Why Packaging UX Matters for Ecommerce SEO: A Hidden Ranking Factor

Intro

Ecommerce SEO used to be all about keywords and backlinks in the past. However, with the changing digital landscape, many other factors have been introduced that ensure the success of a business. The previously hidden ranking factor, packaging UX, is no longer so hidden. Packaging UX refers to the interaction between customers and the packaging of your product. This might feel disconnected from SEO. But what if we tell you that both of them are interlinked?

Packaging has a direct influence on customer behavior. The memorable packaging you give to your customers boosts your SEO in unimaginable ways. You will see the wonders that boosting brand trust, reviews, and generating content can do for your ecommerce SEO. Let’s talk more about the powerful combination of UX and SEO.

An Overview of Packaging UX

Is this term new to you? If so, don’t stress out. Let’s take a look at packaging UX together. Packaging UX goes beyond protecting the products. It refers to the process of how customers interact with a product’s packaging before, during, and after unboxing. It is a powerful branding tool and ensures a satisfactory customer experience. Therefore, the impact of custom packaging is undeniable.

The packaging of your product can create a memorable experience for your customers. It is the secret to making an impact with every delivery and turning your first-time customers into loyal ones. Packaging is what shapes customers’ perception of your brand.

How SEO Evolved From Keywords to Experience?

Search engines are constantly evolving. At first, businesses strived to make their websites rank and generate more traffic. However, SEO has evolved from the digital landscape to a real-life experience. It is still tough to believe, but packaging UX has also become a crucial part of SEO now. Product packaging is a part of the online journey and the success of the products.

Here are some ways in which SEO has evolved from focusing on keywords to prioritizing user experience.

**Behavioural Metrics **

Customer satisfaction is a significant part of a business’s success. Dwell time, bounce rate, and return visits are only possible if you satisfy your customers with your products and services. The SEO checklist now also contains behavioural metrics.

Reviews and Ratings

How many times have you seen customer reviews that talk about the packaging? It happens frequently. Packaging impacts customers long before the product has the chance to. Therefore, custom packaging solutions have a direct impact on e-commerce ratings and affect local SEO.

Brand Mentions

There is no better way to gain organic exposure than by brand mentions. An impactful packaging experience increases the likelihood of your products being shared on social media and recommended through word of mouth. This is how you can establish brand authority successfully.

Impact of Packaging UX on Ecommerce SEO

Packaging impacts the ranking of a brand in many ways, but this hidden factor is still not highly recognized. It influences multiple ranking signals without the brands even realizing it. A rank tracker can efficiently help you in this regard. But for now, you can learn about the following impacts that packaging UX has on ecommerce SEO.

The packaging of your product can create a buzz on social platforms and improve your brand visibility. Here are some ways in which it impacts your brand identity, authority, and engagement.

The World of User-Generated Content is on the Rise

Unboxing culture has become a prominent part of social media. People love to highlight a memorable social media experience they have on their social media accounts. They take photos, create reels, and videos to post on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other such platforms. This is called user-generated content. It is one of the best ways to gain organic exposure and advertise your products free of cost.

From generating backlinks and social mentions to improving brand awareness, user-generated content can do it all for your business without even touching your marketing budget. In SEO, it is a sign of popularity and authority.

Experience an Increase in Branded Search Volume

The unboxing experience not only showcases your brand on people’s social media but also increases the chances of potential customers searching for your business online. You can form an emotional attachment with the customers through packaging. This will prompt them to search for your brand whenever they need similar services, rather than entering generic queries into the search engine.

Search engines love branded searches. It signals that your business is trusted and sought after. This has a significant influence on search rankings. Although this impact may not be direct, it is undoubtedly noticeable.

Higher CTR in Search Results

Packaging is one of the most widely discussed features in customer reviews. The quality of packaging is a powerful and impactful thing that makes a lasting impression on customers. And if your packaging has a distinct feature, such as eco-friendly materials or premium finishing and feel, it will surely be mentioned in the review. When these reviews are displayed as rich snippets or star ratings in Google, users are more likely to click on your brand’s website.

Positive reviews and mentions of packaging build the brand’s trust and credibility. One positive review increases the chance of your products getting more clicks than your competitors. The Click-Through Rate (CTR) of your products or brand tells the search engine that your content and products are valuable. It reinforces ranking.

Packaging as a Social Proof and Virality Symbol

Packaging is not like traditional SEO tactics. It is deeply linked with human psychology. The interaction that your customers have with the packaging can inspire them to share it with their friends, recommend your product offline, and even make it go viral online.

No doubt this brings significant referral traffic. But this is not the only benefit. It also improves your chances of being covered or mentioned by celebrities, influencers, and bloggers. This generates authoritative backlinks, significantly impacting SEO.

**Key Elements of UX Packaging **

Packaging UX not only provides a container to hold your products, but it also serves as a tool for branding and marketing. The perfect custom packaging blends functionality, emotional impact, and brand storytelling. To create the ideal packaging, there are some crucial elements that every ecommerce brand should keep in mind. Some of these elements are listed below.

Practicality and Functionality Are the Keys

Only practical and functional packaging can survive in the market. Customers only value packaging that can make their lives easier. Therefore, choosing a box that not only protects your products but is also easy to use and is storage-friendly is very crucial.

Represent Your Brand With an Aesthetic Appeal

The aesthetic appeal of the packaging is the first point of contact between the product and its customers. Only a beautiful box will get a chance to be shared online and even recommended offline. The perfectly designed box not only increases unboxing excitement but also reflects the brand identity and values. Also, packaging might become a prominent feature that differentiates your products from your competitors’. It helps you stand out in a crowded market.

Show Responsibility Through Sustainability

You cannot fool modern customers with packaging materials that harm the environment. Eco-consciousness takes your brand to the next level. Using minimalistic designs and eco-friendly materials will help you make a mark as a responsible brand in the market. Such unique characteristics also increase your chances of receiving great reviews, unboxing videos, and word-of-mouth recommendations.

**Bridges Online and Offline World **

Digital integration can help your packaging serve as a bridge between the online and offline worlds. Use of QR codes, gamification, scannable labels, and Augmented Reality can extend the customer’s journey beyond unboxing. It enables them to interact with the brand, driving more traffic and encouraging repeat visits. This might be everything you need for stronger SEO signals.

Real World Examples of Packaging UX Driving SEO

There are many prominent examples in the real world where businesses have mastered the unboxing experience. They have created a successful connection between packaging UX and SEO. Such brands not only use custom packaging but also curate stories for their customers to share with the world. And with the help of these stories, they generate digital signals that the search engine notices. Some of these brands include:

Apple - The Definition of Minimalistic, Premium Anticipation

If there has to be only one brand that deserves recognition for its minimalistic yet luxurious packaging, it would surely be Apple. Their sleek packaging has redefined how packaging is part of the product experience. The box builds anticipation, and the satisfying opening of the lift is not only innovative but also evokes a range of emotions in customers.

This is why you will see endless unboxing videos of Apple on various social media platforms. Each video generates backlinks, brand mentions, and organic visibility, enhancing its online presence. The exceptional branded search volume that these unboxing videos bring builds long-term SEO.

Birchbox & HelloFresh - Subscription Boxes For Sharing

Countless subscription box companies thrive on surprise and wow elements. Companies like Birchbox and HelloFresh utilize their services to make a market impact with their packaging. Birchbox carefully designs beauty items in vibrant, picture-perfect boxes. The primary purpose of these boxes is to be photographed and shared by customers. HelloFresh promises packaging that keeps ingredients fresh, along with making meal prep convenient, with labeled bags and recipe cards.

As the boxes these companies offer are shareable and picture-perfect, they inspire endless UGC (User-generated content). It provides brands with a constant stream of fresh content, with new posts being shared on social media every day. This is also perfect for generating free brand exposure and backlinks that you can track with a backlink monitor.

Summing Up

After learning about the exceptional link between packaging UX and SEO, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that packaging is truly an SEO strategy in disguise. It encourages reviews, generates user content, and shapes the online signals that reach the search engine. This is your secret to ranking on various search engines. If you are an ecommerce brand, it is time to take custom packaging seriously and let it impact your SEO, branding, and marketing tactics.