Entrepreneurs planning to launch a startup are faced with a plethora of problems to pick their way through.
However, differentiation can be particularly tricky to take care of with grace and gusto – with a sea of competitors a couple of clicks away online or next door in the high street or retail park, just how can you convince customers that your brand is truly special?
If your products and services are truly revolutionary and unique, your challenge might be making it crystal clear exactly how they brilliantly heal customer pain points.
And if you’re offering a new version of something that already exists, you’ll have to develop a USP (Unique Selling Proposition) that makes you stand out from the crowd – this could be competitive pricing or even a refreshing approach to customer service.
But in both cases, taking time to think about visual branding can be beneficial because images can get a powerful message across to customers much faster than words – and provide you with a powerful platform to inspire trust and confidence.
With that in mind, here are three bang-on visual branding tips for startups.
Choose the right name
First and foremost, getting your startup brand name right is absolutely vital.
Cool and clever is all well and good but be careful that you’re marvellous new company moniker isn’t such a tongue-twister that customers can’t pronounce it and worse, think it’s downright weird!
Check out this Forbes article on brand names for some straightforward tips and you’ll soon be brainstorming exceptional ideas with your team and avoiding the pitfalls of an unusual name that has unintended comedic, rather than commercial, value.
Develop a lovely logo
Once you’ve got a solid yet memorable name, the next step is probably developing a logo that will be your calling card.
There’s a bit more leeway with logos than names because you can afford to be slightly more abstract and innovative – but the best logos still blend basic elements like colours, shapes and copy to achieve a simple sophistication that imprints your brand intuitively in customers’ minds.
Struggling to get started? Read this Canva article on famous logos to kick-start your creativity and don’t forget that working with a professional graphic designer who has a diverse portfolio can provide peace of mind.
In-store visual branding
With your exciting and memorable company name and logo in the bag, it’s time to apply it from everything from your website to merchandise.
But don’t forget to align your instore customer experience with your digital output – for example, buy a branded entrance mat from Kleen-Tex and you’ll create a subtle yet positive first impression for customers as soon as they set foot in your store or office.
Visual branding is about style as well as substance – both on- and offline. So there’s no point in your website and social branding being slick and smooth if this doesn’t chime with the experience you can offer footfall customers.
Visual branding isn’t easy, but nothing that’s worthwhile in business is.
However, follow these three bang-on visual branding tips and you can connect with customers in engaging and rewarding ways and build a loyal following that sustains your success in the long term.