We all know how difficult it is to believe many of the success stories we come across online. The internet is rife with scams and click-baits. However, some of the success stories make perfect sense, especially if you conduct your own research first before taking the plunge.
The real value in a private label business isn’t that you’re making the product any better, but you’re simply making the selecting process easier for your customers.
Here, we’ll delve into how to start a private label business from scratch, but before that, it’s essential to understand what exactly a private label business means.
What is private labeling?
Private labeling refers to the act of selling a product made or manufactured by another company under your company’s brand. As a business strategy, this is not something new. For many years, large grocery stores have obtained generic products, placed their own label or brand on the product, and put them on the shelf next to items with their brand names.
With some resources and careful consideration, you can create and market your brand online, giving your full control and more profits.
If you are prepared to put in the effort, you can earn maximum profits selling your private label products.
7 Steps for creating a profitable private label business
Here’s how to start a profitable private label business, from idea conception to business launch:
Choose the right products to sell
Your business should provide consumers with a special experience that they can’t find anywhere else. That way, you can increase the value of your product and make it more appealing to consumers.
Selecting the right products can be a demanding process. No matter how much time you take researching products, however, do it anyway. This is because it is absolutely necessary to choose the best products. Sellers that take the time to research products end up saving a great deal of money later.
The best way to get started is to carry out some quick Google searches. For instance, a quick online search for “the top 10 trending products 2020” can return some amazing results. It’s also a good idea to use the ‘Best Selling’ lists generated by the leading e-commerce platforms. For example, Amazon updates its ‘Best Sellers’ lists every hour.
eBay frequently updates what’s trending, while Shopify provides an up-to-date list of items that are new and hot on their platform. Some of the best products you can sell include private label softgels, reusable bags, essential oils, and water bottles.
Consider the target market
Knowing your customers is an important step when it comes to creating your private label brand. Identifying your target market can help you create a successful brand and select the right products to sell.
Who is your ideal customer? You need to know what kind of people will keep you in business. You can boost business profitability by narrowing down who those people are.
Identify your real differentiating factor
You’ve narrowed down on a product and the target audience. Now, it’s time to identify exactly what will make you stand out from competitors in your niche.
What will be the unique selling points of your brand? Basically, these are the factors that separate your product or business from the competition and make it unique.
Look at what your competitors are doing. What is their main focus? What are their weaknesses? The aspect where they are doing not well is a good place to position your business. For example, if your competition has a serious tone, try and add a fun tone to your product. You don’t have to make a huge change for it to be a good differentiator.
Remember that price is also a common differentiator. A luxury or premium product has a different market and audience than a discount or an inexpensive product.
By analyzing what you want to achieve, where you stand, and being confident when telling your story, you can set yourself apart.
Find the right supplier
One of the most important parts of launching a private label business is partnering with an experienced and reliable product supplier. Finding someone who has experience dealing with a private label business is also important since they understand what it takes to help you earn a profit.
The key is to talk to those who have been in this business for a long time. They can be a reliable resource for choosing the right sourcing channels for your business.
Here are some factors to consider when looking for a supplier:
- Reliable customer service
- High-quality products
- Short lead times
- Scalable capacity
Create your brand
Another important aspect of launching your own private label business is creating your brand. Generally, there are no rigid rules, but the following are some of the aspects you need to consider:
- A memorable product name
- Packaging elements, such as imagery, topography, and colors
- Logo design
- Packaging method
Launch your business entity
Now it’s time to make your business a legal entity. Some businesses need to be registered with the Secretary of State and based on the product you’ve decided to sell, you might need to file for a patent or trademark to protect your brand or product.
You also need to create an online site, register with the relevant tax authorities, and create a seller’s account on Amazon.
Get ready for your Amazon launch
A proper Amazon launch will require you to pay special attention to your product listing. It’s important to ensure your product listing utilizes five to eight high quality and visually appealing images of the product.
Create a catchy listing title, properly outlining the features and benefits of your product.
It should also contain relevant keywords to ensure customers can find what you’re selling. It’s a good idea to use relevant keywords in the title and the description section, as well. This will help potential customers to find the product.
Endnote
Private labeling can be a great way to grow your business profits. You will also enjoy total control of your business. The world is constantly becoming tech-savvy, and it’s necessary to use platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Shopify to reach out to more customers. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy a steady stream of passive income!
