Starting a business is a big step that needs care, attention, and consideration. You don’t want to jump into any opportunity before doing research to identify if the opportunity is viable and the right step for you.
Below you’ll find the steps needed to start a phone case business plus a few key points to consider, followed by a collection of resources you can use now and in the future. Let’s get started with the steps.
Steps to Starting a Phone Case Business
1. Make Sure Running a Business Is Right For You
Some people want to run a business, while others like working with the business’s products and services but don’t like management.
It’s important to be passionate about your business; otherwise, you will look for a way out instead of solutions when problems arise.
Ask yourself a few questions to see if you are on the right track. For example:
- Can you see yourself owning and operating a phone case business for the next few years?
- Are you passionate about phone cases?
- If there were no restrictions and you had the choice to do whatever you wanted with your life, would you still move forward with this business?
- Why do you want to open a phone case business?
- What do you expect from your business, financial freedom, being your own boss, prestige, a way out of a job you dislike?
The above questions can only be answered by you, and your answers will give you more clarity as to what you really want.
For more, see Business Startup Considerations.
2. Research
Business Research
The time you take to do research will pay off. The more you know about a business, the better your decisions and the final outcome you’ll have.
You need to speak with experienced people in the field to get accurate information.
See my article below for a few exercises that will get you on the right track and keep you from making mistakes based on inaccurate information.
See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start for more.
Target Audience
Understanding your target audience allows you to visualize your customers and set up your business to your customer’s preferences.
For more, see, How To Understand Your Target Market.
3. Setup Considerations
For this step, you must imagine how your business will be set up.
For example:
- Are you considering a Kiosk set up in a mall?
- Are you planning a storefront?
- Are you planning on an online operation or online and a brick-and-mortar business?
- Will you open a home-based business?
- Are you considering a full-time or part-time operation?
- Will you do all the work yourself?
- Are you planning on resale or making your own cases?
- Will you offer custom designs?
- Do you want to build a brand?
- Are you considering add-ons, such as phone repairs, accessories, or even phone sales?
Answering the above questions will help you set up your business effectively.
4. Choosing The Right Business Location
Your location is very important unless your operation is online. For example, if you are focusing on a brick-and-mortar business, you must locate in an area with a demand for phone cases, or it doesn’t make sense to open.
If you’re planning a brick-and-mortar operation then you’ll need to locate it in a busy area, for example, a kiosk in a popular mall, where thousands of people walk by every day. You need to make your display attractive and you need to have a wide selection of desirable cases.
For more, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.
5. Choose a Business Name
Choosing a business name is important, especially if you put your name on your phone cases. Your business name has to be memorable, catchy, and available for registration. You’ll also want a domain name to match your business name.
For this important step, see How To Register a Business Name. Also, check out the latest search results offering Name Ideas for a phone case business.
6. Business Registration
You’ll have to register your business to comply with the laws in your area. I suggest looking at the link below to get a strong overview of what you need to register your business.
It’s also a good idea to speak with a professional, such as a lawyer or accountant, to get advice on your particular situation.
See, How to Register Your Business for all the details.
7. Create Your Corporate ID
A corporate ID is the artwork for items, such as business cards, promotional items, your website, your logo, stationary, etc.
It’s important to have your design created by a professional to leave a good impression on your customers.
See A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages for more.
8. Estimating Your Startup Cost
Depending on your operation, starting from home as a part-time business, operating online, or opening a storefront will determine your startup cost. Start by making a list of all the things you’ll need, and as you’re getting pricing, other issues will show up, and you can update your list.
It’s important to be as accurate as possible because if you estimate too high, your venture could luck risky, and if you estimate too low, you may run out of money before you can open your door to the public.
For more, see, Estimating Start-up Costs: Are you Missing Anything? Also, see, Business Expenses To Consider.
9. Writing a Business Plan
Your business plan is a roadmap to your destination and helps you stay on track once you are up and running.
It’s also an essential document when looking to attract investors and apply for financing.
For details, see How to Write a Business Plan.
10. Set up Your Banking
As a business owner, you’ll need to separate personal and business finances by opening a separate checking account. You can use your current bank or choose a new bank.
For more, see, How to Open a Business Bank Account and What Is a Merchant Account, and How to Get One.
11. Get the Funding for Your Operation
For this part of the startup process, you’ll need to make copies of your business plan and meet with lenders to discuss a business loan.
You may review the article below to prepare before meeting with a financial lender.
For ideas, see our article, Getting a Small Business Loan.
12. Software Setup
It’s time to look at software to help you manage your business.
For example, you may need an accounting program, and you can discuss the best option with your accountant. You may also need programs like those included in Microsoft Office, a popular business package.
In addition, browse through the available software for a phone case business that could be beneficial.
13. Get The Right Business Insurance
If there is an accident at your place of business, you will need sufficient insurance coverage.
If you are running this business out of your home, speak to your home insurance broker to ensure running a business out of your home will not void your current home insurance policy.
For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance.
14. Choose Suppliers
You will need a supplier that will ensure you have sufficient supplies in stock to make sales.
A great supplier can help you succeed, while a poor supplier negatively affects your company.
See, How To Choose a Supplier for tips and insights.
15. Physical Setup
For this step, you will focus on the setup of your business. Whether you have a storefront or are running an online operation, you will need everything to be organized so you do not waste time looking for things.
Your office is where you will spend most of your time managing your business. Therefore, your office will need to be fully equipped and organized to maximize productivity.
See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office for the details.
16. Creating a Website
Many people purchase a phone case online because it’s convenient; therefore, do you want to ensure your website is quick, mobile-ready, and contains all the information customers want?
If you’re designing phone cases, you can have an option for people to upload a graphic or photo where you can create a custom case for them.
You may have other accounts online where you can market your phone cases, such as a Facebook Page or even open up an Etsy store, but your website should be your main focus because you’ll have full control when you register a domain name and sign up for hosting.
For more, see our page on How to Build a Website.
17. Create an External Support Team
An external support team includes professionals who can help you with services and advice. They are not on your payroll but are paid by the hour, on a retainer, or by the job.
Your team may consist of a lawyer, an accountant, a graphic designer, an IT professional, a webmaster, etc. Building your team may take months or years, but once it’s in place, you have a group of people you can count on when you plan to expand your business or need advice.
For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors.
18. Hiring Employees
You may be planning to do everything yourself, and that’s a good idea to keep your cost down, but when you expand, you may need to hire employees. Ensure you hire the right people for every position, and make sure you don’t overhire.
For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.
Considerations
Who Will Buy A Case?
You do have to consider how many people already have a case for their phones. I would say quite a few. I know that I purchased my case when I purchased the phone. Have I ever replaced it? No, I haven’t so I wouldn’t be a good customer for someone selling cell phone cases.
In order to make an impact, you need to do some effective marketing and make your phone cases desirable. People may not need a new case, but if they find a case that appeals to them more than the one they have then they may make a purchase based on desire and not need.
Make Cell Phone Cases Desirable
You need to have a wide variety, including name brands, and desirable functions, for example, a case that protects your phone and holds credit cards or cash.
Style is an aspect that will make your cases more desirable, especially for those interested in fashion. Fashionable name-brand cases will appeal to them. Another aspect is the graphic on the case. E.g SIFI fans may find graphics on the case related to the latest movie desirable.
Addons
You may add additional products and services that go with cell phone cases. For Example, accessories such as chargers, cables, screen protectors, cell phone repair ( which you can subcontract,), etc.
Getting Customers Through The Door
Once your business is open, don’t expect customers to walk through your door without marketing your business. You’ll need to take action to bring awareness to your phone case business.
For a list of tips, see our article How To Get Customers Through the Door, to find a few ideas you can use.
Grand Opening
Creating a memorable grand opening for your new business is important, as it will engage the community and attract new customers.
For an overview, see, How To Plan a Grand Opening.
More Marketing Ideas
Marketing is an essential process for any business owner. The key to successful marketing is tracking your campaigns and doing more of what works.
See our marketing section to spark your creativity for more ideas to market your business.
Profit
Regarding profit, you can’t just look at your profit per case. Instead, you have to look at the whole picture. So, for example, if you make $10 per case in profit, you still have to factor in other business expenses. So the 10 dollars is not net profit.
No one can tell you how much profit to expect unless they understand your business costs. A rule of thumb is keeping costs minimum without sacrificing customer service or quality.
See, Factors Affecting Business Profit
Pricing
You can get an idea of the pricing for phone cases that can give you a starting point for where you set yours. When pricing your products, you need to accurately determine your costs to calculate profit per sale.
See the latest phone case prices and tips for setting your prices.
Resources
This part of the post contains resources you can use during the startup phase and when your business is up and running.
Most links lead to search results, so you always have updated information anytime you use this page. You may want to bookmark it to return to use the resources.
Trends and Statistics
Studying trends and statistics gives you a strong overview of your industry. You may find something missing in the phone case industry that you can use for a competitive edge. Or on the other hand, you may find something you’re missing that you need to include.
See phone case trends and statistics for the latest.
Top Phone Case Businesses
Studying the competition gives you an idea of what you’re up against.
You’ll get an idea of your competition’s pricing, product services, and warranties. But, here again, you may find something missing that the competition is overlooked, or you might find something that you’ve missed. Then, you can include it in your business.
I suggest you spend some quality time studying top phone case businesses.
The Future of The Phone Case Industry
Researching the future of the phone case industry can provide a glimpse into the future of your industry.
For example, new material is coming to make the protection of phones more effective. You could start planning to use this material to create your phone cases.
This could give you a headstart and a competitive edge.
The future of the phone case industry.
Terminology
You will need to know the terminology used the in the phone industry.
You will pick up the terminology once your business is up and running, but why not take some time to brush up on it using the link below.
See the latest search results for phone case industry terminology.
Knowledge Is Power if You Use It!
There’s a lot of information on phone cases and running a business. The links below lead to various resources you can use to stay up-to-date with the industry.
Blogs
Blogs are an excellent way to stay up-to-date with the latest information.
Subscribe to as many blogs as possible. Then, when the information starts to flow to your inbox, you can unsubscribe to those that don’t offer much value. In the end, you’ll have a selection of hand-picked blogs that deliver valuable information.
- Cell phone blogs to follow
News
Using a site like Google News allows you to filter results according to your search query. You can even set up alerts to get a notification for the new stories that the media covers.
- See Google’s news search results related to the phone case industry
- News search results related to a phone case business
Videos
YouTube is another source of information you can use to get the latest videos related to the phone case industry. So why not take a few minutes to see the latest videos published on YouTube related to phone cases?