How to run a successful eSIM business: Tips for resellers

You've taken the first step by becoming an eSIM reseller and partnering Airalo. Now, the real work begins.

Understanding how to leverage eSIMs and your partnership with Airalo will help you drive sales, expand your business, and increase revenue. Whether you're a travel agency, an airport reseller, or an online entrepreneur, setting up your eSIM business the right way is the key to long-term success.

Examples of how Airalo Partners resell eSIMs

As an Airalo Reseller, you can strategically sell and market eSIM packages to enhance your business offerings. The digital nature and flexibility of eSIMs make them an easy and valuable addition to any business. Here are some examples of how our partners resell eSIMs in various industries.

Airport service providers

Rental car companies, taxi services, travel agencies, and airport lounges can directly answer every traveler's question: "How do I stay connected?" Offering readily available eSIMs during transit streamlines the customer journey, provides immediate connectivity, and enhances their overall travel experience.

For example:

• Airport lounges: Imagine travelers relaxing before their flight. Offering eSIMs at this touchpoint allows them to prepare for their connectivity needs at their destination.
• Taxi stands: Upon arrival, taxi stands can offer eSIMs, ensuring passengers can connect to navigation and communication services immediately.
• Airport stores: As a common touchpoint for travelers, airport stores can place POS materials promoting eSIMs near checkout, to capture last-minute travelers who need connection abroad.

Travel agencies

Travel agencies can stand out by adding eSIMs to their tour packages, offering travelers a seamless connectivity solution. Including an eSIM as part of a tour or bundle adds unexpected value, enhancing the customer experience while solving a key travel pain point.

For example, imagine a traveler booking a guided tour. Instead of scrambling for Wi-Fi or paying expensive roaming fees, they receive an eSIM as part of their package, ensuring seamless connectivity from the moment they land. This added convenience enhances their experience and increases the perceived value of your services.

eSIM resellers

Entrepreneurs can launch and grow their own eSIM reselling business with Airalo Partners. With no need for inventory or physical distribution, eSIM reselling is a fully digital opportunity that’s easy to set up and scale.

Resellers have the freedom to build their own brand and market eSIMs to a global audience. With the rising demand for seamless connectivity, eSIM reselling provides a high-growth business model that caters to the needs of modern travelers.

8 tips for running a successful eSIM business

While every eSIM business is unique, certain strategies can help set you up for success. Here are some key tips to effectively run and grow your eSIM business.

1. Research and define your target market and positioning

A successful business growth strategy hinges on thorough research and a deep understanding of your market to find you right market fit to ensure you implement the right plans for sustainable returns and expansion. Research will also provide insight into the current market landscape and identify your competitive edge. 

Before launching, take time to define your target market and positioning. Ask yourself:

• Who are your competitors? 
• Who are your ideal customers?
• What is your unique value proposition?
• Where are the gaps you can fill?
• What is your pricing strategy?

Understanding the market needs – and opportunities – will help you tailor your sales and marketing strategies effectively.

2. Choose the right sales channels and touchpoints

Once you understand your market, choose sales channels that align with your audience. You want to be available where your audience is most likely to notice your offers. 

Here are some examples of different sales channels:

• Physical stores: For the transiting traveler, selling eSIMs in airport shops, travel agencies, or tourist hotspots might be the best option.
• Online platforms: For the audience that needs more information about eSIMs and has time to compare solutions, use websites and social media to educate and convert customers.

3. Study the customer journey

Apart from choosing the right channel, it's also about choosing the right time. You want the purchase of eSIMs to be an add-on to the day of a traveler or a customer preparing for their next trip. 

Tony Kaldas, Director of Partnerships - Arabia & Africa, emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer journey:

"The best customer experiences are the ones that feel effortless. eSIMs should be positioned as a natural, value-adding feature — integrated at just the right moment, where customers instinctively see the benefit. When done right, it’s not just an upsell; it’s an enhancement to their journey."

Study the customer journey and understand when it's the right time to introduce an eSIM. In some cases, it might be a value-add and differentiator, such as with tour packages. In other cases, it might be an unexpected offer when renting a car or relaxing at an airport lounge. 

4. Invest in your brand 

Your brand is more than just a logo — it’s the experience you offer. If you’re integrating eSIMs into an existing business, make sure your branding is clear across all communication, including emails, PDFs, and promotional materials. Customers should instantly recognize and associate your brand with seamless connectivity.

For established brands, the goal is for eSIMs to complement and enhance your brand. As a tech solution, eSIMs can reinforce your brand's innovative values, or help modernize your offers.

If you're launching a new brand, use your market research to create a brand identity that resonates with your target audience and sets you apart in the market. The goal here is to invest in creative and communication assets that strengthen customers' perceptions of the value of your offer.

5. Promote your eSIM business

Once you've established your positioning, it's time to get the word out. The right marketing will drive awareness and attract customers to your eSIM offerings.

• Build an online presence: Include eSIMs on your website and social channels. It becomes a channel for customers to learn about eSIMs, compare plans, and make purchases.  Social media is another powerful tool to engage with travelers, share customer testimonials, and showcase the benefits of eSIMs. 
• Use paid ads: If you’re new to the market, digital ads can help you gain visibility. Running targeted ads on Google and social media platforms can bring in potential customers who are actively searching for eSIM solutions. For established resellers, advertising new packages, seasonal deals, or referral programs can keep customers coming back.
• Offer promotions and discounts: Customers love a good deal. Try running a few promotional tests, like first-time discounts or bundle promotions, to encourage them to try your eSIM services. 

6. Provide excellent customer support

A great product alone isn't enough; customer experience plays a huge role in building loyalty. An easy and hassle-free experience with your eSIMs will lead to repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth.

• FAQs: Compile and address common customer inquiries in a well-organized FAQ section that is readily accessible to customers during the purchasing process. It's important to address topics such as installation, activation, and troubleshooting.
• Share installation and activation guides: Prepare and distribute detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for eSIM installation and activation.

The goal is to make it easy for customers to find answers. A well-organized FAQ section on your website can resolve common concerns, while step-by-step guides on how to install and activate eSIMs can prevent frustration.

7. Optimize sales & grow your business

To maximize your success, continuously analyze your sales performance and customer behavior. Understanding what works — and what doesn’t — will help you refine your approach and scale effectively.

Track sales and analyze customer data.

Track sales and keep an eye on customer behavior to gather insights on what campaigns are working and what eSIM plans are selling. 

Use the Airalo Partner Platform's analytics page to dive deep into insights on eSIM packages sold. This data will help you adjust pricing, promotions, and marketing strategies.

For example, if you notice a surge in demand for Japan during the spring season, you can promote Japan eSIM packages and adjust your advertising spend to capture more sales.

Expand your product offerings (regional/global eSIM plans).

As your business grows, consider diversifying your eSIM portfolio. Offering regional and global eSIM plans allows you to serve a wider audience. For example, You can promote special campaigns for long-term travelers with global eSIM packages or target exchange students traveling Europe with regional eSIM packages.

8. Bonus tip for Airalo Partners

Success as an eSIM reseller isn’t just about selling — it’s about understanding the tools at your disposal that support your sales. 

Understanding how the Partner Platform works and how you can use it to make your business grow will make a significant difference in results.

Key features to explore on the Partner Platform

• eSIM package options: With over 900 packages available, understanding the different plans — local, regional, global, data-only, and voice-enabled — will help you match the right solution to your customers.
• Flexible delivery methods: Try different ways of distributing eSIMs, whether through QR codes, email delivery, or WhatsApp, and choose what works best for your business.
• Analytics and reporting: Use built-in analytics to filter usage patterns, track customer behavior, and refine your marketing strategies.

FAQs

Do I need technical expertise to become an Airalo Reseller Partner?

Not at all! Airalo Partners provides simple, user-friendly solutions that make getting started easy. Plus, you'll have access to onboarding materials and support to guide you through the setup and any troubleshooting along the way.

How do I get paid as an Airalo Reseller partner?

You earn revenue by setting your own profit margin on eSIM packages. Airalo Partners provides competitively priced eSIMs, allowing you to add a markup while ensuring your prices meet or exceed our minimum selling price. This allows you to you tailor your pricing strategy to maximize earnings.

Can I set my own prices for eSIM packages?

Yes! As an Airalo Reseller, you have the flexibility to set your own prices. You can price eSIMs based on market demand, competition, or bundled offers, as long as the final price meets or exceeds our minimum selling price.

Do eSIMs work on all devices?

eSIMs are compatible with most modern smartphones, tablets, and some laptops, but not all devices support eSIM technology. It's important to provide customers with a list of compatible devices.