How Small Businesses Can Stand Out with Their Branding

Branding is one of the most important things about a business. It’s the reason why the McDonalds logo is imprinted in your mind. It’s also the reason why you’ve probably never heard of White Castle, its original competitor and the first-ever fast food hamburger chain.

If you want your business to stand out from the crowd, you’d better put some effort into your branding. There are so many ways to get your brand in front of a lot of people these days to enhance its power.

Understanding the Importance of Branding

Let’s think about the word branding in its literal sense. When a cow is branded, it has a permanent mark burnt into its skin to show which farm it belongs to. Once the branding is there, it never goes away. The same could be said for famous companies. Their branding is so strong that as soon as someone says their name, you think of their logo. If you hear Nike, for instance, you’ll see the iconic tick in your mind. The same can be said for the Olympics, or Apple – they are imprinted in your brain in the same way the farmer’s logo is burnt onto the cow.

There are various reasons why it’s important to have a strong brand. The logo is the first point of contact, but the advertising and web pages have to reflect the same clear message. A strong brand can help to build trust with customers, as it shows your business is consistent with its values. For small businesses who want to compete with the big brands, it’s worth spending some time on establishing a clear brand.  

Notable Examples of Effective Branding

There’s no point talking about all the big guns like Amazon, Facebook, and Google – they’ve already mastered their branding. But small business owners may be interested in other brands that have done things right in recent times and managed to stand out against stronger competition.

Innocent Drinks, for example, is noticeable for its honest branding. More people than ever are searching for healthy products, and the company opts for transparency in the way it communicates with customers. Glossier is another one that has built a brand around authenticity – something that so many people desire in today’s world.

This effect isn’t just seen with businesses, it can also be used in standalone games. Fishin’ Frenzy, for instance, is one of the most instantly recognisable titles in the online casino industry. That’s because of its appealing graphics and design, along with the way it conveys a fun twist on the well-known pastime.  

Strategies For Businesses

The best strategy for business owners when it comes to branding is to analyse some of the world’s best brands and replicate what they are doing. All the top brands are unique and memorable, and that starts with an attractive and colourful logo. From there, the aesthetics from the logo should spread out into the web pages.

It's also a good idea to study and get to know your target audience. What are they looking for in a brand? For example, if they care about the environment, make sure you focus on sustainability.

Don’t be a forgettable brand that gets stomped on by its competitors. Put some time and effort into getting the branding right for your business, and you’ll reap the rewards later.