As a startup or small business owner, you may have heard of the term "white labeling" but not quite sure how it works or if your company could benefit from this type of approach. The concept behind white labeling is that instead of using expensive branding materials like logos, stationery, etc., companies can create their own products by purchasing a readymade product with their logo on them. This saves time and money as there's no need to create these items yourself.
White label means any product created by someone else (a brand) with its name attached to it. Instead of buying something in bulk and then customizing it through printing or design work, businesses purchase pre-designed goods which are branded under the new owners' names. White label agencies sell such products to clients who use these services themselves. It’s a win-win situation where both parties save money while gaining exposure for their brands. It also helps your customers feel good knowing they're supporting the same business they would buy directly from.
Here are some common examples of white label products used by businesses today:
- T shirts - You might be familiar with t shirt shops like Threadless or Uniqlo where people order customized designs online. These stores take orders for plain t shirts and add their unique designs before selling them at wholesale prices. As long as you know how to customize a simple garment, you too can start creating your own line of clothing.
- Business cards -- Similar to t shirts, you can find many websites offering blank business card templates for customization purposes. If you don't want to go that route, you can always print out several copies of one template and decorate them accordingly. Another option is to visit local copy centers like Staples, Office Depot, or FedEx Kinko's and get professionally printed business cards made.
- Stationery -- You've probably seen those boxes of personalized paperclips and pens available everywhere. But did you realize that even office supplies like staplers, highlighters, postcards, and other accessories were sold under different labels depending on whether they had been designed by a professional graphic designer or just bought off of Amazon? Even things we think of as being generic, like pen caps, are sometimes actually branded.
There are lots of opportunities to earn extra revenue and improve customer satisfaction when you sell branded products rather than traditional ones. Here are some key benefits of a successful white label strategy:
1. Increase sales
When you sell a product with your own name attached to it, it gives buyers confidence that they will receive exactly what they ordered. They'll trust you because they recognize your brand. In fact, according to research done by Inc., consumers tend to spend $2-$4 more per transaction when they see a recognizable brand. That makes sense since they already know that whatever they buy has been carefully selected, tested, and approved by experts within your organization. When they come across another item bearing your logo, they feel more confident that everything was handled correctly and that the quality matches up to your standards.
2. Build goodwill
You never know who is going to walk into your store or shop online. With white label products, people will associate your business with great products and services. Your reputation precedes you!
3. Save money
If you decide to hire a freelance designer to make your own graphics or do your own printing, expect to pay around $50/hour. By contrast, hiring a reputable white label agency to handle most of the necessary tasks usually costs between $10 and $30 per hour. Plus, you won't have to worry about getting stuck paying for unused inventory, waiting weeks for shipping, or dealing with complicated returns processes.
4. Gain access to a huge market
Since white labeled products are easy to produce and distribute, anyone can offer them for sale. However, only big corporations typically enjoy economies of scale due to their size and resources. Because white label products are much cheaper to provide, almost everyone can afford to participate. So, why limit your business growth to just a few select clients? Reach millions of potential customers worldwide by selling white label products on sites like Etsy, AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Shopify.
5. Improve search engine rankings
When you list your products on ecommerce platforms, you gain visibility in organic searches and increase traffic to your site. Many sellers report seeing significant boosts in conversions after listing on major retailers. Since the majority of shoppers prefer shopping locally, having products listed on popular retail sites ensures that your products are easily found.
6. Make friends with influencers
By becoming known among top influencers, you become part of a community of marketers who share similar interests and goals. Having a strong network allows you to build connections that lead to mutually beneficial partnerships. For example, you can connect with bloggers and promote affiliate offers so they link back to your site. Or, you can partner with other companies whose products complement yours and split the profits evenly.
7. Create buzz and generate interest in your brand
One way to boost awareness about your business is to let others talk about you. People love sharing positive experiences and stories about your brand. And, when you give away freebies, ask influencers to mention it on their blog posts, YouTube videos, Instagram Stories, Twitter feeds, Pinterest boards, etc.
8. Get noticed by potential partners
With your own branded marketing collateral, you stand out against competitors who lack a cohesive identity. Potential partners will notice you right away, especially if you include information about your company history, mission statement, industry focus, and niche expertise. Also, keep a close eye on competition and try to stay ahead of trends. By doing so, you'll be able to anticipate changes in consumer preferences and respond quickly with relevant content.
9. Keep track of leads
Your ability to identify prospects depends largely on the effectiveness of your email campaigns. To ensure maximum results, monitor open rates, clickthrough rates, conversion rates, and bounce rate so you can fine tune your emails to attract the attention of specific audiences.
10. Reduce risk of fraud
In addition to increasing sales, white labelling provides an additional layer of protection against fraudulent activity. Fraudsters often target smaller companies without proper security measures in place, so they can steal credit cards and personal data. Companies with established reputations and large budgets suffer less damage from cyberattacks.
11. Build credibility
Being associated with well-known brands increases perceived value and gives you an edge over your competition. Customers will appreciate the added professionalism and authenticity you bring to the table.
12. Generate publicity
Once you begin selling branded products, word spreads fast. Not only does this help grow your following, but it attracts visitors interested in learning more about you. After all, who wouldn't be curious about a business that sells products with their own name on them?
13. Earn rewards
Some white label providers offer loyalty programs to reward repeat purchases. Others allow you to redeem points towards discounts and special deals. Some even offer referral bonuses based on the number of referrals you send their way.
The perks of partnering with a reputable white label provider aren't limited to increased sales and increased recognition. There are plenty of ways to profit from a successful white label strategy. All you need is a reliable supplier who knows how to deliver premium products and excellent support. Find a supplier near you by visiting Veza Digital. We specialize in helping entrepreneurs launch profitable ventures and growing mid-sized organizations to the next level. Learn more about us below.
Agency or startup owners often face the question of whether they should go with one of the many full service providers on offer, or if they can cut out some of the middle man by using their own in house team. This choice comes down to a number of factors such as budget, skill set required, time constraints, etc. However, there's another option that may be less well known but equally effective - hiring a third party agency to do your bidding for you (sometimes called "white labeling").
The idea behind this is simple. You hire a reputable company who will provide everything from design through development to SEO to social media management, then give them a list of clients and let them take care of it while retaining ownership of the brand. The result is a streamlined solution which saves both money and time. So how does it work exactly? Let's explore...
White label advertising refers to any form of paid ad placement where someone else owns the branding, copywriting, design, targeting data, and delivery platform. It could be anything from banner ads on websites like Google AdWords, sponsored posts on Instagram, or even retargeting ads across multiple platforms.
So what makes these different than regular advertisements? Well, aside from being owned by someone else, they're usually much cheaper because they don't have to pay per click charges nor do they need to bid on placements. They also tend to target very specific audiences since they already know what those people want. Finally, they are not limited to just one network so users won't see duplicate content. All of that means better results at lower cost.
In business terms, private label products refer to those created under a brand name but made available only to authorized buyers. These are typically sold exclusively online via ecommerce sites like Amazon. White labels are similar, except instead of selling directly to customers, they sell through other companies. For example, LYFE Marketing sells its own branded products to clients, but offers white label services for others.
This model allows businesses to use existing product lines without having to build them themselves. In addition, it lets new brands get started quickly with minimal investment. But perhaps most importantly, it gives clients access to expert teams that can handle things like sales conversion optimization, customer support, fulfillment, and more.
It might seem strange to call a relationship between two parties "a white label" when the term normally implies something entirely different. But that's just part of the confusion around using your own employees for client work. What we mean by a white label relationship is simply a contract between two partners where each has distinct responsibilities and receives compensation accordingly.
For instance, say you're working with a new client whose logo needs to look great on shirts. Your designer would create a mockup and send it over to your graphic artist to make sure it looks good before making final adjustments. Then once it's approved, he'll deliver it back to you along with a quote for his labor. Afterward, you'd invoice him based on his price plus markup, then pay him once your shirt order arrives. That way everyone knows what's expected of them and no one gets left holding the bag.
How to find a white label partner for your project
If you've decided you want to try outsourcing your marketing efforts, finding the right person to help you is critical. Here's how to spot a reputable firm, ask questions during negotiations, and avoid getting scammed.
1) Check references. Find several recent projects completed by the company and check reviews from happy past clients. If possible, contact previous clients personally to discuss their experience and gauge their satisfaction level.
2) Look for certifications and accreditations. Make sure the vendor has industry-specific credentials. Some common ones include PPC Certification, Analytics certification, and CMS Certifications.
3) Ask lots of questions. Before signing a contract, always make sure you understand every aspect of the deal including payment structure, turnaround times, billing cycles, invoicing periods, and terms. Get copies of contracts signed by previous clients and read them thoroughly. Don't hesitate to reach out to the provider's legal counsel if needed.
4) Be wary of low prices. While it's true that cheap doesn't necessarily mean bad, you shouldn't sign up with anyone unless you feel comfortable paying whatever price they charge. A reputable agency will never push you into taking on too little work for a high price, but they will expect fair compensation for their expertise.
5) Avoid scams. Many unscrupulous vendors masquerade as legitimate companies, offering unrealistic rates or promising quick turnarounds without providing adequate documentation or proof. Stay away from firms that promise 100% complete solutions overnight. Also beware of fake testimonials posted on websites and social media. While they may sound convincing, they almost certainly aren't real.
6) Verify contact information. Always double check that any email addresses provided are valid and current. Contact details should match up with phone numbers and physical locations listed elsewhere on the site. And finally, verify any links leading offsite. Scammers love to redirect unsuspecting customers to malicious domains for financial gain.
7) Do background checks. Companies must disclose basic personal info like names, dates of birth, tax IDs, licenses, and employment history. Run searches on relevant government databases to ensure they haven't been involved in fraud or criminal activity in the past.
8) Use caution when communicating sensitive information. Never share credit card numbers, account passwords, or bank account login credentials over unsecured channels like SMS messages or emails. Instead, request that payments be sent wirelessly through PayPal or Stripe.
9) Beware of hidden fees. Most reputable agencies won't charge extra for standard tasks like editing photos, creating logos, or handling shipping. However, if they add additional steps or require unique skillsets, watch out! There's nothing worse than being charged for hours spent chasing after missing files or reworking templates.
10) Double-check the fine print. Read over every page carefully and confirm that all agreements are spelled correctly and contain all necessary clauses. You don't want to accidentally agree to something shady later on.
These tips will help you identify reputable agencies and steer clear of scam artists. But ultimately, you're responsible for doing your due diligence and verifying the quality of work delivered.
A "white label" or "private label" marketing agency is one that has been set up by another company (the parent) with its own brand identity in mind. The brand of this new business will be known as a third party provider. This allows businesses to outsource their marketing needs without having to create a separate entity from themselves. This means they can focus on running their business rather than spending time managing a full service team, building websites, social media accounts, etc.
White label services are also often referred to as "agency." However, while the term "agency" may seem like it's synonymous with "marketing," there are actually two types of agency available to you - white label and traditional. White labels don't have any connection whatsoever to agencies offering traditional services. They're simply different names for the same thing. In fact, most white label companies offer both traditional and white label services, so we'll call them both "agencies" moving forward!
The main benefit of using a white label agency over hiring your own staff is cost savings. Depending on how many employees you already have working for you, outsourcing could save you thousands each year. That money goes straight into growing your business instead of paying salaries. It's not just cheaper, either -- it's better because it frees us up to work on other things too! We've compiled some great resources below to help you decide if a white label solution makes sense for your business.
But first... What is the difference between private label and white label?
Private label refers to when you use another company’s name but still maintain control over everything involved. For example, if someone else owns the domain name, then you would be considered a private label user. If you were to buy the domain yourself, however, then you'd be considered a white label user. Private label users typically purchase these domains through a reseller who specializes in such products.
While private label sounds similar to white label, it is not exactly the same thing. You cannot technically become a private label customer until you sign a contract with the owner/company. After signing the agreement, you no longer have ownership rights to the product or property. Instead, you now belong to that particular company.
With white label, you own the intellectual property of anything you do with the branded product. Your branding stays intact throughout the entire process. There is no need to worry about contracts, IP protection, or legal agreements. All of this is handled by the company that provides white label solutions.
So what does the phrase "white label marketing" mean? While people tend to think of white label marketing as referring to something like "branding," it doesn't necessarily refer to those terms at all. A true white label solution offers clients complete control over every aspect of their campaigns. Here's why:
1. Branding. When you hire a standard agency, you give the agency permission to use your logo, design elements, colors, fonts, photos, content, videos, audio clips, and much more. With white label, you retain total control over all aspects of your campaign including branding.
2. SEO. Traditional agencies provide search engine optimization (SEO), which involves making sure your site appears high in search results. As the saying goes, if you want to get found online, you must be visible online. But again, this only works if your site shows up above competitors' sites due to good rankings. And since traditional agencies are responsible for getting your site ranked well, you end up giving away part of your traffic.
3. Content creation. Since white label providers handle all of the technical side of the project, they are able to write blog posts, articles, press releases, web copy, infographics, eBooks, whitepapers, reports, slideshows, etc., for you automatically. No more worrying about creating unique content for your customers because someone else did it before you got started.
4. Design. Because white label providers know how to build beautiful landing pages and squeeze pages, you won't ever struggle with designing your next PPC ad or email newsletter.
5. Pay per click. Some agencies charge extra for pay per click advertising, even though it's included as part of a white label package. Not only does this add additional costs to your budget, but it also takes away from your profits. By keeping your cash flow flowing, you can spend more time focusing on your core competency and less time trying to manage multiple vendors.
6. Reporting. Most agencies include access to Google Analytics tracking tools, although some require a monthly fee. Other analytics tools are usually free or very inexpensive. Regardless of whether you choose to use Google's platform, it's important to keep track of metrics such as bounce rates, conversions, and sales numbers. Without data, it's impossible to improve your performance and measure success.
7. Customer support. Many agencies charge extra for phone calls and emails. Plus, depending on where you live, you might be charged international fees, which adds yet another layer of complexity. On top of this, you might find yourself dealing with numerous different departments within the company. Again, this takes significant amounts of time away from your day-to-day operations.
8. Website management. When you go with a traditional agency, you'll likely be required to deal directly with the developer of your website. Even worse, some developers are notorious for being slow and ineffective. So imagine if you had to deal with the same person twice. Not ideal!
9. Tracking. Tracking is crucial for knowing the effectiveness of your efforts. To make matters worse, most agencies charge extra for basic analytics features.
10. Customization. Every client wants his or her website to look perfect. And the truth is, nobody knows how to build a custom website like a professional designer. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible. Sometimes, the client simply needs a quick fix. Or maybe he or she wants to completely revamp the whole theme. Either way, it's important to know how to customize a template to fit your exact specifications.
11. Hosting. Most agencies offer hosting packages, but sometimes they aren't enough. Especially if you plan on doing video streaming, podcasting, or other multimedia projects. Having dedicated space gives you plenty of room to grow.
12. Payment processing. Processing payments is necessary for almost every business. Whether you accept credit cards or PayPal, you need a payment gateway. Otherwise, you risk losing potential revenue.
13. Email marketing. Sending automated messages via email is effective and affordable. But once again, if you don't have the right expertise, it can take hours to send out hundreds of emails.
14. Video production. Creating engaging video content is key to attracting visitors and retaining leads. Yet, unless you have experience filming professionally, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, white label providers specialize in producing quality videos quickly and easily.
15. Webinars. Having webinars built around your topic helps boost awareness and drive engagement among your target audience. But unless you have the proper equipment, you probably wouldn't be able to host one yourself.
16. Blogging. Blogging is a fantastic way to engage prospects, generate traffic, and establish authority. Unless you have a solid understanding of blogging, it can be difficult to come across as credible.
17. Landing page optimization. Optimizing your landing page is essential. It increases conversion rate and boosts ROI. But unless you have specific knowledge regarding this area, it can be tough to figure out what changes to make.
18. Ecommerce integration. Adding an interactive shopping cart feature to your website is highly beneficial. People love to shop whenever and wherever they please, especially if it saves them time.
19. SEO auditing. Before ranking higher on search engines, it's vital to ensure your site meets industry standards. An audit ensures that you haven't made any mistakes that could harm your reputation.
20. Mobile app development. Building mobile apps is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among millennials. Apps allow you to connect with your audience anywhere, anytime, and on whatever device is convenient for them.
21. Online surveys. Surveys are useful ways to gather feedback from current and prospective customers. While some survey platforms can be complicated to navigate, others are easy to use.
22. Software integrations. Integrating software applications together is helpful for streamlining processes and saving valuable time.
23. Sales funnels. Sales funnel templates guide prospects through various stages of interest, decision-making, and action. These steps can vary based on your niche market and goals.
24. Lead generation. Leads are extremely important for generating qualified leads, increasing visibility, and boosting sales. Many lead generation techniques exist, but none are foolproof.
25. Affiliate programs. Running affiliate programs is one of the fastest ways to increase revenues. Once you start promoting your partner's products, you earn commissions for sending referrals.
26. Paid ads. Paid advertisements are great for driving targeted traffic to your website and maximizing your exposure.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.