[Grab Hearts with Product Inserts. 5 Low-Cost Ideas to Improve 'Experience Value']

Customer experience on EC sites peaks not when the order button is pressed, but the moment the product arrives and the box is opened. How you stage this "Unboxing Experience" dramatically changes brand trust and repeat rates. In this article, we explain 5 specific ideas for "product inserts" that grab customers' hearts without spending advertising costs.

A beautifully packaged cardboard box with minimalist design, featuring high-quality wrapping paper and a personalized touch, symbolizing premium customer experience and unboxing satisfaction in e-commerce business.

1. Why "Inserts" Directly Link to LTV Improvement

As digital marketing costs soar, the Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) for new customers rises every year. Therefore, maximizing "LTV (Lifetime Value)" of existing customers becomes crucial.

Inserts are a medium boasting "100% reach rate" that customers surely see, unlike email newsletters or SNS ads. By delivering the brand's thoughts along with the product, you can promote fan creation beyond a simple "seller and buyer" relationship.

Close-up of a hand-written thank you note placed inside a shipping box with eco-friendly packing materials, representing personal touch and customer appreciation strategy for small businesses.

2. 5 Insert Ideas to Enhance Experience Value

We have carefully selected measures that are low cost but have a large psychological impact.

3. 3 Points to Succeed in Insert Strategy

It's not just about putting them in. Let's be conscious of the following 3 points.

  1. Avoid Over-Packaging: Ingenuity is needed not to cause stress from increasing trash.
  2. Consistent Design: Unify the atmosphere of the site and the worldview of the inserts.
  3. Call to Action (CTA): Clearly indicate the next step, such as "Share on SNS" or "Write a review".
A professional workspace with a laptop displaying business analytics and charts, focusing on growth metrics and customer retention data visualization for e-commerce optimization.

4. Power of Data: Numerical Changes Brought by Inserts

The graph below images the transition of "Repeat Purchase Rate" and "Brand Recall Rate" before and after insert improvement. Appropriate inserts remain in the customer's memory and boost the revisit rate months later.

FAQ

Q. Doesn't increasing inserts increase the burden of shipping work?
A. Certainly, man-hours increase, but it is recommended to start with one "Brand Letter" common to all customers first. Once used to it, consider automating distribution according to purchase frequency.
Q. Which is more effective, digital coupons or paper coupons?
A. Paper has a stronger impact at the moment of opening. The current mainstream is to print a QR code on paper so that payment and measurement can be done digitally.

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Summary

Product inserts are the culmination of "hospitality" in EC sites. Sharing handwritten messages and stories that can be started at low cost is the shortest route to moving customer emotions and increasing brand loyalty. Why not start delivering your shop's thoughts with just one card?

Published: January 12, 2026 / Author: Osamu Yasuda

References

  • [1] E-commerce Customer Experience Trends 2024
  • [2] Psychology of Unboxing: Why it matters for Brands
  • [3] Retention Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
  • [4] Logistics and Packaging Optimization Guide
  • [5] Consumer Behavior in Post-Purchase Stage Analysis
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional advice. Specific results are not guaranteed.