10 Common Product-Packaging Mistakes to Avoid
By: phase1Your product packaging says a great deal about your company. It should tell the world that your brand is strong, your products are top-notch and your business can be trusted. Yet in many cases, companies are making the following 10 common product-packaging mistakes. Here’s what to avoid.
- Your Packaging Looks Like the Competition’s Packaging.
If you put your product packaging next to your top three or five biggest competitors’ packaging, can you tell them apart? If not, you have a huge issue. Fortunately, it’s solvable with a redesign.
- Your Packaging Looks Too Complicated.
The best packaging is streamlined, making it easy for consumers to tell what’s inside. The product is highlighted without confusion. The worst packaging uses a jumbled design — it’s overly complicated and leaves potential buyers wondering about the product. Simplicity is always preferable to complexity.
- Your Packaging Is Hard to Open.
Make sure to test your product packaging with the consumer groups you’re targeting. For instance, if you offer a product that you want kids to eat for lunch, don’t make it too hard for little hands to open. Even if they love the food inside, they’ll ask for something different.
- Your Packaging Is Too Large.
Don’t waste shelf space — or your money. Oversized packaging is flawed product packaging. You can create custom product packaging that isn’t bulky. And there’s a big bonus to making your packaging smaller: You’ll probably save a little bit of money on each package.
- Your Packaging Is Misleading.
Have you ever bought a bag of potato chips, only to find it was mostly air? What a disappointment! It’s a prime example of misleading packaging. The same holds true of the bag of candy that seems to indicate there are tons of candy pieces inside when there are only four or five. Consumers don’t like to feel misled, so be certain that your packaging appropriately represents what’s inside.
- Your Packaging Isn’t Eco-Friendly.
It can be tough to offer a 100% eco-friendly package for your product, but you should try to include some eco-conscientious elements. Society rewards companies that are better stewards of natural resources. If you can modify your product packaging design to showcase your environmental friendliness, you may make new sales.
- Your Packaging Is Cheap.
Every company wants to keep costs reasonably low, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your packaging. A cheap package may come apart, which is a huge problem because the contents can spill out, spoil or become damaged. Be frugal, but be smart about it. Your package should sell and protect your product.
- Your Packaging Is Outdated.
When was the last time you evaluated your product packaging? Has it been many years, or even generations? Outdated packaging may carry some nostalgia with long-term customers, but it’s probably wasting packaging material and giving your company a dated appearance. It’s a frequently seen product packaging mistake — but it’s easy to remedy with the help of packaging design professionals.
- Your Product Packaging Design Isn’t Following New Rules or Guidelines.
It’s important to think about the rules, regulations and guidelines governing your industry when evaluating your product packaging. If your product packaging design isn’t in compliance, you could risk a fine — or worse. Stay aware of any changes that you must, or should, make.
- People Are Making Fun of Your Product Packaging on Social Media.
Social media matters. Millions of people post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. If there’s a growing movement mocking any of your packaging designs, you should take it seriously. Make the most of the situation by offering a contest between several prototypes and seeing which one consumers prefer.
Product packaging is an ever-changing part of your company’s business. When you feel the time is right to consider a new product package design, partner with a trusted leader in the industry. Contact us today to learn more!
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