The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "cloud" is probably not a good one. It's likely something like "unreliable." But in reality, it's actually pretty reliable. Cloud services have been around since the 1990s but only gained widespread popularity starting with Google Apps in 2007. Today, there are dozens of companies offering cloud solutions ranging from email hosting to file sharing.
But while these businesses offer similar features, they also serve different purposes. For example, Dropbox offers online backup for your files whereas we use Active Campaign for our newsletter list management. What makes each service so unique is its user experience (UX) which determines how easy or difficult it will be to navigate the software. The same goes for other types of cloud apps such as Slack, Zoom, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
If you're looking to create a new app or program, it can sometimes feel overwhelming figuring out whether it belongs on the public cloud or if it should remain local. This article provides an overview of three popular options: Private label subscriptions, white label products, and white label websites. You'll learn about benefits, drawbacks, and tips for choosing among them.
Advantages of cloud computing include cost savings, increased accessibility, and improved security. With cloud-based apps, users don't need access to expensive servers or hardware. Instead, they connect to the internet where data centers store all the information needed to run the application. Additionally, by storing data centrally, cloud applications eliminate any lag time between requests.
For instance, consider using a web browser instead of downloading Chrome every time you want to check Facebook. While both methods would load at roughly the same speed, browsing through a web page takes less than half the amount of time compared to opening Chrome. By accessing everything on demand rather than locally, this kind of cloud computing reduces wasted bandwidth and allows developers to focus on creating better apps.
Another advantage of cloud technology is the ability to scale rapidly without having to buy additional equipment. If a developer decides to launch a new feature on their site, they simply add another server and start processing orders. They won't need to pay extra fees for renting space on large datacenters because those facilities already exist within the network.
Finally, cloud apps provide enhanced security because they remove sensitive information from your device. Even though you may trust someone else to manage your account details, hackers could still gain unauthorized access. In contrast, cloud apps hide passwords behind layers of encryption making it much harder for anyone besides you to see them.
Cloud-based apps make it easier to access information no matter where you go. However, even though most people think of the internet as being everywhere, many people do not own devices capable of connecting to the internet. That means some people cannot utilize cloud apps unless they purchase a computer or smartphone. Fortunately, there's a workaround.
Some tech providers allow customers to rent access to computers instead of buying them outright. These rentals usually require a monthly fee for the privilege of using the device. Companies like Microsoft Office 365 charge $10 per month and give you access to office suites, video conferencing tools, and productivity programs. Alternatively, you can sign up for a personal plan that gives you unlimited usage. Either way, it keeps costs down for everyone involved.
Next, let's talk about convenience. When you work remotely, you spend lots of time traveling back and forth to various locations. Most employers frown upon employees leaving the office during regular hours and expect workers to stay put until quitting time. Luckily, remote working has become increasingly acceptable especially as more jobs move away from brick-and-mortar offices.
As a result, employees now find themselves spending more time commuting and less time focusing on tasks at home. Because cloud apps operate over the internet, you can easily access them anywhere regardless of where you happen to be. This eliminates the hassle of constantly switching between multiple locations.
Lastly, we've got security. As mentioned earlier, cloud apps encrypt data before sending it across the internet. In fact, they send your info through several layers of protection before reaching your destination. Not only does this protect against hackers attempting to steal credit card numbers and other financial information, but it can prevent malware infections too.
With the right combination of privacy policies, encryption protocols, and security measures, cloud apps ensure that your data remains safe. All you need to worry about is remembering your password.
While cloud computing is undoubtedly convenient, it doesn't come cheap. To offset the high initial investment, you might decide to invest in a cloud storage solution. After all, who wants to keep paying for a hard drive forever?
In addition to saving money, cloud storage also saves room on your computer. Since cloud systems automatically upload important documents whenever you save them, you're able to free up valuable real estate on your hard drive. Furthermore, cloud storage prevents clutter because you never lose anything accidentally. If you forget to delete a document, it gets stored safely somewhere else.
Not only does cloud storage help reduce clutter, but it helps increase efficiency too. Imagine taking notes while reading books or articles. Rather than trying to write down key points with pen and paper, you can just type your thoughts directly into an electronic text editor. Similarly, audio recordings take up tons of disk space on traditional media like CDs and DVDs. Once downloaded onto a cloud platform like Spotify, however, music becomes accessible wherever you go.
Furthermore, cloud storage enables collaboration between colleagues. Whether you share photos and videos with friends via social networks or collaborate on projects together, cloud platforms make it possible. Plus, you can quickly search through shared folders for specific pieces of content.
Last but certainly not least, cloud storage improves customer satisfaction. With cloud solutions, consumers get instant gratification thanks to automatic backups and quick loading times. Imagine waiting minutes for a download to finish after purchasing a digital book. Or worse yet, losing countless pages due to a corrupted flash drive. Both scenarios are frustrating and cause potential buyers to abandon plans.
By comparison, cloud storage ensures that you receive exactly what you paid for. Thanks to constant updates and upgrades, cloud apps tend to perform better than physical counterparts. Additionally, cloud storage allows you to enjoy peace of mind knowing that your stuff is always backed up.
There are pros and cons to every technological advancement. Unfortunately, not all aspects of cloud computing are positive. Let's look at the downsides of relying on the cloud.
First off, cloud technology isn't foolproof. Although cloud vendors strive to maintain stability, unexpected glitches occasionally occur. Sometimes, problems arise when certain components aren't compatible with others. Other times, bugs arise when developers fail to implement necessary fixes. Regardless of why issues pop up, they often ruin days of progress.
Second, cloud solutions can be costly. Before investing in a cloud provider, ask yourself whether or not you'd prefer to pay upfront versus signing up yearly. Many companies take advantage of this practice charging excessive amounts each year. In order to avoid sticker shock, compare prices beforehand. Some companies charge for unused capacity whereas others charge for storage space used. Make sure you know what you're paying for before deciding on a course of action.
Thirdly, cloud services typically lack offline capabilities. Sure, cloud apps allow you to access information anytime and anywhere, but they don't work without internet connectivity. Offline operation is particularly useful when you travel abroad and need temporary access to vital information. Without access to wifi hotspots, you'd have to rely on slower mobile connections which can lead to delays and frustration.
Ultimately, cloud computing holds significant promise. From improving employee performance to reducing waste, cloud technologies enhance everyday life in ways previously unimagined. Nevertheless, cloud systems are far from flawless. Be aware of pitfalls before jumping headfirst into the world of the cloud. And remember, cloud services are neither free nor universal. Depending on your needs, you may choose to stick with a personal desktop installation or opt for a private label subscription instead.
Websites can be branded to look like your own without actually being yours. This allows customers and prospects to see a familiar face when they arrive at your site but it also means that you have no ownership over that brand or its content. With white label products this isn't something new - websites were created on top of other companies' brands long before the internet was even a thing.
However, with the rise in popularity of online subscriptions models (including white label) there's now an opportunity for anyone who wants to grow their audience by offering a service where people get access to premium content from someone else while paying them rather than buying into a full-blown package deal. If you're looking for ways to build an income stream through selling digital goods then here are some things to consider about white label subscription businesses.
A white label product could mean anything from having your logo printed onto clothing to creating a PDF document containing all your best work. Essentially whatever you want to sell as part of a service, if you create a high quality version of that item, and offer it up to customers under one roof then you've got yourself a white label product. The great thing about these kinds of products is that they don't need to cost much money nor take very many hours to put together since most of the hard work has already been done. You just need to find a way to market it effectively and charge for it.
If you think about how ecommerce works today, most retailers will use third party platforms such as Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, etc. These systems are free to install and are typically used to host a store's inventory and payment processing. However, because these stores aren't owned by those using them, they often come with limited functionality compared to proprietary software packages which usually include features like customer support and analytics tools. In addition, users can purchase plugins and extensions directly from the platform's official marketplace.
With a white label solution though, everything is provided by you. There is no middle man so you'll always know exactly who is receiving payments and why. And if you decide to stop providing your services, you won't lose any sales data either. So, if you're worried about how well your existing clients would adapt to using another system, a white label option might be worth considering.
In order to successfully launch a white label business you should start by making sure that you've found a niche within your community that is going to be receptive to your offerings. After identifying potential markets, you'll likely want to go out and meet some local business owners to ask whether they'd be interested in signing up for your service. It may not seem fair to try and convince strangers to buy your product but remember that you're doing good for everyone involved! Even if you end up giving away your service for free, you still gain valuable insight into how people perceive your industry and how willing they are to pay for certain services.
The next step after meeting a few key players in your area is to write down everything you learned during your conversations. Then you can review this list every week or month to ensure that you haven't missed anything important. Finally, once you feel comfortable enough about your current client base, begin pitching your idea to other entrepreneurs. Asking for feedback and advice is absolutely crucial to building trust between you and others in your network.
There are two main methods of launching a successful white label service. One involves hiring freelancers to customize items for you while the other requires you to set up your own virtual factory. Both options require patience since you'll probably spend several months working towards getting your first sale. But both approaches are well worth the effort because they allow you to focus solely on growing your business instead of managing logistics or finding creative designers.
As far as setting up shop goes, you can choose to hire freelance workers to do everything for you or you can opt for a DIY approach that lets you manage everything yourself. Either way, you'll eventually run into problems along the way. For example, it can become difficult to keep track of orders especially if you're outsourcing the process. Keeping tabs on each project becomes extremely time consuming unless you invest in a robust CRM tool. To avoid wasting too much time dealing with paperwork, consider automating processes whenever possible. That way you can quickly generate invoices, send reminders, and stay updated about the status of ongoing projects.
Once you've decided on your pricing model, it's time to determine how you plan to promote your offering. Since you'll likely be competing against established brands, you'll have a lot of competition. Therefore, it's critical that you provide exceptional value above and beyond the standard "free trial" or "limited edition". While it's easy to say this, it's harder to truly deliver on promises until you've built up a solid reputation based upon consistent delivery of high-quality materials.
Another challenge that comes with running a white label business is keeping costs low. When you're starting off, it's tempting to save money wherever possible. Unfortunately, this strategy doesn't always yield results when you're trying to compete with bigger names. Instead, you should strive to differentiate yourself from competitors by focusing on unique aspects of your service. A common mistake made by many newbies is choosing a generic name that sounds similar to popular services. Don't fall victim to this trap! Pick a name that clearly conveys your message and stands apart from any other offerings in your space.
Also, bear in mind that you can only expect to earn a profit if you're charging more than your expenses. Ideally, you should aim to cover all of your operating costs including labor, equipment, hosting fees, shipping charges, and taxes. Of course, you can reduce these expenses by spending less upfront but that rarely yields positive returns later on. Remember, you shouldn't sacrifice financial security just to get started. Your goal should be to build a sustainable source of revenue.
Finally, if you ever decide to close down your business, you'll need to transfer all of your assets to the next person taking over. Luckily, transferring domain names is relatively simple and inexpensive. Just contact the relevant registrar and follow their instructions. They will walk you through the entire process. Keep in mind that you must renew your domain name annually. Also, you should never delete a domain name or redirect traffic back to your homepage. Doing so is considered bad practice and will damage your credibility among search engines.
Cloud computing refers to a type of technology whereby information is stored remotely across multiple servers. Because data is kept outside of individual computers, it can be accessed instantly anywhere around the world. Cloud storage providers offer unlimited amounts of bandwidth to consumers so that files uploaded to their servers remain available 24/7. All major web browsers automatically update themselves without needing direct interaction from the user.
These benefits sound pretty enticing right? Well, although cloud storage does have its advantages, it also comes with plenty of drawbacks. First, you'll need to provide power to your server(s). Second, you'll need to maintain backups in case hackers interfere with your accounts. Third, you'll need to constantly monitor your account to ensure that your data remains safe and secure. Lastly, you'll need to spend countless hours learning how to properly configure your applications and devices.
For starters, all modern apps and programs connect to remote databases via APIs. An API provides developers with a standardized interface allowing them to integrate specific functions with different applications. Without proper documentation, however, it can be tough to figure out how to utilize an API. Fortunately, there are numerous resources dedicated to explaining APIs.
Next, it's vital that you regularly backup data that you store in the cloud. Backing up your data is essential because it protects you from accidental deletion, theft, malware attacks, and natural disasters. Some cloud storage providers offer automated backups but it's better to perform manual backups to prevent errors.
Lastly, monitoring your accounts is incredibly important. Not only will you need to spot any suspicious activity but you'll also need to identify threats early so that you can quickly fix issues as they arise. Although it takes extra time, investing in professional help is definitely worthwhile when it comes to maintaining safety measures.
Cloud services are essentially a combination of the three previous categories. Rather than storing data locally, cloud services let consumers upload files to remote servers. Like traditional hosting solutions, cloud services are managed by specialists. Unlike personal computer setups, however, cloud services benefit from automation. As a result, you can easily scale operations throughout the day, week, or year.
Although cloud services are convenient, they are also somewhat dangerous. Hackers sometimes attempt to steal sensitive data which makes it imperative to implement strong passwords and antivirus protection. Additionally, many cloud services offer advanced encryption techniques that protect your data from unauthorized access. Nevertheless, cloud services are generally safer than installing software on your PC.
On the flip side, cloud services are expensive. Most plans offer generous limits but prices vary depending on the size of your organization. For instance, Amazon Web Services charges $0.30 per gigabyte whereas Google Drive offers 1TB of storage for $10 monthly.
When a creator wants to create something new or take an existing project in a different direction, they often look into creating their own products or services that go beyond just selling information on how to use another service. This can be done by setting up your own website where you sell your own products (private label) or even selling someone else’s products through your own site (white label). Both offer unique benefits but each also has its drawbacks as well. So which one should you choose to start building your online empire?
The best way to find out if this type of model will work for you personally would be to try it first hand. If you have found success with either method then great! You know exactly what works for you already so there isn't much risk involved. However, if you don't see results after several months then maybe it's time to switch gears and explore other options like white label websites instead.
A white label subscription allows you to set up your very own branded marketplace without having to worry about hosting costs, server maintenance, customer support, etc. Instead, all of these responsibilities fall to a third party provider who handles everything from domain registration to payment processing. In short, you're getting access to thousands of users while only paying for what you actually need.
In order to make sure that everyone knows what a white label is, here's a definition straight from Wikipedia:
"A white-label solution is software built specifically for a particular client and customized to meet their needs."
Basically, when you hire a web design agency to build a custom eCommerce store for you, they'll come back with a fully functioning shopping cart ready for you to add products and begin accepting payments right away. But what if you want to change things around a little bit? Maybe you'd rather not allow customers to purchase items at checkout unless they've completed a form asking them some questions about themselves. Or perhaps you want to display certain offers based on user behavior. These changes are easy enough with a traditional storefront but can become quite difficult if you decide to do it yourself. With a white label subscription you get all of the functionality provided by a standard merchant account plus additional features such as prebuilt templates, customizable branding, and unlimited storage space.
So let's say you wanted to open up shop using a whitelabeled store. What steps could you expect to follow? First off, you'd probably need to register your brand name somewhere because obviously, no one is going to call you "YourBrandName". Next step might be finding a reputable white label partner who meets many of your criteria - most importantly being able to provide you with a high quality experience. Once you've settled on a few companies, it may still take a long time before you receive any actual sales though since each company takes roughly 1 month to get approved. After that point you'll be given access to a dashboard where you can manage your listings, view analytics data, and communicate directly with clients. From there, you can continue working with whichever supplier you chose until you reach profitability.
If you haven't started looking yet, now is definitely the time to do so. There are plenty of marketplaces available today that cater to both large corporations and small entrepreneurs alike and there are hundreds of providers offering various levels of service. Some will charge fees ranging anywhere between $100/month and over $1000 depending on the level of customization you desire. Others will give you complete reign over the entire process including choosing your own logo, adding products, managing orders, shipping, taking credit cards, etc. The choice really comes down to personal preference and budget.
There are three main components to understanding what makes a good white label provider:
1. How flexible does the platform feel? Does it require a lot of technical knowledge or is it simple to learn?
2. Do I trust the people behind the platform? Is their team qualified to handle my specific requirements? Are they willing to help me grow my business?
3. Will the platform integrate seamlessly with my current systems? Can I easily migrate my inventory onto the system once it's live?
Once you have your list narrowed down to a handful of potential partners, you'll want to dig deeper and talk to past customers to hear their experiences firsthand. Ask them to share stories and feedback regarding pricing, performance, support, and overall satisfaction. When researching individual companies, make note of anything that stands out as problematic. For example, did they seem unresponsive during testing phases or were they unwilling to answer emails? Were they able to accommodate special requests? Did they deliver on promises made prior to signing contracts? Keep in mind that although you may prefer a niche solution that doesn't exist yet, it's important to weigh cost against value when weighing pros and cons. It's better to pay less than nothing than to spend years trying to develop your own proprietary solution only to end up with nothing at all.
Now that you understand what a professional white label service looks like, here are some free resources you can use to educate yourself further:
Weblium -- A free toolbox designed to help developers quickly and easily implement a range of social media platforms into WordPress themes and plugins.
DashThis -- An extremely powerful app for automating repetitive tasks across multiple accounts.
Shift4Shop -- A plugin that helps automate content creation and distribution via Facebook pages.
Active Campaign -- Software that creates automated email sequences aimed towards promoting your products and services.
Finally, if you're interested in learning more about how to launch a successful digital course, check out our guide on the top 5 mistakes beginners make with their courses.
Why white label subscriptions matter to you
If you want to build the next successful eCommerce platform with no limits then it may make sense to set your own private label membership site. You will have complete control over every aspect of what goes onto your site from design to content creation.
There is nothing stopping you from putting together any type of product that you like whether it comes under the category of books, courses, software, games, etc.. If you have a passion for your niche then this could actually be the best way to get started because once you find success there won’t really be anything stopping you from expanding further down that same path.
However, if you don’t feel confident about getting involved in all aspects of running your own site then you might consider going with a white label solution instead.
White labeling allows you to outsource everything related to your brand while still retaining full control over the final result and experience. For example, let’s say you wanted to create an educational course around web hosting packages. Instead of having to spend countless hours researching various hosting companies and reading reviews, you simply need to purchase access to the right templates and resources so that you can focus on creating high quality content rather than spending time trying to figure out who offers the most affordable plan.
This makes white label solutions ideal for those looking to scale quickly without needing to hire a team of people dedicated to managing the day-to-day operations of their company. They allow you to leverage other people's expertise and resources while keeping things simple enough for anyone to understand what they're doing.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.