White Labeling Ecommerce Explained for Beginners

Ever wondered how some online stores sell professional-looking products without manufacturing anything themselves? 🤔

That’s white labeling, and it’s simpler than you might think.

After thoroughly researching and testing white label business strategies, we’ve found it’s an excellent entry point for new eCommerce entrepreneurs.

We’ve spent considerable time analyzing different white label approaches and testing various platforms that support this business model. This research has helped us understand the common pitfalls beginners face and how to avoid them. 🔍

Today, we’ll explain white labeling in simple terms, sharing what we have learned from our research and testing. If you’re interested in starting an eCommerce business without the hassles of manufacturing, you’ll find everything you need to know to get started.

White Labeling Ecommerce Explained for Beginners

Here is a quick overview of the topics we will cover in this guide:

What is White Labeling Ecommerce?

White labeling is when one company makes generic products that other companies can sell under their own brand. Each product can have a different name or packaging, but the core item is identical.

This model allows you to launch an online store without investing heavily in product development. Some white-label models even remove the need to manage your own inventory, though this isn’t always the case.

For example, you could start a skincare line by partnering with a wholesale manufacturer. They create the product, and you simply add your custom branding and sell it in your store.

A very popular form of white labeling is print-on-demand. With POD, you can design a t-shirt online and sell it without spending a penny upfront.

When a customer buys the shirt, the POD platform prints and ships it for you. This approach greatly reduces financial risk and is an easy way to start making money online.

White Labeling vs. Dropshipping: What’s the Difference?

It’s easy to confuse white labeling with dropshipping, but they are different concepts that often work together. Think of it this way:

White Labeling is about the product. You’re putting your brand on a generic product made by someone else.
Dropshipping is about fulfillment. This is a method where the manufacturer or supplier ships the product directly to your customer, so you don’t hold any inventory.

You can sell white-label products by buying them in bulk and shipping them yourself. Or, you can use a dropshipping model where a white-label supplier handles all the shipping for you.

Ecommerce Niches That Use White Label Products

White labeling in eCommerce is widely used across different industries. It’s mostly popular in sectors where manufacturing products is a bit difficult or more expensive, but that’s not always the case.

Now, let’s talk more about the eCommerce niches that often use white-labeled products. These examples might give you some ideas for your own store.

Web Development

White labeling is super popular in web development agencies. Many of these businesses partner with white-label companies to offer services for digital marketing, maintenance, hacked site repair, or speed optimization under their own brand name.

Once these companies receive a client’s project, they pass that information to third-party freelancers or white-label partners like Seahawk Media or Codeable.

Then, they will build the website or perform other tasks while the development agency handles the customer relationship.

For more details on this niche, see our tutorial on how to white label WordPress development for digital agencies.

Fashion and Clothing

Clothing is another popular eCommerce sector for white labeling products. It allows retailers to offer a variety of clothing items and accessories without dealing with the full cost of manufacturing.

For instance, many online boutiques source trendy items from a common manufacturer and then add their own branding. If you want to start a clothing store using white-label products, then a tool like Spreadshirt is a great starting point.

Choose the product where you want to add the graphic design or image

It is a popular platform that lets users design their own clothing and add it to an online store. Once someone places an order, Spreadshirt handles the inventory, payments, printing, and shipping.

For more about this niche, see our beginner’s guide on how to easily create a t-shirt shop in WordPress.

Electronics

It can be challenging for small businesses to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation in the tech industry. This is where white-labeled electronics come in.

Thanks to white labeling, small online stores can offer popular tech accessories like phone cases, keyboards, headphones, or even portable speakers under their own brand.

This can help them stay competitive without the burden of complex electronics manufacturing.

Cosmetics and Skincare

The skincare and cosmetics industry uses white-label products to cater to the specific needs of the target audience.

For instance, a cosmetics brand might focus on organic beauty products by white labeling premade items that align with their brand values.

Similarly, many popular skincare brands source products from the same manufacturer and then rebrand and sell them with different names.

Home and Personal Care

Home and personal care items also have a lot of potential for white labeling. You can sell common products like cleaning supplies and kitchenware.

Since many consumers aren’t loyal to specific brands in these niches, it might be easier to win them over.

In reality, some of these products have been manufactured by the same company but are being sold with different names and brand logos.

Benefits of White Labeling Ecommerce

White labeling offers a convenient way for beginners to enter the eCommerce market and create their own brands.

Here are some key benefits to consider when opting for this approach for your online store.

Benefit	Explanation
Reduced Cost	It is cost-effective because you avoid manufacturing or product development expenses. You won’t need to invest in equipment, materials, or production facilities.
Easy Store Launch	You can launch your store quickly since the products are readily available. This eliminates the need to spend time on design or prototyping.
Wider Product Selection	As a small business owner, you can offer a broad range of products without the burden of large-scale manufacturing. This lets you cater to a wider audience and increase sales.
Scalability	You can easily add new white-labeled products as your business grows or market trends change. This flexibility allows you to expand your product lines without significant investment.
Focus on Marketing	Since you are outsourcing product development, you have more time to build a strong brand identity and focus on bringing customers back to your store.

Drawbacks of White Labeling Ecommerce

While white labeling has many advantages, it is still important to consider some cons before you choose this approach.

Drawback	Explanation
Limited Control Over Quality	When selling white-label products, you don’t have as much control over their quality. This can directly impact customer satisfaction and your reputation.
Reduced Profit Margins	Since white-label products are often sold by many different brands, competition can be fierce. This can lead to lower profit margins as businesses offer competitive pricing to attract customers.
Reliance on Supplier	Your business will become heavily dependent on the white-label company for product quality, consistency, and timely delivery. Any issues on their end can directly impact your business.

Pro Tip: To minimize this risk, always test products yourself before selling them. We also recommend having a backup supplier for your most popular products and communicating regularly with your primary supplier about their inventory levels.

White Label Products to Sell Online

Now, let’s go over a few examples of commonly white-labeled products. If you choose some of these popular items, it may help maximize conversions in your eCommerce store.

Reusable Water Bottles

With the growing demand for sustainable products, selling reusable water bottles can be a great idea.

They are low-cost white-label products, so they may be easier to sell. Plus, you can add your own designs or brand logo.

For instance, if you have a gym or fitness site, then you can sell reusable water bottles to your customers.

Coffee Beans

Coffee beans are another great option when it comes to white labeling. A number of retailers and small businesses buy identical coffee beans from the same manufacturer and sell them with their own branding.

You can also partner with a local coffee shop to sell your beans in person. This can also help you build brand awareness and win leads.

Pet Accessories

The pet industry is booming, so there’s a high demand for pet accessories and toys. You can take advantage of this popular eCommerce niche by selling dog beds, cat toys, collars, and other items in your online pet store.

You can also add categories for food and grooming items, offering a curated selection that aligns with your brand.

Phone Accessories

You might also want to consider offering white-labeled phone accessories. You can sell customized phone cases, car mounts, selfie sticks, waterproof pouches, chargers, and so much more.

You can personalize them with your brand logo, unique designs, or trending patterns. This way, you can make them stand out in a crowded market.

Food Supplements

If you run a health website or food blog, then you might want to start selling white label food supplements like vitamins, proteins, minerals, or probiotics.

You can simply add your own branding to your products and promote them in your recipe blog posts. This will encourage users to check out your supplements, helping you earn some additional money.

Home Decor

Another popular white-label niche is home decor. You can sell wall art, lamps, fridge magnets, stickers, bedsheets, and many other items.

You can also add more products as your store grows and customize them with your designs or logo.

Top Three White Label Product Suppliers

Here are some well-known suppliers where you can order white-label products in bulk.

#	Suppliers	Best For	Availability
🥇	Alibaba	Largest B2B online marketplace	Available all across the world
🥈	Maker’s Row	Finding manufacturers for small businesses	Ideal for US store owners
🥉	BigBuy	Ordering white-label products in small quantities	Convenient for businesses based in Europe

If you’d like a more in-depth review of these white-label suppliers, then keep reading.

1. Alibaba

Alibaba is the world’s largest B2B online marketplace, where businesses can find manufacturers, wholesalers, and suppliers for a wide range of products.

It offers a huge selection of white-label items from around the globe and connects you with tons of suppliers. You can compare prices, product specifications, and minimum order quantities.

Alibaba usually offers products in bulk, which lets them sell products at a lower per unit cost than other vendors.

Pros of Alibaba

The marketplace also offers dropshipping. This allows you to send the product directly to your customer’s address from Alibaba.
It offers branded packaging and logos for white-labeled products.
You can add custom invoices for your customers.

Cons of Alibaba

Many Alibaba suppliers have minimum order quantities that you need to meet. This can be a challenge if you have limited inventory needs.
You will need to evaluate the potential product suppliers yourself.

Why we recommend Alibaba: If you plan to order white label products in bulk, then Alibaba is a great choice for you.

2. Maker’s Row

Maker’s Row is an amazing platform that connects small businesses with manufacturers. It does not offer any white-label service itself, but you can find different suppliers who will send white-label products your way.

You can post project requests, receive quotes, and collaborate with manufacturers directly through the platform. Plus, you can use search filters to narrow down suppliers based on your product category, location, minimum order requirements, and white labeling capabilities.

Once you have selected a supplier, you can talk with them using the Maker’s Row platform. This way, you can easily ask them questions about their white labeling process.

Pros of Maker’s Row

Maker’s Row evaluates manufacturers to ensure quality and legitimacy.
It comes with excellent features to streamline communication and project management.
The platform has educational resources for eCommerce and white labeling.

Cons of Maker’s Row

Compared to other marketplaces, it provides a limited product variety.
Maker’s Row only focuses on American manufacturers. This can be a problem if you are in any other part of the world.

Why we recommend Maker’s Row: If you live in the USA and want to sell white label products, then Maker’s Row is the best solution.

3. BigBuy

BigBuy is a European eCommerce store that also focuses on wholesalers and dropshipping.

It has a wide range of products across various categories like clothing, electronics, homeware, and more. These products can be purchased and then white labeled with your own branding elements.

A huge benefit of opting for this platform is that BigBuy does not set a minimum order limit. This makes it easier to buy white-label products in smaller numbers.

Pros of BigBuy

It offers branded packaging with your logo.
You can also send customized invoices to customers.
Some BigBuy suppliers offer extensive customization options for the product itself.

Cons of BigBuy

Products on BigBuy are slightly more expensive than other vendors.
You will need to pay an additional dropshipping fee.

Why we recommend BigBuy: If you have a small store and want to order a small number of white label products, then BigBuy is a good choice.

How to Get Started with Ecommerce White Labeling

Ready to launch your own white-label business? While the details can vary, the general process follows a few key steps. Here’s a high-level overview to get you started.

Identify Your Niche and Product: The first step is deciding what to sell. Research market trends, identify customer needs, and choose a product category that you are passionate about.
Create Your Brand Identity: Once you know your product, you need a brand. This includes choosing a business name, designing a logo, and defining your brand’s voice and values. A strong brand helps you stand out from the competition.
Find a Reliable Supplier: This is a crucial step. Vet potential suppliers by checking reviews, comparing prices, and ordering samples to test product quality. Make sure they can handle your expected order volume.
Build Your Online Store: With your product and supplier chosen, you need a place to sell. Using WordPress and WooCommerce is the most flexible and popular way to build an eCommerce store that you fully control.
Market Your Products: Once your store is live, the final step is to attract customers. You can use digital marketing strategies like content marketing, social media promotion, and email newsletters to build awareness and drive sales.

For a detailed walkthrough of setting up the technical side of your business, you can check out our complete guide on how to set up a WooCommerce store.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ecommerce White Labeling

Here are some questions that our readers frequently ask about white labeling eCommerce.

What is the difference between white label and private label?

This is a common point of confusion. The key difference is exclusivity.

White Label products are generic and sold to any retailer. The manufacturer allows multiple businesses to buy the same product and sell it under their own brand.
Private Label products are manufactured exclusively for one specific retailer. This often involves a unique formula, design, or feature set that no other company has access to.

How can I start selling white-label products?

To start selling white-label products, you can follow these general steps:

Choose a niche or product category for your store.
Create a unique brand identity, including a name and logo.
Build your online store, for example with WordPress and WooCommerce.
Find a reliable supplier and add their products to your catalog.
Develop a marketing strategy to promote your brand and drive sales.

Is white labeling right for my eCommerce business?

White labeling can be a great option for businesses looking to enter a market quickly with a smaller budget. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

If you expect high profit margins or tight quality control, then white labeling might not be the best fit. On the other hand, if you want an easy way to sell products without managing inventory or shipping, then it may be perfect for you.

We hope this article helped you learn what you need to know about white labeling for eCommerce. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on WooCommerce made simple and our top picks for the best WordPress dropshipping plugins.

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