Launching a virtual brand is no longer a question of “if” but “when” – and it’s easier than ever with the tools and platforms available today. From defining your brand identity to analyzing the customer data, each step adds a brick to the foundation of your business. Starting a virtual brand may feel like stepping into the unknown, but it’s a bold, modern way to reach customers who are just a click away. So, are you ready to launch? Then, it’s time to go virtual.
P.S. Something you will read here might be obvious to you.
In that case consider it as a kind reminder from us.
A virtual brand, put simply, is a brand that exists purely online without any physical storefront or retail location. Everything about it– from its products to its marketing and customer interactions – happens digitally. Think about how Netflix delivers shows and movies: there's no store you walk into; it's all streaming, all online. Virtual brands operate similarly. They often focus on e-commerce, social media engagement, and data-driven marketing to reach and serve their customers.
One great example is MrBeast Burger, launched by the famous YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson). MrBeast Burger started as a virtual restaurant brand with no physical locations customers could visit. Instead, they partnered with existing restaurants across the U.S. to prepare the food, then offered it exclusively for delivery through apps like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. This model allowed the brand to go from an idea to a nationwide food delivery option in a fraction of the time – and at a fraction of the cost – it would have taken for a traditional restaurant chain.
Virtual brands are having a moment – and for good reason! Here are some of the most enticing perks:
1. Low Overhead Costs
Forget rent, utilities, and in-store employees. With a virtual brand, your main costs are digital – think website hosting, marketing, and e-commerce fees. This keeps overhead low and lets you reinvest in growth rather than just staying afloat.
2. Global Reach
With the right digital strategies, you can reach customers anywhere in the world. The barrier to entry is significantly lower than with traditional retail, where expansion means higher costs, complex logistics, and higher risks.
3. Flexibility & Adaptability
Because virtual brands are born online, they’re not bound by traditional marketing or sales models. You can pivot easily, test new ideas on a whim, and update your branding whenever you need. It’s the kind of freedom brick-and-mortar stores only dream of.
4. Real-Time Feedback
The digital world lets you interact with customers instantly. Through social media, customer reviews, or even the metrics on your website, you get quick feedback. Want to test a new product? Create a poll. Thinking about a price change? See the response in real time.
Creating a virtual brand involves combining strategy, creativity, and online marketing chops. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
1. Define Your Brand Identity
What’s your virtual brand all about? From your logo to your color scheme and even your brand voice, these elements should resonate with the audience you’re targeting. Remember, your brand identity isn’t just about looking good; it’s about creating a cohesive, memorable experience for your customers.
Tips:
Create a Brand Story
Identify what makes your brand unique. Ask yourself: What problem are you solving? Why did you start this brand? Write down your mission, vision, and values.
Test Your Ideas
Share early designs and concepts with a small group (family, friends, or a focus group) to gauge reactions. Use feedback to refine your identity.
MrBeast Burger – when YouTuber James Donaldson launched his burger brand, he wasn’t aiming for “just another burger joint.” He tapped into the same wild, over-the-top style that has his fans glued to his videos.
The brand identity is all about indulgence, fun, and a “go big or go home” attitude, right down to the names on the menu – “Beast Style” burger, anyone?
But to be honest, with his influence, he could have sold it even without much of an effort.
2. Research Your Market
Even the best ideas flop without the right audience. Use tools like Google Trends, social media listening, and good old-fashioned competitor analysis to pinpoint what’s already working in your niche. Look for gaps you can fill, and focus on what will make your brand stand out.
Tips:
Identify Your Audience
Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and platforms like Answer the Public to understand what your potential customers are searching for.
Spy on Competitors
Analyze competitors’ websites, social media, and ads. Tools like SimilarWeb and SEMrush can show you what’s working for others in your niche.
Conduct Surveys
Send surveys to your target demographic to get direct feedback. Platforms like SurveyMonkey or Typeform make this easy, and insights can guide product design, pricing, and marketing.
Tyga Bites – rapper Tyga knows his audience: hungry, health-conscious people who still want something crave-worthy. Instead of adding another fried chicken brand to the delivery scene, he served up baked, customizable chicken bites that fill a niche.
The baked option caters to the health-focused crowd, while the endless flavor combinations hook people who want variety.
3. Choose the Right Platforms
Virtual brands don’t just exist on any old website – they live where their customers are. Are you targeting Gen Z? Consider platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Selling to professionals? LinkedIn or YouTube might be the place for you. Choosing your platforms carefully saves time and money and lets you reach the right people.
Tips:
Identify Your Core Platforms
For each platform, ask: Where does my audience spend their time? For example, Gen Z lives on TikTok and Instagram, while older professionals prefer LinkedIn.
Focus on Top Ones First
Start with 1-2 platforms and build a consistent posting schedule. When you’ve mastered these, consider expanding to other platforms.
Build a Social Media Content Plan
Schedule content in advance using tools like Hootsuite or Buffer , and be strategic. Include a mix of promotional posts, value-adding content, and engagement-focused posts (like polls or questions).
Celebrity chef Bill Kim met his audience on delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. This strategy isn’t about casting a wide net but about being laser-focused where it counts—right in the delivery apps where people are looking for a fast and tasty meal. Kim didn’t need a storefront; he just needed a menu to catch customers’ eyes on their favorite ordering platforms.
4. Set Up Your Online Store
This is where it gets real. An e-commerce site is your brand’s virtual storefront, and it should be as user-friendly as possible. Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are popular platforms with easy setup options. Be sure to prioritize mobile-friendliness (it’s where most sales happen these days) and optimize for a smooth checkout process.
Tips:
Choose Your Platform
Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are popular for their ease of use and customizable options. Consider your needed features, like SEO tools, payment processing, and design flexibility.
Design a User-Friendly Layout
Keep your store simple, with easy navigation and clear product categories. Make sure it looks good on both desktop and mobile.
Optimize for a Seamless Checkout
Aim for a three-step checkout process (add to cart, payment info, confirmation). Include multiple payment options (PayPal, credit card, etc.) to make it easy for everyone.
Add Product Descriptions and Photos
Write clear, engaging descriptions that tell customers why they need your product. High-quality photos (and videos, if possible) make a huge difference in conversions.
Moonbowls – healthy, Korean-inspired, and with a fresh minimalist vibe, this virtual brand was made for people who crave something light, nutritious, and convenient.
Their online store – the delivery app listing – is designed to be catchy and easy to browse.
With vibrant photos and a clear layout, customers can find their favorite bowls, customize toppings, and feel good about their meal choices. The brand doesn’t need a physical storefront because it’s nailed a clean, inviting online experience that resonates with today’s health-conscious diner.
5. Build a Digital Marketing Strategy
Digital marketing is the lifeblood of virtual brands. A smart mix of social media, email marketing, influencer partnerships, and SEO can help you build awareness, nurture customer relationships, and drive sales. Remember, consistency is key – build a content calendar, stay active on your chosen platforms, and always respond to your followers.
Tips:
Set Marketing Goals
Define what you want to achieve – awareness, sales, customer loyalty? Clear goals will help you track and adjust your strategy.
Leverage Social Media
Share engaging posts, go live, use stories, and partner with influencers if your budget allows. Keep followers interested by posting consistently.
Email Marketing
Build an email list using signup forms on your website. Create newsletters and special offers to keep your brand top of mind.
Optimize for SEO
Start with promotion in a specific city, district, or even street. This is how you will get your first orders. Use Google Business Profile optimized for your location.
Don’t forget about keywords related to your products and industry in your website copy, blog posts, and meta descriptions to attract organic traffic.
Citizens is the kind of virtual brand that knows digital marketing isn’t just about promotion; it’s about sparking a conversation.
They keep things lively with social media ads, influencer tie-ins, and limited-time offers that make people feel like they’re “in the know.” Citizens also runs seasonal campaigns to stay relevant, like pumpkin-flavored goodies in the fall or summer-themed treats.
They’re building a community that checks back for the latest menu items and exclusive deals.
6. Get Creative with Engagement
With virtual brands, relationships are built on engagement. Go live on social media, create polls, respond to comments, and encourage user-generated content. People are likelier to become loyal customers when they feel part of your brand’s story, so make engagement a core part of your strategy.
Tips:
Use Interactive Content
Run polls, ask questions, or create fun quizzes. This builds engagement and gives customers a reason to interact with your brand.
Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)
Motivate customers to share photos using your products. You can do this by creating a branded hashtag or running contests that reward UGC.
Go Live
Live streaming on Instagram or TikTok allows you to answer questions in real-time, give product demos, or share behind-the-scenes content.
7. Use Data to Grow
Your brand’s digital footprint creates data trails that offer a goldmine of insights. Track your website traffic, social media engagement, customer behavior, and sales conversions. By analyzing this data, you’ll better understand what’s working, where to invest more, and what needs a tweak or two.
Tips:
Set Up Google Analytics
Google Analytics provides detailed insights into who visits your site, how long they stay, and which pages they view. This data helps you understand what’s working.
Monitor Social Media Metrics
Track engagement rates, follower growth, and post reach on social platforms. Tools like Sprout Social or native analytics on each platform give great insights.
Use Customer Feedback
Send surveys after purchases to gauge satisfaction, ask for reviews, and understand how to improve. Reviews also boost trust among new customers.
A/B Test Marketing Campaigns
Run A/B tests on ads, emails, and social posts to find the best-performing content. Facebook Ads Manager and Google Ads make it easy to set up and track A/B testing.
Dough Daddy – this pizza-and-doughnut brand isn’t just throwing toppings together and hoping for the best; they’re fine-tuning every step based on what customers love.
By analyzing delivery data and popular items by location, Dough Daddy makes strategic adjustments that keep customers coming back.
They use the data to refine ingredient choices and pricing for each area, ensuring that each menu feels spot-on. It’s all about serving customers what they crave most while keeping operations efficient and smart.
8. Stay True to Your Brand Values
Virtual brands have an added responsibility to be authentic since customers can’t touch, see, or smell the product before buying. Show the faces behind the brand, share your journey, and be transparent about your values. When customers feel connected to what your brand stands for, they’ll keep coming back.
Tips:
Be Transparent
Share stories about your brand’s journey, materials sourcing, and processes. Authenticity builds trust, so be open about your brand’s story and operations.
Showcase Your Values
If sustainability or inclusivity is a core value, create content highlighting these efforts. For example, feature stories about how you’re reducing waste or partnering with ethical suppliers.
Use Consistent Messaging
Ensure every piece of content aligns with your brand’s mission and values. This consistency strengthens your brand identity and helps customers form a deeper connection.
Build Community
Encourage customers to engage with your brand’s purpose. Consider setting up a Facebook group, or run community events (virtual or in-person) that reflect your values and build loyalty.
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