Customer Retention By Avoiding Top Packaging Design Pitfalls

The most successful products can have packaging design pitfalls from time to time, even when the packaging design seems flawless. Take, for example, the packaging for the new iPhone 6. A customer in Perth, Australia was filmed opening the phone’s package shortly after he waited in line to purchase the new model from an Apple store on the day it was released. Apple employs full time box openers just so they can create the perfect unpackaging experience, but that didn’t stop this Aussie customer from dropping the phone when he popped the top of the iPhone 6 box for the film crew that was there interviewing customers. And if the Packaging King can experience a pitfall, what about the rest of us? Here are a few of the most common pitfalls you will want to keep in mind and attempt to avoid in your packaging design:

Extra Space in the Box
If you are launching a relatively new product that doesn’t have much market awareness yet, watch the size of the packaging. If your product is much smaller than its package, customers may be disappointed. The pitfall? Retailers could choose not to order any more of your product just based on this factor alone. If there is no need for the extra space,
Inappropriately Large Boxes
Retailers also might not want to carry your product if it comes in a much larger box than other comparable products, simply because it takes up too much shelf space. Do your homework and see what the industry norms are. Since larger boxes take up more room, shelf space is an issue and could be a determining factor on where you end up on the store shelves.
Insufficient Room for Labels
If applicable, always remember to leave a little extra room in the specified label area of your packaging. Allowing enough tolerance will make it easier down the line and will eliminate the need to go back to the drawing board in a few months when you realize you need more room to play with.
More Assembly Required
If you choose to cut costs by ordering boxes that require additional assembly, it could be a pitfall for you in the end. As demand for your product increases, you may find the additional time wasted assembling boxes negates any cost savings you might have initially experienced. Taking the time to order custom, made-for-your-product packaging up front will streamline your process as you grow in the market space.
Oddly Shaped Boxes
A unique box design isn’t necessarily good if it keeps the box from being stackable. Packages should stack conveniently onto a store shelf, or come in larger merchandising boxes that can be stacked.
Too Many Unnecessarily Frills
Decoration is good to a certain point, but don’t go overboard with flaps, tags and other frills. These decorations can be easily damaged and will ultimately leave your product looking worse than if it were in a plain brown box.

Despite some pitfalls there are correct ways to go about packaging design; you should be better prepared to create the ideal un-packaging experience.

Top Packaging Design Pitfalls to Avoid