In a market flooded with generic phone cases, have you ever felt the pull to create something unique? With the US phone accessory market gearing up to reach $75.62 billion by 2026, there’s a vast audience seeking more than just the ordinary. That’s your cue to make your own phone cases—ones that resonate with individual style and still provide top-notch protection.
Why start your own phone case business?
Starting a custom phone case business has undeniable perks:
- Flexibility to sell phone cases online or from a physical kiosk.
- Their compact nature makes inventory and shipping a breeze.
- Production costs are typically low.
- You can opt for print on demand for minimal risk or buy in bulk to boost profit margins.
- Each new phone model opens doors, especially since 44% of smartphone users upgrade every 2.5 years.
What do you need to start a phone case business?
The main thing any business owner needs when starting a phone case business is a good plan of action. There are many different kinds of cases out there for various types of phones. Make sure you know your options before diving into phone case design. Take a look at:
- Gel cases: Slim gel cases are easy to customize with a range of designs. They come with additional grip sections, so it’s easier to keep hold of your phone. Gel cases are affordable and versatile—perfect for a range of designs.
- Bumper cases: Bumper cases usually come with extra protection for the edges and sides of your phone. They may have a full gel section for covering the back of the device or simply wrap around the phone in certain spaces to prevent damage.
- Wallet cases: For sophisticated customers looking to protect their phone and screen simultaneously, wallet cases cover every part of the phone and defend against scratches. Most come in leather-style materials, which can be customized.
- Hard cases: Hard cases snap onto the phone and help to protect against damage. They’re great for keeping your phone in good condition, and they can last longer than some gel and rubber options. Hard cases can also be customized.
- Battery cases: Battery cases include built-in power sources that extend your phone’s battery life. These cases are bulkier but ideal for customers who need extra power on the go. They combine protection with functionality, making them perfect for heavy phone users or frequent travelers.
- Waterproof cases: Waterproof cases seal your phone entirely, protecting it from water, dust, and even snow. They’re ideal for outdoor enthusiasts or those who use their phones near water. These cases may also include additional features like floating mechanisms or underwater photo capabilities.
- Special cases: Special cases have unique features, like extra shock protection, built-in charging systems, and even hand-carved wood designs. Most of these cases cost a little more, but they can be very appealing to customers.
Tools like Keywords Everywhere can help you track the search volume for specific kinds of phones so you know where to begin.
Devices to make custom cases for
When starting your phone case business, another crucial decision is determining which phone models you’ll support. By targeting specific models or perhaps underserved smartphone niches, you open doors to unique market opportunities. For instance, spotting a demand for cases for an upcoming phone can position you ahead of the competition.
As you embark on your custom phone case journey, here are some key devices to consider:
iPhone models:
- iPhone X
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy models:
- Galaxy Z
- Galaxy F
- Galaxy S
- Galaxy A
- Galaxy M
Xiaomi models:
- Mi 9
- Mi 10
- Mi 11
- Xiaomi 11
- Xiaomi 12
- Xiaomi 13
How to make a phone case business: 11 steps to launch
Once you know what kind of cases you’re going to be designing and which phone types you’ll be targeting, it’s time to start mapping your path to launch. Though starting your own business can seem daunting at first, the evolving digital world makes it much easier to jump in than you’d think. Here’s what you need to make a phone case business:
1. Find a gap in the market
The best businesses come from discovering a market gap and building a strategy to fill that space. There are tons of phone case companies out there. Finding a specific niche to cater to will help you to build a memorable and competitive brand.
Remember, a specific niche means that you’ll have fewer companies to fight against when it comes to making your company stand out. Focusing on a niche like “eco-friendly” customers will also direct your business processes, determining which kinds of materials you’re going to use and which suppliers you can work with. For instance, you could consider making phone cases using sustainable or recycled materials.
Focusing on a single niche will even help you rank higher with Google, because you can target specific terms that make the most sense to your audience. So, how do you find a gap?
Look at Google Trends
Tools like Google Trends will help you find trending products in your industry, like “wooden” phone cases or “personalized” phone cases. You can also use this tool to determine which phones your customers are most interested in.
Conduct competitor analysis
Checking out your competition will help you see which audiences are already being targeted and which groups still need more options. For instance, you might notice that none of your competitors are offering phone cases specifically for moms, teachers, or professionals.
Speak to your customers
Try speaking to people in your potential target audience. Running surveys on forums and social media groups might help you collect valuable information about your potential niche.
Check out influencers
Visit social media and see what kinds of cases are getting the most attention. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are great places to find phone cases trending amongst audiences.
2. Determine your target audience
Determining your target audience is crucial for online sales. The right phone case design demands the right buyer. For instance, if you design a case inspired by various shades of nail polish, understanding who’s drawn to such designs becomes paramount.
Dig deep into data like:
- Occupation
- Interests
- Age range
- Lifestyle
- Daily routines
- Spending habits
Methods to gather this information vary between businesses. Many businesses tap into social media. Facebook Audience Insights can shed light on your potential customers. Others prefer a direct approach, reaching out and surveying their current customer base.
Different demographics have unique preferences. Younger audiences might gravitate toward designs inspired by trending nail polish colors. They might also, however, have budget constraints. Middle-aged buyers might invest in more durable cases, focusing less on design and more on function.
3. Create a business plan
Creating a business plan is essential for your journey to selling phone cases online. It helps outline your strategy, anticipate challenges, and determine the resources you’ll need to make your idea a reality.
Think about your goals for your phone case business. Do you envision your designs being featured in major retailers like Target? Or do you want to build a luxury brand found in exclusive boutiques? Perhaps you’re focused on running an online store with a loyal customer base.
As the business owner, you get to choose your direction. Once done, define your objectives clearly and let them guide your decisions as you build your brand.
4. Design some phone cases
With your business plan ready, it’s time to create those eye-catching phone cases. Here’s where you can get creative and experiment with different designs. Try making your own mockups in Photoshop, or use mockup tools from print-on-demand (POD) companies. These tools show your designs on various phone models, making it easier to visualize your creations.
Before printing, verify each option. Some companies only use specific techniques or cover limited areas of the case. Here’s how you can design your phone cases:
- Collaborate with designers: Connect with designers on platforms like Dribbble. You might find someone interested in a long-term partnership or designing full collections for you.
- Hire freelancers: There are plenty of affordable freelance artists who can create unique designs for your phone cases, tailored to various tastes.
- Let your audience contribute: Engage your social media followers to submit their own photos or designs for you to print on custom phone cases.
To sell custom phone cases successfully, offer a good selection of options. Don’t launch with just a couple of cases. A wide range appeals more to smartphone users.
5. Create a unique online brand
A brand refers to your identity or personality as a business. You can convey this through unique logos and color choices for your company, as well as a well-designed website, packaging strategy, and more. Branding makes your company more memorable to your target audience and helps to set you apart from the competition. Make sure you have:
- A unique logo to set your brand apart from the competition
- Attractive visuals like brand photography, animations, videos, and illustrations
- A color pallet to convey a specific identity and personality for your company—make sure you understand the psychology of colors before creating a palette
- Content and copywriting to showcase your unique tone of voice
- A brand name and mission statement that customers can remember
- A mission or set of brand values to help identify you to customers
It helps to research some of your competitors to see the kind of branding they’ve been trying to build. Make notes of what you like and dislike about similar brands and use the available resources online to start creating. Shopify, for instance, has its own video and logo maker.
6. Source your phone cases
Now it’s time to find a source to supply inventory to your business. There are a few options available here, such as:
Working with a manufacturer
It’s easy enough to find an affordable wholesale manufacturer with platforms like Alibaba and other online marketplaces. Here, you can search for all kinds of phone case types for different devices. You will need to buy in bulk, which means storing hundreds of cases at once, but you can save a lot of cash this way.
Using print on demand
Print-on-demand companies are ideal if you want to easily add your own designs to products and send them straight to customers. With print on demand, you choose a supplier to add your designs to your chosen phone cases, and those companies will create the pieces for you.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is one of the most affordable ways to source phone cases for your business. You choose a manufacturer who makes the kind of product you want, and they’ll ship your phone cases directly to your customers for you. Dropshipping tools like DSers give you countless phone accessories to choose from, and you can avoid having to look after your own stock.
Confused between the last two? Learn how print on demand compares to dropshipping to pick the right sourcing strategy for your business.
7. Decide your brand name and logo
If it looks like you can manufacture custom phone cases at a reasonable cost, it’s time to shape your public image. Start by picking a catchy business name and designing a unique logo.
Use tools like Shopify’s free logo maker to create your logo and brand assets. After answering a few questions about your business, the tool will suggest logos from hundreds of templates.
The best part? You can also create visual assets for your social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. This helps you maintain a consistent look across all your channels.
People are drawn to brands with compelling stories. So, weave your story into your brand name, logo, and website. This is especially crucial if you’re manufacturing phone cases. Get these elements ready before your first batch is done so you can start selling to mobile phone users immediately.
8. Price your cases
Choosing the right price point for a product can be one of the toughest parts of building your phone case business. If your price is too high, it will drive customers to your competitors. However, an extremely low price can indicate that you’re using lower-quality materials.
The pricing you choose needs to convey the high quality of your designs while still being affordable for your target market. Look at your competitors for an initial starting point to see what kind of prices they’re charging. Then, think about the factors that might affect your pricing, such as how long it takes to make the items you want to sell and how many resources you’ll need to hire.
Once you recoup the costs of making the product with your pricing, you’ll need to think about how much of a profit you want to make. Check out these pricing strategy options for more guidance.
9. Build your online store
Outside of designing your phone cases, building your online store is one of the most exciting things you’ll do when creating a new business. There are tons of great ways to start selling online, but it makes sense to start with a store builder that’s well-known and easy to use, like Shopify.
As you’re working on your mobile phones site, make sure to put up all the things that impact people’s perceptions of your business. Write engaging product descriptions, upload beautiful product images, and create noteworthy landing pages. Other things to consider include:
- About and Contact Us pages to build site credibility
- Checkout pages with multiple payment options
- Legal information like privacy policies and terms and conditions
- A blog or news page for content marketing
- Pop-ups and slide-ins for sharing offers with customers
Shopify comes with a range of excellent features so you can dive straight into your site development process. You can even choose from a set of beautiful ecommerce themes to apply, so you know your site is going to look great.
10. Choose your sales channels
Once you’ve set up an online store, the next step is choosing the right sales channels for your phone cases. Your choice affects how your brand is perceived and the resources you’ll need. Here are some common options:
Opening a store on an ecommerce platform. Platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce provide access to ready-made audiences but may limit your customization options. Expect transaction and hosting fees, though the trade-off is a broad, ready-to-buy customer base.
Running your own website. For full control over design and content, creating your own site is ideal. It allows you to integrate blogs, videos, and other content that can define your brand. However, it requires technical know-how and effective marketing strategies.
Selling on social media. Platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok help you reach segmented audiences and build a community around your brand. These channels are less customizable and may offer limited native selling tools, but they’re great for engaging directly with potential customers.
Choosing the right channel will shape your business’s identity and how you connect with your audience.
11. Promote your phone case brand
Finally, it’s time to start bringing people to your business.
Marketing your phone case brand is the key to collecting as many loyal customers as possible. Some promotional strategies can cost a fortune, while others are more affordable. Here are some tips to keep it lean and mean:
Leverage social media
Share vibrant phone case designs that resonate with trending topics or pop culture. A case themed on a recent blockbuster movie, for instance, can draw a lot of organic interest.
Engage through email
Craft engaging newsletters showcasing your newest designs. Send out a monthly “Phone Case Spotlight” or special offers, ensuring subscribers eagerly await your emails.
Collaborate with influencers
Find a YouTuber or TikToker in the tech or fashion space. A single review or unboxing video of your unique phone case can bring thousands to your storefront.
Strategize social media advertising
Target specific groups like comic book fans with ads for cases that carry their favorite characters. Facebook or Instagram are ideal platforms for such targeted campaigns.
Invest in paid ad campaigns
Consider running Google Ads with compelling taglines such as, “Your Phone’s New Best Friend.” A well-placed ad can significantly boost visibility and sales.
Is a phone case business profitable?
Starting a phone case business can be a lucrative venture in the online space. Personalized phone cases, in particular, maintain an enduring appeal.
Data from Technavio highlights the growing demand: with a 6.86% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the phone case market’s value is projected to increase by $13.33 billion between 2023 and 2027. Such a trend underscores the abundant opportunities awaiting ecommerce entrepreneurs.
From an operational standpoint, phone cases present fewer headaches. They’re durable, leading to fewer returns. Their lightweight nature ensures affordable shipping, and the profit margins can be appealing. Consider sourcing a phone case for $5 and selling it for over $10, achieving a neat 50% profit.
And the icing on the cake? Launching a phone case business requires minimal upfront costs. Set up an online store, integrate a dropshipping application, and you’re all set to begin in just a few hours.
How much does it cost to start a phone case business?
Launching a phone case business doesn’t always require a huge budget. Setting up your business name and getting the necessary permits might set you back about $400. Insurance, often overlooked, is vital; a basic policy can cost around $190.
Branding, even on a budget, makes a difference. With around $230, you can get professional-looking business cards and brochures. For your online presence, affordable or even free website platforms can help you start, costing approximately $500.
If you’re considering a dropshipping model, you eliminate inventory costs. However, you’ll want good design software. Open-source options or cost-effective subscriptions can come in at about $600. Overall, with strategic decisions, you might be launching your business for around $1,720.
Examples of successful phone case businesses
Burga
Burga is a highly popular phone case brand with a global reach. It’s known for leveraging visual appeal to drive engagement.
Burga’s homepage features an Instagram feed that showcases real customer photos. You’ll also find high-quality images of its stylish cases. These visual elements combine to create an engaging experience that draws in potential customers and strengthens brand loyalty.
Spigen
Spigen is a South Korean Shopify store that sells highly durable and resilient phone cases. Its homepage features dramatic displays of product strength—cases being stepped on, dropped from forklifts, and even launched from a plane with a parachute jumper.
Spigen’s strategy underscores the importance of visual storytelling. For anyone building a phone case store, it’s a great example of how to make your product’s strength and reliability clear. Consider incorporating powerful demonstrations into your marketing to highlight how your products handle real-world challenges.
Pela
Pela specializes in eco-friendly phone cases. Its range includes compostable options for phones and AirPods.
Pela’s website features intuitive filters that make it easy for visitors to find cases by device type, style, or color. Using such filters can simplify navigation and improve the shopping experience.
Take a cue from Pela’s approach and consider adding user-friendly filters to your own store to help customers quickly find what they need.
Launching a phone case brand in 2024
Launching a profitable phone case business takes effort and time. While typical phone case margins are thin, you can price yours higher by customizing them to fit your audience’s tastes.
Here’s a quick recap of the steps to launch your custom phone case business:
- Identify a market opportunity.
- Design custom phone cases.
- Develop your brand.
- Pick a way to source your cases.
- Choose a price point.
- Build your online phone case store.
- Promote your business.
Now that you know the steps, an exciting journey of building a phone case brand awaits. Take that first step and start creating something unique.
Phone case business FAQ
How much is the phone case industry worth?
The phone case market is set to grow significantly. It’s projected to increase from $6.57 billion in 2020 to $9.93 billion by 2026. This growth reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%, according to MarketWatch.
What makes a successful phone case business?
- Unique designs. Offer phone cases with eye-catching and original designs. Customizable options or limited editions can appeal to customers looking for something unique.
- Quality and durability. Your phone cases must offer solid protection while looking great. Choose high-quality materials like TPU or polycarbonate for durability and longevity.
- Competitive pricing. Set prices that reflect both quality and uniqueness without being too high. Balancing cost and value makes your cases appealing while ensuring profit.
- Effective marketing. Use social media, influencers, and ads to target your audience. Emphasize your brand’s unique selling points and engage with potential buyers to drive sales.
Are phone cases good for dropshipping?
Yes, phone cases make a great choice for dropshipping. They are light and easy to stock. You can easily find various styles from suppliers on platforms like AliExpress or Alibaba. Then sell them through your online store without keeping any inventory.