Is Brand Identity Design Really an Unnecessary Expense?
Okay, so just to be clear, this slideshow highlights a few examples of very poor logo and brand design - if you don’t see it at first, give it a moment… 🤔 🤣
When it comes to building a successful business, many UK business owners focus on the essentials: great products, strong services, and attracting clients.
However, there’s a common misconception that investing in brand identity design or a professional visual identity is an unnecessary expense. In reality, this belief could be holding your business back from its real growth potential.
Here’s why good brand identity design can elevate your business to new heights…
Branding Is More Than Just a Logo
One of the most common myths about branding is that it only involves logo design. While your logo is a crucial element of your brand identity, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. A cohesive visual identity design, which includes everything from fonts and colour palettes to imagery and other visual assets, sets the foundation for how customers perceive your business.
Here’s a great logo…
Think of it as the personality of your company. A well-designed visual identity helps your business stand out, especially in a competitive market like the UK.
Don’t let an outdated view of branding stop you from unlocking its full potential.
… but here’s great branding!
Strong Brand Identity Design Increases Trust and Growth
Many UK business owners question whether brand identity design is truly necessary, but studies show that it has a direct impact on growth. According to McKinsey & Company, businesses that invest in strong branding and customer experience see customer satisfaction improve by 10% to 20%, and their revenue doubles over a 10-year period.
Why? Because a strong brand builds trust with customers. When people see a professional, cohesive brand identity, they’re more likely to engage with your business and, more importantly, make a purchase.
Consistent Visual Identity Boosts Revenue
Imagine you’re interacting with two businesses: one has a professional, consistent visual identity, while the other uses mismatched colours, fonts, and logos across different platforms. Which business seems more trustworthy and reliable? The answer is clear. Consistency in brand identity design not only increases brand recognition but also directly impacts your bottom line.
For my photography project client, Open Britain, I created a brand identity system that was scalable across different formats, large and small, but maintained brand consistency throughout.
The Lucidpress report found that businesses with consistent branding outperform their competitors by as much as 23% in revenue.
Don’t let an inconsistent brand identity stop your business from reaching its full potential.
Good Brand Design Makes You More Memorable
Many small and medium-sized businesses in the UK think professional brand identity design is a luxury only big corporations need. However, studies show that colour can increase brand recognition by up to 80%.
In this client example, I used black with a vibrant pink to make the brand stand out, with the pink used as a highlight for other elements like brand messaging.
This means that even simple elements of your visual identity can make your business more memorable to customers. A professionally designed brand identity helps you stick in the minds of potential clients, making it more likely they’ll come back when they’re ready to make a decision.
A Strong Brand Gives You a Competitive Edge
Some business owners believe their products or services can stand alone. While having a great product is essential, strong branding gives you a competitive edge that can’t be ignored.
Now forgive me, but I’m gratuitously using my own logo for this point. As a graphic designer, my marketplace is very crowded and I needed to create a brand that would really punch through… The imagery evokes the essence of the brand name - flames and a chilli pepper all within a drop of liquid (sauce) - coupled with a bold typeface using negative space for the ‘O’ to highlight the target of excellence I aim for with each project.
The use of the colour Red promotes feelings of excitement, energy, and adventure, all of which I want my clients to feel when we embark on a design project together.
Your brand identity design shapes how people feel about your business before they even experience what you offer. In the UK’s über-competitive market, a well designed brand can differentiate you from your competitors and attract the customers who are willing to pay for quality.
TL;DR
Don’t Let Outdated Beliefs Hold Your Business Back
Branding is often misunderstood, but it’s importance cannot be overstated.
Investing in professional brand identity design and a cohesive visual identity helps businesses stand out, build trust, and increase revenue. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an existing brand, the power of strong logo design and consistent branding should never be underestimated.
If you want to see how professional brand identity design can elevate your business, get in touch with HotSauce Design Works. We specialise in logo design and visual identity design that’s tailored to the unique needs of growing businesses in the UK and internationally.