Add a Personal Touch
Adding a personal touch does wonder for your branding. The rapidly growing competition and the thriving marketplace make it hard to stand out. You need to make your brand’s voice heard to reach more leads in such a situation.
But what is a personal touch? In simple words, it means connecting with your customers personally, not as a brand but as a human. Once they see you as a human-like enterprise, they start to trust you. If they know that you care about their shopping experience, they begin to see you beyond the enterprise.
You can customize each package according to the contents in the box. Brands can add a thank you note or a handwritten note telling their customers that they value them. Adding a personal touch goes a long way and helps brands wow their customers.
These steps can wow your customers and help them remember you. Packaging impacts consumer behavior, they will come back to you again to have the same experience.
Conclusion
Creating a memorable unboxing experience using custom packaging and inserts helps you build a strong relationship with your customers. In this article, we have helped you learn how you can wow your customers by creating an unforgettable unboxing experience.
Let Arka help you make your customers’ journey memorable by making the final touchpoint an event to remember. Go ahead and check out the top-notch custom shipping boxes and mailer boxes that Arka offers and design your own box today!
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