How to Brand Your Business
If this is the year you decided to become a small business owner, you’re not alone. Thousands of people across the country are doing the same. With so much opportunity currently available, building an online business of any type is possible. However, in addition to the logistics of becoming an entrepreneur, like choosing a niche and securing funding, you also need to think about branding. Below are four important things you need to know about branding your business.
Brand Identity
Your business, regardless of type, needs a website. Your website is usually where consumers go to find out more about you, your brand’s values and determine the legitimacy of your business. When set up properly, it answers the questions potential customers have, which hopefully moves them down the buyer’s funnel. But to make this happen, you need to create a website that is easy to navigate, is entertaining and most importantly, answers their questions without having to jump through hoops. It also needs to have offerings similar to your competition to sway their decision in your favor.
Your Brand Strategy
Before you build your website, you need to define your brand’s strategy. Brand strategy is composed of several moving parts, which include your core values, goals, mission and brand’s narrative. It might also contain your elevator pitch as well, if you’re selling services. You also need to think about your customers. To make a true connection, your website needs to tell a story they want to read and possibly be a part of.
If you’ve never worked in marketing before, it’s here where you could run into a snag. Even with a multi-million-dollar product, consumers won’t trust or buy from you if they don’t feel connected. This same holds true if you’re selling services, like consulting, copywriting or even web design. If you’re thinking about earning your MBA to improve your market value, you might want to look into getting a loan through a private lender. They usually offer better interest rates and overall repayment terms over the course of the loan. This can come in handy, especially when trying to fund your business from the ground up.
Content Creation
When it comes to content, you need to think like a consumer. Long-form posts might not do well, so keep sections of your website short and sweet. Answer those key questions your ideal buyer has without them having to search endlessly on your website. You also need to keep the context of the content specific to your products or services. Blog posts should offer value and give the reader something to think about. Also, make sure the navigation as streamlined as possible.
Think Like a Creative
Website design is what attracts and keeps your customers attention. When someone lands on your site, you want the overall aesthetic and flow to pique interest. When designing the layout, think about the specific actions you want users to perform. You can then create a flow that makes those actions easier. The usability should then tie into the color scheme and any interactive elements you install.