![How to plan and track the budget of your custom phone case brand [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-4_2e3fcc7e-3d6f-4f26-96df-f311ecf7a010.png?v=1715856558&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your custom phone case business budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for custom phone case entrepreneurs, we saw a lot of business owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial sales.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your custom phone case business's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for phone case brands
Most phone case brand founders don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for phone case brands
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a custom phone case brand, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for office and production space | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for production equipment | $500 | $6,000 |
| Water | Water usage for production and office | $100 | $1,200 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $150 | $1,800 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $100 | $1,200 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $300 | $3,600 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design Lead | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Graphic Designers | 2 | $3,000 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| Production Staff | 3 | $2,500 | $7,500 | $90,000 |
| Customer Service | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Marketing Specialist | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Manager | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
3. Production Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Materials | Plastic, silicone, and other materials | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Printing Supplies | Inks, dyes, and printing tools | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Packaging | Boxes, labels, and shipping materials | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Quality Control | Inspection and testing materials | $500 | $6,000 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $200 | $2,400 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $500 | $6,000 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $400 | $4,800 |
| Influencer Partnerships | Collaborations with influencers | $300 | $3,600 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $200 | $2,400 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of production equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses, patents, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Software Subscriptions | Design and productivity software | $200 | $2,400 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
Some phone case brands make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best phone case brands in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a custom phone case brand?
Be mindful of these potential pitfalls. Here are five major costs every custom phone case brand owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Material and production costsThese can take up a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with various materials like plastic, silicone, and metal, and prices can vary based on quality and availability. To keep these costs in check, focus on bulk purchasing, negotiate better rates with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for premium materials that don’t add enough value.
- Your teamYour team is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be expensive. This cost is always high because you need skilled employees to ensure quality production and customer service. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your team, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and utilities of your workspacePrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more customers. Utilities like electricity, water, and internet are essential but add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient equipment. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too luxurious for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your custom phone cases, but advertising can be pricey, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we provide in our guide. Overspending can happen if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from printing machines to packaging tools. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your custom phone case brand?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a custom phone case brand owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Material Costs | Partner with local suppliers for high-quality materials at competitive prices. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install energy-efficient lighting and machinery in your production facility. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your custom phone cases and collaborate with tech influencers for free exposure. |
| Packaging | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts for customers who opt for minimal packaging. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular equipment checks and servicing. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Software | Choose design and inventory management software that offers essential features with low subscription fees. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a material waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle excess materials. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional machinery and utilize e-commerce platforms for sales and customer management. |
| Shipping | Partner with cost-effective shipping services and offer bulk shipping discounts to customers. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital order systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce overproduction. |
| Quality Control | Implement a strict quality control process to minimize returns and increase customer satisfaction. |
| Customer Service | Use a CRM system to manage customer interactions and improve service efficiency. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
Copy the tactics of the best phone case brands in the world!
There are phone case brands that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a custom phone case brand
Yes, some expenses for your custom phone case brand are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or enhancing customer satisfaction.
| Business Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Luxury Packaging | Overly extravagant packaging doesn't necessarily attract more customers and can be a drain on the budget. |
| High-End Printing Materials | Unless you are targeting a niche market, most customers are satisfied with standard quality prints. |
| Excessive Design Options | A large variety of designs increases inventory costs and complicates production. |
| Top-Tier Design Software | Premium design software is not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Traditional Advertising | Paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your custom phone case brand. |
| Multiple Packaging Styles | Having various packaging styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for design resources often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Materials | Using rare materials can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Office Furniture | High-end office furniture is not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Stationery | Personalized stationery is a minor detail that most customers overlook, and it can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Packaging Materials | Most customers are content with standard packaging, making expensive materials unnecessary. |
| Extra Delivery Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Office Renovations | Constantly updating office decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Office Decor | Elaborate office decor is often ignored by customers and adds to the cost. |
| High-End Office Supplies | Luxury office supplies are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Website Designs | Frequently redesigning your website is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Production Equipment | Specialized production equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your custom phone case brand!
Managing a budget for a custom phone case brand when funds are tight can feel overwhelming. It's like being trapped in a cycle where any unexpected expense can throw you off balance.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, pinching pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more resources to invest in your brand.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of custom phone case brands just like yours. Get them now!
Make your custom phone case brand more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best phone case brands in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
