Do you run a business that sells physical products? If so, you are probably already familiar with packaging supplies. Even if you use a freight or logistics firm to transport items to customers for you, you are still probably the one who’s responsible for physically packing them. Unfortunately, the average business owner adopts a casual attitude to product packaging. It’s not something that should be overlooked, though. The time and effort you put into packing products can have a direct impact on the way customers perceive you. This post will explore this topic in more detail and tell you what you and other business owners need to know about packaging supplies.
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They Come in Many Shapes and Sizes
The first thing you need to know about packaging supplies is that they come in many different shapes and sizes. No matter what your business sells, you’ll be able to find packaging supplies that can accommodate you. Make sure that you source your wholesale packaging supplies from a company with a good reputation and lots of experience. You should take product measurements before you start buying supplies. Taking measurements will allow you to ensure that you get packaging supplies that are the right size and width. You can send these measurements to the company you are buying packaging from so they can check their inventory and find supplies that are right for you.
There Are Different Qualities
The next thing you need to know is that there are different qualities of packaging supplies. The average person only thinks about basic cardboard boxes when the topic of product packaging comes up in conversation. However, adopting a casual attitude to your business’s product packaging and assuming all supplies are equal is one of the worst things you can do. If you do not take time to invest in the highest quality gear you can, you’ll end up buying supplies that simply aren’t a reflection of the quality of your business’s products. If your customers receive their purchases wrapped in the most basic packaging available, they are going to think you are either too broke or too careless. Good packaging doesn’t cost a lot of money, but it protects products from damage and shows customers that you care enough to go the extra mile.
The Way Products Are Packaged
The quality of product packaging isn’t the only thing that customers will judge you by. They will also judge you by the way that products are packaged. If you do not take time to make sure that products are secured and properly stored, then they could get damaged in transit. Not only will damaged products negatively impact your reputation, but they will also cost you money. Customers are not the ones who have to foot the bill when a product arrives damaged. Instead, it is business owners themselves who are responsible. Because of this, you need to make sure that your products are properly packaged and stored. Ensure that the highest quality boxes are used and make sure that they are properly taped together and sealed. Bear in mind that products can be stolen from boxes that are not properly secured. The last thing your customers should have to deal with is their purchases going missing.
Customers Have Certain Expectations
In modern business, customers have expectations. Product packaging supplies come in many qualities, as mentioned above. People who’re spending a lot of money on items expect their purchases to come in the highest quality packaging available. Make sure that your products are packed accordingly. It’s important to make sure that each item sold is wrapped in the same packaging, too. Ensuring uniformity and making sure that all purchases are packaged the same way can be good for your reputation and show that you care. The reason that it will be good for your reputation is because customers will perceive you as somebody who’s methodical and prepared. When items are sent in random cuttings of plastic or odd boxes, it makes you look like you did not prepare, which can be bad for your reputation and image. If you do not have the time to worry about packaging yourself, you can appoint an employee to the position of packing manager.
Insurance and Theft
Insurance and theft are two things you need to think long and hard about. First and foremost, each and every product your business sells needs to be covered by your company’s insurance policy. Make sure that if products arrive damaged, you are compensated by your insurer. This is because customers themselves will demand refunds, which you will legally have to provide them. By making sure you have insurance that covers you, you won’t have to worry about ending up out of pocket. You also need to insure yourself against theft. While most couriers have processes in place to ensure that their employees do not steal from them, it’s not something the average courier company can entirely rule out. Thieves can be hard to detect. An insurance policy that covers you for theft will make sure you get compensated in the event that products don’t end up going where they are supposed to or go missing.
Customizable Product Packaging
Finally, if you really care about your business’s reputation and how customers perceive you, why not invest in customized product packaging? Customized packaging that carries your business’s logo can be a great way to show customers that you care about them and the quality of your packaging, which is important for the reasons mentioned above. When ordering customized product packaging, there are a number of different things to consider, ranging from the font used, the quality of the packaging itself, and the way tape is applied. Try to make sure that each and every box or bag is uniform. Ensure the tape is attached to specific places and looks the same as all of the other packages your business processes. Keeping everything uniform can be good for your reputation because it shows you are methodical.
Running a business has never been easy. One of the hardest parts is shipping logistics. You can use the guidance given here to streamline your company’s product packaging purchases. Make sure you consider each point and use them to ensure you get the right supplies.