How to Design a Powerful eCommerce Brand
Khokhar's brand guidelines book pages
What comes first?
Let’s start here. What comes first? What’s the most important design need you should focus on as you build your eCommerce brand? Is is…
A) Brand Design
B) Packaging Design
C) Web Design
While all 3 are essential pieces of your visual brand, the best and most important place to start is with Brand Design. BUT, not just any brand design. You’ll want to make sure that its brand design that’s built upon strategy and research. Check out my post on brand strategy vs. strategic brand design.
Brand Strategy deck
Pages from the brand guidelines showing the color palette and logo design
Your packaging design is a natural extension of your branding and takes more time to design and develop with your production vendors. While your packaging design is being produced and refined, we can then dive into the website design. Once your products have been produced, you’ll then need to photograph content for your website before it’s ready for development and launch.
Having custom packaging design is a great way to set yourself apart as an eCommerce brand because modern-day consumers love a good unboxing experience. It’s a great way for your brand to connect on a deeper emotional level with your customers by sharing and showcasing your brand’s values, using clever or funny copywriting, and inviting them to share their experience with the 3 F’s — friends, family, and followers.
When designing packaging for our clients, we like to focus on 3 key factors. We strive to make your packaging design memorable, emotional, and shareable. That way, you’re certain to see the ROI you’re looking for. Check out some of our packaging design clients here.
Mailer box packaging design with custom packaging tape and tissue paper designs
In fact, 72% of American consumers report that their buying decisions are directly influenced by the design and look of the product.
This is no surprise considering that the way something looks can determine if we as consumers, trust it and the brand. Just take a moment to think of a product you considered buying recently. Why did or didn’t you end up buying it? Was it the look, the price, the look making you question if the price was worth it?
Responsive website design shown on desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone
Once you’ve captured their attention, you’re more likely to entice them to visit your website and learn more about your brand values and other products. This may be a controversial statement, but I’d argue that any website would look amazing as long as it had high-quality photos of high-quality branding and packaging design. These 2, or 3 things rather, work together to make a strong first impression.
However, in the case of your website, looks aren’t always everything you need to make the sale online. Your website really comes into its own when it’s equipped with strong copywriting and an intuitive layout. Together, they’ll guide your website visitor’s through the site, giving them the information they need to make a buying decision.
Khokhar's website on tablet and mobile devices