What is White Labeling? [Benefits, Examples, Top Solutions]

Been hearing the term white labeling thrown around a lot lately, and you’re clueless about what it means? What is White Labeling? 

Simply put, white labeling is when one company creates a product or service, but another company brands and sells it as their own. It allows businesses to offer solutions without having to develop them in-house.

This approach can be a huge time-saver for your business. Instead of developing something from scratch, you can focus on selling a product that already exists, all while keeping your brand strong. 

Meanwhile, the company provides white-labeled product benefits by tailoring its offerings to fit different businesses, allowing them to expand and grow.

It’s a mutually beneficial strategy that’s especially popular in the software industry. Stick around, and we’ll dive deeper into white labeling with real-world examples, showing you why it’s such a powerful tool and method.

What is White Labeling?

White labeling is a strategy where one company creates a product, and another company puts its own branding on it to sell to customers. This allows businesses to offer high-quality products without developing them from scratch.

Let’s say:

Company A (the manufacturer) produces a product or service and sells it to Company B (the buyer). Company B then rebrands and markets it under its own name and offers it to consumers. This practice is white labeling.

This allows Company B to offer a product or service as its own without investing in the development, production, or sometimes even the logistics. Essentially, Company A provides the expertise and production, while Company B focuses on branding and sales. 

By focusing on branding and customer engagement, Company B can build a strong market presence while leveraging the quality and consistency provided by Company A. This model also allows manufacturers to maximize their production capacity by serving multiple brands, thereby increasing their revenue streams.

Because it’s a system that benefits all parties, it’s become a standard practice in many industries, including retail, technology, food production, etc. 

Some Examples of White Labeling [Industry Wise]

White labeling is a widespread practice across various industries. Here are some real-world examples of industries with white labeling businesses:

Retail Industry

In retail, white labeling lets you sell products made by manufacturers under your brand name. This allows you to expand your product range without the cost of production.

For instance, Starbucks sources coffee beans from different roasters but sells them as Starbucks coffee. Similarly, Costco’s Kirkland Signature coffee is produced by established coffee companies but is sold under the Kirkland brand.

This strategy helps retailers offer premium products at competitive prices while focusing on branding and marketing.

Technology Industry

In technology, white labeling is widely used in services like web hosting. Companies without their own server infrastructure can still offer hosting services by partnering with larger providers.

For example, GoDaddy’s reseller program allows smaller IT firms to sell web hosting under their brand. This means you can provide a broader range of services to your clients without managing the technical backend yourself.

Financial Services Industry

The financial sector often uses white labeling for credit card issuance. Many retail stores and smaller financial institutions offer branded credit cards, but these cards are actually provided by larger banks.

For example, store-branded credit cards are often issued by banks like Synchrony Financial or Citibank but carry the store’s branding. This allows retailers to offer financial products without the need to build the complex infrastructure required for credit card issuance.

Health and Wellness Industry

In the health and wellness industry, white labeling is common for dietary supplements. If you’re a company looking to sell vitamins or health products, you can partner with manufacturers like NutraScience Labs.

They produce supplements that you can rebrand and sell under your company’s name. This approach allows health companies to quickly bring new products to market without investing in manufacturing facilities.

Telecommunications Industry

In telecommunications, white labeling is prevalent among Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). These companies offer mobile services without owning their own network infrastructure.

For instance, TracFone Wireless buys network access from major carriers like AT&T or Verizon. TracFone then sells mobile services under the TracFone brand.

This enables you to offer competitive mobile services without the expense of building and maintaining your own network.

White Labeling vs. Private Labeling: What’s the Difference?

You may hear both terms white labeling and private labeling used interchangeably, but they’re different concepts, although similar.  

In white labeling, a product or service is created by one company and sold to other companies, which rebrand the product as their own. Private labeling, on the other hand, involves a company commissioning the production of a product that is exclusively manufactured and branded for them. 

Essentially, private labeling allows for more customization and exclusivity, while white labeling is more about rebranding existing products.

Here’s a table outlining the key differences between white labeling and private labeling so you don’t get the two mixed up again.

What White Labeling Looks Like in The Software Industry?

White labeling in the software industry works much like it does in other sectors. Here’s a quick overview of how it functions:

• One company creates a technical service or product with its expertise.
• Another company rebrands this software and presents it as its own to customers.
• The developer handles all the technical aspects, including coding, testing, and maintenance.
• The reseller focuses on branding, marketing, and selling the software under its name.

The receiving company presents this software to its customers as if it were their own creation. And the software developer handles all the complex tasks, such as coding, testing, and ongoing maintenance. 

Meanwhile, the reseller company focuses on branding, marketing, and selling the software under its own name. This division of labor allows both parties to play to their strengths.

For larger software companies, offering white labeling services can be an additional source of revenue. Smaller service providers benefit from this arrangement by gaining access to sophisticated software without the need for in-house development. 

A great example of this is GoDaddy’s reseller program, where smaller IT firms can sell hosting services under their own brand.

White labeling isn’t limited to reselling to end-users. Companies also subscribe to white-labeled software for their internal use. 

For instance, a company might use a project management tool like monday.com, but with their own logo and colors fully integrated. This internal rebranding is another form of white labeling.

Here are some benefits of white-labeled software for internal use:

• Brand Alignment: The software can be customized with your logo and colors, ensuring it aligns with your company’s branding.
• Employee Engagement: Seeing familiar branding in the tools they use can strengthen employees’ connection to the company and boost morale.
• Cohesive Company Identity: A consistent brand presence, even in internal tools, reinforces a strong sense of identity among the team.

By using white-labeled tools, companies ensure that their internal processes align with their brand image. This is particularly valuable for large organizations focused on maintaining a cohesive brand presence across all platforms.

White labeling also offers access to proven, feature-rich software without the need for custom development. Teams can rely on high-quality tools that have already been tested in the market. 

There’s no need to wait for lengthy development cycles or bear the high costs associated with custom-built solutions.

Key advantages of white-labeled software include:

• Quick Access to Proven Solutions: You can start using feature-rich, market-tested tools without the delay of custom development.
• Cost Savings: Avoid the high costs of building software from scratch while still benefiting from top-tier technology.
• Flexibility: Whether for clients or internal use, white-labeled software allows you to offer consistent, professional-grade solutions under your brand.

Whether it’s used to serve clients or support internal operations, white-labeled software offers flexibility. Companies can deliver consistent, professional-grade solutions under their own brand, enhancing both external and internal experiences.

Types of White Labeling Software Solutions

There are a lot of different types of white labeling software solutions in the market. Here are some of the most common solutions.

White Label Web Design and Development Software 

Building a strong online presence is crucial for any business, and white-label web design software can help you achieve that. These tools let you offer custom website creation services under your brand, without needing deep coding skills.

They often include drag-and-drop builders, customizable templates, and design assets that make it easy for you to create professional websites. This way, you can provide top-tier web design services while focusing on your brand.

App Development Software

As mobile apps become more essential, white-label app development tools are a smart choice. These platforms allow you to create apps without starting from scratch. With drag-and-drop interfaces and ready-made templates, launching a custom app is quicker and easier than ever.

For example, LevelUp powers branded mobile payment and loyalty apps for well-known restaurants like Sweetgreen and Pret A Manger, all under their unique branding.

Marketing Automation Software

Simplifying your marketing efforts is key to success, and white-label marketing automation software does just that. 

These tools let you rebrand powerful automation platforms as your own, handling tasks like email campaigns, social media posts, and PPC management.

This allows you to deliver high-quality marketing services under your brand, without having to build the tools from the ground up.

Social Media Management Tools

Managing social media can be overwhelming, but white-label social media management tools can help. 

These platforms let you offer social media services under your brand, from scheduling posts to tracking engagement and generating reports.

With these tools, you can maintain an active social media presence for your clients without the usual stress.

SEO and Analytics Tools

Understanding your digital performance is essential, and white-label SEO and analytics tools make it easier. These solutions allow you to offer detailed SEO and analytics services without developing the software yourself.

You can provide features like keyword tracking, backlink analysis, and performance reporting, all wrapped in a package that you can brand as your own.

Further Read: Client Portal Software for SEO Agencies

White Label CRM Software

Managing customer relationships is critical, and white-label CRM software lets you offer customized CRM solutions under your brand. These tools help you handle customer data, track interactions, and automate follow-ups.

For instance, SalesPype provides a white-label CRM that includes sales pipelines, email automation, and even two-way texting, all ready for rebranding.

E-Learning Platforms

E-learning has taken off, and white-label e-learning platforms are perfect for businesses wanting to offer educational content. These solutions let companies tailor the learning experience to fit their brand, from the platform’s design to the content it delivers.

PPC Management Tools

Pay-per-click advertising is a key part of digital marketing, and white-label PPC management tools let you manage campaigns under your brand. These tools simplify the process of creating, managing, and optimizing ad campaigns across various platforms.

This allows you to offer professional PPC management services while keeping your agency’s name front and center.

White Label Digital Media Management Software

Handling digital media involves juggling many tasks, and white-label digital media management software offers a comprehensive solution. These tools allow you to manage content scheduling, brand monitoring, and more, all under your brand.

For example, SocialPilot offers fully customizable tools that let you manage and automate social media activities, providing a seamless experience for your clients under your brand name.

What Are The Benefits of White Labeling Software?

White labeling software offers several advantages, making it an appealing option for businesses across various industries. Here are some key benefits:

1. Brand Ownership

White labeling allows companies to offer software under their own brand. This means that customers see the company’s name and logo, not the original developer’s. It strengthens brand identity and builds trust with clients by presenting a unified brand experience.

2. Cost Efficiency

Creating software from scratch can drain both your time and budget. White-label solutions offer a smart, cost-effective alternative by giving you ready-made platforms that you can quickly customize and rebrand.

By choosing white-label software, you save money and valuable time. Instead of sinking funds into lengthy development processes, you can direct those resources to other important areas, like marketing or customer support. 

3. Speed to Market

With white-label software, businesses can quickly launch new products or services without waiting for lengthy development cycles. This rapid deployment helps companies stay competitive and meet customer demands faster.

4. Focus on Core Competencies

White labeling allows companies to focus on their core strengths, such as customer service, sales, and marketing. By outsourcing the development to experts, businesses can concentrate on what they do best, rather than diverting attention to software creation.

5. Scalability

Moreover, White-label software is often designed to be scalable, allowing businesses to expand their offerings as they grow. Whether adding new features or supporting more users, white-label solutions can adapt to changing needs without significant additional investment.

6. Customization

Another benefit is customization to fit specific needs and branding. This flexibility ensures that the software aligns with the company’s unique requirements and resonates with its target audience.

7. Enhanced Customer Loyalty

A branded solution that integrates seamlessly with other services can provide a more cohesive and personalized experience for their customers. This helps in building stronger relationships and enhancing customer loyalty.

8. Access to Expertise

Using white-label software developed by experts allows companies to leverage the latest technology and industry best practices. This ensures that the software is reliable, up-to-date, and meets high standards without the company needing to maintain a specialized development team.

Which Agencies and Industries Can Use White-Label Software?

White-label software is not confined to a specific type of agency; its versatility makes it a valuable tool across various industries and the agencies within them. Let’s explore different types of businesses for which these services are best.

1. Creative Agencies

Creative agencies often juggle multiple clients, each with unique branding and content needs. White-label software enables these agencies to deliver customized solutions like branded client portals, project management tools, and design platforms without in-house development. 

This allows them to focus on delivering high-quality creative services while still providing a seamless, branded experience for their clients.

Further Read: Creative Agency Project Management Software

2. Marketing and Advertising Agencies

Marketing and advertising agencies manage a broad spectrum of services, from SEO to social media management, content creation, and analytics. 

White-label software offers these agencies the ability to provide a comprehensive suite of tools under their own brand. This not only enhances their service offerings but also strengthens client loyalty by keeping everything under one cohesive brand.

Further Read: Best Marketing Agency Project Management Software

3. IT and Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

For IT agencies and managed service providers, white-label software offers a way to expand their service offerings without the need for extensive development. 

Whether it’s network management, cybersecurity, or cloud solutions, MSPs can provide these services through white-label software, allowing them to present a unified brand while leveraging top-tier technology.

4. Consulting Firms

Consulting firms across various industries, including finance, HR, and management, can use white-label software to provide customized solutions to their clients. 

Whether it’s a white-label CRM, project management tools, or financial analytics software, consulting firms can offer tailored solutions that enhance their reputation and deliver greater value to clients.

5. Legal and Accounting Agencies

Legal and accounting firms can benefit from white-label software by offering clients branded portals for document management, billing, and communication. These solutions improve client interaction and streamline operations, allowing these agencies to maintain a professional appearance while focusing on delivering expert advice.

Further Read: Agency Billing and Invoicing Software

3 Best White Label Client Portals to Choose

We based our top picks on the flexibility of customization, ease of branding, and overall user experience each platform offers. These criteria ensure that your white label client portal looks professional and aligns with your brand identity.

1. Agency Handy

Agency Handy gives your clients a branded experience right from onboarding with custom URLs, white-label intake forms and client portals, you can have it all.

You can share a link with your brand name with your customers and they can view your service catalog through Agency Handy. They won’t ever realize it’s a white labeling service you’re implementing. It will look like your own branded space. 

Moreover, you can customize the client portal with your brand colors including the sidebar, hover color, and text. It’s super easy to make changes and you don’t need any technical expertise to personalize your space. 

That’s the best part about Agency Handy’s white-labeling services. It’s easy to set up and you can get started immediately without hiring any tech expert.

The platform also offers customizable intake forms and order forms that will allow you to sell one-off services, subscriptions, add-ons, and even upsell services.

You can send clients proposals complete with terms and conditions and attachments of up to 1 GB. This gives you a lot of room to share files with prospects. 

However, Agency Handy does more than onboarding clients, it’s a complete order management system. You can get an overview of how many clients you signed up, your revenue, and orders taken, in the last 30 days through the dashboard. 

You can assign individual team members to certain orders and tasks, and communicate with clients and team members all in one place. Additionally, Agency Handy has a ticketing system that allows you to address urgent issues relating to specific clients and assign team members to it. 

Overall, it’s a tool that has all the essentials to manage order taking, client onboarding, order tracking, and delivery. All of this without being overly complicated. 

Features of Agency Handy

Agency Handy’s features are designed to simplify client management for agencies and small businesses. Here are they:

• White-Label Client Portal: Agency Handy offers a comprehensive white-label client portal, allowing you to present a fully branded experience to your clients. Custom logo, color, domain, email, invoices, etc.
• Customize Your Service Listings: Easily tailor your service offerings to reflect your brand, creating a polished and cohesive catalog that attracts and retains clients.
• Streamline Client Onboarding: Make the client onboarding process smooth and efficient with branded intake and order forms. 
• Manage Orders Efficiently: Keep your order management process professional and organized, handling every client request with precision from start to finish.
• Enhance Team Collaboration: Improve team coordination with tools designed to match your brand, ensuring everyone stays on the same page while maintaining a consistent look and feel.
• Optimize Client Management: Centralize and organize client information under your brand, making it easier to deliver personalized service and maintain strong relationships.
• Automate Billing and Invoicing: Save time and ensure accuracy with automated billing and invoicing, all while keeping the process aligned with your brand’s professional image.
• Monitor Performance with Analytics: Utilize branded analytics tools to track your business performance, making data-driven decisions that align with your brand’s identity.

Agency Handy Pricing

Here’s a breakdown of Agency Handy’s pricing plans, along with the features included at each tier:

2. Service Provider Pro

Service Provider Pro (SPP) offers agencies powerful white labeling features. You can fully customize the client experience, from emails sent from your domain to every aspect of the client portal’s design. This ensures that your agency’s brand is consistently presented, keeping your identity at the forefront.

The client portal is also highly flexible. It supports a range of service needs with customizable order forms and dynamic task management. Whether you need a simple checkout or a multi-step process, the portal can handle it, making it easy for clients to place orders and stay informed.

SPP’s white labeling extends to advanced template editing. You can add custom pages to offer more information or special features. This gives you full control over how services are displayed to clients, enhancing their experience.

Beyond customization, SPP improves client management with its detailed CRM system. It allows for custom fields and secure client data handling, ensuring that all client information is managed properly.

The platform also automates billing and subscription management. This makes financial tasks easier for both the agency and the client.

Further Read: Service Provider Pro: Sign up, Login, and A Complete Overview

Additionally, SPP’s communication tools, like open tracking and message undo, add professionalism to client interactions. These features make managing client relationships smoother and more efficient.

When we tested SPP against Agency Handy, we found Agency Handy excels in user-friendliness and seamless integrations. While SPP offers extensive customization, Agency Handy provides a more intuitive setup and smoother client interactions, making it the better choice for ease of use.

But overall, SPP offers a range of useful features that will definitely improve your business’s client management capabilities. 

Further Read: Service Provider Pro Alternative

Features of Service Provider Pro 

Service Provider Pro (SPP) is packed with features designed to elevate your agency’s efficiency and client experience. Here are the details:

• White-Label & Customization: SPP is fully white-labeled, allowing agencies to send and receive emails from their own domain and customize client-facing elements to match their brand. 
• Client Portal: SPP centralizes client interactions, making it easy for clients to access their orders, invoices, and communications all in one place. 
• Order Management: The platform offers highly customizable order forms tailored to different service types. These forms can include conditional fields, add-ons, and multi-step checkouts, allowing for a flexible and efficient ordering process. 
• Billing & Invoicing: SPP integrates invoices and billing directly into the client portal, automating reminders for overdue payments and supporting subscription management. 
• CRM & Client Management: The platform includes a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) system that enables the use of custom fields, secures client data updates, and ensures GDPR compliance. 
• Forms & Intake: SPP features a drag-and-drop form builder that allows agencies to create custom intake, order, and contact forms with advanced conditional logic. 
• Helpdesk: The platform includes a unified support inbox that centralizes client support tickets.

Service Provider Pro Pricing

Service Provider Pro offers a 3-tiered pricing plan with varying user limitations. Check out the details:

Further Read: Service Provider Pro Pricing

3. SuiteDash

SuiteDash offers a lot of customization options and you can build your workspace and client portal according to your preference. 

Even the user’s dashboard is customizable and you can limit the access to a specific circle or an individual contact. The site is incredibly complex but there’s so much potential to manage your workflow all in one place.

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, including customizable client portals, project management tools, CRM, and invoicing. It also provides automation workflows, file sharing, email marketing, white labeling, LMS, and e-signatures, making it a versatile business management solution.

When compared to the other tools, SuiteDash packs way more features than Agency Handy and Service Provider Pro. However, it demands more time and technical know-how to set up. While SuiteDash is powerful, Agency Handy and SPP are quicker and easier to get started with.

If you’re not that good with softwares and designing workflows, you can’t enjoy SuiteDash’s full potential. In that case, you may need to hire a tech expert to set up the system or spend a lot of time learning.

Having said that, if you have the expertise or don’t mind the steep learning curve, SuiteDash is a scalable solution. It supports an unlimited number of users even for its starter plan. So, the platform definitely provides more value for money for those prepared to invest time. 

Further Read: SuiteDash Alternatives

Features of SuiteDash

SuiteDash is a powerful business management platform that offers a wide range of features to streamline your operations. Here’s a list of top features:

• Full White Labeling Customization: SuiteDash allows you to fully brand your client portal with your own logo, colors, and custom URLs, offering a seamless brand experience for your clients. 
• Custom Client Portals: Create personalized client portals where clients can log in to view project progress, share files, and communicate with your team. 
• Email Templates: SuiteDash lets you customize email templates with your branding, ensuring all client communications are consistent and professional. 
• Personalized URLs and Domains: Set up custom URLs and domains for your client portals, giving your clients a cohesive experience from start to finish. 
• Advanced Project Management Tools: Manage your projects with powerful tools that allow task assignments, progress tracking, and deadline setting. 
• Comprehensive CRM Integration: The built-in CRM integrates directly with your client portal, offering a seamless client management experience. 
• Automated Invoicing & Payments: Create, send, and track invoices, manage subscriptions, and integrate with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
• Dynamic Automation & Workflows: Automate repetitive tasks with SuiteDash’s Dynamic Logic Engine and Auto Templates. 
• Integrated Learning Management System (LMS): SuiteDash’s LMS feature allows you to create and manage training programs, making it ideal for onboarding new clients or team members.

SuiteDash Pricing:

SuiteDash offers a lifetime plan that’s well worth it if your team can fully utilize the software’s extensive features. Here are the details.

Further Read: SuiteDash Pricing

Factors to Consider When Choosing a White Label Client Portal

When selecting a white-label client portal, the choice you make can significantly impact your business operations and customer satisfaction. Here are some critical factors to consider:

Seamless Integration

A good client portal should easily integrate with your existing tools and systems, such as CRM software, project management platforms, or billing systems. Look for a solution that offers smooth API integrations or native connectors to ensure your workflow remains uninterrupted and efficient.

Smooth User Experience

The portal’s usability can make or break client engagement. Choose a platform that prioritizes user experience, offering an intuitive interface that’s easy for both your team and clients to navigate. A user-friendly portal reduces the learning curve, minimizes errors, and enhances client satisfaction.

Rock-Solid Security

Since client portals handle sensitive data, security should be a top priority. Ensure the platform offers robust security features like data encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security updates. Compliance with industry standards and regulations is also crucial to protect your business and client information.

Room to Grow

As your business grows, so will your needs. Choose a client portal that can scale with your business, accommodating more users, larger data volumes, and additional features as required. Scalability ensures that the portal remains a valuable tool as your company expands.

Dependable Support

No matter how well-designed the software is, issues can arise. Opt for a provider that offers strong customer support, with responsive service available when you need it. 

Additionally, consider how much maintenance the portal will require—automated updates and minimal manual intervention are ideal for keeping the system running smoothly.

Value for Your Money

Finally, evaluate the cost in relation to the features offered. While it’s important to stay within budget, don’t sacrifice essential functionalities for a lower price. The right portal should provide good value, balance cost with capabilities, and support your business’s needs to thrive.

Final Words

To sum up, what is white labeling? White labeling is a practice where a product or service is produced by one company but is rebranded and sold by another company as its own. 

Both producers and resellers benefit from focusing on their core strengths—be it product development or branding. This model has flourished in the tech industry, where the demand for customizable, branded solutions is ever-increasing.

In the SaaS space, white labeling holds significant relevance, enabling companies to offer comprehensive software solutions under their brand without the hefty development costs.

Ultimately, enjoy white labeling with Agency Handy that drives growth, innovation, and profitability across various industries!

FAQs

Is white labeling legal?

Yes, white labeling is legal as long as it is conducted with proper agreements between the original producer and the rebranding company. These agreements typically include licensing terms, ensuring that both parties understand and agree to the branding and distribution of the product or service.

Is white label profitable?

White labeling can be highly profitable for both producers and resellers. Producers can scale their operations by serving multiple brands, while resellers save on development costs, allowing them to focus on branding, marketing, and sales to increase their profit margins.

What is a white labeling website?

A white-label website is a site created by one company and rebranded by another company as its own. The rebranding company customizes the website’s appearance and features to reflect its brand, offering it to customers as a proprietary product.

What is white label market?

The white label market refers to the business model where products or services are produced by one company and sold under another company’s brand. This market spans various industries, including technology, retail, and financial services, providing opportunities for producers and resellers.

What is white labeling in web design?

White labeling in web design involves a web design company creating websites that other companies can rebrand and offer to their clients as their own. This allows the rebranding companies to provide professional web design services without developing the websites themselves.

Which is the best white label client portal?

The best white-label client portal is Agency Handy. It stands out due to its perfect balance of simplicity and powerful features, making it an ideal choice for agencies that want a fully branded experience without the complexity.