Branding is an essential component of small business marketing, but its importance can sometimes be lost in the midst of all the other priorities of running a business. Factor in branding’s long-term outlook as well as the challenges of measuring its impact in the short run, and it can be tempting to leave it to the side for the moment while you address more pressing business concerns.

But putting in the time and resources to develop your brand strategy is crucial to your long-term success. So, how do you brand a small business? Our comprehensive guide to small business branding will help you get started on the road to developing a strong, successful brand for your business.

While your logo is an important component to your business brand, branding encompasses far more than the visual elements of your brand. Branding includes not only your company’s visual identity but also your customers’ overall perception of your brand. These perceptions are based on a number of elements, including intangibles such as:

1. Brand promises

2. Brand personality

3. Brand reputation

An effective brand identity design process, while involved, can be simplified by breaking the process down into the following seven steps:

– Outline your brand’s purpose

– Research competitor brands

– Decide on your target audience

– Determine your brand personality

– Develop your brand story and brand messages

– Create a visual identity

– Integrate your brand into your business

– Customer experiences and expectations

With a strong Brand strategy for your business, you can bolster customer loyalty and growth for your business. Good luck in the quest!