Anyone can own a business, but in the world of online commerce, you’ve got to have a brand. Producing a great product or offering an outstanding service isn’t enough to distinguish you from the millions of other entrepreneurs doing the exact same thing. If you want to stand out from your competition and make a lasting impression on your target audience, you’ve got to establish a strong brand identity.

Brand identity encompasses everything that makes your company unique. Cultivating your brand identity requires you to make strong, well-researched choices about the look, feel, personality, and mission of your business.

So, where do you start?

There are 5 things you should focus on:

1. Look

You want to stand out and catch your customer’s eye, so you need a look that appeals to them. This is where your demographics and target audience research are going to come in handy. It helps you choose colors, typeface, images, and web design that resonates with your audience.

Your choices for logo, fonts and graphics should reflect your brand’s personality. Are you playful? Serious? Glamorous? Choose a look that reflects your vibe.

2. Personality

What makes you different and unique? Showcase it! You want your website, business communication, and social media profiles to reflect who you are and show what makes you special. When your customers feel like they know you and feel a connection to you, that builds trust and loyalty.

3. Word Choice

The language you use matters. How would you speak with your customers if you were face-to-face? Carry that over to your social media content, web page, and emails. Your content should reflect your voice and make your customers feel like you’re talking directly to them.

4. Mission

What is your business all about? How are you solving problems for your customers and making their lives better? A big part of cultivating your brand identity is knowing your purpose and making it clear to your audience.

5. Consistency

Once you’ve established your brand identity, stick with it! That doesn’t mean you can’t update things over time, but you don’t want to constantly reinvent yourself. Brand identity is all about establishing credibility and trust, and that won’t happen if your customers feel like you’re unreliable or flakey.

Having a strong, recognizable brand identity is the key to connecting with customers and attracting new ones. Book a call today to learn more about developing your branding strategy!