Many of the world’s businesses know that it is not just the product that is important, but the packaging as well. They need to work in tandem and those that have cracked the secret will always do well. It is not easy and does require a great deal of thought, experimenting, trial and error before they get it right.

It would be a mistake not to take into consideration a product’s packaging. After all, it is the first thing a customer will see and it must be able to communicate a message. Here are some product packaging tips on how to help do this in order to beat your competitors.

1. Understand The Consumer

When designing a package, you need to understand the consumer inside out. Packaging needs to communicate with the consumer and understand their needs and their expectations. There can be one powerful thing or even several things which can drive purchasing behaviour and trigger that sale.

Packaging has to attract the buyer and communicate a message that will hit home. It should create a desire within the consumer for the product powerful enough for them to purchase it. Knowing who would be interested and other bits of vital information will help attract potential customers.

2. Packaging Should Tell A Story

If a product’s packaging can tell a story and communicate with shoppers, this can be incredibly powerful and lead to a sale. It’s important to be true and authentic. Consumers can find out about the history of the product and how it came into being. If they can find out about how and why it works and what it can do for them as well, it can cause the shopper to think about it, perhaps change a previous thought they may have had and eventually cause a sale to be made.

3. Emotional Connection

Packaging should not be seen as just a container or enclosure for the product. It should be seen as a way to connect with the emotions of shoppers and at the same time, make the content within come alive. Even before they use a product, the packaging must ‘speak’ to them and communicate the bottom line to them. The use or symbols or some other decorative design can help make a long-lasting connection with consumers.

4. Truthfulness

Today, with the use of the Internet, people can find out so much about anything. In the old days, this was obviously harder. If your packaging tells a story, whether with words or with simple visuals, you need to make it authentic. If you try embellishing certain things, people will find out and it just won’t work, so be truthful. People are also more environmentally conscious. If your packaging does not use recycled materials, claiming that it does will only bring trouble. However, if it does, you can encourage others to do the same. Consumers will appreciate the fact that you are eco-friendly.

Being bold and trying something different can also work for your packaging and product. Something outrageous can cause quite a stir on social media which is just the kind of exposure your product could do with. When designing a package, don’t just think of shelf-impact; connect with consumers, touch their hearts, tell a story that they can relate to. Blending a few ideas into one can help increase sales.