Importance of Branding

As you design and build your new website, you must always attempt to give your visitors the sense they are visiting a professional site with a polished image.  The actual branding of your site will encompass a number of areas:

• Your visitors need to know your website’s purpose within the first thirty seconds they visit your website.
   
• If you are blogging on a certain topic, or delivering up regular content, be sure to focus on a specific, concentrated topic or you will fail in your attempt at capturing regular readers or return website visitors.
   
• As a long-term goal, you should attempt to associate your website with a certain concept.  For example, when I say online marketplace, most people will think EBay.
   
• Splurge on a quality logo – not one you build for free online!
   
• Incorporate your logo as a favicon (the cool little graphic to the left of the URL in your web browser). It is rumored to have a positive effect with SEO.
   
• Use consistent colors throughout your website. Make sure your site has the same look and feel as your offline material.
   
• Spread your brand whenever and wherever possible.  Use your signature line in emails, blog posts, and on other social networks.

Branding is not going to happen overnight.  The key is to start and maintain consistency – the results will eventually come.