5 IMPORTANCE OF PACKAGING FOR ANY BUSINESS
5 IMPORTANCE OF PACKAGING FOR ANY BUSINESS
Let’s talk about packaging!
What is packaging, and how is it helpful to your business?
Packaging is the way you present your product to your consumers. It concerns how you cover the product or how it gets to the end users.
We have noticed that many businesses need to pay more attention to packaging when it concerns the presentation of their products. However, this little factor plays a vital role in the running of the business.
This article is for those who have been questioning the need for packaging. It is to bring light to the fact that packaging is necessary for your products.
We would state the importance of packaging for businesses and also answer some questions people may have about packaging.
Importance of packaging
Without further ado, let’s get into it. Some important of packaging are:
● Protects the product
What happens to something when you leave it bare? Of course, you can tell that it would be damaged. Something can pierce and get it contaminated. Or, it can even be damaged. It is why we always stress the need for business owners to pay attention to packaging as it helps to protect your products.
Understandably, it costs money to get these products, and you are looking to sell them off and get your profit. It would be rather disheartening when these products get damaged before you can sell them. Therefore, you will need packaging to protect these products to avoid such a situation.
Packaging also comes in handy as it ensures the product gets to the customer in one piece. Typically, you know that customers would reject a product if it is damaged. Either they refuse to pay, or they will ask for a refund. Some of them may even be extra pissed and decide to call you out online, which will give others a wrong perception of your brand.
You can avoid all these when you invest in packaging for your products instead of leaving them bare. So, ensure that you do the right thing.
● It makes the product more appealing
As business owners, we want you to understand that appearance matters significantly when selling products. Some people may want to argue and say that appearance should be the main focus. These people say that the effectiveness of the product should be what matters. However, allow us to tell you that the look of a product can influence a customer’s buying decision.
The other day, we discussed with Mary, and the conversation shifted to the beauty products she uses. When it got to soaps, we were curious to know how and why she started using her current soap. Interestingly, she told us that the soap packaging was so appealing that she couldn’t take her eyes off it. From the day she saw the soap, its appearance compelled her to it. Since then, she hasn’t used any other soap.
Mary is not the only one with such an experience. We have experienced many others who made purchasing decisions from the appearance of a product. So, in the same way, you strive to make your product effective, put in the same effort to ensure that it also looks attractive. It helps to bring in customers.
● It gives you a place to input necessary information
Have you noticed that the manufacturing information of specific products is usually on the body? Where would the manufacturers have put in the information if these products were not packaged?
If you ever want to argue that packaging isn’t necessary, remember that people need specific product information. For example, you can input the manufacturing and expiry date on the body of a product. This way, people know they should use that product before a particular time.
In addition, manufacturing information, like the product’s ingredients, is also essential. For example, you sell confectionaries. Understandably, not everyone has the same eating preferences. Some people do not eat gluten.
So, if you sell products that contain gluten, it is best to have such information on the packaging. Those who do not eat gluten become aware that they should not take it. Also, it could be that someone is allergic to something. So, they check out the ingredients on the packaging to ensure that they are not getting anything harmful to their health.
Now, you can see the significant role that packaging plays in both products and their business owners. It would be best if you had a place to put important information, and the packaging is suitable for it.
● It is a helpful marketing tool.
We must mention how packaging is a helpful marketing tool to discuss packaging and its importance. You may be keeping a confused face now, wondering how packaging plays a role in marketing. We would explain how it works.
It is crucial to keep in mind that your products speak for you even in your absence. When people buy your products, they will come in contact with others around them. So, when you have packaging on your products, it serves as an advertising and marketing tool. People around them see the product and may desire to use it. So they can get details of your business from the packaging. Even if they do not want to make an immediate purchase, they can keep the packaging and refer back to your business later.
But if you leave the product bare, there will be nothing to speak for you. Those who desire to contact you later will not know how, as you do not have any branding.
But when you have packaging from your products, there is a high chance of people stumbling on the packaging and getting a reminder effect if they have forgotten.
● Convenience
Although it may not seem like it initially, packaging provides convenience to business owners. With the knowledge that you can put your branding on packaging, you enjoy flexibility.
The packaging is your drawing board to experiment with branding elements until you settle on a specific one. Now, you can have your brand logo and slogan on the packaging. Again, it still ties back to marketing and advertising. However, this is more affordable as you would use one stone to kill multiple birds.
If you want to pay for advertising, you are looking at paying for TV and Radio spots and billboard slots. You can be sure that the prices are not low.
However, when you spend money on packaging, you are protecting your products, ensuring that they get safely delivered to customers, giving customers something appealing, and still advertising the product. So, you get extra value for the money you used on packaging. Isn’t this something you would rather do?
Looking at it, this screams convenience and should be something to jump on. It gives you ease while starting as a business owner.
FAQs
There is always one common question when talking to business owners about packaging.
What are the types of packaging?
Packaging can be in different forms and types. What matters is that you pick your preference and work with it.
It could be cling film, jute bags, paper card boxes, poly bags, plastic boxes, foiled-sealed bags, etc. All these classify as types of packaging.
Now that you know the importance of packaging for businesses, stop leaving your products bare!
HOW TO BUILD TRUST AS A BRAND
HOW TO BUILD TRUST AS A BRAND
What is brand trust?
This article will focus on how you can build trust for your brand as a business owner. But before we go any further, what is brand trust?
The idea of brand trust entails that you have a tight relationship with your customers. Your customers should be able to vouch for your business even in your absence. The bond with your customers should be so close that even in lapses, they are ready to stick with your brand and extend an arm of understanding.
Now that you understand the concept of brand trust, you would want it for your brand. After all, no business owner wouldn’t want to get to this level.
If you are nodding as you read this article, come with us while we explore building trust as a brand.
Importance of building trust as a brand
Before we dive into how to build brand trust, let’s look at why building brand trust is essential. We aren’t here to force you to believe in brand trust. Instead, we want to give you points that convince you of the usefulness of building brand trust. This way, you would engage in the process effortlessly.
Some importance of building trust as a brand are:
● Brand loyalty
When actively trying to build trust for your brand as a business owner, you consciously ensure that your customers remain loyal to your brand. As a brand owner, we know that customer retention is vital for you. After all, you wouldn’t want to go through the stress of getting new leads and losing them after one purchase.
Being a business owner is like being in a jungle with different animals. Of course, other business owners have different strengths you may or may not know. So, you must ensure you do things to earn your customers loyalty. Else, you will lose them to your competitors.
It is easier for customers to keep patronizing your business when they trust the brand. By building trust as a brand, people will find it easier to keep buying what you are selling as they can vouch for your products and services.
● Referrals
Did you know that you can get your customers to advertise your business? Ideally, one wouldn’t think their customers have any responsibility to promote their brand, which is true. However, you can also get your customers to refer your business to others when they can trust your brand.
Customers would typically talk about your business to everyone around them when they have faith and trust in your brand. The idea is that they have used your products and services and can testify that it works. Therefore, if anyone asks them for recommendations, they can mention your brand.
Remember that they would put their name on the line by referring your business to others. Therefore, building trust with these customers is essential as it is the only way they would be willing to vouch for what you are offering.
● Emotional bond
Building an emotional connection with your brand is crucial as a business owner. It is one way to get your customers on board with whatever you are doing.
For example, if you have an emotional bond with your customers, they wouldn’t resist when you increase the prices of your products or bring in new regulations. Let’s say you want to increase the delivery fee. Typically, customers would like to fight this recent change as they do not wish to spend more than they usually pay. But when they have an emotional bond with your brand, they will understand your shortcomings, and there will be lesser resistance.
But if the customer doesn’t trust your brand, they cannot form that emotional connection with your business. Therefore, they will think you’re out to scam them when you bring in new policies, and they will even port to your competitors.
● Lead generation
Trust is an essential factor you cannot joke with as a business owner. It plays a lot of roles, as we have already highlighted. However, one of the most critical roles of trust for a business is helping with lead generation.
As we mentioned earlier, your customers can refer your brand to others when there is brand trust. And this would lead to getting new customers.
It is easier to convince someone to patronize your business when they hear it from someone who has used your products and services. Testimonials are a vital pillar when it comes to lead generation.
Therefore, you need to start building trust with your customers so that they can engage in word-of-mouth advertising for your brand and help with lead generation. One effort to build brand trust would lead to a ripple effect of gaining new customers.
Ways to build brand trust
Since we have established the importance of brand trust for business, let’s talk about how you can build trust as a brand.
The various ways are:
1. Be human
In building brand trust, you should talk humanly to your customers as it makes your brand more relatable. Many businesses must learn to sound less robotic when communicating with their customers.
Customers would connect better with your brand when you use everyday parlance that they understand. This way, they can be sure that you understand their needs and that the products and services you offer would be helpful.
Of course, we know you are trying to be professional as a business. However, you must also ensure that your tone of voice doesn’t scare customers away.
2. Don’t compromise on your services.
One of the best ways to build brand trust is to ensure you continue delivering excellent customer service. You must maintain the momentum you promised your customers and strive to improve on it. But when the pace starts to reduce, people will doubt your brand’s integrity, which may make them move to your competitors.
The services you’re offering to your customers must never drop below par. Once you notice things are not in place, ensure you do everything possible to rectify the issue to please the customers. After all, your customers are the reason why you are in business.
3. Be accessible
How accessible are you to your customers? Is it easy for them to reach you with a complaint or issue?
Customers love when their favorite brands are accessible. It ensures that you are readily available to help with their challenges. Therefore, having a customer support team and even social media pages would be helpful.
All these ensure your customers are always happy and satisfied with your products and services. Remember, a happy and satisfied customer would refer your business to others. Therefore, you need to treat your customers right.
4. Be responsive
As much as it is essential to be accessible to your customers, you must also be responsive. What is the use of a social media account if you do not answer your customers on time?
It would be best if you typically had nothing more than a 2-hour response time when a customer drops a message. In addition, you should also engage your customers when they comment on your social media pages.
Doing these things shows that you are responsive. When you delay replying to your customers, you will see that they will move to your competitors. Of course, we know that you do not want this for your business.
5. Give your customers an experience.
It is one thing to have products and services you want to sell your customers. However, it is another thing when your customers have an enjoyable experience anytime they use your products and services.
Therefore, you should always consider strategies to ensure your customers have enjoyable experiences. Understandably, your mind may go to spending money when you think of giving your customers an experience. However, giving your customers an experience might be following up with them to get feedback after patronizing your business.
Once you give your customers an experience, you are building brand trust.
6. Solve a problem
Another way to build trust as a business owner is by ensuring that your products solve a problem. Interestingly, business owners have offered products and services that do not solve problems.
The deal is to ensure that you are giving value to your customers. You must understand that you are not selling to yourself. Therefore, you need to have your target audience in mind before offering anything to them.
So, ensure that you are solving the needs of your customers. This way, they will be satisfied with your brand, and there will be brand trust. It will be a mutually beneficial relationship.
7. Be accountable
Transparency and accountability are also important when you are trying to build trust as a brand. It is essential to be honest, and open with your customers. If your brand cannot afford to do something now, tell your customers. It would be wrong to string them along or deceive them that you can do it and end up disappointing them. Once this happens, building brand trust will take a lot of work.
Also, it would be best to be accountable when you err anywhere as a brand. It is always best to admit your wrongdoings and assure your customers that there will be no repeat of such mistakes again.
8. Be liberal with testimonials.
We often see that some business owners shy away from sharing testimonials. Why? The testimonials you get from your customers are potent elements that would help convince others to patronize your business.
Some people may delay patronizing your business as they want to be sure that others have bought something from you. You’d see that they are curious to know about the reviews your business has gotten.
Therefore, you must be liberal with your testimonials to build brand trust. Do not shy away from sharing these testimonies as it would convince others to purchase from your brand and also share their testimonies.
FAQs
How do you get customers to trust your brand?
You can get customers to trust your brand by sharing testimonials with them. As a business owner, it is crucial to keep in mind building brand trust is a gradual process. Therefore, you might not get instant results. But you would build this trust when you are consistent with your strategies.
What makes you trust a brand?
Consistency is what makes customers trust a business. Once the company delivers on all its promises, you can be sure that customers will be happy and satisfied.