What Is Branded Dropshipping and How Do You Start? (6 Tips)

Dropshipping is a go-to business model if you want to start selling products online without a significant initial investment.

But let’s take a look at a more specific approach: branded dropshipping.

While traditional dropshipping often involves selling generic products, branded dropshipping improves this by allowing you to create and grow your own brand.

In this guide, we will explore what branded dropshipping really is and how you can start with it!

What is branded dropshipping?

Branded dropshipping is an approach where you sell products under your own exclusive brand rather than a supplier’s generic label.

This means everything you sell is unique to your store, from the product itself to the packaging and even the way you communicate with your customers!

Think of it like this: in normal dropshipping, you might sell a generic product that many other stores could also sell.

Here's an example of a typical product for traditional dropshipping:

It’s like being one of many cafes selling the same brand of coffee.

However, with branded dropshipping, you get to sell coffee under your own brand name, with your unique blend and packaging.

It’s your exclusive coffee that people come back for, not just any coffee.

Here's an example of how the slippers above are sold by a branded dropshipping store:

Looks more attractive, right?

Branded dropshipping is powerful because it allows you to:

• Build a recognizable brand. Your own logo, style, and product designs make your brand recognizable. As your brand becomes more recognized, your customers will trust you more and come back for more purchases.
• Differentiate your products. By adding unique touches, you make your products different and more appealing compared to other dropshipping stores.
• Improve customer loyalty. When customers connect with your brand’s story and identity, they are more likely to return and recommend your store to others.
• Ask for higher prices. Branded products are often sold at higher prices than generic ones because customers perceive them as having higher value.

However, branded dropshipping is not just about putting your logo on a product.

It’s about creating an experience that resonates with your customers at every interaction, from the moment they land on your website, through the unboxing experience, to how they use the product and the support they receive.

How do you start a branded dropshipping store?

Starting a branded dropshipping store might seem like a lot of work at first, but when you break it down, it comes down to the following steps:

Step 1: Find a supplier that supports white labeling

It all begins with finding the right supplier, one who allows you to customize products (also known as white labeling).

White labeling is when a supplier allows you to brand a product as your own, so it appears to come directly from you, not the manufacturer.

You can brand these products with your logo and packaging, and even customize the design if the supplier allows.

Here is an overview of dropshipping suppliers that offer white labeling:

Supplier	Location	Niche	Pricing
CJdropshipping	China	General	Free
HyperSKU	China	General	Free
Supliful	US	Supplements	$0 / $49 / $349 per month
viaGlamour	Canada	Beauty	$27 / $99 / $249 per month
Dripshipper	US / EU	Coffee	$30 / $99/ $197 per month
Blanka	US / Canada	Beauty	$39 / $79 / $149 per month
Printful	Worldwide	Print on demand	$0 / $25 per month
Jubilee	US	Beauty	$29 / $49 / $99 per month
MagicSoaps	US	Soap bars	Free

All these suppliers can help you launch branded products!

For example, take a look at Supliful:

Once you've found a potential supplier, you need to evaluate them to ensure they meet your needs.

To do so, you can order samples from them, test their customer service, and make sure they can accommodate the customizations you're looking for.

Step 2: Develop a brand identity

This is a step that's skipped by most dropshipping stores.

However, it's a must for branded dropshipping!

A brand identity defines who you are as a brand, what you stand for, and how you communicate to your audience.

Developing a brand identity starts with understanding your brand's core, which consists of your brand's values, missions, and target audience.

What are the core principles that drive your business? For example, is sustainability important, or perhaps the newest innovations?

Also, who are your products for?

Understanding your audience's demographics (age, gender, interests), their needs, and their buying behavior will help you with designing your online store and marketing campaigns.

For example, Outlaw is clearly designed for an audience that loves things like the rich leather of a saddle shop, the smoky scent of a campfire, the sweetness of whiskey, and the desert:

Once you have a clear picture of your brand core, you can start developing your visual identity.

This consists of the following:

• Logo design. Your logo is often the first point of contact with your audience, so it should be simple, memorable, and a reflection of your brand. Consider hiring a professional designer if possible.
• Color scheme and typography. Colors and fonts convey emotion and values. Choose a palette that reflects the personality of your brand, like green for eco-friendliness, or bold and bright colors for a youthful, energetic brand.

Another part of your brand identity is your brand voice.

So, decide how you want to communicate with your customers.

Will your brand voice be friendly and informal, or more polished and professional? The most important thing is that the tone resonates with your target audience.

For example, Pawsitive Vibes is filled with catchy messages like 'Drama Free Returns' and 'You Shop, We Give':

Step 3: Customize your products to fit your brand

The next step is to ensure that the products you sell reflect your brand’s identity.

If you're new to customization, start with simple changes like custom packaging or adding branded labels to your products.

As your business grows, you can always start with more significant customizations such as unique product designs or custom product features.

But again, even smaller changes can make big differences.

For instance, we would recommend focusing on the packaging first.

It is often a relatively accessible change, and packaging is the first tangible interaction customers have with your brand.

As an example, the dropshipping store HeadlampPRO took this product from AliExpress:

And created the following packaging for it:

Looks great, right?

Here are some other branding opportunities for your product:

• Add your logo to the product or packaging
• Add your brand colors to the product or packaging
• Customize the product's label
• Change the design of the product itself
• Change the materials of the product
• Include branded product instructions
• Include thank you cards
• Include informational booklets

Step 4: Build your online store

You've got your supplier, brand identity, and customized product.

What's next?

Setting up a dropshipping store where your customers can shop!

And for this, you need an ecommerce platform.

Again, we will make it easy for you! Here are some of the best ecommerce platforms for dropshipping:

You need:	The best option(s) for you:
The best platform overall	Shopify
The most flexible and best SEO performance	WooCommerce
The platform that's built specifically for dropshippers	ShopBase
The cheapest option	Shift4Shop (in the US) or ShopBase

Basically, Shopify is the best ecommerce platform for dropshipping overall for the following reasons:

• It is really easy to start a Shopify store as a beginner
• It is affordable and scalable
• It offers world-class customer support
• It has the speed and security you need
• It offers marketing and SEO tools
• It is mobile friendly
• And lastly, it provides resources and apps specifically for dropshipping stores!

Tip: Have you already created your Shopify account? If not, sign up by clicking this link here to get a free 3-day trial + 1 month for $1!

That said, Shopify isn't the best platform for everyone.

For instance, if you're looking to start selling as soon as possible, ShopBase might be a better option. Or, if you're a coding wizard, you can have lots of fun with WooCommerce since it's open-source.

Either way, if you don't know which ecommerce platform is best for your business, we also have a quiz for you!

Step 5: Market your brand

Now, it's time to bring your brand to life!

And for that, you need marketing.

The most popular way to market a branded dropshipping store is through social media.

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are fantastic to showcase products, share customer reviews, and engage directly with your audience.

Here is an overview of the marketing methods you can use for dropshipping:

If you're not familiar with all of them yet, let us give you an overview of how they work:

• Facebook Ads. These are advertisements on Facebook or Instagram. You can show your ads to specific groups of people, like those who love fitness or hiking.
• Google Ads. Show up when potential customers search for products you offer on Google. You can target keywords and pay per click.
• Influencer marketing. Know those popular people on Instagram or YouTube? You can team up with them! They can show off your products to their fans.
• TikTok. The newest popular social media platform. You can learn more about dropshipping with TikTok here!
• Pinterest. This is a great platform for some niches to run paid ads or grow free traffic.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Fancy term, right? It simply means making sure your store appears when people search on Google. It's a long-term game but can drive organic (read: free) traffic.
• Email marketing. Collect emails and share special deals or news about products with your audience.

Marketing is both an art and a science.

It's about finding the perfect mix of marketing methods that work for your specific niche and audience.

Try to monitor your ads to understand what's working and what’s not, and iterate your strategy accordingly.

If you want to learn more about how to market your dropshipping business, we recommend reading our in-depth marketing guide here!

6 Tips to brand your dropshipping store

Now you hopefully know how important branding for a dropshipping store is, right?

Here are some more tips that will help you with the branding of your store:

1. Get a memorable name and logo

Let's start with this one.

Do you know why it is important to name your dropshipping store correctly?

Well…

Because the name is part of the identity of your dropshipping store.

If you have a great brand name, then that name will stick with people.

For example, you probably know what brand we're talking about when we write down the following words:

• Apple
• LG
• Chrome
• Amazon

Easy, right?

That’s the power of having an awesome name for your store.

Just like the name of your store, a logo can be remembered easily by your visitors.

For example, you can probably name all the three brands below:

That was easy, right?

2. Take care of your customers

If you want your customers to come back to your dropshipping store and remain loyal to your brand, then you need to focus on providing a great experience.

Start thinking about your customers first, instead of your own pockets.

You don’t want any bad reviews, trust us. (Although, it can have its benefits if you handle it correctly)

Here are some examples of what not to do:

Do you see the trend?

On the other hand, did you know that 72% of customers will share a positive experience with six or more people?

This means more customers for you!

3. Share your story

Sharing your brand's story is a powerful way to connect with your audience on a deeper level.

You can share why you started your brand, the challenges you've faced, what motivates you, and what you hope to achieve.

For instance, if you started your dropshipping store to provide eco-friendly products, share your personal views on sustainability and why it matters.

The "About Us" page is a great place to share your story, but you can also do it in your product descriptions, or even through your marketing campaigns.

For example, take a look at the About Us page of Tarte Cosmetics:

Videos can also be very effective in creating an emotional connection.

A video that shows behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the team, or a day in the life at your company can make your story come alive in ways that words alone cannot.

And don't forget about social media! For example, if you receive a thank you note from a customer, you might share it on social media along with a message that ties back to your brand’s mission of exceptional customer service.

4. Always prioritize quality

If your goal is to create a branded dropshipping store, you should always prioritize quality.

Here are some aspects that show quality should be a priority:

• Quality products. If you're selling items that people use frequently or that are meant to last (like clothing, accessories, or home goods), durability is as important as appearance.
• Quality customer experience. This includes having a website that is easy to use, loads quickly, and provides an easy checkout process. But it's also about customer service. If a customer receives a defective product, fix the issue as soon as possible.
• Quality product packaging. High-quality packaging protects the product and improves the customer's unboxing experience, making it more likely they will order from you again.

Consistently prioritizing quality can lead to satisfied repeat customers, positive reviews, and referrals, all of which are essential for the long-term success of your brand!

5. Invest in professional product photography

Professional photos are essential when customers cannot physically touch or see the products before purchasing. They show your customers that you care about how your items are presented.

When setting up your product photography, consider the following:

• Use high-resolution images. This is important because it allows your visitors to zoom in and take a closer look at the details, textures, and colors of the products.
• Maintain a consistent style. This includes the same backgrounds, lighting, and angles. Consistency helps in creating a website that looks more pleasing and professional.
• Show different angles and uses. For instance, if you are selling a backpack, show it being worn by a model, open it to reveal inside pockets, or demonstrate its waterproof capabilities if that’s a feature.

Investing in lifestyle shots can also be a great idea. These are photos where your products are shown in a real-life context.

For example, if you’re selling kitchenware, images of your products being used in a kitchen during meal preparation can make it easier for customers to imagine using them in their own lives.

6. Be consistent in your branding across all platforms

Consistency in branding across all platforms is a must for building a recognizable brand.

When your brand looks and feels the same, whether on your website, social media, or in packaging, it helps customers remember you.

If a customer sees your post on Instagram and decides to visit your website, they should immediately feel like they are in the same place!

So, take your brand identity and make sure that your website, social media profiles, and even your email newsletters have the same visual style and tone of voice.

For example, if you're using a warm and friendly tone on your website, use the same tone in your customer service interactions.

It’s also important to maintain this consistency in the physical products, like your packaging and any printed materials like business cards, flyers, or thank you notes included in orders.

Summary

Before we go, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:

• Branded dropshipping allows you to sell products under your own brand and make your store different from most other dropshipping stores that sell generic products.
• Start with finding a supplier that allows you to create products that carry your unique brand identity.
• A strong brand identity involves a memorable name and logo, and deciding on your brand's visual and communicative style.
• Customize your products to fit your brand, including packaging.
• Prioritize quality in every aspect of your business to build a trustworthy and appealing brand.
• Sharing your brand's story helps create an emotional connection with your customers.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we've shown you the steps of starting a branded dropshipping business.

From selecting the right supplier who supports white labeling to effectively marketing your brand.

Remember that each element of your store, whether it's the design of your logo, the quality of your products, or the way you interact with customers, contributes to your overall brand identity and reputation.

Thank you for following along and we hope this guide inspires you to start your own branded dropshipping store!

Want to learn more about dropshipping?

Ready to move your dropshipping store to the next level? Check out the articles below:

• Dropshipping vs. Private Labeling: What Is the Difference?
• 9 Ecommerce Stores That Started With or Use Dropshipping
• 12 Branded Dropshipping Store Examples (Inspiration in 2024)

Plus, don’t forget to check out our in-depth guide on how to start dropshipping here!