Top 7 Packaging Mistakes Small Businesses Should Avoid

No matter how new your small business might be, you must have heard all about the importance of product packaging for its success. 

With well-thought-out packaging ideas, you can practically conquer your customers’ hearts. On the other hand, with subpar packaging choices, you may fall prey to a cycle of mishaps. 

But as scary as product packaging decisions might seem, they are relatively easy to make when you know how to avoid common pitfalls. 

This makes sure that you can get the most out of every packaging choice. Then, set it up as a ladder to your success. 

To help you on this path, here are the top 7 packaging mistakes small businesses should avoid. 

Try To Dodge These 7 Packaging Mistakes

Packaging is crucial for your product presentation. It also helps to enhance customer experience. However, one single mistake can make a huge impact on small businesses and their aim for better branding and customer retention. 

These are the top 7 packaging mistakes that your small business should avoid: 

1. Low-Quality Material

While it might be tempting to use low-quality material to cut costs, you may end up impacting your product’s integrity with this decision. In some cases, your product may look cheap compared to competitors. 

In other situations, it may not hold up to the challenges of shipping and break apart before it reaches your customers. Whether you are exploring the benefits of custom food delivery packaging or fragile item packaging, opt for high-quality material options. 

2. Incompatible Design Choices

If your product packaging design doesn’t match your branding and industry, your offerings might come off as being out of touch. 

For example, if you design specific medical device packaging without maintaining the sterility of your products, it may seem outside the line with your branding for the industry. 

That is why you should always take some time to ensure that your design choices go in line with the sector that you serve and the products that you sell. 

3. Little to No Branding

While your design options should always be a reflection of your industry, that doesn’t mean that they should always look generic. 

In fact, if you have little to no recognizable branding on your packaging, it may cause your products to go unnoticed on the shelves and diminish your business’ image in your industry. 

With this in mind, make it a point to leverage the advantages of design systems to create packaging that represents your brand.

4. Lack of Performance Testing

In many cases, small business’s product packaging can falter due to the simple absence of performance testing. 

Whether you sell food items or collectible figures, ensure that you stress test your packaging before you put it under the pressure of shipping and handling settings. 

Besides turning to specific providers who can offer these services, you can also use a project management tool to keep tabs on these test results, making critical decisions in light of complex data. 

5. Insufficient Market Research

In order for your packaging to perform well in the face of tough competition, you should do some market research to know exactly what will help it achieve that goal. 

Besides using traditional options like market research agencies, you can also use purpose-built software like a social listening platform. 

This can help you understand where packaging standards currently stand for your industry and what type of expectations your customers hold from a business like yours in the market. 

6. Not Committing to Sustainability

The environmental impact of sustainable material production is not hidden from anyone. Every business is committed to saving the planet and battling the effects of climate change. Now, they are doing their part in maintaining sustainable operations. 

As a small business, you can also show your attention to sustainability by using packaging materials. You can focus on using recyclable or reusable while also being mindful of the planet’s resources. 

This can also help you appeal to a more extensive customer base for your products. 

7. No Attention to Feedback

From using a social media management tool to utilising a business email client, you can take various steps to receive feedback from your customers about your product packaging. 

But if you ignore this aspect, you may make your packaging decisions without any guidance, harming your business. 

Keeping this in mind, make it a point to gather and listen to customer feedback in order to evolve your packaging for the better continuously. 

Once you learn about these common product packaging mistakes, it’s not hard to steer clear of them. This can help you avoid issues that could hinder your progress. Moreover, it can empower you to drive toward your desired level of success.

Additional Common Packaging Mistakes Need To Be Avoided  

Below is a list of some additional errors that small businesses need to avoid while packaging. 

Bad Unboxing Experience

An excellent unboxing experience can turn a customer into a loyal fan of your business. So, take it as an opportunity to leave a long-lasting impression on the customers. 

You can consider wrapping your products in fancy tissue paper. Even you can leave a thank you note for the customers. This can help customers feel validated and repeat their purchases. 

Misleading Information

Your packaging should not include any kind of misleading information or exaggerated claimation. This can significantly impact consumers’ trust and damage your reputation. 

This ultimately leads to short-term gains. On top of that, you may end up losing customers as well. Thus, it would be helpful to focus on providing clear and honest descriptions that can positively highlight your products and their strengths. 

Always remember transparency is the ultimate foundation when you aim to build a strong brand relationship. 

In Conclusion 

This guide has explored the top seven key areas that can often go wrong during packaging. From using low-quality materials to not paying attention, these mistakes can cause harm to your business. 

Always remember that your packaging is the ultimate extension of your brand. So, focus on telling a story and connect with your customers on an emotional level. 

Try to avoid the generic boxes and focus on better quality products when creating packaging. 

Remember, the more you will invest, the better the result will be. So, consider investing in packing that can showcase the value of your products and help you stand out in the crowd.

Additional Reading:

• Automating Packaging For Business Success
• Branding: How Custom Mailing Bags Can Make a Difference
• Ultimate Guide To Eco-Friendly Aerosol Spray Can Packaging