As we see consumer behavior shift further towards online channels, packaging has come more into focus – especially when it comes to ease.
Amazon has heralded the idea of ‘frustration-free packaging,’ which essentially means designing both easy to open and environmentally friendly packaging.
For eCommerce businesses looking to stand out, taking packaging into consideration can be a significant differentiator.
Easy to open packaging, combined with sustainable and eco-friendly materials, significantly impacts customers’ perceptions of your brand.
Products arrive safely, with little risk of damage, but customers also don’t need to worry about their environmental footprint either.
Packaging that’s difficult or frustrating to open ends up pushing customers away, especially if using excessive materials without regard to the environment.
The Characteristics of Frustration-Free Packaging
- Minimal material use
- No need to use scissors or another tool to open the packaging – it should be opened in 2 minutes or less.
- Careful selection of materials to ensure they are durable but not harmful to the environment
- No packing peanuts, inserts, or other extraneous materials
Coined by Amazon, frustration-free packaging is part of their pledge to be green.
You can find guidelines for meeting Amazon’s frustration-free packaging here.
When designing frustration-free packaging, the goal is to meet Amazon’s guidelines while also considering the customer unboxing experience.
Think of how easy it is to open the boxes, the amount of material used, and the type of material used.
For example, Amazon’s frustration-free packaging includes cardboard boxes instead of plastic and only as much tape as needed rather than covering the whole box.
The Importance of Frustration-Free Packaging
As a commitment to the frustration-free packaging aspect of their products, Amazon now signposts vendors that offer this kind of packaging to customers, including a specific logo to denote sellers that offer it.
The initiative has enabled them to eliminate 50% of their packaging, thereby saving them money and reducing their environmental footprint.
The main benefits of frustration-free packaging are that it is both an eco-friendly and cost-saving measure.
Large amounts of waste are eliminated overall from the packaging process.
Plus, the reduced amount of materials means lower packaging weight, so the cost of shipping reduces.
Customers have a better experience overall, and there are benefits for sellers, too, so it’s a win-win.
Designing Frustration-Free Packaging
There is a fine balance between frustration-free, minimal packaging and looking cheap.
Customers may not get the best experience with this type of packaging and may be dissatisfied with it.
That’s why considering the customer experience when designing this type of packaging is crucial to ensure it is not compromised.
Durability and protection must also be a factor in designing packaging.
Frustration free is great, but if products are frequently damaged or the packaging isn’t sturdy enough to withstand the shipping process, then frustration-free packaging won’t really serve its purpose.
Another important point to note is the certification process, which can be challenging on the Amazon side.
In addition, getting the guidelines right is often a lengthy process when designing packaging for products, so allow for time when making your packaging frustration-free.
Ultimately, customers like convenience and to align with brand values.
Frustration-free packaging is the best way to serve consumer demands in the current ecommerce market.
Get in contact with our product specialists to get started on impactful frustration free packaging designs today!
