1st May 2025

Ecommerce packaging and social media

The landscape of ecommerce packaging has changed so much over the last decade. So much so, it is virtually unrecognisable from the early days of ecommerce when everything was shoved in a poly bag and shipped with a hope for the best!

Today’s ecommerce packaging world is a fast paced, multi-faceted industry which many brands are completely reliant on. If their chosen packaging is not available, online sales can’t be despatched and the business would grind to halt within minutes.
But aside from the important practicalities of packaging availability, brands choose packaging suppliers for so much more. Product protection to minimise returns, ease of packing for efficient fulfilment and visual appeal for customers.

All of these factors can have positive impact for a business and its brand; done badly it can also have a damaging negative impact.

The art of unboxing

Unboxing is the process of unpacking products, particularly high-end consumer goods, and sharing the experience through videos or photos online. This phenomenon has become a significant aspect of ecommerce and social media, transforming the simple act of opening a package into a moment of anticipation and excitement.
Unboxing allows customers to showcase their purchases, highlighting the packaging and the brand’s attention to detail. It builds anticipation and excitement, as viewers are taken through the process of unveiling the product, layer by layer.
For brands where customers regularly post social content about the unboxing of products, it’s important the correct investment is made in creating visually appealing packaging as well as packaging which fulfils all the practical elements such as product protection, sustainability and ease of recycling.
Visually, custom designs, vibrant colours, and thoughtful presentation contribute to making the unboxing memorable and shareable. This visual storytelling helps in reinforcing the brand’s identity and values and can help to create a sense of community amongst consumers driving engagement, boosting brand loyalty and influencing future purchasing decisions.

Unboxing and the impact on social media

Aside from the obvious business benefits of ensuring a fit for purpose ecommerce packaging range is curated, creating an unboxing experience has become a powerful marketing tool for ecommerce brands.

By encouraging customers to share their unboxing experiences, brands can generate organic content that serves as endorsements and testimonials. This user-generated content can significantly increase brand visibility and credibility.

Additionally, the unboxing experience can shape consumer perception of a brand. High-quality packaging and presentation convey a sense of value and care, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Conversely, poor packaging can lead to disappointment and negative reviews, affecting the brand’s reputation.

Packaging that is also effective packaging, as well as visually appealing, not only enhances the unboxing experience but also ensures product protection during transit. Minimising damage and returns are crucial for maintaining customer trust and reducing costs associated with damaged goods.

The art of unboxing has evolved into a vital element of the ecommerce and social media landscape, creating impactful moments that resonate with consumers.

As brands continue to innovate and invest in packaging, the unboxing experience will remain a powerful tool for driving engagement, loyalty, and business success.

Choosing the right partner to achieve success

To ensure ecommerce packaging meets expectations in all parts of the supply chain, it is imperative to select the packaging partner that not only meets your expectations but also brings ideas and innovation to the table as well.
A packaging partner should take your requests, ideas and objectives on board and develop solutions to ensure these are achieved but also suggest ways in which your pack functionality and visual appeal can be enhanced.
As purveyors of some of the best and most innovative constructional and print designs in the corrugated packaging sector why not let the team at Cardboard Box Company help you meet your ecommerce packaging goals?
Talk to us on 01254 232223 or drop us a message info@thecardboardbox.co.uk