Packaging is just packaging, right? After all, it’s the product that really matters.

If you’re thinking this way as a business owner, you might be setting yourself up for failure. Product packaging plays a more important role in consumer decisions than you might think. A product’s packaging communicates many things, from what the product can do for your customers to your company’s values. Some would argue that the packaging is as important as the product itself because it’s a crucial marketing and communication tool for your business. Start thinking about your brand packaging and consider these four factors.

It Differentiates Your Brand From Others

There are thousands of products on the market vying for your customers’ attention. According to The Paper Worker, one-third of a consumer’s decision making is based solely on product packaging. To succeed, your brand packaging has to stand out and look different from your competitors. For example, one of Captain Morgan’s most recent products, Cannon Blast, comes in a not-so-standard container. The bottle is actually shaped like a cannon ball. Not only is the design relevant to the name of the product, it’s also eye-catching and highly different from what many of its competitors offer.

Packaging Color Sways Consumer Purchase Habits

The colors used in your product packaging play a key role in consumer buying decisions. Your brain reacts to colors in different ways, so choose your packaging colors accordingly. For example, products with white packaging convey simplicity, safety and purity. Color experts cite that the more color added to a product’s package, the less sophisticated the product is. Other colors, like blue, convey many different meanings. A light sky blue color is considered more playful, while a dark navy is considered much more professional. Worldwide, blue is the most liked color, but that doesn’t mean you should automatically choose the likable color. It’s important to study your target demographic before deciding on a color scheme for your product packaging.

Product Packaging Is a Marketing Tool

Your product’s packaging can be a helpful marketing tool through in-store advertising. Branded products are easily recognized, so designing packaging with your logo front and center helps consumers remember your product next time they are shopping. Consider what your packaging is saying about your product and your brand. Is it good? Can it be better? It’s also wise to think about what messages your product’s packaging is conveying to shoppers and consumers.

Packaging Creates Brand Recognition

Take a moment to think about some of your favorite brands. They all have one thing in common: they are memorable. Over the decades, brands like Coke have made minor changes to their packaging and stayed true to their original look. Keep in mind that recognizable brands should not change a thing because many successful brands that changed their logo, colors or packaging have seen a sort of backlash from shoppers after making a big change.

Credit: https://retailminded.com/4-reasons-why-product-packaging-is-important/#.Xw1ojCgzaM8