5 Signs It's Time to Update Your Product Labeling
You always go to the doctor or take necessary meds whenever you get sick, right?
The same thing happens in business. When your business isn't blooming, you need to find the problem. You need to ensure every aspect of your business is running properly so there are no issues that can be disastrous for your business.
One of the most important aspects that is often ignored is the Labeling System.
It demands your attention, and you need to make it attract the right audience. With technological advancement, the customer's way of thinking is also evolving. In that case, you should step back and reevaluate your labeling strategy.
This guide will discuss five common and crucial warning signs that indicate you need to update your product labels. So, let's get started.
Quick Answer: To stand out in the crowd, you should look for warning signs indicating that you must update the product labels. These are inconsistencies in label colors and the entire palette. You should consider updating if your label is more than five years old, the messaging is unclear, and your customers aren't happy with the labels.
5 Warning Signs: You Must Update Product Labels
A lot of effort and hard work goes into creating product labels. From design to messaging, color psychology to font style, a lot of things are considered. But the real question is, how do you know it's time to update your product labels?
Don't worry. Here are some of the most important warning signs that indicate it's time to update your product labels.
Warning Sign 1: Labels Are Extremely Inconsistent
Source: Reddit
Generally, businesses that are just getting started opt for DIY labels. However, the result of such labels is often disappointing. It undermines the brand's professionalism and quality perception. Here are some of the common discrepancies that can impact the overall appearance of the label. They create a disjointed and unprofessional look.
Common Issues
- Color Discrepancies: Imagine a product line in which the label of the same product is in slightly varying colors. This inconsistency in the label makes the brand untrustworthy and fake.
- Poor Fonts: If the product label font is hard to read, your customer won't even pick your product. Unreadable fonts are immediate deal breakers for customers, especially in visual merchandising.
But how does it impact your business?
It can negatively impact your business. If the labeling is inconsistent, customers will perceive the product as low quality.
Poorly Labeled Product = Low Quality + Unprofessional
It might lead to confusion among customers as well. Because why would they trust an inconsistent product?
It'll eventually make them question your brand reliability and authenticity. As a result, they won't buy products, which means the sales will also decrease.
Tips
Instead of copy-pasting labels, invest in professional design and printing services. This ensures uniformity and high quality across all label products. Create clear brand guidelines and adhere strictly to them. These guidelines should include color, fonts, and layout to eliminate chances of inconsistencies.
Warning Sign 2: Poor Usage Of Available Resources
When you don't get assistance from professionals, you not only encounter inconsistencies in labels but also waste a lot of resources like inks, materials, and time. These small inefficiencies can be time-consuming and costly.
Common Issues
- Material Wastage: Incorrect print runs and poor handling of materials lead to excessive waste, which costs more in raw materials.
- Time Inefficiency: Some companies still use manual methods to handle label and printing procedures, which hinders their technological advancement.
However, this might result in severe drawbacks. Due to increased expenditures on materials and time spent on labeling, profitability becomes extremely low.
- Cost Price Goes High
- Profitability Goes Low
Label production takes a lot of time, which detracts from focusing on critical business operations. Poor productivity is a leading factor in companies' downfall.
Tips
To save time, you should outsource labels to a professional labeling company. Ensure they focus on sustainability without compromising on quality. Try unique and creative methods to reduce waste, such as linerless labels. They streamline the printing process and reduce waste to an incredible level. Use AI to keep up with the latest trends.
Warning Sign 3: Last Update Was 5+ Years Ago
Customers and their purchasing decisions are changing. They no longer rely on traditional labels to purchase products. So, if you've been sticking to the same label for 5+ years, it's time for a much-needed update.
Common Issues
- Outdated Designs: A design that customers loved 5+ years ago may not receive the same appreciation anymore. It can repel modern customers because of its outdated look.
- Market Relevance: Customers' preferences and market trends change over time, so this message may not resonate with the current customer base.
Outdated labels can reduce your product appeal. Your customers are evolving, so why are your labels still stuck in the past?
Your brand may appear stagnant and resistant. As a company, you should never compromise on innovation.
Tips
Go one step ahead and collaborate with designers and marketers to create fresh label designs. This is a great way to attract customers' attention and create labels that reflect current trends and preferences. While doing so, ensure that the redesign aligns with your brand identity.
Warning Sign 4: Customers Aren't Happy With Labels
Source: biznews
If customers are giving negative feedback about the labels, you should consider updating them as soon as possible. It's a clear sign that your customers are not happy with them.
Unhappy Customers → Low Sales → Poor Brand Image → Failure of Business
Common Issues
- Confusing Details: Customers might report that the information on the labels isn't accurate, difficult to understand, or too cluttered.
- Unclear Layout: This is an extremely crucial factor, and if the label is not intuitive, consumers may perceive the brand as scammers.
One thing that every brand needs to understand is that:
Negative feedback = Dissatisfaction
It can also impact customer loyalty and retention. Suppose there are two products in a retail store. Product A is yours, while product B is from the competitor. But the customer grabs your competitor's product from the shelf. Why?
It's because of the label. They are using it wisely to stand out from the crowd.
Tips
Redesign labels with customer-centric designs. But how can you do that?
Based on customer feedback, focus on clarity, readability, and user-friendliness. Check if key details are easily identifiable. Make sure it's catchy and informative.
Warning Sign 5: Unclear Brand Message On Label
The label should communicate with the customers. It should clearly convey the brand's message and the value it wants to give them. If the message is lost, it's time to redesign.
Common Issues
- Inconsistent Branding: Customers get confused when your label fails to communicate what the brand wants to say. This is a major red flag.
- Message Disconnect: The brand message also evolves with time. Your label should clearly reflect this change.
Ensure branding is clear if you want customers to connect with your brand and product. Don't beat around the bush, bombarding them with irrelevant information. Be clear, concise, and to the point.
Tips
Reevaluate your brand's message and ensure your label reflects it. Update product labels to communicate your brand's mission, value, and story.
If you've noticed any of these warning signs, it's time to take action quickly. These signs will help you identify whether the labels need to be updated.
Ending Thoughts
If you want to gain the undivided attention of your target audience, it's important to focus on perfecting your product labels. Detecting these issues and taking timely action can save your business from many nuances.
But doing it alone can be a huge hassle. If you get help from a labeling company, you can save a lot of time. However, ensure the company is reliable, trustworthy, and experienced.
Altro Labels is a company that can assist you with all your labeling needs. We don't follow corporate copy-paste designs. Instead, we provide unique and eye-catching labels that are guaranteed to catch the attention of potential customers.
So, reach out to our team of experts today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are 3 Pieces Of Important Information On Product Labels?
Several elements are important in product labels. However, the three most important ones include the ingredients present in the product. Furthermore, usage information and safety warnings must be provided so there are no problems later. It's also important to add branding elements, which significantly contribute to the growth of the business.
What Makes A Great Label?
The label's main purpose is to educate the customer about the product. But if the customer does not even look at the label, how will they learn the importance of the product?
That's why every great label should catch customers' attention. It should make them feel emotions and must be memorable. To accomplish this, you can add graphics, designs, and colors and experiment with different elements of the label.
What Are The Five Important Functions Of Labels?
A label has many functions. First, it should concisely describe the product's content to customers. It also helps make the brand identifiable and promotes product sales. Customers subconsciously grade the product based on its labeling. If this strategy is used properly, it can convert potential customers to long-term customers of the specific product.