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)There are 8.5 billion mobile device connections worldwide, and our population is 7.6 billion. So many mobile phones! It might sound like something out of a sci-fi horror movie, but it’s actually a good sign if you want to start a phone case business and sell accessories online.
Custom phone cases, in particular, are easy to source and appeal to those looking to customize or add extra functionality to a device they can’t live without.
The mobile phone case business is a way to make money online. Personalized phone cases never seem to go out of style. According to MarketWatch, the “phone case market” size is expected to grow from USD 6,572 million in 2020 to USD 9,926.2 million in 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. Obviously, your phone case business won’t be short of customers.
From a management standpoint, the case is also easy to dispose of. They don’t break as often, so there are fewer returns to deal with. They’re usually lightweight, cheap to ship, and often have healthy profit margins. You can find phone cases on the site for as little as $5 and sell them for over $10—an easy 50% profit.
the best part? Starting a phone case business doesn’t require much upfront investment. You can create an online store in minutes, connect it to a dropshipping app, and go live within hours.
Before you start creating your own phone case, there are a few things you need to know, such as the types of cases and which phones you should support.
Some phone cases are more functional, while others are more visually appealing. Some provide protection, while others are more like a second “skin” than an outer shell. Some phone case companies try to solve all of the above problems. There are various options, but here are some of the most common types to get you started.
Slim phone cases are on the thinner side and often add an eye-catching design and some extra grip to your phone through a flexible rubberized silicone material.
These are some of the cheapest options you can use to produce and design your own phone cases, especially if you want to print them on demand (more on that later). Keep in mind that not every customer in the market for a phone case wants an oversized “safe” case.
Unlike slim phone cases, these usually only cover the sides/bezels of the phone (they can also come with an extra piece to protect the back from scratches) and are usually made of harder shockproof material to protect you Protect your phone from damage from dents and scratches.
The folio case has a cover that folds over the front of the phone, protecting the screen from dust and scratches and making the phone look like a small laptop. Some even have wallet-like features, such as the ability to store cash or credit cards, while others can be turned into kickstands to hold your phone.
You’ll usually find them in leather material, and they can cost more than slimmer cases but also appeal to more practical consumers.
When a phone is dropped, many people think of phone cases as a way to protect the hundreds of dollars they’ve invested in it. Rugged cases are bulky and add weight to the phone, but provide better protection for the customer.
It’s important to recognize this when you’re creating phone case listings online and writing product descriptions for rugged cases because anything from drop tests to waterproofing details can help customers feel at ease.
No matter what phone you own right now, battery life seems to be an issue. While they’re more expensive than most phone cases, battery cases are also very functional and offer a lot of utility for those times when we wish we had more power.
Since these cases not only protect your phone but also provide extra power, battery cases are great companions for those phone models that often complain about battery life.
Silicone is an inexpensive material that can also be used for online phone cases. The silicone cover is soft and durable, and it can work well in high temperatures. Silicone phone case provides customers with a softer touch. You can find these on dropshipping sites for about $2 a case.
It’s not just a matter of deciding which case you want, but which phone you want to support. However, this can also present an opportunity to tap into specific niche markets based on phone models. If you foresee needing a case for an upcoming phone or find any type of smartphone that’s underserved, there may be an opportunity there, too.
Some of the equipment you may want to consider before designing or making a custom phone case are:
The best phone case businesses don’t become overnight successes. Even with some trial and error, these brands followed the business plan and grew at a sustainable rate. Build your own business model and start your own phone case business with this step-by-step guide:
Successfully designing your own phone case cannot be achieved through hard work alone. Think of a niche in the market that no one has yet filled. Is this the best phone case for outdoor adventures? Is this a collection of cases designed by local artists in your area? Figure out which types should exist.
But currently, the big brands don’t offer it, and then phone cases are made online to fill those gaps. Many consumers are even trying to make their own cases, but there are still plenty of opportunities to capture market share. Andrew found that the other side of the market was expensive iPhone cases. But neither case is aesthetically pleasing.
He sees demand for “more fashion-forward people who may be looking for a unique iPhone case.” Come to think of it, a woman with a thousand-dollar handbag probably doesn’t want cheap cases or bulky protective cases at the mall. So Andrew opted for a stylish phone case to protect it in case someone drops it.
As you create your own phone case business, a business plan will guide you throughout your journey. It can help clarify your strategy, identify roadblocks, understand what resources you need, and evaluate your business idea before launching.
Ask yourself: What is the ultimate goal of this product?
Do you want to design your own phone case and be sold in Nordstrom or Urban Outfitters? Do you want to create a premium brand to sell in boutiques? Do you want to start an eCommerce store and sell products to your followers? Maybe you want to donate some of your sales to a respected charity.
You are ultimately responsible for your business as a business owner. Identify your business goals and keep them in mind when branding your phone case.
Identifying your target audience is key to successfully selling your products online. Your goal is not just to identify a phone case or accessory that should exist, but also to find the target market for that product. After all, your design and planning efforts are of little use if there are no buyers for your product.
Useful data points to know before making a custom phone case include:
It is up to you how you collect this information. New businesses often use social media and use tools like Facebook Audience Insights to reach new audiences. Others might go straight to their customers and survey them. Building an email list can also be very helpful for marketing and customer insights.
Consider the pros and cons of targeting specific groups of people. For example, young people tend to pursue fashion and are more receptive to viral marketing and word of mouth. Their funds are also limited. A middle-aged buyer may be able to afford more expensive phone cases, but he or she may also be less trend-conscious and prefer specific styles.
When selling custom phone cases online, the design step when making the case will be your biggest differentiator. This is also where you can unleash your creativity. The first products you release to the public will have a conversation with your brand, so make sure you make something cool to get your stake off the ground.
There are two ways to design a phone case:
1. Collaborate with designers and artists. Design communities like Dribbble are a great place to pick designers based on the aesthetic you’re looking for. You can also find cost-effective designs on Fiverr. Try finding a designer who specializes in custom designs to help you create your own phone case.
2. Design your own phone case. You can also use your own design mockups to create phone cases online in Photoshop or Photopea, and many phone cases print-on-demand services like CaseApp and Printful also offer phone case mockup generators that you can use. In addition to phone case designs, consider using unique fonts to showcase your brand name or logo. You can also make your custom phone design stand out by using materials such as acrylic.
Please note that not all phone case suppliers will print on the side of the phone case. Many will only be printed on the back, so make sure to keep this in mind during the design phase and when looking for suppliers.
Try finding a few different designs so you’re not betting on just one idea, and get early feedback:
As far as niche markets go, a group of people who are passionate about a particular interest will give you an edge in interest when designing your own phone case. After all, for many people, accessories like phone cases are just a way to present themselves to the world.
Once you’ve got a design you’re happy with, it’s time to actually make a custom phone case and bring it to life. Unless you’re willing to invest thousands of dollars in your own printing equipment to make cases, you have three main options when it comes to making phone cases.
In order to maximize your profit, you may choose to find a manufacturer to make your own phone case. Alibaba provides a directory of Chinese manufacturers that produce high-quality phone cases of all types, from ultra-thin cases to folio cases to battery cases.
While you have to buy in bulk with a minimum order of 10 to 200 or more, when the cost per case can be as low as $1, you have the potential to offer better prices and get more money per sale. You also have the option to partner with local manufacturers to reach consumers interested in supporting businesses in their home country. Either way, be sure to order a sample before placing a bulk order.
It’s worth noting that you don’t necessarily need to have inventory on hand to make a sale. The availability of sales can be used to determine which cases you actually order, so you don’t get stuck with hundreds of cases that don’t sell. Since inventory doesn’t take up much space, if you’re confident with your phone case, you can invest in offline sales by setting up shopping carts or kiosks in high-traffic areas like shopping malls.
While on-demand sales eat into your margins more, it also reduces your shipping and fulfillment efforts so you don’t need to keep any phone cases on hand, or even order them in bulk.
Validating which designs people like can be challenging, regardless of whether they are t-shirts, enamel pins, jewelry, or phone cases. These print-on-demand services offer a low-risk way to test out ideas for designing your own phone case, especially for slim cases.
Instead of making your own custom phone cases, you can use the dropshipping model, so all you really need to worry about is building a website and making sales. The only major downside is that you’ll have far less control over the product and lower margins, but in exchange, the product, shipping, and fulfillment are all handled for you.
Create your public image if you can fabricate and create custom phone cases at a reasonable price. Start by choosing a business name and logo. You can use free design tools like Logo Maker to help create a logo and build your brand. After answering some questions about your business, the logo maker will suggest a logo from hundreds of templates.
the best part? It’s not enough to have a logo. You can download visual assets for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to create a consistent identity across all channels. Customers love brands with a good story, so try to incorporate your story into your brand name, logo, and website. If you’re making phone cases, you need to have them ready before the first batch is done. You can then begin selling your cases right away.
Pricing your phone case is one of the key decisions you need to make. It affects nearly every area of your business, from cash flow to profit margins to deciding how much you can afford. Your pricing strategy is about knowing your audience.
In order to run a successful phone case business, you need to set a price point that covers your manufacturing costs while not deterring customers. Remember, you want to have a high enough profit margin that you can scale easily if your design is successful. Trial and error is your friend.
Do you know how to make a phone case, and where do you sell phone cases now? A good place to start is with an online store.
Now, this might sound like a challenging task compared to listing your product on an online selling website. These marketplaces can help build brand awareness in the early stages, but in the long run, you’ll need your own digital home. It will help maintain control of your brand and retain more profits.
For felony cases, Andrew recommends focusing on your website first and then turning to the online marketplace. The website and our retailers have been the two biggest sources of traffic and sales, he says. He found that when people find Felony phone cases on Etsy or Amazon, they do a Google search to see if the brand is available. letter. “They want to find your website directly, just to verify the brand and make sure it looks legit.”
Shoppers might check social media profiles like Instagram and Facebook to see if you’re active there, too. Andrew says that all of these touchpoints work together to give you a 360-degree view of your brand.
Now that you understand your market, product, and supply chain, it’s time to figure out how and where to sell phone cases.
While marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon are great places to showcase phone cases, you can also start an online store with your own brand, expand your marketing efforts, and build a long-term business.
As far as marketing goes, here are the referral channels and tactics you should try, along with resources on how to execute them:
When you’re writing a product description for your phone, be as specific as possible in your message and consider the biggest selling point of your case. Maybe your case isn’t the strongest in the world, but it’s thin! Or maybe your custom iPhone clear case is the toughest on the market. Talk to your customers about what’s most important to them!
Everything from materials to water resistance to videos showing your case passing a drop test can make your case more attractive to potential customers than just its design.
You may want to make your own phone cases to sell instead of outsourcing them from a supplier. To design a phone case, you can draw something by hand and scan it into a computer, create graphic art digitally in a tool like Photoshop or Canva, or hire a professional to create the design for you.
Don’t get caught up in the phone case competition. As with any other competitive marketplace, what you need to focus on is attracting the right niche and getting your product in front of those people. Start your business as a side hustle, then learn and grow it into a full-fledged small business.
Over time, you can figure out winning designs and cases, and ways to find them to increase your profits so you can double down on selling them.
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