What is a White Label tech solution? When and why you can consider using it for your small business.

White Label tech solutions are known for a while and are now gaining their popularity because the tech world is developing faster than ten or fifteen years ago. For new businesses, it’s now crucial to create a product that will be thought out and strong enough to stand out on short notice. So already, there are tons of such solutions represented by the companies (who originally built it or bought) ready to customize them to ‘any’ customer needs. It’s a healthy alternative to the ‘custom building’ and ‘Software as Service’ but like them has its strong and weak sides.

So without further ado let’s look through the White Label ‘phenomenon’ and its pros, cons.

What is White Label?

White labeling is when a product/service produced by a provider to be bought by a ‘reseller’ rebranded and resold again to an end customer. Simpler said you will pay an original manufacturer for the right to sell their products on behalf of your company.

White labeling can be applied to anything so software, web development services are not an exception. Sometimes it can be confused with outsourcing so it makes sense to look through related definitions too to see the differences.

Outsourcing means hiring another company-provider or independent specialist to work on specific projects, custom building the needed solution. Usually, the software created by the company-provider belongs entirely to the hiring client.

Private labeling seems pretty similar to white labeling but there is a minor difference. Private labeling is all about unique products modified specifically for one’s brand.

When you should consider a White Label tech solution?

A newly created business is always a challenge but you actually can make a benefit from the white label for a business that is on the market for some time too.

Outlining, the white-label solution fits best when:

1. You want to scale the services you provide for the clients

Sometimes clients need more than you currently provide. If you see that clear need but don’t have a big budget and time to create your own solution you can fit the gaps using WL.

2. You need a fast digital representation for newly created business

Sometimes with the creative idea, it’s now or never. You need a digital representation fast, the deadline is yesterday to fill the new market. In this case, WL solution works great, with a few customizations you get a working product that can serve as a good starting point.

3. You want to attract bigger clients 

This point is slightly related to the 1 point,  the more services you provide the more you create a system. Usually, bigger customers value a ‘one-stop’ solutions that can fulfill all company needs. So WL solution can support you in creating an ecosystem in your sector.

4. You want to appear like a big player 

To scale the services there are simpler ways as Co-branding but if you want to add more products and services under your company’s name and make it right away the WL solution is your way to go.

5. You want to boost up the inner processes by adding the digital solution

Developing a new custom solution takes a lot of energy and time, especially if you have no experience in it.

When White Label tech solution won’t be a good fit?

There are situations when white labeling is not your way to go:

1. Your company is self-sufficient enough to handle everything including custom development.

2. You don’t have an in-house tech team but have a decent budget and not tight deadlines.

3. You don’t have enough budget for the high-quality White Label tech solution. You will increase the risks for your business if you choose low-quality tools simply because they are “affordable”;

Pros and Cons of White Labeling

PROS:

+ Time saver

Creating your own custom software takes a lot of time and effort. You can’t finish this in a week, as you will spend your and your teams’ time on concept creation, and even more time on development and testing. 

With white label platforms, you will get everything within weeks.

+ Money saver

Of course, it depends on the solution that you need and the payment flow the provider has. 

+ Entering the market fully armed/ Standing out from the competition 

Some markets are crazy competitive and you need to make a loud statement about your company right away. A high-quality WL solution can help you to stand out on the initial stage and make it fast.

+ Right away revenue 

Of course, the fully custom solution is a priority but in the initial stage, the WL solution can let you get the first revenue and work on the custom solution at the same time.

+ Focus on other things

With no headache about digital solutions for your business, you can fully focus on other aspects.

+ Adding value for your clients

Adding new features and opportunities for your clients will help you in building a relationship with them and attract the new ones/ scale the target audience.

CONS:

– Limited opportunities

“Purchasing” the ready solution you are limited by the features and quality that it currently has. So it’s from the start can’t be a total fit for your business.

– You will have to take the responsibility for all weaknesses in this software

Either way, it’s custom-made or White Label software you will have to take responsibility for any data leaks or other problems so if you made a wrong decision about the provider you can’t be sure about the quality and risks.

– Your customers will want more

Sounds rather good but in the case, with WL solutions you’re limited within their features and usually won’t be able to scale.

– Support issues

If you’re not tech-savvy and don’t have an IT expert this can become a problem if the WL provider doesn’t offer label support.

– White label provider can be your competitor

It may turn out that your White Label partner is actually selling to your target audience.

– Price and Quality

Don’t be in a rush and choose your platform thoughtfully. You will work on a chosen platform for some time. Make sure you’ll choose quality over price.

– Hidden branding

There’s not much to add to this, you need to make a very thoughtful decision picking the provider.

Criteria of the good White Label provider

So how you can find out if a provider is worthy of your trust:

Make your research

People’s honest reviews are the most reliable source of information. There are platforms where you can find feedback from real people who have already used specific tools. However, the platform should be trusted too as white label solution clients usually want to remain anonymous. You need to be sure that the platform validates the reviews.

Information from a website

Usually, the provider will mention all the needed info on the website. Don’t forget about the “Pricing” page to learn what you can get at different prices. It’s important to know your future limitations and opportunities.

Don’t hesitate to outline all the questions that you have and ask them.

Live Demo

You will want to have a specialist give you a screen share demo. Screenshots aren’t enough.

OUTLINE:

White Label solutions are popular for a reason and can be a great foundation to start. Yet like any business decision, it requires research and time to look through all ins and outs. With the modern more customizable solutions white-labeling doesn’t mean that you will lose your brand’s identity.

It’s not an alternative for all companies so before looking for a reliable partner be ready to spend some time reviewing the options.