Branding 101: How to Create a Brand Identity 

Planning to start a business and not sure how to brand it?

Already have a business but struggling with its brand image?

The solution to all your problems is creating a strong business identity. Brand identity is the secret sauce that tells the world what and who you are, and why are you different from others. Strong business branding shapes your business taking it to the next level.

 

What is Brand Identity?

Brand identity is the coming together of digital and tangible brand elements that promote brand recognition. This helps portray the right image of your business to its customers.

 

Branding Services- Why You Need Them

As a business, you send out a message every time you interact with your customers. Creating a strong brand identity ensures that your message is aligned with your business and brand strategy. This helps build a favourable perception, connection, and trust between your brand and its audience.

How to Create a Brand Identity- Ideation Stage

Use these steps in the ideation stage to create a foundation for your business branding ideas.

1. Find your Niche

The first step in deciding how to create a brand identity is to find a niche in your business domain and figure out where your products and services stand.

2. Define your Target Audience

The second step in deciding how to create a brand identity is to define your target audience to be able to create a tailored message. Do this by creating buyer personas that include data like demographics, pain points, preferences, etc.

3. Competitor Analysis

Analyse your competitors' brand messaging, colours, typography, and the shapes and images they use. Use this information to make your brand identity foolproof.

4. Define Your Brand Purpose

Brand your business by defining the brand purpose and figure out the brand’s mission, vision, values, personality, and unique positioning.

5. Choose a Brand Name

Utilize your business branding ideas to choose a name that best personifies your brand and business. Your brand name can be an acronym (GE), a name of a place (Patagonia), a surname (De Beers), a combination of two words (Netflix), etc.

6. Create a Catch Phrase or Slogan

Conjure a short and catchy slogan (or as we may call it; A Tagline) that creates a strong impression and is a reflection of your brand voice. Here are some business branding ideas for Taglines: Use a metaphor, make a bold statement, be poetic, or compliment your customers. Always remember to make it unique to your brand by adding a personal touch.

 

How to Create a Brand Identity- Design Aspects

After the ideation stage, the next steps to business branding are visualising your design. Here's what you have to keep in mind while you brand your business identity.

1. Logo Creation

Create a logo that resonates with your audience and communicates who you are. It should be memorable, simple, appealing, versatile, and appropriate to the niche.

2. Color Palette

Your brand name and logo include your colour palette that makes your brand recognizable. Brand your business by keeping these colour perceptions in mind.
Red & Orange denote passion, youth, energy, and excitement; Green denotes growth, money, and nature; Yellow denotes happiness, sunshine, and accessibility; Blue denotes trust and stability; Purple denotes royalty and luxury; Pink denotes femininity and softness; Black denotes mystery, class, and quiet efficiency

3. Typography

Use typography and font choices to accurately portray what your brand is through its brand identity.

4. Shapes

Shapes are essential business branding elements that accurately portray your brand voice. Brand your business by keeping these shape and imagery perceptions in mind.
Round shapes portray feelings of warmth, unity, comfort, and love; Straight-edged shapes denote feelings of stability, strength, reliability, and trust; Vertical shapes denote strength and toughness; Horizontal shapes denote peace and a carefree attitude

How to Create a Brand Identity- Business Integration

Along with your products & services, your business includes other components as well. Brand your business by integrating your brand identity into these components.

1. Website

Your website should be an extension of your brand identity. Use your brand colours and fonts on the website. Here's how it would work: 10% of the design should be your core brand color. 30% of the design should be your secondary brand color. 60% of your design should be a neutral color.

2. Email Design

Emailers and email signatures are a great way to engage with your customers. Make sure to include brand fonts and colours when designing emailers to promote a cohesive brand identity.

3. Product Packaging

Ensure your product packaging is an extension of your brand identity. The colours, patterns, text, etc. that you use must be distinct to make your product stand out in the crowd.

4. Business Cards and Stationery 

Brand your business cards and stationery with your brand logo, fonts, and colours. 

5. Social Media Channels

Include your brand logo on your social media handles so your brand is instantly recognisable.

 

A summary on Brand Identity Creation

Your brand identity sets you apart from your competition and helps build a connection with your audience. By Design is a leading creative agency that offers a full range of branding services. These include brand identity creation, communication strategy, collaterals, and packaging design.

Let us help you empower your brand, grow your influence and move your customers to action. Get in touch with us or email at hello@bydesign.co.in to create an impactful brand identity today.

 

FAQs on Business Branding

Q. 1. What are the 7 steps to creating a brand identity?

These are the 7 steps to brand your business identity.
1. Finding the core meaning behind your brand
2. Competitor analysis & audience research
3. Visualize the tone, focus, and personality of your brand
4. Select a brand name that aligns with your business
5. Create a short and appealing slogan/tagline
6. Create a visual identity for your brand
7. Apply your brand identity and monitor it regularly

Q. 2. What is an example of brand identity?

McDonald's is a powerful example of a brand identity that resonates worldwide. They create menus specific to geographic locations, dietary restrictions, age profiles, and budgets. With its iconic golden arches, Ronald McDonald character, and simple red and yellow colour palette, it is one of the most recognised brands globally.

Q. 3. What creates a strong brand identity?

Innovative business branding ideas and relevant branding services are applied together to create a strong brand identity. You create a strong brand identity by defining and combining key brand elements like the promise, position, personality, story, and brand association. This sets you apart from your competitors while positioning your brand firmly within your business niche.