5 Essential Elements of a Successful Brand Identity

You’ve poured your heart and soul into making your business a success, but you can’t help but feel that something’s missing from your advertising strategy. Odds are, you’re missing a clear brand identity. Branding can have a massive impact on your overall success, but you’ll have to make a positive impact fast. It only takes about seven seconds for a customer to make up their mind about your company. To make sure your branding is up to snuff, include these five elements of a brand!

1. Differentiation

At the risk of oversimplifying the art of branding, you can boil down its purpose into one word: divergence. A good brand helps you stand out in a crowded field and separates you from the competition. If your logo or voice is too similar to the competition’s, you’ll run the risk of creating confusion.

2. Trust

Branding is so much more than a logo. Establishing your company’s identity requires you to create a unique, vibrant voice that resonates with your audience and establishes trust. In short, don’t be something your business isn’t. Think about what your company represents and how you can use those values to create something that speaks with your audience—not at them.

3. Clarity

How many times have you come across a sign for a business that says nothing about what the company does? Don’t make your customers guess, because they won’t waste their time. Instead, make sure your branding covers the following topics:

Who you are
What you do
What makes you different
How customers can reach you

Keep it simple. An eye-popping logo is great, but if it doesn’t inform the audience, it’s pointless.

4. Reliability

If a customer finds your business on Facebook, then visits your website, they should experience a singular, clear message. Customers crave reliability, so make sure you’re using the same voice across all platforms. Don’t forget to incorporate your logo and voice into things like email headers and invoices, too. If you’re interested in finding out more, check out this Free Invoice Generator that specifically helps brands use their voices.

5. Memorability

This is both the hardest and most important aspect of branding. In a perfect world, your brand should stick with customers, long after they’ve made their initial purchase. For example, think of how Coca-Cola and its polar bear mascots are practically synonymous with Christmas at this point. Or how McDonald’s has the golden arches. These bits of branding are things customers can recognize within seconds, even if a brand name isn’t directly attached.

The Elements of a Brand Your Company Can’t Go Without

Branding is so much more than a marketing buzzword. It’s an essential business component that ensures differentiation, personality, trust, clarity, and memorability. As you further assess your business goals, make sure you’re including these elements of a brand identity. And if you’d like to learn more about marketing your website, including how you can build a great website or utilize eco-friendly hosting solutions, be sure to check out the rest of our site and get in touch!