How to Start a Phone Case Business From Home, Step by Step

Mobile devices have taken over the human population. There are 8.5 billion mobile device connections around the world, compared to our population of 7.6 billion people.

While this sounds like the start of a sci-fi horror film, it’s actually a good sign if you want to sell phone accessories online. 

Custom phone cases, in particular, are easy to source and appeal to people who are looking to inject some individuality or extra functionality into the one device they can’t live without.

Building a business around making and selling your own phone cases comes with a variety of benefits:

• It’s easy to hold inventory and ship, due to their small size.
• They’re relatively low cost to produce.
• You can sell them both online and in an offline kiosk.
• You can print on demand to start with a lower risk or buy in bulk for better margins.
• Every new phone model offers a new opportunity to cater to the 44% of smartphone owners who upgrade every two years.

As with any business where the barrier to entry is low, there’s going to be competition. However, all you need to succeed is a piece of this massive market.

The following is a guide that answers common questions about starting a phone case business, such as:

• What types of phone cases are there?
• Where do I get unique designs for phone cases?
• How do I know what phone cases/designs will be popular?
• Where can I sell my phone cases?

If making and selling phone cases sounds like a compelling online business idea but you don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place. Check our how to start a business guide to get started.

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Is a phone case business profitable?

A phone case business is a profitable way to make money online. The market for phone cases was worth $10 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow 7.5% each year until 2025, reaching $35.5 billion. It’s clear there will be no lack of customers for your phone case business. 

Phone cases are also easy to handle from a management perspective. They don’t break often, so there are fewer returns to deal with. They typically are lightweight and cheap to ship and often have decent profit margins. You can find phone cases for as little as $5 on a dropshipping site like Oberlo and sell them for $10+—an easy 50% profit. 

The best part? It doesn’t take much upfront investment to start a phone case business. You can create an online store in minutes, connect it to Oberlo, and go live in a few hours. 

Things to consider before starting a phone case business

Before you get to creating your own phone cases, there are a few things you’ll need to know, like the types of phone cases out there and which phones you should support.

Types of phone cases

Some phone cases are more practical, while others are more visually appealing. Some offer protection, while others are more like a second “skin” than a case.

There are a multitude of options, but here are some of the most common types to get you started.

Slim and gel cases

Slim cases are on the thinner side and let you add an eye-catching design and some additional grip to a phone, often through a flexible, rubbery silicone gel material.

These are some of the cheapest phone cases you can produce and customize with designs, especially if you want to print them on demand (more on that later).

Bumper cases

Unlike slim phone cases, these cases usually only cover the sides/border of your phone (they can also come with an additional piece for protecting the back from scratches) and are often made of a harder, shock-resistant material to protect your phone from dings and scratches.

Folio or wallet cases

Folio cases have a cover that folds over the front of your phone to protect the screen from dust and scratches and give the phone the appearance of a small notebook.

Some even have wallet-like features, such as the ability to store cash or credit cards, while others can be turned into a stand to prop up your phone.

You’ll typically find these in a leathery material, and they likely will cost more than slim cases but also appeal to more practical consumers.

Tough cases

Many people look at having a phone case less as an aesthetic choice and more as a way to protect the hundreds of dollars they invested in their phone should they ever drop it.

Tough cases are bulkier and add more weight to a phone but afford customers greater protection.

It’s important to recognize this when you write your product descriptions for tough phone cases, as anything from drop tests to details about water resistance can help give customers peace of mind.

Battery cases

Battery life seems to be a problem regardless of what phone you have these days.

While they’re more expensive than most phone cases, battery cases are also very practical and offer a lot of utility for those moments when we wish we had just a bit more juice.

Since these cases not only protect your phone but provide some extra charge, battery cases are a good companion for models of phones where battery life is a constant complaint.

Silicone cases

Silicone is another inexpensive option for selling phone cases online. Silicone cases are soft and durable and also work well in high temperatures. Silicone phone cases provide a softer touch for customers. You can find these on dropshipping sites like Oberlo for around $2 per case. 

Choosing which devices to focus on

It’s not just a matter of deciding what kind of phone cases you want, but what kinds of phones you want to support.

However, this can also offer an opportunity to dig into specific niches based on phone models. If you can foresee a need for cases for upcoming phones or spot any underserved smartphone types, there may also be an opportunity there.

Some devices you may want to consider are:

• iPhone models

• iPhone 6
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 8
• iPhone X
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 12

• Samsung Galaxy models

• Galaxy S
• Galaxy A

• Xiaomi models

• Mi
• Poco
• Redmi

Do some basic keyword research in Google’s Keyword Planner or KWFinder to get a look at search volume as a reflection of demand for cases for specific types of phones. If you plan on using Google Ads to sell your products, it’s definitely worth looking into this in advance.

How to make your own phone case business

The best phone case businesses didn’t become successful overnight. Even with some trial and error, these brands followed a business plan and grew at a sustainable pace. Use this step-by-step guide to structure your own business model: 

1. Identify a need in the market
2. Develop a business plan
3. Identify your target market
4. Start designing
5. Source your phone cases
6. Choose a brand name and logo
7. Choose a price point
8. Create your online store
9. Market your business

1. Identify a need in the market

A successful phone case business won’t succeed on effort alone. Think about a niche in the market that no one is fulfilling yet. Is it a case that’s best for outdoor adventures? Is it a line of cases designed by local artists in your region? Figure out what phone cases should exist that currently aren’t being offered by big brands. 

Andrew Moore, founder of Felony Case, says in a Shopify Masters interview that when starting his phone case business he “saw a need in the iPhone case market. At the time, they had the basic cases you could buy at Dollarama, the Dollar Store, or at a kiosk in the mall where they are super cheap.” 

In his research, Andrew found the other side of the market consisted of expensive, protective iPhone cases. But neither phone cases were aesthetically pleasing.

He saw a need “where more fashion-forward people might be looking for an iPhone case, something unique.” Think, a woman with a thousand dollar handbag probably doesn’t want a cheap case from the mall or a bulky protective case. So Andrew went with fashionable cases that also offered protection in case someone drops their phone. 

2. Develop a business plan

A business plan guides your entire journey when creating an online phone case business. It can help clarify your strategy, identify roadblocks, understand what you’ll need in terms of resources, and assess your business idea before you launch it. 

Ask yourself: what is the ultimate goal for this product? Do you want to be a brand name sold in Nordstrom or Urban Outfitters? Do you want to create a premium brand sold in boutique shops? Do you want to start an ecommerce store and sell to your own following? 

Identify your business goals and keep them in mind as you build out your phone case brand.

3. Identify your target audience

Determining a target audience is key to selling products online successfully. Your goal isn’t just to identify a phone case or accessory that should exist, but also find a target market for the product. After all, your design and planning work is of little use if there’s no buyers for your product. 

Useful data points to understand include:

• Age range
• Occupation
• Spending patterns
• Interests 
• Lifestyle
• Habits and routines

How you collect this information is up to you. New businesses often go to social media and use tools like Facebook Audience Insights to reach new audiences. Others may go straight to their customers and survey them. 

Consider the pros and cons of targeting certain demographics. For example, young people tend to be trendy and are more receptive to viral marketing and word of mouth. They also have limited funds. Middle-aged buyers may be able to afford more expensive phone cases, but also may be less concerned with being trend-conscious and prefer particular styles.

4. Start designing

Design will be your biggest differentiator when selling custom phone cases online. It’s also where you can let your creativity shine. The first batch you release to the public will speak to your brand, so make sure you craft something awesome to put your stake in the ground.

There are two ways to go about designing your phone cases:

1. Work with designers and artists. Design communities like Dribbble are great places to shop around for designers based on the aesthetic you’re looking for. Or, if you’re looking for cost-effective designs, you can always find them on Fiverr. Try to look specifically for designers that do custom phone cases.

2. Design your own cases. You can also create your own design mock-ups in Photoshop or Photopea, and many phone case print-on-demand services like CaseApp and Printful also have phone case mock-up generators you can use.

Be wary that not all phone case suppliers will print on the sides of the case. Many will only print on the back, so make sure you pay attention to that during the design phase and when looking for a supplier.

Try to source several different designs so you’re not just betting on one idea, and get feedback as early as you can:

• Post your designs on image-first social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, and use engagement (likes, shares, comments) as an indicator of interest. You can even put some money into promoting your designs to a wider, more relevant audience and see which ones do best.
• Ask friends and family for their input.
• Reddit is great for feedback if you're selling to a specific niche. Post your designs in a relevant subreddit (e.g.: r/pugs if you're selling cases for pug owners). The anonymity of Reddit will help you solicit good input. 

Speaking to a niche market, a group of people who feel passionately about a specific interest, through your designs will give you an edge in terms of garnering interest. After all, accessories like phone cases for many people are simply a way to show off to the world who they are.

5. Source your phone cases

Once you’ve got designs you feel good about, it’s time to bring them to life. Unless you’re willing to invest thousands in your own printing equipment, you have three main options when it comes to getting your phone cases made.

1. Find a manufacturer

Finding a manufacturer to work with is the route you’ll likely want to go in order to maximize your profits. Alibaba offers a directory of manufacturers in China who make a variety of high-quality phone case types, from slim to folio to battery.

While you will have to buy in bulk with a minimum order quantity that’s anywhere from 10 to 200 or more, you’ll have the potential to offer better prices and make more off of each sale when each case potentially costs you as little as $1.

You can also choose to partner with a local manufacturer to appeal to consumers who are interested in supporting businesses in their own country. Either way, be sure to order a sample first before you go in on a bulk order.

It’s worth noting that you don’t necessarily need inventory on hand in order to make sales. Sales can be used to decide which phone cases you actually order so you’re not stuck with hundreds of cases that just aren’t selling.

Since inventory won’t take up much room, if you’re confident about your phone cases, you can invest in an offline sales presence by setting up a cart or kiosk in a high traffic area like a mall.

2. Use a print-on-demand service 

Printful and Printify are just two of the many services that let you print phone cases on demand. While selling on demand will eat into your margins a bit more, it also takes shipping and fulfillment off your plate so you don’t need to keep any phone cases on hand or even order them in bulk.

If you’re selling these phone cases on your own Shopify store, print-on-demand services can integrate with your online storefront, taking care of fulfilling orders and customer support, so all you need to worry about is making sales.

Whether it’s a t-shirt, an enamel pin, jewelry, or a phone case, validating which designs people like can be tricky. These print-on-demand services offer a low-risk way to test design ideas, especially for slim phone cases.

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3. Dropship existing phone cases

Instead of making your own phone cases, you can use a dropshipping model so all you really need to worry about is building a website and making sales.

The only major downsides are that you’ll have far less control over the product and lower margins, but in exchange, the product, shipping, and fulfillment are taken care of for you. 

It’s as easy as using an app like Oberlo to import phone cases from Aliexpress into your Shopify store.

6. Choose a brand name and logo

If it looks like your cellphone cases can be manufactured at a reasonable cost, you’re ready to create your public image. This starts with choosing a business name and logo. 

You can use a free design tool like Hatchful to help craft a logo and build your brand. You’ll have to answer a few questions about your business, then Hatchful will suggest a logo from hundreds of available templates. 

The best part? You don’t have to stop at your logo. Hatchful also gives you full brand design packages. You can download visual assets for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to create a consistent identity across all your channels.

Customers like brands with a good story, so try weaving yours into your brand name, logo, and website. If you’re manufacturing phone cases, you’ll want to have this ready before the first batch is finished. Then you can start selling your cases right away.

Resources:

• Hatchful by Shopify (free logo maker) 
• Free business name generator

7. Choose a price point

Pricing your phone cases is one of the keystone decisions you need to make. It impacts nearly every area of your business, from cash flow to profit margins to deciding what expenses you can afford. 

Your pricing strategy ties into understanding your audience. Choose a price point that covers your manufacturing costs, but doesn’t deter the customers you’ll need to launch a successful phone case business. 

8. Create your online store

Next up: Where can you sell phone cases? A good place to start is by building an online store. 

Now, this sounds like a challenging task versus listing your products on online selling sites. These marketplaces can help build brand awareness during the early stages, but you’ll want your own digital home in the long run. It’ll help maintain control of your brand and retain more profits. 

For Felony Case, Andrew recommends focusing on your website first, then moving to online marketplaces. He explains, “Our website and retailers have been the two biggest sources of traffic and sales.” He’s found that when people find a Felony phone case on Etsy or Amazon, they do a Google search to see if the brand is credible. “They want to find your website directly just to validate the brand, make sure it looks legit.” 

Shoppers will probably check social media profiles like Instagram and Facebook to see if you’re active there too. “I think all these touchpoints work hand in hand,” Andrew says, “and give your brand that full 360 view online.” 

When it comes to creating your online store, Shopify is the easiest way to start. You can get up and running without any coding skills or a massive budget. For a small $39 monthly fee, you get your own website, SSL certifications, high-speed web servers, cart abandonment recovery, and other beginner-friendly marketing tools. You can sell custom phone cases across Amazon, eBay, and other marketplaces, and manage inventory in your Shopify admin. 

9. Market your business

Now that you’ve figured out your market, your product, and your supply chain, it’s time to figure out how and where to sell your phone cases.

While marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon are good places to list your phone cases, you can also open an online store for own your brand, expand your marketing efforts, and build a long-term business.

As far as marketing goes, the following are recommended channels and tactics you should try, as well as resources for how to execute them:

• Search engine marketing. Search engine marketing helps you reach people who are searching for phone cases for particular smartphones. The buying intention behind these searches means you’ll get the most relevant clicks through to your products and the phones you support. You can achieve this organically through SEO or by paying to promote through Google Ads.
• Facebook advertising. If you’re targeting a specific interest group with your designs, Facebook ads can help you market to people who fit a certain profile.
• Instagram marketing. Instagram is a highly visual platform, perfect for showing off your designs with the option for paid advertising as well.
• Influencer marketing. Partnering with micro-celebrities, YouTubers, Instagrammers, TikTokers, etc. lets you harness their influence and established audiences to get your phone cases in front of more people.

When you’re writing product descriptions for your phones, be as specific as possible in your messaging and consider the biggest selling points for your phone cases.

Anything from the material to water resistance to a video of your phone case passing a drop test can make your cases more appealing to potential customers beyond just their design.

Launching your own phone case startup

Don’t get bogged down by the competition for phone cases. Like any other competitive market, what you need to focus on is appealing to the right niche and getting your products in front of these people. Start your business as a side hustle, then learn and grow it into a full-out small business.

Over time, you can figure out winning designs and phone cases, as well as ways to source them to increase your margins so you can double down on selling them.

Illustration by Rachel Tunstall