October 27th, 2021 | Updated on May 9th, 2023
Shipping packages is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects when it comes to the eCommerce industry.
You may have to start out doing everything on your own. This includes confirming your orders, packing the items, and traveling to the post office every day.
However, as your business grows and the number of orders you get per day increases, there comes a point when the DIY solution isn’t practical anymore.
You probably know that you can’t do it anymore. If so, it’s time for you to come up with the right shipping strategy.
Fortunately, it isn’t as overwhelming as you think.
Keep in mind that shipping is perhaps the most important part of the customer journey. Because of this, you need to understand how shipping packages work.
Before you can send the product to your client, you will need the right packaging.
Is Packaging Important?
One of the most important ways your online shop can directly interact with your client is the packaging.
For example, a personalized and carefully wrapped unboxing experience can leave a good impression on whoever is opening the package.
Aside from that, excellent packaging keeps the product safe during its transportation to the doorstep of your client. Great packaging helps prevent the product from getting crushed or bouncing around during the move.
Packing things properly will help you save money by making sure that you do not have to ship another product to replace the original one if it gets damaged.
In addition to that, it also helps improve the reputation of your online store as it prevents your clients from getting damaged products.
There are tons of ways to make your shipping package safe. For example, you can use tamper evident tape to ensure nobody can open the package until it arrives at your client.
Box-In-Box Method
The box-in-box method is a packaging technique that offers more protection for your product. It can be helpful for high-value and fragile products.
Aside from the extra protection, it can also be useful if your inner box is a huge part of your branding experience and you want it to arrive at your client’s house undamaged.
Hiding the branded box inside a common-looking outer box also lowers the possibility of theft since people will find it more difficult to guess the value of the package.
H-Taping Method
The H-Taping method is a method of sealing the boxes. It helps keep the flaps of the box secure during transportation.
With this, your packages do not accidentally open on their way to your client’s house. You can do this by applying high-quality tape to the edge seams and center of the box.
Keep in mind that you will need more tape for heavier boxes to secure the seams.
Utilize The Right Sealing Material
If you’ve got to place the package inside a box for delivery, make sure you’re using the right tape with the right width.
You might be using a polyurethane bag with a built-in adhesive strip if you are packaging light items, such as T-shirts. However, you’ve got to make sure that you properly seal the bag to guarantee it does not open up mid-delivery or enable moisture to enter the package.
Do not utilize strings or straps if possible. These things can damage heavy packages or the machinery of your logistic service provider.
When packing the items, don’t forget to bring hand sanitizers and use them each time you pack a product.
Don’t Leave Empty Space For Filling And Cushioning
Your products will bounce inside the box if you have insufficient filler material in the package. If this happens, the item inside might get damaged during the trip.
On the other hand, if you overfill the boxes with cushioning, they might burst during transportation.
Because of this, there should be enough filler material so the item does not move in the box during the trip. It should also have enough cushioning to absorb any bumps the package might get during the move.
Make sure the box has enough room for enough cushioning around the product when adding a filler material to the package. Utilize at least 2 inches of cushioning.
Some of the most common cushioning materials include airbags, bubble wrap, and cardboard/foam inserts.
You can fill the rest of the box with filler such as Styrofoam, crumpled paper, or packing peanuts.
Wrap All Products Separately
If your package contains several separate items, you should know that they can bounce around and bump into each other during the move.
Cushioning and wrapping your items separately helps to guarantee the items will not move around as much as possible. Thus, you can prevent damage.
Choose The Right Packing Materials
During their journey to your client, packages pass through a lot of hands.
Because of this, you should avoid using old boxes that do not have the strength for the type of product you’re shipping.
The reason for this is that it might fall apart as an employee haul them from one transportation stage to another.
Also, these packages can rub against other boxes and parcels during the trip. This produces friction that might damage the product inside.
All that handling and friction means there is a lot of room for your packaging to deteriorate and rupture. This is particularly true if the material is not strong enough.
When packaging a product, you can always search for the best DIY tips on how to pack it properly. Furthermore, always ensure you use high-quality materials for your shipments.
Conclusion
It’s important to package your product appropriately when you need to ship it to your client. Always pick the right packing methods and packing materials for your product.
Seal it properly and add enough cushion and filling. These practices help avoid damage to your product when shipping. It can save you a lot of money on replacement and enhance your client experience.
