Brands are not just logos, websites, business cards, fonts, images, advertisements, or customer service. You can think of a brand as a series of interactions with consumers and marketing practices that help distinguish your business, product, or service from those of your competitors. These include the visual design, marketing, communications and messaging which make up every experience that people have with your business.
The importance of branding lies not only in creating a memorable impression on consumers but also in letting your clients and customers know what to expect from your business. The goal is to distinguish yourself from the competition and explain what it is about what you offer that makes you the best choice. Branding should be a reflection of who you are as a business, and how you wish to be perceived. It is important for a brand to look great both on the outside and inside.
One part of the branding journey for businesses is getting a logo made. It's tempting to get a logo from Fiverr or other designs marketplaces, however, getting a quick, easy, and cheap solution is not always the best way to start, and you won't get a logo that represents you correctly. With that logo, you have no idea how to communicate in various situations. In business, a logo represents the culture that you wish to cultivate; it can set you apart from others and make you stand out; regardless of how big your business gets, it should always be with you.
In order to elevate your company or brand, you must look beyond logo design. Investing in your brand will help you achieve your vision, and working with a design agency like us will make that possible. A brand's value cannot be underestimated.
Ask yourself some serious questions before deciding on logos, colours, or other design elements. For example, what are some of your company's core values? What do you stand for? What makes your product unique? What is your company's purpose? Who are your target customers?
These questions, along with dozens more, are included in a document we send to all of our new partners (we prefer the term partners over clients). Workshops are held with all of our partners to begin building a brand and a brand strategy together. Rather than us creating your brand and then telling you what it is, we work together with you to build your brand so you fully comprehend the how, what, and why of it, we do this so our partners take their brand to market confidently and well-equipped. By carefully considering your branding strategy, you can clarify your brand values, develop your company's identity, you can make confident business decisions and put your company in a better position to prosper.
With so many options available to you when it comes to branding, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, and we understand. Establishing a relationship with the right designer or studio is essential. Budget comes into play when you are starting out, it is important to ask yourself if you are in this for short-term gain? If so then starting lean could be well worth it, but if you're planning on building something long-lasting then you should seriously consider investing from the get-go.
As far as budget is concerned, DIY or sites like Fiverr may be a good choice if you are looking to start a short-term business. When you're interested in building your brand but don't want to spend upwards of $100k, a studio like ours that is small in size can keep costs down while keeping you informed about our processes, strategies, and how we can work collaboratively with you to achieve your business goals. An agency that is often large in size, well-resourced, and able to take all the work off your hands may be a good choice if you have upwards of $100k to spend.
No matter what path you choose, it is important to understand which will work best for your business. We hope this blog provides some clarity for a very important choice. Get in touch with us if you have any questions about any of the above, or if you'd like a copy of our process and costs.