Can you feel it? I know it is still cold and snowy in some parts of the country, but before you know it, spring will be here in all its colorful glory. This time of the year fills me with so much joy, as my spirit seems to take flight as nature comes to life. But what does that have to do with web design, you ask?
Well, last year we did a post about spring cleaning your website, and this year, I thought I’d share with you some great tips on spring cleaning your brand.
A brand is not really what you say, but how you do things. It’s the way you treat your clients and deliver your services. A brand grows over time and develops into something unique. Of course, you can create a roadmap for your brand, but how it is perceived will change and require frequent tweaking to ensure that it stays on course.
This is the perfect time to review your brand and spruce it up for the year ahead.
Here’s how.
1. Re-evaluate your target audience.
Perhaps you should focus less on a certain sector and refine your message to appeal to a smaller focus group.
- How is your current audience responding to your brand?
- Could you open up to a wider audience?
2. Adjust your offering.
One of the hardest things for a business owner to do, is to step back and ask yourself whether your offerings are received as you had hoped. We all have a favorite product or service that we’d love to focus on, but sometimes industry trends or business climates require that we shift our focus somewhat for the sake of liquidity.
Consider which products or services you need to spotlight in your marketing in order to better serve your customers.
3. Update your social media profiles.
- Are your social media profiles up-to-date?
Consider adding a new profile image, a new cover photo and update your information to reflect your fresh brand strategy. Also take this opportunity to remove old and outdated information, and add testimonials.
Your Brand and Your Website
Spring cleaning should not be limited to your physical home and office, but also to your business’ online home – your website. Once you have established exactly what you want to do with your brand, and you have followed the three steps above, it is time to incorporate the new brand messages into your website.
4. Product and Service Descriptions
- What have you achieved since you last updated your website?
Be sure to include any new skills, qualifications and expertise on your About page, and where appropriate, new product or service pages.
5. Professional Profile
- Is your head-shot outdated?
If you’re still using the same profile photo that you used 5 years ago (and which was taken 10 years ago!), it is about time that you update it. An old photo sends a subliminal message that you’re hiding the current you and that your business offering may be as outdated as your hairstyle.
6. Content
Updating your content is an important part of spring cleaning your brand. Your verbiage should appeal to modern readers. Have a professional give it a once-over to ensure that it is strong, clear and enticing.
7. General Vibe
Ask a few people to give you their honest opinion as to your site’s vibe. Also, check out your competitors’ sites to see what they’re doing and where you can improve your own brand and website.
- Need some help with spring cleaning and updating your website and your brand image?
Give us a shout!