What is Branding?
Brand identity is an abbreviation of who you are and what you can do for someone. It is what makes your company stand out from the rest. It can be found in anything from your logo and website to your office space and employee uniform. Your company identity is the people and processes that you have put in place to make sure that your brand is consistent. It ensures that everything from your product packaging to your website design and marketing materials are all following the same tone, voice and look.
Contrary to popular belief, branding is much more than just a logo or slogan. The truth is that brands are about people’s perceptions and experiences with the company. They are complex and dynamic things that must be carefully crafted to create a positive long-lasting impression.
Creating a Sense of familiarity
When customers are looking to buy something, they often have a sense of familiarity with the brand. They might have seen the logo before or heard about the company from someone they trust. This familiarity can help them make purchasing decisions in a fraction of the time that it would take if they were unfamiliar with the company.
As customers, we all enjoy the understanding of a product or service that we are comfortable with. There are many reasons for this preference to go with what we know, but one of the most important is that when you’re remembered as a quality provider, you will encourage repeat business. These customers are more likely to choose your product or service again and again.
A professional appearance builds credibility and trust. People are more likely to purchase from a business that appears polished and legitimate. If your brand is consistent and easy to recognise, you will improve the likelihood that customers will return to your store. Customers may be more likely to buy from you because they feel more comfortable with the enterprise and if it’s known for quality then they are also more likely to purchase again.
Different Types of Branding
Branding has been around for a long time and is used in various types of industries. It’s a combination of factors that affect our senses and in the result with a uniform feeling every time we meet it. Branding is made up of a lot of elements, but some of the most important ones are:
Name: A company name is the first thing an audience will see about your business. The best names for businesses are usually short, memorable and relevant to your industry. For example: Apple, Coca Cola, and McDonalds all have catchy names that are easy to remember and identify with their respective products.
Logo: A logo is a trademark that represents a company, organization, or institution. Logos are important because they have a major impact on the brand of an individual company or organization. A logo can be used to brand an institution and tell people about the history, story and values of a business.
Colour: Colour is the most important aspect of branding. It can have a dramatic effect on how your brand is perceived by potential customers, and it influences their first impression of your company. Choosing the wrong colour can result in a negative reaction from potential customers but choose one that resonates with them, and you’ll be able to really connect with them.
Vision: A company’s vision is the cornerstone of its success. It is what guides every decision and informs every interaction. It directs the company to a specific set of goals and missions and helps keep it focused on its most important objectives.
Message: It is important for a company to have a clear and compelling message for its brand. A strong and cohesive message will help the company maintain its integrity as it expands. The company’s message should be able to push customers towards long-term loyalty instead of just focusing on short-term sales.
Shape: A shape is important to any brand because it can signify what the company does. The shape of an ice cream cone for instance may provide a takeaway for potential customers on the flavour of the ice cream and whether that flavour is available.
Graphics: People remember what they see more than what they read. In the age of social media and video, graphics are a powerful way to get people’s attention. They can be used in marketing campaigns and on your website to create an emotional connection with your target audience.
Sound: Customers can use their ears as well as their eyes to choose a company or product. They’ll also be more likely to remember your brand name if they can associate it with a sound. So, sound is important to our branding and customer experience.
What are the benefits of creating a brand rather than just a name and logo?
A brand is the sum of everything that a company does and stands for. A name and logo are only two aspects of branding. A strong brand has a clear positioning, an emotional connection with the customer, and consistency in its message.
A brand is not just about marketing, but it is also about the design of the company’s products or services, how they are marketed, how they are priced, how they interact with customers on social media channels, etc.
How can The Smart Content Help?
The Smart Content can help your brand in all ways, from logos to websites, we can create all the visuals for your company that you need! We can help you design and create a design strategy for your brand to build an identity that reflects who you are and what you do. We can work with you daily to ensure that your content is engaging and relevant.