7 Common Product Packaging Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

by Sudarsan
Packaging-Mistakes

The first impression is everything in business. It can either build or kill your company, depending on how buyers perceive you from the word go.

While there is a lot you can do to create an excellent first impression, such as good customer service and keeping your premises clean, your product’s packaging also goes a long way. Packaging is the consumers’ first introduction to your products. You, therefore, should invest in offering the best.

Nonetheless, it takes knowledge to ensure that your products are packaged correctly. Here are common product packaging mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Incorrect Labeling

Wrong labeling is a huge turnoff to consumers. Although human is to error, you should be super attentive when creating labels to avoid money and time wastage.

Imagine a scenario where hundreds of buyers are forced to return products due to labeling mix-ups. This will not only result in time wastage but also mess up your product packaging budget,, especially if you offer a free return policy.

What’s more? The situation will inconvenience the buyers, and they may never want to shop from you ever again.

2. User-Unfriendly Packaging

‘I cannot open this, even with scissors.’ If your buyers have to get to this point, it means that you didn’t put their needs into consideration when designing the packaging.

As much as you want the products to be safe, no one wants to spend hours trying to get them. Again, it would help if you had your packaging tested to establish how easy it is to open. Even the most fantastic product will be a letdown if consumers find it hard to open.

Luckily, you can perform packaging design testing before coming up with the final option. If you are unsure how to go about it, there is an article online explaining all the aspects of design testing. Check it out for insightful tips. 

3. Poor Packaging Design

Considering the benefits of good packaging, it is only wise to invest in the best designs for packages.

The goal is to develop a unique design that differentiates you from competitors. But that does not mean that you should go all out. Simplicity is key. Customers will love it if the packaging does its job correctly, protecting the product while giving them an easy time to open.

Moreover, you should select a minimalistic design. In this era, where everyone is trying to conserve the environment, you do not want to be the only one who does not reduce waste.

Consumers love to be associated with brands that choose sustainability. It is, therefore, best if you go for a simple design with recyclable materials.

When working on the design, ensure that the size of the packaging corresponds to the product’s size. Avoid wasting too much space as that might compromise the safety of the product. There should be visible differences when packaging large products compared to small ones.

The primary goal of the package is to secure the product. You, therefore, should ensure that the products are stable inside the box.

4. Print Mistakes

This is a common mistake, especially with custom packaging. Some issues, such as typos, are seemingly minor but may result in more significant problems.

In most cases, customers will associate typos with inferior product quality. If you are not thorough with the print for packages, buyers will diligently assume that your products do not meet quality standards.

5. False Advertising

While it can be tempting to add bloated statements to make your product more attractive, including false statements will affect consumers’ trust in your business in the long run.

Buyers will deem you as a scam which will in return harm your reputation, thus affecting your brand loyalty.

Every business aims to maximize sales, which you can only achieve through improved transparency. Ensure that buyers get what they see. 

It would be better if you under-promise and under-deliver rather than over-promising and end up offering dubious services. Invest in creating authentic, quality packaging that will not cause confusion and misinterpretations.

6. Too Much Going on With the Packaging

There is power in minimalism. Although the idea does not suit all brands, it is best to avoid too much detail on the packaging. Some packaging designs are disturbing to look at and will make buyers feel like you do not take your business seriously. 

For instance, too many descriptive phrases will distract buyers from the primary message. Moreover, adding your company logo all over can be confusing, and users may never bother to see what is written. 

If done well, the packaging is a perfect medium for promoting your brand. You want your customers to be reminded of you every time they come across your package.

Moreover, everyone who comes across them will immediately know what your brand is all about and come looking for you when they need your products.  A simple description is enough. 

7. Zero Differentiation

It would be such a waste if your packaging looked the same as your competitors. Differentiation is the trick to attracting and retaining buyers. You have probably at some point been to a store, picked a product in a hurry, only to realize that you picked the wrong one.

When customizing packaging solutions, ensure that they can grab buyers’ attention within 10 seconds. Assume that buyers have only a few minutes before the store closes or are in a hurry to get to the next destination. Would your product make it to the shopping basket? 

This is critical, especially in competitive markets. You must think of ways to stand out by coming up with a unique packaging color, design, and logo placement, among other aspects.

Avoid These Product Packaging Mistakes

Investing in good packaging is the trick to advertising your business effortlessly. It is a chance to reach as many individuals without making it too obvious. By noting the above product packaging mistakes, you are ready to develop a package that will win consumers’ hearts.

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