Mobile apps have become indispensable for businesses across industries. As of 2023, there were more than 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide, and that number is expected to grow. This translates to an astounding 86% of the global population using smartphones, meaning mobile apps have become one of the primary ways businesses engage with their customers. Mobile apps allow businesses to deliver seamless experiences, better customer engagement, and direct communication.
However, creating a mobile app from scratch is no small feat. It requires significant financial investment, time, and technical expertise. A custom app can cost anywhere from $30,000 to over $150,000, depending on the complexity and required features. For many small-to-medium businesses, these costs can be prohibitive. This is where white label apps present a unique solution.
With white label apps, businesses can quickly offer a branded mobile application to their customers without high costs or long development timelines. White label apps also open up a great business opportunity for those looking to resell them. This is especially beneficial for entrepreneurs, digital marketing agencies, and IT consultants who want to expand their offerings without developing mobile apps from scratch.
In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of white label app reselling, understand what white label apps are, and guide you on how to become a successful white label app reseller. Additionally, we’ll look into the difference between white label apps and custom-built apps, tips for reselling them, and best practices to follow.
What Are White Label Apps?
Simply put, a white label app is a ready-made mobile application developed by a third-party provider. This app is fully functional, and businesses can rebrand it with their logo color schemes, and sometimes tweak certain features to better align with their brand identity. The term “white label” comes from the practice of selling generic products, which businesses can then repackage and market as their own. In this context, a white label app is a generic app that you can rebrand and resell as if it were your creation.
For example, a company specializing in digital marketing might need more resources to develop a mobile app for each of its clients. By purchasing a white label app from a developer, the company can quickly rebrand and customize the app and then offer it to its clients under its name.
The beauty of white label apps is that they come pre-built with all the necessary features for functionality. Whether it’s a restaurant delivery app, a fitness tracker, a VPN service, or a hotel booking app, the core components are already in place. All that’s needed is some customization to match your branding.
Becoming a white label app reseller gives businesses the ability to offer a premium app service without having to invest in app development. It also allows entrepreneurs to tap into the growing mobile app market, as well as companies that may want to expand their service offerings without the burden of app development.
Benefits of Reselling White Label Apps
Reselling white label apps provides a range of advantages for both entrepreneurs and established businesses. Below are some of the key benefits that make this model so appealing:
1. Cost-Effective Solution
Building a custom app from scratch is a massive investment. According to a Clutch survey, the average cost to develop an app is between $37,913 and $171,450, depending on its complexity. For businesses that don’t have large budgets, this can be a dealbreaker. However, with white label apps, the development work is already done. You’re essentially paying for the rebranding products to sell and licensing rights. The cost savings are significant because you avoid all the expenses of development, testing, and maintenance.
2. Quick Time-to-Market
The speed at which you can get your branded app to market is another huge benefit of reselling white label apps. Since the app is already built, you only need to focus on customization and branding. Once that’s done, you can immediately start offering the app to clients or using it within your business. This is a critical advantage in today’s fast-paced business environment, where time is money.
3. Expand Service Offerings
Becoming a mobile app reseller white label allows you to expand your service offerings. Whether you’re running a digital marketing agency, an IT consultancy, or any other type of service-based business, adding mobile apps to your portfolio can make your services more attractive to clients. You can provide your clients with high-quality mobile apps without the need to develop or maintain them yourself.
4. Recurring Revenue Opportunities
Many white label apps follow a SaaS (Software as a Service) business model, making them ideal for a white label SaaS reseller. This means that instead of selling the app as a one-time purchase, you can sell it on a subscription basis. Whether it’s a monthly or yearly fee, this creates a recurring revenue stream. As more businesses switch to subscription models, you can benefit from consistent, predictable income by reselling white label apps.
5. Scalability
Because the original developer handles the technical development and maintenance of the app, you don’t need to worry about scaling. Whether you have a few clients or hundreds, the infrastructure is already in place. This allows you to focus on marketing, customer acquisition, and growing your business without worrying about the backend.
6. Professional Support
Another significant benefit of white label apps is that the app’s developer usually offers ongoing support and updates. If any technical issues arise, the original developer will handle them. This makes it easier for you as a reseller because you don’t need to have a deep understanding of app development to provide a solid product.
7. Minimal Technical Expertise Required
One of the biggest advantages of reselling white label apps is that you don’t need to be a coding expert or a developer to succeed. The app’s development and technical aspects are handled by the original creator. As a reseller, your focus is on branding, customization, and selling the app to your clients. This opens the door for non-technical entrepreneurs, digital marketers, and business owners to enter the mobile app market without needing in-depth knowledge of software development.
8. Reduced Risk
Launching a custom app comes with a lot of financial and operational risks, from project delays to potential software bugs or failures. With a white label app, these risks are significantly minimized. The app has already been tested, refined, and optimized by the original developer. As a result, you’re working with a proven product, which means you can focus on growing your customer base without worrying about technical pitfalls or the risk of investing in a product that may not work as expected.
Are White Label Apps Different from Custom Apps?
Yes, white label apps and custom apps are different in a few key ways, which we’ll explore below:
1. Development Time and Cost
Custom apps require significant time and resources to develop. The process starts with brainstorming and creativity, followed by user research, wireframing, prototyping, coding, testing, and finally launching. Depending on the complexity of the app, this can take anywhere from a few months to over a year.
In contrast, white label apps are pre-built. They are already developed and tested, drastically reducing both time and cost. You’re essentially buying a finished product that only needs your branding. While custom apps give you more control over the features and design, the lengthy development time and high cost may make them impractical for many businesses.
2. Customization Flexibility
Custom apps offer complete flexibility in terms of design and features. Since they are built from the ground up, you can specify exactly what you want, from the user interface to backend functionality. However, this comes with a higher cost and a longer development timeline.
White label apps, on the other hand, come with predefined features and limited customization options. You can change things like the logo, color scheme, and a few minor design elements, but the core features of the app are set. If you need something highly specific to your business, a custom app may be a better choice. However, for most businesses, the customization options available in a white label app are more than sufficient.
3. Ownership
With a custom app, you own the code and the intellectual property. It’s your unique product, and you have complete control over it. If you want to make changes, integrate new features, or even sell it later on, you can do so.
When you resell a white label app, the ownership of the code remains with the original developer. You have the right to rebrand and resell it, but the developer retains control of the underlying technology. However, this isn’t a disadvantage in most cases because the app has already been built to high standards, and the developer takes care of the ongoing maintenance and updates.
4. Risk
Custom app development carries a higher level of risk. The project may go over budget, take longer than expected, or encounter technical issues that delay the launch. There’s also the risk that the app may not meet your users’ needs or generate the revenue you expect.
White label apps, on the other hand, are a lower-risk option. The app has already been developed and tested, so you know exactly what you’re getting. You can focus on marketing and sales rather than worrying about technical problems or delays.
Tips for Reselling White Label Apps
Now that you know what white label apps are and how they differ from custom apps, let’s dive into some practical tips for becoming a successful white label app reseller.
1. Find a Profitable Niche
Choosing a specific industry or market to target can greatly increase your chances of success. Whether it’s e-commerce, health and fitness, hospitality, or security, focusing on a niche allows you to tailor your marketing efforts and better understand your customers’ unique needs. For example, if you target the restaurant industry, you can highlight features such as online ordering, menu customization, and loyalty programs.
Focusing on a niche allows you to offer more personalized solutions, which helps build trust with potential clients. Additionally, when you understand a specific market well, you can better communicate the app’s value and position it as the ideal solution for your target customers.
2. Understand Your Customer’s Pain Points
Before you start marketing a white label app, make sure you understand your customer’s pain points and challenges. What issues can this app solve? For instance, if you’re targeting small businesses, they may struggle with customer engagement or mobile presence. You can position your white-label app as a solution to these problems, emphasizing how it can improve customer relationships and increase revenue.
Understanding your target audience’s needs allows you to create a more compelling sales pitch, which will facilitate deal closing.
3. Offer Additional Customization and Branding Services
While white label apps come with standard customization options (like adding a logo and changing the color scheme), you can differentiate yourself by offering additional customization services. For example, you can provide personalized icons, app store optimization (ASO), or even help clients design a unique app interface that matches their brand’s identity.
Offering these extras not only makes your service more valuable but also allows you to charge a premium for your white label app solution.
4. Set Competitive Pricing
Pricing is crucial to the success of your white label app reselling business. You want to price your product competitively but also ensure you’re covering your costs and making a profit. If you’re offering the app as part of a SaaS model, think carefully about the pricing tiers and what each package includes.
Many resellers adopt a tiered pricing strategy, offering a basic package with limited features and then premium packages with more customization options or advanced functionality. This allows you to target both small businesses with limited budgets and larger companies that are willing to pay for more features.
5. Provide Excellent Customer Support
As a white label reseller, your clients will rely on you for support. While the app’s original developer usually handles technical support, your customers will expect you to be their first point of contact. Make sure you have a solid support system in place, whether that’s via email, live chat, or phone.
Providing excellent customer service will help you build strong relationships with your clients, leading to better retention rates and more referrals.
6. Leverage Social Proof
When selling white label apps, customer testimonials and case studies can be powerful marketing tools. Potential clients want to see evidence that the app works and that other businesses have benefited from it. Ask your existing clients for testimonials or offer discounts in exchange for case studies that you can use on your website and marketing materials.
Best Practices for Reselling White Label Apps
To become a successful white label software reseller, it’s essential to follow best practices that will help you grow your business and build trust with your clients. Here are a few key practices to keep in mind:
1. Partner with a Reputable Provider
Choosing the right white label app provider is crucial, especially if you’re looking to succeed as a SaaS white label reseller. Work with a company that has a solid track record of delivering high-quality, scalable, and reliable apps. The last thing you want is to sell an app that crashes or has frequent technical issues. Look for providers that offer regular updates, ongoing support, and easy customization options.
For example, PureVPN offers a comprehensive white label solution, including mobile apps and websites, that you can brand as your own. Their reliable infrastructure ensures that your clients will have a smooth and seamless experience.
2. Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
The mobile app market is constantly evolving, and new trends and technologies are emerging constantly. Stay informed about these trends and ensure that your white-label app offering remains competitive. For instance, if you’re targeting businesses in the e-commerce space, you might want to explore apps that integrate with AR (augmented reality) or support mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Being aware of industry trends allows you to offer cutting-edge solutions and ensures that your clients’ apps stay relevant in a rapidly changing market.
3. Build a Strong Brand Identity
Even though you’re reselling a white label app, it’s still important to build a strong brand identity for your business. Customers need to feel that they’re buying from a reputable company that they can trust. Invest in professional branding, including a well-designed website, clear messaging, and marketing materials that highlight the benefits of your white label apps.
Your brand’s reputation plays a huge role in your ability to attract and retain clients. Position yourself as an expert in your niche and consistently deliver high-quality solutions.
4. Focus on Marketing and Sales
As a white label app reseller, your primary focus should be on marketing and sales. Since the app provider handles the technical development and maintenance, you can dedicate your time to finding new customers, creating compelling marketing campaigns, and building relationships with your clients.
Leverage digital marketing techniques like search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, social media advertising, and content marketing to promote your white label apps. You can also run webinars or offer free consultations to demonstrate the value of the app to potential clients.
5. Offer Training and Onboarding
Once a client purchases your white label app, they may need help getting started. Offer training and onboarding services to ensure they know how to use the app effectively. This could include step-by-step tutorials, webinars, or one-on-one training sessions. A smooth onboarding experience increases customer satisfaction and reduces the likelihood of churn.
Why Choose PureVPN for White Label Apps to Resell?
If you’re looking for a reliable and robust solution to resell white label apps, PureVPN offers one of the best white label reseller programs available today. Their white label program provides a comprehensive mobile app solution that you can fully rebrand and resell under your name. Here’s why you should consider partnering with PureVPN for white label apps:
- Complete Solution: PureVPN’s white label solution includes everything you need to get started, from the mobile app itself to a full website, billing system, and ongoing customer support. You can focus on growing your business while PureVPN handles the technical side.
- Fast Time-to-Market: PureVPN’s white label app is fully developed and ready for rebranding, allowing you to get your app to market quickly. This means you can start earning revenue faster.
- Recurring Revenue Model: The PureVPN white label program allows you to sell the app on a subscription basis, creating a recurring revenue stream for your business. With the growing demand for privacy and security solutions, this is a lucrative market to enter.
- Scalable Solution: Whether you’re reselling to small businesses or larger enterprises, PureVPN’s infrastructure is scalable, ensuring that your clients have a smooth and reliable experience regardless of their number of users.
- Ongoing Support: PureVPN offers 24/7 support, ensuring that you and your clients have access to assistance whenever it’s needed.
Conclusion
Reselling white label software for resell, especially apps, is an exciting business opportunity that allows you to enter the mobile app market without the heavy costs and long timelines associated with custom app development. By becoming a white label app reseller, you can provide valuable services to your clients, expand your product offerings, and generate recurring revenue.
With the right strategy, tools, and provider, reselling white label apps can be a highly profitable venture. By focusing on your niche, understanding customer needs, providing excellent support, and partnering with a reliable white label provider like PureVPN, you can build a successful and scalable business.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to break into the mobile app market or an established business seeking to expand your service portfolio, reselling white label apps offers numerous benefits. Just remember to stay customer-focused, provide competitive pricing, and always strive to deliver high-quality, reliable apps to your clients.
PureVPN’s white label program is a great option to consider if you’re ready to start your own white label app reselling business.