The impact of e-commerce on electronics packaging design

Did you know the history of electronics packaging can be traced back to the late 1800’s? This was when the first electronic devices were created. However, at the time, electronic components were usually packaged in wooden or metal boxes to protect the products from damage caused by moisture and dust. These packaging methods were often bulky and heavy, making it difficult to transport.

We have come a long way since then with packaging for electronics. In the 1990s and 2000s, the growth of the internet and ecommerce was already starting to have an impact on electronics packaging, influencing changes. As more products were being shipped to customers, the electronics packaging needed to be designed to withstand the rigors of shipping, whilst also still being visually appealing and informative.

Within this article, we will explore how the current e-commerce growth is impacting packaging design for electronics.

See what our savvy bespoke packaging expert, Craig Allen, said about the Meta Quest 2 packaging in our latest video.

E-commerce increases importance for visual appeal of electronics packaging

With the rise of e-commerce, the visual appeal of the electronics packaging design has become increasingly more important. Especially since consumers are not able to physically see and touch the product before purchasing. This has led to an increased emphasis for visually appealing packaging designs that stands out and are memorable, whilst also still being fully protective and meeting all of the consumers requirements.

After all, packaging that stands out and is unforgettable can also help to increase brand awareness and loyalty. Therefore, this e-commerce push towards a more visual appeal of packaging is a positive that will help to generate better sales. 

Standardized e-commerce packaging sizes impacts electronics packaging

In order to ensure shipping is as efficient as possible, e-commerce companies often require standardised packaging sizes. This is known to be a challenge for electronic packaging design because larger electronic products can sometimes need more protection during shipping.

Due to this challenge, packaging designers need to find ways to balance protection with the need to fit into standard shipping boxes. With the growth of sustainability and its significance, many businesses are trying to reduce the amount of packaging they use anyway.

This is especially since sustainability has increased in importance in the eyes of the consumer too. For example, a 2022 survey of 16,000 global consumers discovered that more than half (51%) of those asked said that environmental sustainability was more important to them than it was 12 months prior. Half of consumers have also said that they paid an average of 59% more for products that were branded as sustainable or socially responsible within the last 12 months!

This brings us to the next point…

E-commerce impact on the sustainability of electronics packaging design

With more consumers becoming environmentally conscious, sustainability has become a major factor in packaging design. E-commerce companies have responded by reducing packaging waste as much as possible and using more eco-friendly materials. This has had an impact on electronics packaging design, as innovators must now find ways to balance protection with sustainability.

One way to ensure your electronics packaging operations are more sustainable is to have a full packaging audit by Swiftpak. By having a complete, no obligation packaging audit conducted, you can achieve:

• Up to 57% cost savings
• Up to 40% increased productivity
• Up to 74% less waste!

Another way is to choose a bespoke packaging design. Using sustainable packaging materials Swiftpak can create simple but cleverly designed cartons that can be made to fold into tamper-evident boxes to provide that extra level of security.

E-commerce increases importance of information and branding for electronics packaging

E-commerce has made it more important than ever to provide key information about the product on the packaging. This may include technical specifications or instructions on how the product can be used. Additionally, since packaging is often the first point of contact with the consumer, this makes the branding and brand recognition crucial in electronics packaging design.

Just take the Apple iPhone packaging as an example, it stands out and is instantly recognised, even online. The packaging is memorable, protective, informative, and perfectly sized to fit the product, making it a great source for inspiration.

E-commerce friendly, electronic packaging design from Swiftpak
Overall, the impact of e-commerce on electronics packaging design has been significant, with a focus on visually appealing packaging that is protective, sustainable, and fits into standard shipping boxes.

At Swiftpak, our packaging team have the expertise to help you design an electronic packaging design that is e-commerce friendly and meets all of the requirements for the sensitive product being shipped.

Contact us today to find out more on how we can help.