How important is your brand?

A brand is how others see and perceive your business.

The way that is visually expressed through a logo, colour and typeface is how your company is perceived by your customers and the value they place on your business and is the key to your success.

Here are some of our tips for creating a great brand:

Keep things simple.
A good slogan is a powerful tool, but it should be kept short in order to make the biggest impact. The best way to do this is to identify what puts you ahead of your competition and define it clearly to your target market. This way, you’ll avoid confusing potential customers and possibly putting them off.

Invest in a good logo.
While it may be tempting to create your own branding, it’s much better to hire a professional to create a graphical representation of your business. A good logo will gain attention by putting a public face on your company, as well as maintaining attention, even after a transaction has been completed.

Maintain your brand.
If you’re probably not gaining the customers you want and it could be time for a change. Sometimes a simple refresh is all that’s needed.

Maintain a quality website.
As the primary online representation of your business, your website should be totally professional. Keep your design and content updated because virtually all potential customers will look for your website.

Listen to feedback.
Digital marketing channels have greatly increased opportunities for customers to provide feedback about a brand. Whether it’s on your social media profiles, via your website, or on online forums, never ignore what your customers are saying about you.

Don’t be afraid to try something different.
While it can sometimes be difficult to break away from familiar approaches and techniques in order to test a new angle or a previously unexplored channel, without fresh exciting ideas, your brand runs the risk of becoming stale and boring in the eyes of your audience.

Keep up with your competitors.
Staying competitive in the marketplace means always keeping an eye on what your competitors are doing, and ensuring your brand has a presence wherever you feel is necessary to compete with rival companies. Remember too that it’s also about what your competitors aren’t doing – keep your eyes open for new opportunities that can position your brand as a pioneer by getting there first.