Building a brand online is one of the best ways to start your own business. A successful brand will not only be profitable but can also be valuable to the community.
This article will discuss 7 steps on how to build a brand online.
But before we dive into the steps, it is crucial to know what really is online branding.
Just like how traditional branding crafts a unique identity in their market, online branding is about creating a digital footprint that users can appreciate and resonate with.
What is Online Branding with Examples?
Online branding is the process of building and creating a strong brand identity in the digital space.
It includes everything from the brand’s logo design, the business’s own website, the tone of voice, and the overall experience of users on the digital platforms.
Successful online branding ensures a memorable brand identity that the target audience can easily identify. It delivers the message and value that the online business provides to its target market.
Online branding isn’t limited to big corporations like Apple, Nike, and more. Small to medium-sized businesses, influencers, and personal brands can employ strategies to stand out too.
Here are a couple of notable examples:
Tony Robbins – A life coach, author, and motivational speaker who has harnessed the power of online branding to deliver his message about personal development. Through a series of videos, social media platforms, and websites, he has created a powerful brand identity and brand voice.
Gary Vaynerchuk – Started his brand with a wine business and has evolved into a digital marketing guru, GaryVee is one of the entrepreneurs who stand out in this generation. After doing a successful brand building he now shares insights on entrepreneurship, to reinforce his brand values and boost brand awareness.
Online branding can certainly help your business in establishing a competitive edge over rivals and achieve more of your business goals. But aside from this, why else should businesses develop an online brand?
Why Develop an Online Brand?
Developing an online brand can help your business in several ways, here are a few great examples of the importance of brand building.
Credibility and Trust – In today’s digital world, consumers first encounter businesses through their online platforms, this is why to establish trust and credibility it is important to have a well-defined brand online.
Emotional Connection – Users having an emotional connection to your brand will be the key to stand out from the rest of the competition.
Consistent Messaging – Online branding requires consistent messages and brand voice on all platforms.
Digital Recognition – Once you developed a brand online, it will easily be recognizable by consumers, boosting your brand image and marketing strategy.
Developing an online brand in the current state of this digital age is no longer an option, it is a necessity for any business who wants to succeed and take it to the next level.
Related: 5 Proven Business Hacks Every Entrepreneur Should Know
How to Build a Brand Online in 7 Steps
Building a brand won’t happen overnight, it will take some time, from a few months to several years. Keep in mind that the household name brands we know today, have been doing this for a decade or more.
But, as the great philosopher Lao Tzu quoted, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” All big brands have started small and have done the steps listed here. With that in mind, let’s dive into step 1.
STEP 1: Define Your Brand
Defining your brand isn’t only about a catchy tagline or a cool logo. It’s about your message, what you want your brand to be, and its identity to the core. Defining your brand includes knowing the following:
Unique Selling Proposition –What makes your brand unique from others
Mission Statement – What are your brand’s long-term goals
Core Values – Principles that serve as brand guidelines
Emotional Connection –What emotions do you want your customers to feel
Brand Aesthetics – Visual style and identity of the brand
Understanding your business’s value proposition is essential because they serve as the foundation of your brand. A clear and consistent brand definition will make your future branding efforts more efficient and effective.
STEP 2: Identify Your Target Audience
Every strong brand has identified their potential customers long before they develop their product or service.
Rather than wasting your time in the future on marketing your brand to an audience who doesn’t appreciate or see its value, focusing on a select group of people will make your brand’s personality shine.
Identifying your target audience goes deeper than just demographics, you have to understand and be aware of their behavior, preferences, and motivations to ensure your brand’s identity resonates.
STEP 3: Design Brand Elements
Designing brand elements is crucial to starting a new brand. They serve as the primary visual touchpoints for consumers to be attached to your brand and have a great first impression. These essential brand components can include:
Company or Business Name
Logo Design
Brand Colors
Style Guide
Texts and Fonts
Whether you are selling products or services, have an online store, or a personal brand, having a cohesive brand identity will include these components that must be consistent in all the platforms your brand is present in.
STEP 4: Create a Basic Website
In today’s world, if you don’t have a website, some consumers and internet users will think that you are not legit. It is not an option but an absolute necessity for building a brand to have a website.
It doesn’t have to be complicated with a lot of features, because that will cost capital to develop, even a basic website that clearly projects your brand personality and brand message will do the job.
It has to contain all the brand elements that you decided to create in the other steps, such as your brand’s business name, logo design, brand colors, styles, and fonts.
Remember, a great brand that has a well-established website will shine through the online noise and reinforces its brand positioning in the competitive market.
STEP 5: Set Up Social Media Profiles
Social media platforms are where most people spend their time in the digital space. It just makes sense for brands to be present in different platforms to engage with their audience.
Social media can help your brand develop long-lasting relationships with customers through direct interaction and genuine connection.
Potential buyers will also be attracted to your brand because of these engagements. It signals that your brand is authentic and gives your business more credibility in the eyes of the consumers.
Just keep in mind that there are a lot of social media platforms out there and each offers a different type of audience.
By this stage, you should have already identified your target market, this makes it easier to choose which platform to be present in during the early stages of your business.
Also, different types of businesses will have great benefits from different platforms, so be sure to study and research first before putting more time and effort into your branding on social media.
STEP 6: Start Content Creation
Content is the heartbeat of your digital branding efforts. It establishes your business authority in your field, educates your readers about your brand, and most importantly it can tell your story.
Focusing on content creation will certainly reward your business, but it will take time as search engines and platforms have algorithms that choose which content to show to people, so you have to be patient.
There are different types of content creation, no matter which one you choose make sure that it aligns with your brand identity and is quality content. Here are some examples of content creation for brands:
Blog Posts
Video Content
Infographics
Podcasts
E-books
Webinars
STEP 7: Promote and Market Your Brand
After doing all the other steps, the next one is to promote and market your brand.
This is the step that will take your new brand to new heights. Marketing ensures that your brand isn’t only existing in the digital world, but stands out from the rest.
Marketing campaigns play a pivotal role in promoting your brand online. It will include using different marketing materials such as digital ads, promotional videos, or collaboration with influencers or brand ambassadors.
Every campaign’s goal should be to make your business stand out, build brand awareness, and clearly state your brand’s messaging.
Final Thoughts
Building a brand online requires a considerable amount of time, it can even take years to see the results of your hard work. But as renowned businessman Richard Branson once said, “Branding demands commitment; commitment to continual re-invention; striking chords with people to stir their emotions“
In today’s world where online noise is abundant and competition is everywhere, leaving a lasting impact on your audience will require commitment, patience, and perseverance.
As you continue your journey in building a strong brand, remember to stay true to your brand identity and values. After all, the brands that became unicorns are those that remain adaptable and consistently resonate with their audience.
As a professional web and software developer, the author possesses a strong foundational background in Computer Science. This equips him with both academic rigor and practical insights into the world of web-based entrepreneurship. As the founder of this platform, webpreneurships.com, he stands at the intersection of technology and business.