The Unboxing Experience, a Great Opportunity for New Sales with UGC

Online retailers have gaining ground for over two decades. So much so that being online only isn’t enough anymore. The physical aspects of your online business need to truly set you apart from your competitors too.

The delivery and unboxing experience is the linking element between the online and the physical experience. It should be designed to grab the attention of buyers and promote new sales.

With the increased importance that Google is giving to UGC, aiming at unboxing experiences that are shareable across social media platforms should be your goal as it is an amazing opportunity to go viral.

Designing an unboxing experience, step by step

Cost and efficiency

Before delving into the creative process of coming up with a package to wow and hook the customer, it's necessary to solve more practical issues, like the cost of packaging.

For the majority of online shops, finding the balance between affordable packaging and protective packaging is a challenge on its own, without even considering the customer experience .

Another aspect to consider before designing the unboxing experience is the volumetric weight of your average order, as it has an impact on shipping costs.

Your decision regarding the exact dimensions of the packaging should be based on maximizing the size of the box so that it can fit as many items as you need to ship without putting their safety at risk.

When receiving any delivery, the customer always makes an automatic assessment regarding the appearance and feel of the packaging. This takes place within seconds and usually unconsciously.

After that, it’s important to consider the recyclability and feel of the packaging material, as more and more of your customers are taking this aspect into account as well.

For example, shipping Dior products in plastic bags would be extremely bad business judgment, as the package would clash immediately with the expectations of the customer, regardless of the status of the products.

The unboxing experience

The moment of truth has arrived. This is the perfect time to make a significant difference and seize the opportunity to impress.

And there is no better way to impress your customers than by exceeding their expectations. The good news is that currently, it is not too difficult to do!

If the delivery package itself has been engineered to meet the above criteria of simple, efficient and sustainable design, any big contrast with their humble expectations will have a great positive effect.

So how to deliver this magic to your customers?

1. Create a sensory experience

Use colored or printed tissue paper to wrap the order in. The only thing to keep in mind is your own style and the message you want to convey. You can use your logos as a print or opt for a plain design that gives a more minimalistic feel.

Go beyond the visuals by adding a scent to the box. Ensure that the aroma, once again, aligns well with your brand and the products being delivered.

2. Thank your customer for the purchase

You can include a personalized thank-you note or have a message printed on the inside of the box to express how much you look forward to them enjoying the products.

3. Add discount coupons

Getting special treatment and exclusive perks always makes people feel extremely appreciated. It also makes them shop more, increasing your conversion rate and fostering customer loyalty.

4. Give away some branded perks

Add samples and freebies to the orders to create awareness around new or related products or use the opportunity to include a gift that reminds them of your products, like a face roller if you sell cosmetics, or a branded bottle opener if you sell wine.

This is a great way to show appreciation, add value to the customer, sneak into their everyday lives to remind them of your store and promote new sales.

Wrapping (it) up

In an increasingly competitive online retail market, there is no excuse not to take advantage of all opportunities to make a positive impact on your customers. The unboxing experience is just another way to do it.

But, the unboxing experience means nothing without a pleasant delivery. Make sure to get it right with Outvio. Learn how here .