Building a strong brand on the Internet isn’t easy. In fact, Internet branding is an area that most online businesses screw up rather badly.
From single freelancer to team business, brand is what gets you ahead. It gets you noticed. It makes you memorable. So why are you missing the opportunities to brand your site properly?
Many people come to us with the request for a new design and some great copy. That’s great; we’re happy to help. But even our magic can’t help business owners who have a poorly chosen domain name, a terrible business name and no interest in proper branding.
So I’m going to say it quite plainly: Build your brand before you even consider building your business. Online, your brand is all you have going for you.
Your site is invisible. There are millions out there. You have a split second to make it or break. You’ve heard this before. Making it takes work. It takes some thought and some analysis of what you want, who you want to come to you and how you’re going to appeal to your audience.
No brand? No business.
People come to us all the time looking for reasons why they aren’t attracting readers, aren’t selling as much as they want and aren’t making a mark. They think a little makeover might help.
Well, if you have a good product or service and your content is solid, then yes, a better look might work.
“What’s your image? What branding do you have?” We ask this question to our clients every time. We’re often answered with, “I don’t know.”
If you don’t have a branded site, you might as well close up shop before even opening your doors.
Sound grim? It is, but it’s the reality of the Internet. Should you give up now? Of course not. Have a little faith in us.
We always try to help others have a better business and overcome the obstacles. Our focus is on giving the wake-up call people need to avoid making mistakes and spending money. So here are some quick tips to help you develop a better business online.
Choose the right name
Your domain and business name need to be short, snappy, catchy and interesting. Avoid generic names like books.com or personal names like jameschartrand.ca. These types of names mean nothing to consumers and they aren’t memorable. If people can’t remember you, they won’t buy from you.
Find a domain name that is representative and relevant to what you offer. Try not to be boring, either. Be distinct. But for the love of Pete, don’t be clever. Be clear.
Choose the right look
That sleek corporate sites look nice and credible, but if your style is casual and friendly, your site isn’t going to work for you. You’ll feel uncomfortable trying to fit your personality to your site design, and your customers will feel the inconsistency.
Get a site design that reflects your personality so that it feels just like home. You’ll be more comfortable and relaxed, you’ll be able to be the person you are, and your customers will appreciate that you and your site have the same personality.
Choose the right content
How many boring sites have you read? There’s no impact, no emotion in the words, just a bunch of blah blah blah. Then there are the sites that sound stiff and overly professional – they come off lofty.
Are you blah blah blah? Are you lofty? If not, then don’t have content that doesn’t represent you.
Your content has style, just like you have style. Flaunt it, show it and use it to your advantage to enhance your brand. Make sure that your content sounds like you or your team. Don’t put on airs. Match the tone of your content to your own tone and personality for a great fit.
Choose the right mindset
You can have everything going for you and your business, but if you have no interest in marketing yourself, spending time on promotion or investing in advertising and improvements, say sayonara to success. On the Internet, your business depends on your interest in seeing it succeed.
So start by putting some effort and thought into the business you’re building. Don’t rush it and work on getting it right. Plan, plot and contemplate every aspect of your brand.
Of course, don’t go the other extreme and never launch because you’re being a perfectionist either. But do be serious and do plan your brand so that your business does better.
Still not sure about how to brand your site? Want some advice, mentoring and tips to get you on the right track?
We can help. Contact us today .
