Packaging For An Online Business

Have you ever waited with anticipation for that special something to show up in the mail only to receive a smashed box with broken pieces inside or liquid dripping out the sides? Packaging has always been a critical component of successful retail products. Packaging is also critical for successful products sold online. However, there are differences between the two types of packaging that should be considered. When a product is displayed in a retail store, it is competing with every other product on the shelf for the consumer?s attention. The boxes are normally shiny, multi-colored, and have foil stamping and embossing. The boxes seem to scream out, in a visual way, ?Hey, look at me!? In online sales, the product is sold long before the consumer sees the packaging, but the packaging is still critical to creating a satisfied customer. Here are a few points to consider when choosing packaging for products that are sold online and shipped to the buyer.

Don?t spend too much on your packaging because it won?t be competing against one hundred other packages on the shelf of Wal-Mart or Best Buy. UV coatings, foil stamping, embossing, and other high cost packing enhancers are not needed.

Don?t spend too little on your packaging because it still needs to reflect the quality and value of the product inside. You can use one, two, or four color printing to enhance the package. Do make sure your packaging is sturdy enough to make it through the mail.

Make sure the package is crush proof. Some boxes require an inner structure made of cardboard, foam, or vacuum form plastic to keep them from crushing.

Test your packaging by sending five packages to a few people you know in different parts of the country or, for products that ship internationally, in the world. Have them send the products back to you. How did the packaging hold up? Does it still look good? Is it something you would feel good about receiving for yourself? Did the outer packaging protect the product? If there is any crushing, bad tearing, or product damage; rework your design and test again.

Don?t spend too little, don?t spend too much, test thoroughly, and your packaging will be just right.

Copyright ? 2006 Philip Busk

Philip Busk has been in the software packaging and printing business for the last decade. You can find out more about packaging solutions at CD Packaging Solutions.

Dynamic Packaging - Travel Software Wizard

Dynamic Packaging enables travelers to create and book their dream vacation and has captured the online travel market. Although online vacation packages have been available for years, dynamic packaging is a breakthrough for offering the ultimate travel flexibility and options. Leading travel Web sites let travelers build their own vacations via dynamic packaging - juggling hotel rooms, flights, site seeing, rental cars and more into one low priced travel package.

Dynamic Packaging - Travel Business Imperative

The advent of dynamic packaging has recast the travel business more flexible, affordable and responsive. For example, Dynamic Packaging has changed the dimensions for creating and marketing travel packages. are created and marketed. Today's growing online travel agencies offer travelers infinite options for each item on their travel itinerary. Dynamic packaging grew out of the need to provide these services for traditional tour operators and online travel agents. Once initiated, the demand for dynamic packaging fed on its success leading to its current market dominance. Today, there very few hotels, tours or services not offered on dynamic packaging systems.

Create Your Own Vacation - Dynamic Packaging

Here's an example of how dynamic packing lets travelers create their own tour to an exotic destination...First the dynamic packing system registers the new users on their travel reservation system. They promise visits to exotic locations at low affordable prices. For example,, luxury accommodations for less money, choice of resorts worldwide, exclusive resorts and more via dynamic packing. In short, dynamic packing provides all-inclusive resorts accommodations, meals, drinks, activity fees, etc. without hidden charges.

Every Day Travel - Dynamic Packaging

Two areas of business or leisure travel often cross over into every life - car rentals and commuter flights. Prior to dynamic packing travel technology, you either went early to the airport or showed up at the car rental lot. Now, dynamic packaging puts you behind the wheel or on board you flight with minimal delay. So what are you waiting for. Log on and book a flight to the exotic beach you always dreamed of visiting. Tell people you're researching dynamic packaging and send us a post card.. Have Fun!

Galor is a leading provider of the GILBOA dynamic packing that offers a total solution for all types of travel companies in one integrated dynamic packing program. For more info, visit Galor Sytems.

Johnny Mayer is a content writer for CompuCall.USA web marketing

Packaging and Marketing yourself - "Brand You"

Branding is a process started by large corporations like Nike as part of a marketing strategy in the 1980's. It is a concept which had them selling their customers an image and an idea. Soon, along with the pair of running shoes you were buying, you were also buying into the concept, and "just doing it"; and your Bell telephone service isn't just about a tool, it's about the way we are all connected. Advertising has become less about the product and more about the feeling the company wants you to associate with what they sell.

Branding isn't just for companies. People in all walks of life and various career stages are starting to use self-branding to get ahead. Like a company and its product in the marketplace, self-branding means looking at yourself as a winning brand. It's being aware of the things that set you apart from everyone else and make you memorable and unique - your skills, abilities, personality traits. Being self-aware means you become clear about what you stand for and what you have to offer. Doing a good job is no longer good enough to guarantee your career will go well.

Branding yourself means you become associated with what sets you apart from others and the added value you bring to a job, business, or situation. Self-branding demands self-awareness and communicates that you feel comfortable in your own skin. When you know what you've got to offer, you become powerful and intentional about how you communicate that through the quality of service you provide. You are your most important asset. Self-branding provides direction and clarity of purpose for how you work, not just what you do for a living.

Because you are self-aware and focused, the benefits of branding are many. Self-branding:

* Increases your confidence and self-motivation * Increases your visibility and presence * Differentiates you from your peers and colleagues

As a result, you will:

* Achieve your personal and professional goals * Increase your salary

Personal branding is the strategy behind the world's most successful people like Oprah, Madonna, Donald Trump, Richard Branson and Bill Gates. It demands commitment to what you value, consistency in what you deliver, and the guts to market who you are. It is the difference between an ordinary career or business and an exceptional one.

Get clear on the brand "You", and be faithful to it.

Recommended Resources:

* "The Brand You 50" book by Tom Peters. In it he creates a process in which you can empower yourself to stand out, both personally and professionally.

* Self-Branding e-course by Cecile Peterkin, Cosmic Coaching Centre

Copyright 2005-2006, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Cecile Peterkin is a Certified Career and Life Coach. She publishes "Recipes for Success", a F*ree monthly e-zine, and is also author of The Career Athlete, an e-book on managing your career. Sign up now for Cecile's F*ree e-course "7 Steps to Success" mailto:stepstosuccess@cosmiccoachingcentre.com and visit Cecile's website for more information http://www.CosmicCoachingCentre.com