Nowadays many investors and entrepreneurs are interested to know how to start a supplement company. A supplementary business isn’t just about selling health products; it is about delivering the gift of wellness to individuals ready to embrace a healthier and more vibrant life. If you want to start a supplement business, then it’s super-easy to understand the market and run your supplement company nowadays.
Supplements are essential when dealing with a variety of health conditions. We live in a time when germs and diseases are becoming more robust, and our immune systems are weaker, so supplement industries are growing to meet this need.
The recent statistical data confirms that the vitamin and mineral supplement has a market value of $17, 7496.8 million in 2023 and an expected growth of 9% from 2023 to 2030. Surprisingly, the supplement industry in the United States is worth $34.9 billion and 154 million American use dietary supplements, according to GitNux.
Although it looks pretty prosperous, starting a supplement business in 2023 is challenging, especially if you don’t get the necessary guidelines. In this guide, you’ll learn how to start a supplement company and make your mark in this booming industry.
Starting a Supplement Company (Step-by-Step Guide)
Although starting a supplement company is hard, however, if things are done correctly, you can generate huge revenue in no time.
Health and wellness are the fastest-growing industries and have so much potential in the future. So, it is indeed a right to tap into these booming industries. Perhaps this is the only sector that offers guaranteed results and future security if you follow specific steps.
These conditions include a complete understanding of your target audience, unique selling proposition, financial planning, healthy and recommended ingredients, transparent labeling, legal matters, sustainable sourcing, and following regulatory requirements. With these strategies, start a supplement company becomes even easier.
Consider Aligen for a Reputable Supplement Manufacturing Company
Aligen is there to support you in learning how to start a supplement business easily. Starting a supplement company with Aligen should be your go-to option for guaranteed growth. As a distinguished player in the industry, Aligen offers a compelling blend of innovation, quality, and customer-centricity that sets us apart. Our commitment to creating supplements that truly make a difference is unwavering, backed by a team of experts who are passionate about wellness.
Aligen is a full-service manufacturing company licensed to produce a wide range of products, including Nutraceuticals, OTC medications, and Consumer goods. Our in-house capabilities cover Softgels, Capsules, Gummies, Skincare, and Haircare products, enabling us to offer custom formulations and private-label production. With our comprehensive approach and expertise across various product types, Aligen is the partner you can trust to bring your supplement business ideas to life.
Choose Between Custom or Private Label Formulations
The first and foremost thing to consider for building a successful supplement company is to understand the difference (and demand) between custom formulation and private label formulation. Based on each option, you’ll have a unique approach.
In custom formulation, the company makes products that are tailor-made solutions to meet specific needs. They are widely dependent on your marketing strategy. If you have a unique brand to take the lead in the competition with another brand and claim to have distinctive ingredients, then you go for custom formulation.
Custom Gummy Manufacturing
Custom Gummy manufacturing requires unique requirements that our team of professionals will work closely with you to develop and create your finished product to specifications.
Areas available to custom of Gummy manufacturing include dosing, active ingredients, flavor and texture and color to ensure the customization aligns with your vision.
Our state of the art manufacturing facility entails strict manufacturing guidelines and strict quality control measures as licensed manufacturers to guarantee your gummies are of the highest standard.
Are you looking to expand your brand with a custom formula? Aligen product development services include:
- 60-90 day production time
- Access to over 8,000 ingredients
- Custom Formulation & Blending
- Bottling & Packaging Options
- MOQ- 150,000 Gummies
A lot of research and even studies are needed in custom formulation to support your product and brand. However, if you are new in the market or want to establish a supplement business quickly, then private-label formulation is for you. Private label not only saves your time but reduces costs, and you don’t have to conduct any research. Therefore, with the use of the existing formulation under your brand, you can easily enter into this booming business and start generating revenue.
Private Label Supplements
Private Label Capsules
Private Label Capsules offer great delivery for preformulated powder supplements in pill format to add to your growing brand. Click here for available Private Label Capsules
Private Label Softgels
Our Private Label Softgels offer a wide range of pre-formulated supplements that are Oil based in pill format to add to your growing brand that is ready for fast turn around and custom branded packaging. Click here for available Private Label Softgels
The difference is clear. Establishing the supplement company with a private label lacks uniqueness, but it has amazing benefits, especially for newcomers. Custom formulation makes your brand unique and has marketing benefits.
While choosing the formulation, you have to be very careful. Must keep in mind the marketing trends, target audience, time, and your financial situation. Aligen offers proven, effective, and reliable manufacturing solutions for both types of formulae.
Step 1: Understanding the Supplement Industry
Understanding the supplement industry is crucial not only for the business but also for knowing the future potential. It gives you a complete insight into how the particular industry is going and whether there are any chances of growth and success. Here are the things you need to check.
Supplement Industry Size and Challenges
With the growing health concern and awareness, the expert feels that the supplement industry will grow in the future. According to the Euromonitor International Report, the global consumer health market experienced steady growth. According to IBIS World Sup, implement marketing in the United States grew by 1.2% per year from 2017 to 2023.
The growth of this business can be seen in the number of manufacturing industries, which are around 1400 in the US alone, and they have employed thousands of people.
Although there is immense growth in the supplement industry, there are challenges as well. The first and foremost challenge is strict compliance with regulatory requirements. For example, you have to be very careful in labeling and claiming the health benefits of supplements. Moreover, the competition is increasing with the passage of time. Last but not least, the available information for newcomers is not enough to guide them about the supplement business.
Supplement Trends and Growth
People are now more aware of the need for supplements to stay healthy and fight various health conditions. Therefore, the supplement industry is always in the increasing trend. Nowadays, the cases of depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s are increasing, which indicates the importance of this business in the future.
The ecommerce business contributed a lot to the booming of dietary supplements. And the demand for the custom formulation is increasing for the specific ingredients in the product. The scientific studies and research also forced manufacturers to manufacture new products to tackle various health and medical conditions effectively.
The manufacturers have gained a huge revenue of 6% to 10% in the last year, which clearly indicates the growth of the business. With time, the market size expanded, more employees were recruited, and new products not only came into the market but were sold globally.
People Working in the Supplement Industry
According to Zippia, among 8,401 nutritionists in the United States, 84.2% are female, and 15.8% are males. The average age of the nutritionist is 41 years, and they are highly in demand in New York, NY.
When it comes to the education of the supplement industry, people of various educational backgrounds can work and grow in this business. These education backgrounds include chemistry, biochemistry, law, marketing, nutrition, and more.
More and more entrepreneurs are coming into this business and introducing new ideas as well. Although nutritionists in the USA are predominately females in the supplements industry, there is a balance in both genders. Everyone has equal opportunities to make their mark in the supplement industry.
Pros and Cons of the Supplement Industry
An increasing trend, more opportunities, and growth in the supplement industry are felt by entrepreneurs. People are more concerned about their health and wellness, which also gives rise to the production of new supplements. With time, scientific research also encourages supplement manufacturers to develop unique products, which is indeed a positive thing about this industry. At the same time, there are private label formulations for quick success for new investors.
Ecommerce has also increased the sale and marketing of pills. The profit margin of this business is comparatively higher; you can generate huge revenue by implementing the right tactics. Lastly, it is rewarding and gives your business a meaningful purpose to serve humanity.
Although there are a lot of pros, there are a few cons, too. Strict regulatory requirements, increasing competition, health claim restrictions, and hurdles in marketing and education are some of the noticeable cons of the supplement industry.
Step 2: Recognizing Audience and Selecting the Right Products
It is critical to understand the target audience for the growth and overall success of your supplement business. Based on the target audience, you select and design the products according to their interest, lifestyles, and preferences and make different marketing strategies. If the product is built according to the needs and requirements of the target audience, they will be more loyal to your product and be repeat buyers. When you’re understanding your audience, you’re actually one step away from your competitors, and there are huge chances of chances as you have optimized everything accordingly.
Recognizing the target audience is not as hard as it looks like. Make use of online tools to gather information about the users and conduct some surveys to check their thoughts. This market research will tell you the preferences, interests, demographics, and pain points of the customers. Educate yourself with the recent trends, modern research, and changing demographics.
Create detailed customer personas that represent different segments of your target audience. Include demographics, interests, challenges, and buying behaviors. This helps you visualize and understand your customers better. You can also use various platforms such as websites and social media and read the comments and suggestions of the customers for a better insight into product manufacturing. You can also communicate with the existing customers of your target industry and get their feedback. By implementing these proven and helpful strategies, you can define and identify your target audience.
Once you know your target audience, the product selection becomes even easier. When it comes to selecting the product, you can either go for a custom formula or private label for swift entry and growth of your supplement business. Selecting the right product makes your business more credible and ensures success.
The selection of the right products meets the customer’s needs, improves brand reputation, and prevents regulatory violations. It not only boosts customer satisfaction but also assists you in marketing and selling the product.
You can conduct market research and look for the areas where popular brands fall short. Select the product that follows the regulatory requirements and ingredients are backed by scientific research. Choose reliable and reputable suppliers who provide high-quality ingredients, transparent sourcing, and consistent manufacturing practices.
With in-house capabilities for a diverse range of product types, including softgels, capsules, gummies, skincare, and hair care products, Aligen provides a reliable partner for custom formulations and private label production, ensuring top-notch quality and comprehensive solutions tailored to your brand’s vision. Aside from selecting the supplier, don’t ignore the innovation and competitor analysis for guaranteed success in this industry.
Step 3: Competitor Analysis
Competitor analysis is the leading factor that decides whether your business will flourish or go in the coming days. It tells you the chances of success by looking into the strengths, weaknesses, and strategies of your competitors. Based on the data collected from your competitors, it allows you to make quick decisions accordingly. Follow these steps for an effective competitor analysis:
Identify Your Competitors
Competitors in the supplement industry are categorized into main categories, i.e., direct competitors and indirect competitors. The direct competitors, as the same suggests, offer the same product, while indirect competitors offer different products or deal with the same health concerns. After analyzing the competitors, the next step is to gather their data.
Collect Data
Nowadays, every business owns a website that provides enough data about their business and marketing strategies. Open the website and check their products (and ingredients), pricing, packing, and other details. Make use of social media and check their online presence there along with their followers, engagement, and popular questions that customers have asked. Go to Amazon or other platforms and check their reviews. This approach will give you a complete insight into their strengths and weaknesses and how you can improve your products.
Moreover, you will know the target audience (age, gender, interests, and location) and the unique selling proposition that differentiates them from other competitors.
Marketing Strategies
Marketing strategies of competitors are like a guiding star or lighthouse top to boost sales and outrank your competitors. First of all, look for your competitor’s content marketing strategies, such as videos, blogs, articles, infographics, and podcasts. Social media marketing and level of advertisement (online and offline) are worth noticing so that you can plan advertisements accordingly. You can also allocate some budget for influencer collaboration if your competitors are going for it again and again.
SWOT Analysis
S – Strengths: Identify and note down the strengths, such as customer service, healthy ingredients, and effective social media marketing.
W – Weakness: Identify the weak points of competitors, such as branding, poor labeling, and overpricing.
O – Opportunities: Opportunities are the areas that your competitors are overlooking. By finding those areas, you can make your brand successful quickly.
T – Threats: Sometimes, there are external factors such as increasing competitors, unavailability of ingredients/material, and changes in the supplement regulatory requirements that can heavily impact your business.
Customer Experience
Customer service is another critical factor with a serious impact on any business. With effective customer experience, anyone can get some loyal customers. Look how user-friendly the competitor’s website is. It includes several things, such as their page loading time, ease of finding the products, and return & refund policies. Overall, customer satisfaction is imperative for growth, so take some time and get all these insights.
Keep in mind that competitors are smart. When their sales decline, they will look for their strength and weaknesses, too. Therefore, competitor analysis is an ongoing process.
Step 4: Promotional Channels for Supplement Brand
The ultimate purpose of creating a supplement brand is to generate profit. Now, the question arises: How will you reach your target audience? Before marketing your supplement, make sure you have used the right label (colors, fonts, text size, etc.,) which contributes a lot to choosing the product. If you’re satisfied with everything, here are some promotional channels you should use for selling your product.
Promote the Supplement Brand on social media
According to the latest stats, there are 302 million users of social media in the US, which makes it an ideal platform to promote supplements. People spend most of their time on social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Social media allows you to show your ads to your target city, age, and gender, making it the best-fit way to promote your brand online. Create a professional-looking ad with effective copywriting and just promote it on different social media channels.
Collaboration with Fans and Influencers
Nowadays, influencers with a dedicated fan base are an ideal way to promote your brand online. For this purpose, you have to collaborate with social media influencers, athletes, and nutritionists. The flowers of a celebrity or an influencer tend to buy the product if they listen to them. Keep in mind that 80% of the profit comes from 20% of the fans. You have to reach out to those loyal fans and make them feel special. This is how they will keep purchasing the products.
Search Engine Optimization
Google is the No.1 search engine where billions of people find different items. You can rank your website on the first links of Google to get most of the traffic to your website. For this purpose, conduct keyword research and build relevant backlinks to promote your website. In local SEO, you can rank your products in a specific city or country. When someone searches for a product (that you already have), your website will be shown in the top search results along with a contact number, address, and map.
Content Marketing
No one can deny the importance of content marketing. When you’re well familiar with your product, you have to create blog posts, videos, tutorials, podcasts, articles, and infographics. Content marketing not only promotes your product but also makes your supplement business more authoritative.
Offline Advertisement
Offline promotion of your supplement brand and products is equally important as online marketing. Based on your budget, a poster in a magazine, newspaper, or journal can make a big change. You can leave flyers in waiting rooms of gyms, spas, salons, clinics, and even bus stations.
Other Interactive Ways to Promote Your Supplement Brand
Collaborate with social media outlets, bloggers, Youtubers, and journalists to secure features and articles about your product. Email marketing is a very helpful technique in which you get emails from your target audience through many ways and send them emails about your products. Ecommerce is increasing with time, so leverage these platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart to show your brand. It is an era of podcasts; people will be more engaged if you make a podcast about health and wellness and showcase your brand.
Step 5: Find a Supplement Company Name and Register
The company name is the first thing that customers see, so it should be relevant, sweet, and short. A strong company name not only highlights the brand values but also depicts the company’s personality, mission, and identity. Furthermore, it sets you apart from your competitors. Here are some tips for finding the company name.
- The company name should be easy to remember and pronounce.
- The company name should be relevant, short, and reflect the brand’s identity.
- The business grows with time, and entrepreneurs add other products. Therefore, think long-term while finding the name of the company.
- Some domain names for the company’s website are not available, so make sure the domain name is available. Don’t forget to check the availability of the username on social media like Instagram and Twitter (now X).
- The name should be short and simple and fit on the product label.
- Make sure your domain name is legally available to avoid trademark violations.
The name of the supplement company is very helpful in building the brand’s identity. You have to spend some time and find the best possible and relevant name for your company. Collaborate with others and colleagues, and make use of internet tools such as ChatGPT to find desired names according to your requirements.
Registering your business is as crucial as your company name. It is because of the fact that business registration is linked with paying taxes, legal requirements, raising capital, and opening a bank account. Moreover, it makes your business more credible and authoritative. After registering your business, you can freely use the name without trademark dispute and brand dilution. Registering the supplement company not only attracts investors and funding sources but also imparts you with business continuity and tax benefits.
Now, the question arises: Where should you register your business? Most people register their business in a local state; however, for nationwide customers, it is best to register it somewhere. While registering the company, you have several options such as sole proprietorship, general partnership, limited liable company (LLC), C Corp, and S Corp. Most small business owners choose sole proprietorship, but for a supplement business, you should choose the LLC option, as it comes with several benefits.
In order to register your business for taxes, you need an EIN, which is available on the IRS website. Keep in mind that there might be some state sales taxes depending on the state you’re living in.
Step 6: Create a Business Plan
A business plan is compulsory for the overall success of your business. It covers all the aspects of your business, such as running a business without legal disputes and meeting the goals effectively. Moreover, you already plan various strategies to deal with the hurdle in your supplement business. A business plan attracts more investors and makes your business transparent and understandable for the general public. Here are some of the key elements of an effective supplement business plan.
Executive Summary
The executive summary of the business covers the overview of the business and highlights the main points for the reader’s attention. These include the competitive advantages, target market, business idea, and goals to achieve. It is best to write an executive summary when the plan is finalized. Briefly explain the supplement business and its trends, business model, and unique selling proposition (USP).
Conclude the executive summary with a forward-looking statement that reflects your business’s aspirations and the impact you aim to make in the supplement market. Keep your executive summary concise, ideally within one to two pages. In the end, don’t forget to review and revise the executive summary.
Business Description
The business description is a crucial part of every business because many investors read this part. Although it includes several things, the mission and vision should be carefully written. Define your business and its core value and put more emphasis on a unique selling proposition (USP). Every business has its unique selling proposition that sets it apart from the rest.
Market Analysis
Based on your competitor analysis, you know the opportunities in the business and the overall trends and growth of the supplement market. You have already analyzed the target audience as well. In the market analysis, write the above-mentioned things, such as competitor analysis, target audience, growth, and trends of the supplement business. This analysis doesn’t let business owners deviate from their goals if they have successfully conducted such analysis.
Supplement Products
The product and services page highlights your main products or services in a specific industry along with their description, formulation (custom or private label), ingredients, and health benefits. One of the main things you need to mention here is how your product is addressing specific customer needs. For this purpose, you have to check the reviews, comments, and online surveys and conduct educational seminars.
Marketing Approach
Based on the competition in a specific industry, different marketing and promotional strategies are devised. As this part directly relates to the daily sales of the supplement business, you have to write everything needed to promote the products. These channels include collaboration with influencers, content marketing, digital marketing, branding, and advertising of the business.
Moreover, in the marketing approach, some business totally relies on ecommerce while other use retail and other distribution options. Make yourself clear about which marketing approach is ideal for your business and how you will execute it.
Financial Projection
In financial projections, business owners include the startup costs, total expenses, profit margins, and revenue growth in the next few years.
Operational Plan
In an operational plan, business owners find interactive ways to make products and have full knowledge of supply chain management to avoid any inconvenience. Packaging, labeling, and sourcing of the ingredients are also included in the operational plan. Moreover, you develop strategies and know all the regulatory guidelines so that a product meets the standard criteria.
Team Building
Hire your management team and allocate them their specific roles based on their experience. Keep your budget in mind, but at the same time, make sure your system runs smoothly.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Several things hinder the smooth running of business, for example, a change in the regulatory requirements, pandemic, or unavailability of ingredients. Identify all these things and make strategies so that your supplement business doesn’t stop and not affect the customer experience.
Time Management
Trends for businesses are changing, and the competition is increasing in every business. Therefore, it is imperative to implement a timeline for each plan. You must know when to start the production, marketing, sourcing, competitor analysis, and other critical events.
Appendices
Include any additional supporting materials such as market research data, product labels, legal documents, and more.
Building a business plan by keeping in mind these critical elements will be very effective and fruitful from a business point of view. It will serve as a roadmap at each point of your business. Those who lack a working business model usually fail or suffer a huge loss.
Step 7: Fund Your Business
Adequate funding is needed at each and every step of the business. Whether you create high-quality products or trying to penetrate the competitive market, you need funds. The unavailability of funds stops you from being innovative, and it becomes even harder for you to meet the regulatory guidelines of supplements. Therefore, you need to look for different ways to fund your business to stay ahead of your competitors. Here is how you can fund your business:
- Bootstrapping is a great way to support your business with the help of loans from friends, relatives, and colleagues. Share your business plan with them, and they will happily offer financial support.
- If your business plan is compelling, you can even attract an angel investor. These investors are happy to invest in a business in its starting phase in exchange for equity.
- To start your own supplement company, you can go for bank loans and small business loans. Banks offer loans at specific interest rates and fixed repayment plans. Most of the banks in the US support new startups and companies financially.
- Government institutions, organizations, and foundations also offer substantial grants to help start a new supplement business. Check out their websites and read the eligibility criteria before applying for these grants.
- Corporate partnership can be an ideal way to fund your supplement company. Collaborate with big brands in your industry, and they might be interested in funding your business.
- Self-financing is the best way to avoid any inconvenience. Put your savings into the business, and if this doesn’t work, you can sell a property. Plan this early and go for reinvesting so that you don’t have to go to banks and try other options.
Step 8: Apply for a Supplement Company License
Keep in mind that it is illegal to sell any supplement unless you have a permit or license from the local government, state, and federal government to sell the health products.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and the FDA are the two most important licenses to acquire to legally start a supplement company. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) deals with the labeling and marketing of supplements. These government institutions have strict criteria or regulatory requirements; therefore, your company must follow the requirements to manufacture and market the supplements. To start your own supplement company here are some important licenses and certifications you should know.
cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices) Compliance: Following cGMP regulations is essential to ensure the quality, purity, strength, and composition of dietary supplements. Regular inspections ensure compliance with cGMP.
New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN): If you’re introducing a new dietary ingredient that wasn’t marketed before October 15, 1994, you must submit an NDIN to the FDA before distributing the product.
Certificate of Free Sale: Some states or countries might require a Certificate of Free Sale to confirm that your products are safe for consumption and compliant with regulations.
State Business License: Register your business with the appropriate state agencies and obtain the necessary business licenses to operate legally.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Certification: If you produce organic supplements, USDA organic certification verifies that your products meet organic production and handling standards.
Natural Products Association (NPA) Certification: The NPA offers a certification program for dietary supplement manufacturers, ensuring compliance with quality and transparency standards.
ISO Certification: While not mandatory, obtaining ISO certification (e.g., ISO 22000 for food safety) can demonstrate your commitment to quality and safety.
Product Liability Insurance: Protect your business from potential claims related to your supplement products with product liability insurance.
Trademark Registration: Protect your brand identity by registering trademarks for your business name, logo, and product name.
Import/Export Permits: If you’re importing or exporting dietary supplements, ensure you have the necessary permits and comply with customs regulations.
It is important to note that the requirements for the license or certificate vary from state to state. You might not need all the certificates. Therefore, it is better to consult with legal and regulatory experts to operate your business effectively and legally.
Step 9: Choose Between Custom or Private Label Supplement Company
Before the marketing of your supplements, choosing the formulation is important. There are two types of formulation, i.e., custom formulation and private label formulation. Whichever option you choose for the company defines your brand identity, focus, and market position.
In custom formulation, the company makes unique products with unique ingredients depending on the needs of the customers. This approach not only improves the brand’s identity but also allows you to stand out from the competition. There are higher profit margins for custom products and more loyal customers as well. However, more time and investment are needed for research and production, and if the customer analysis is weak, there are high risks of failure.
On the other hand, in a private label company, you can collaborate with already established manufacturing companies and sell ready-made supplements under your brand name. As there is already a huge demand for these products, the risks are negligible. Private label company allows you to quickly enter into the market with less budget and no need to worry about product quality as manufacturers have relevant expertise and regulatory compliance.
With private labeling, you can focus on marketing, branding, and advertising your brand instead of focusing and wasting time on product manufacturing and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Be careful when building a supplement company with custom formulation or private labeling. Keep your goals, target market, budget, marketing plan, and timelines in your mind. Custom products make your business distinguish, but it requires more time and budget. For newcomers, a private label is an ideal option. For a complete understanding and to choose the best option, conduct meaningful research.
Step 10: Consider a Reputable Supplement Manufacturer
Think whether the production of the supplement is doable for you or the outsourcing of similar products is good. Going for your own production unit requires a lot of investment and time. Therefore, it is best to choose to outsource these supplements from the manufacturer. Entrepreneurs and newcomers are also following the latter option.
Finding the right manufacturer is a challenging task. However, it is doable with a little bit of research. Finding the right supplement manufacturers is crucial as they possess relevant expertise, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Moreover, it not only directly relates to business growth but saves time and costs.
Here are some proven tips to find a reputable supplement manufacturer.
Check the Quality of Ingredients and Ask for Certifications
Every reputable and top supplement manufacturer uses the purest ingredients to meet quality standards and get more clients. Ask for the license and certification such as NPA, FDA, and cGMP. The ingredients must meet the set criteria by cGMP and FDA, and multiple rounds of tests must be done to ensure the quality of the ingredients. Aside from this, there are some other crucial certificates that a reputable manufacturer would love to show.
Visit the Facility and Ask Questions
Prepare a lot of questions in advance and, whenever possible, make a visit to see the facility. This is how you can assess the cleanliness and quality standards at the supplement manufacturing unit. It is a great time to meet their experts and marketing team. While you’re there, you can see different licenses, certifications, and achievements of the company. Ask as many questions as possible and notice the level of professionalism, constructive criticism, and trust. This will help a lot to start your own supplement company in 2023.
Packaging, Shipping, and Storage Options
It is worth noticing that many manufacturing plants, especially wholesalers in the US, don’t offer packaging, shipping, and storage options, and the buyer has to do these operations on his own. Don’t forget to ask about it to avoid further inconvenience.
Conduct Research and Background Check
With the advancement of technology, it is easier to check the status of a company. Conduct deep research and gather as much information as you can. The official website of the potential manufacturer is an ideal place to check the certification, type of products, and contact information. Read testimonials and reviews online and check industry affiliation as well.
Consider a US manufacturer
If you want to start your own supplement company, make sure you contact the US-based manufacturer. If you outsource your products from another country, they might not comply with US supplement rules and regulations. If the manufacturer is in the US and has a manufacturing company here, it is still important to check whether they live there or not. A non-native person can’t understand the US rules and regulations for pills and supplements. Moreover, it will be easier for you to communicate and discuss the matters if the person is local. Last but not least, a local American stays up-to-date with the changing regulations.
Quality Control and Testing
A trusted and reliable supplement company has controlled procedures for raw materials and finished products. They use modern gadgets and machines to conduct rigorous testing to ensure product safety and accuracy.
Step 11: Open A Business Bank Account and Get Business Insurance
Opening a business bank account and securing business Insurance for a supplement business are two crucial steps to start your own supplement company. These two basic steps play an important role in nurturing the financial stability of the new business. Moreover, these steps ensure smooth business operations.
Business bank accounts help you to separate your personal and business finances. This way, your seamless transactions build a strong relationship with your clients, suppliers, and partners. Opening an account is a daunting task for you if you have never been into financial matters. But let me tell you, it is easy to open a bank account for a supplement business. The following steps will help you with a business bank account opening.
- Do some market research and choose the right bank that caters to your business needs well.
- Gather the required documents and check with your chosen bank to ensure you have everything for a business account opening.
- You can visit a bank or apply online for a business account. Once your account is open, you can explore additional services like merchant services, business credit/ debit cards, online payment solutions, etc.
New businesses are more susceptible to a multitude of risks. As you are new to supplement business, business insurance is unavoidable. From property damage to disputes with suppliers- you need business insurance because these issues can disrupt operations and potentially lead to financial ruin. Business insurance can act as a protective layer around your business. It provides a cushion against the UN’s desired effects or events, so your business can suffer less. The following steps will help you to get the right kind of insurance.
- First of all, analyze what kind of insurance your supplement business needs. You may require general liability insurance against accidents or insurance against some potential product-related claims. There are many other types of insurance available, such as professional liability, workers’ compensation, and business owner policy insurance for supplement businesses, so you can choose wisely to get the maximum protection.
- The second crucial step is finding a reliable insurance provider. You can do market research and read the reviews. You can have a detailed meeting with the insurance provider.
- Once you have shortlisted some insurance providers, ask for cost quotes. Evaluate the coverage provided by different insurance options and balance it with the costs.
- After selecting a suitable quote, it’s time to take the final step to finalize your insurance policy from your reliable insurance provider.
- Opening a business bank account and acquiring business Insurance are crucial steps. Both protect and manage your supplement business so you may stay longer in this industry.
Step 12: Get Ready to Launch Your Supplement Company
So far, you leant how to start a supplement company successfully. Now, you are ready to launch your supplement business professionally. As you’re new to business, you have to take care of many things. You may feel exhausted by managing all things, but let me tell you there are a few things that you can do to minimize your workload.
- You can use different software to manage different tasks such as inquiries, orders, inventory, and bookkeeping.
- It is also important to keep track of your finances, so if you don’t have enough knowledge of accounting, you can go for accounting software to use line accounting functions.
- As you know now, online shopping is trending, so make your official website to target online shopaholics. Initially, you can use free sources like WordPress, but if you have a budget, you can get help from a professional web developer. You can hire a professional to do SEO to rank better on search engines.
- You are new in business, and people don’t know about your product. So, it’s high time.
- For marketing, a special focus is on digital marketing. Assure your presence on social media forms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, etc. Post engaging content on your accounts to promote your products. Tell the audience the unique selling points of your product so they can connect with the product. You can run Facebook ads, too, to reach the maximum audience. Don’t forget to Link your website with all your social media accounts to hit the digital audience.
- You have vast canons to play, so do hard work to make your business a brand in this competitive world. Initially, you may be overwhelmed by all these things, but later, all things will be streamlined.
Step 13: Build An Awesome Team
Initially, when your setup is small, you may not require a team. You can manage everything, but later, when your business starts growing, you may need a professional team. There is another perspective that, in tally, you may have a small team, but later, you need a professional team based on more members.
For example, you can hire a social media manager and sales representative SEO expert. The customer service representative, etc. Hiring always depends upon the size of your business. You may hire one person for one role, or you may hire more people for one role.
Building an awesome dream team is a bit tricky because you need professionals to manage all required tasks resourcefully and efficiently. You can hire workers simply by putting ads on your social media accounts, and later, you can take interviews to select the right people for the right job. You can ask for the portfolios of tier work to get an idea of professional capability.
If you have a good amount of budget and you don’t want to compromise on hiring, you can get help from recruitment agencies. These agencies can help you to find the right talent by costing you some service charges. Now, it’s up to you how you build your dream teams of professionals to streamline your supplement business activities.
Step 14: Begin Selling
So far, you have created everything professionally, and now it’s time to sell your products. You have equipped yourself with the latest knowledge of marketing and improved the quality of the product. However, the most decisive factor is the pricing. Lowering the pricing reduces the profit margin, and alternatively, customers will buy the product if the prices are too high. Therefore, you must check the best pricing for your supplements.
The ideal way to sell the products is to team up with doctors, gyms, and weight loss clinics. At the start, you can offer 100% profit to the store just to showcase your products, and it will help market the brand as well. With the help of already planned marketing strategies, you can now sell the products online, such as the company’s website and social media pages, and build an ecommerce store. Try other ecommerce platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart. Nowadays, there are some affiliate options in which website owners and bloggers collaborate with brand owners to show a banner of their brand/product on their website. Every time someone clicks on the banner, they are directed to the brand’s website to purchase the product, and the blogger or website owners get their commission.
Before selling the products, make sure you know your audience, comply with FDA regulations, and seek guidance from the people in the industry, especially the manufacturer of your products.
Marketing Tip
You have to start selling your product with the above-mentioned tactics. Do you know that 80% of the advertisements in the US are about drugs and supplements? This is the main area where new brands need to focus. Here are some less-known but proven marketing tips for your supplement business:
Micro-Influencers with Authentic Stories
Collaborate with micro-influencers who have a genuine connection to your supplement’s benefits. Their personal stories and testimonials can resonate deeply with their smaller but engaged audiences, fostering trust and authenticity.
Virtual Reality (VR) Product Demonstrations
Utilize VR technology to offer immersive virtual experiences that showcase the benefits and effects of your supplements. This unique approach can engage customers and provide a memorable way to understand your products.
Interactive Webinars with Experts
Host live webinars featuring experts in health, wellness, or nutrition. Allow participants to ask questions and engage in real-time discussions about the benefits of your supplements and their impact on well-being.
Subscription Box Collaborations
Subscription box collaborations involve partnering with subscription box services that curate and deliver a selection of health, wellness, or lifestyle products to subscribers on a regular basis. By collaborating with these services, your supplement business can include your products in their subscription boxes, allowing you to reach a targeted and engaged audience seeking new and innovative wellness offerings.
Augmented Reality (AR) Labels
Incorporate AR technology into your product labels. When scanned with a smartphone, the labels can provide interactive information, testimonials, or demonstrations about your product’s benefits.
Limited-Time Wellness Challenges
Launch time-limited wellness challenges that encourage customers to incorporate your supplements into their daily routines. Offer prizes and incentives to those who participate and share their progress. It is one of the common marketing techniques in the online world.
Eco-Friendly Packaging with a Message
Use environmentally friendly packaging and include a message about your commitment to sustainability. This can resonate with eco-conscious customers and set you apart from competitors.
Innovative Sample Distribution
Instead of traditional samples, offer unique experiences like virtual reality samples, taste-testing events, or customized trial packs.
Gamification for Engagement
Develop a mobile app or online platform that incorporates gamified elements. Customers can earn rewards, points, or achievements by interacting with your brand, sharing content, and making purchases.
Start a Supplement Business and Start Making Money
The recent supplement trends indicate the huge potential of the supplement business in the future. With this complete guideline now, you know how to start a supplement company in 2023.
Right now is an ideal time to get into this business and start making money. The USA is one of the most suitable countries when it comes to supporting new businesses. You can establish a company in a few months, and it is an ever-increasing business. This is the reason that more and more entrepreneurs are entering this field.
Know your target audience, collaborate with manufacturers, develop a business plan, know marketing strategies, conduct competitor analysis, and register and launch your supplement company.
Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Supplement Company
Starting the supplement company in 2023 is indeed the best decision of your life; however, it can be the worst if you commit some mistake. So, it is better to get yourself familiarized with the mistakes such as:
Skipping Regulatory Compliance
Skipping regulatory compliance is the biggest reason your company fails to flourish. Your products must meet the strict criteria of different regulations such as FDA, cGMP, NPA, and ISO. Similarly, make sure your product meets the labeling, marketing, and international selling criteria as well. Don’t compromise on these regulatory requirements at any stage of the business.
Insufficient Research
Insufficient research is the sum of various poor strategies and analyses. It includes poor marketing research (growth, trends, and opportunities), weak competitor analysis, unfamiliarity with the target audience, and a weak business plan. We have mentioned everything you should know for starting a supplement company.
Overestimating Demand
Overestimating consumer demand for your products can result in excess inventory, wasted resources, and financial strain on your business. Therefore, check all the available resources fully and develop a report based on the growth, target audience, trends, and customer preferences.
Inadequate Marketing Strategies
Strong marketing is directly proportional to establishing a brand quickly. Relying solely on word-of-mouth or underestimating the importance of effective marketing can lead to low brand visibility and slow growth. Make use of all the available marketing platforms and techniques to make your business more successful and known among the target audience.
Ignoring Online Presence
It is an era of ecommerce, and modern technology is helping businesses grow and expand nowadays. Make use of all the online channels. Neglecting to establish a strong online presence, including a professional website and active social media profiles, can hinder your ability to reach and engage potential customers. A little knowledge of modern tools and digital marketing guide you how to start an online supplement business effectively.
Poor Supplier Relationships
Not establishing reliable relationships with ingredient suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors can lead to supply chain disruptions, delays, and quality issues. Building strong relationships with the supplier helps boost business, better marketing, and familiarity with other hidden or less-known marketing and business techniques.
Ignoring Customer Feedback
Always listen to your customers. 80% of the total sales is because of 20% loyal customers, so skipping customer feedback can be fatal for the business. Failing to listen to customer feedback and adapt your products based on their needs and preferences can lead to a disconnect between your offerings and what the market demands.
Scaling Too Quickly
Every business takes time to flourish. Do your 100% with the product quality and marketing and wait for the amazing results. Rapid expansion without proper infrastructure and resources can strain your business operations and compromise product quality.
Lack of brand-building
Neglecting to invest in building a strong brand identity, including effective branding, packaging, and messaging, can hinder your ability to connect with customers on a deeper level.
Expert Tip: Digital marketing is the backbone of online business. It involves email marketing, SEO, content marketing, social engine marketing, and social media marketing. There are many advancements in the digital field, so always get to know the latest websites, tools, and resources to sell better.
How Can You Start a Dropshipping Supplement Company?
Are you wondering how to start an online supplement business? Are you aspiring to launch your own dropshipping supplement business? Look no further than Aligen – a trusted supplement manufacturer that is revolutionizing the industry. With Aligen’s exceptional services, you can seamlessly start your dropshipping supplement company and unlock a world of possibilities.
Aligen offers a comprehensive solution for brands looking to manufacture their own supplements and seamlessly integrate dropshipping. From formulation to production, packaging, and delivery, Aligen handles it all. With years of experience in the industry, Aligen ensures that your supplements are of the highest quality, formulated using premium ingredients, and compliant with industry standards. Aligen empowers you to create custom formulations and choose private-label formulations for quick success. Build a strong brand presence with Aligen’s private labeling services. Your supplements will proudly carry your brand’s logo and design, enhancing brand recognition.
Aligen’s dropshipping services streamline your business operations. They handle order fulfillment and shipping, allowing you to focus on growing your brand and expanding your customer base.
Starting Your Dropshipping Supplement Company with Aligen
Market Research: Identify a niche within the supplement industry that aligns with your interests and has potential demand.
Product Selection: Choose supplements that cater to your chosen niche. Collaborate with Aligen to develop unique formulations or select from their existing high-quality products. Aligen not only helps with product selection but guides how to start an online supplement business successfully.
Branding: Design your brand’s logo, labels, and packaging. Aligen’s private labeling services will seamlessly integrate your branding onto the products.
Partner with Aligen: Reach out to Aligen through PrivateLabel@Aligen.com or their provided phone number. Their team of experts will guide you through the process and address your queries. You will also know how to start a supplement business with minimum investment and budget.
Manufacturing and Dropshipping: Aligen will manufacture your supplements to the highest standards. Once ready, they’ll take care of the dropshipping logistics, ensuring your customers receive their orders promptly.
Embark on Your Dropshipping Journey Today!
Aligen stands as your dedicated partner in your dropshipping supplement venture. With their expertise, commitment to quality, and comprehensive services, you can confidently build and grow your supplement business while leaving the manufacturing and logistics to the experts.
Contact Aligen at PrivateLabel@Aligen.com or call (954) 627-1103 to kickstart your dropshipping success story today!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Starting a supplement company in 2023 is easier. To start a supplement company, conduct market research along with analysis of competitors and target audience. Collaborate with manufacturers, get certifications, market your products, and launch according to the business plan.
In order to promote your supplement business, team up with gyms, weight loss clinics, doctors, and medical stores. Publishing an ad in magazines and newspapers and collaborating with influencers are ideal options nowadays. At the same time, don't miss billions of people on the internet. Make a professional website, develop social media pages, and sell products online.
The profit margins in a supplement company depend on several factors, such as target market, product pricing, total cost, and sales. On the basis of audience, market, competitor, trends, and growth of the supplement, business owners devise business plans that tell revenue projection.
The regulations vary from state to state. However, the most common regulations are FDA and DSHEA. For marketing and labeling, a supplement company needs FTC certification. In some cases, you must have ISO, NPA, USDA, and cGMP certifications.
Custom formulation involves the manufacturing of products for specific needs and target audiences. Private-label formulations are ready-made products, and they offer quick entry into the market.
It is possible to start small, focusing on a niche market and gradually expanding. Working with Aligen's private labeling and dropshipping services can help manage costs.
Invest in compelling branding, including logos, packaging, and a professional website. Create educational content, engage with customers on social media, and prioritize customer satisfaction.
To learn how to start an online supplement business, you need a professionally-built website to sell your products. Join ecommerce platforms and offer affiliate services to bloggers. Moreover, make use of social media and market your products on these platforms.
