You've already started to build your brand or maybe you've been in business for a while and now you feel like something isn't working. I feel you and I'm here to help guide you through the process of creating an amazing and professional brand while avoiding these common branding mistakes.
When it comes to your brand, it's important that the message you're to send conveys that you're a professional. Because if you don't look professional, why should anyone take you seriously?
Having a clean and professional brand allows you to be confident that you're attracting the right crowd in or to be respected, appear credible, and show why they can trust you. Even if you may not feel like you are at that point, you need to look the part!
Why is Your Brand Important?
You only have about 8 seconds to grab the attention of your potential clients or customers. In an often overly-saturated market, if you're not showing up and killing it in the process, no one is going to notice you. Or even worse, they'll go to someone else instead.
It doesn't matter if you provide an amazing service or an awesome product, your business will never flourish with an inconsistent brand. People will easily keep scrolling right past you if they don't see something that immediately catches their eye. So give them something to make them stop scrolling when they come across your brand!
So let's dive in to the top branding mistakes that you should be avoiding at all costs.
1. Low Quality Graphics
This one drives me crazy because it immediately sends the wrong message and is so easy to avoid!
When you're selecting and including any graphics on your website, social media, etc. you need to make sure that they're high quality and sharp graphics because blurry, pixelated graphics immediately scream unprofessionalism!
If your image is poor quality, it sends the message that you don't care enough to fix the issue. This is a terrible message to be sending to future potential clients or customers! Another message low-quality images send is a sense of tackiness or DIY within your brand.
However, there are definitely options when it comes to saving money and doing some things on your own that doesn't mean spending a ton of money while compromising quality. In fact, you can find some great quality images here that offer paid and free images for you to use.
So do yourself a favor and avoid cheap looking images!
2. Using Too Many Fonts
Now this doesn't only pertain to your logo. This is for all branding aspects and your website. Unfortunately, I've seen this mistake made so many times.
If too many fonts are being used, it creates a sense of chaos and disorganization. This is why it's essential to refine your fonts. Next time you visit a website (even better if it's a competitor website), most likely you'll notice they only use 2 (MAX 3) fonts.
Pick two to three fonts that speak to your brand, are readable, and use them consistently. It's something that can easily be overlooked, however trust me when I tell you that the font you choose makes a huge difference in the overall professionalism of your brand.
3. Not Enough Space
Have you ever come across a web page and instantly felt anxious and even suffocated? This is the result of not using enough space or breathing room within the design. We all need space sometimes and your website is no exception.
If you look back at your design and feel like something isn't sitting right or you feel uneasy, give your text and/or graphics some space to breathe. A clogged up website looks unprofessional, creates uneasiness, and scares away your target audience. The last thing you want is for your design to make a negative impression!
It's incredibly important to have a clean and well-organized layout in order to avoid your viewers from feeling overwhelmed and moving right on past your brand.
4. Lack of Brand Consistency
This means that no matter which platform someone sees your brand, it's instantly recognizable and consistent. This means using the same colors, logo, fonts, design elements, etc.
This is another one I unfortunately see too often where when I check out someone's website and then go over to their social media (or vice versa), it looks like two completely different businesses! This cause unnecessary confusion to a potential client or customer and in turn results in lost sales.
When going from one platform to another, there should be no reason for someone to question if they're still looking at the same business.
5. Not Knowing Who You're Branding For
I'm going to say something that may not be something you want to hear... your brand design is not for you. Your brand graphics have a specific function and purpose and it's not to just look pretty.
I understand that you want your branding to represent you as a business owner however, it's vital that your branding is appealing to your target audience. Because if you love your brand design and your audience hates it, what's the point if it causes you to lose money?
What fits your personality might not be the best fit for the people you're trying to attract and this can have a major (and even costly) impact on your business.
