Tips for a Professional Brand & Website
When I ask clients for a word to describe how they want their site/brand/marketing to look, there’s one that crops up time and time again.
“I would like my website and brand to look professional, please.”
Professional. It crops up time and time again. Because if we look professional, our audience is much more likely to invest in our products or services, to crack open their wallet and part with their hard-earned money.
But what does professional look like in our brand, website and marketing? Here’s my list of must haves for a professional brand & website…
Custom Domain
You should have a custom domain for your website. What does this mean?
No eleanorstones.squarespace.com or eleanorstones.wixsite.com.
Before even landing on your website, you’re giving off an impression to your audience. By purchasing a domain (like www.eleanorstones.co.uk), you’re saying hello, I’m serious about this business and attention to detail and that’s my attitude to my products/services.
So, I recommend purchasing your own domain and linking it to your website to achieve a professional look.
Negative Space
You may have come across different ‘design rules’ such as hierarchy and contrast. I’m going to introduce you to the most simple yet effective rule: negative space. Sometimes known as white space, it’s the blank areas in branding design and on websites.
When explaining this, I always use the king of negative space, Google as an example. Here’s a look at their home page:
I like to think of it as ‘breathing room’ for the item in question. It’s the space around and between objects in design and is all about creating focus and clarity for your audience.
a sleek Colour Palette
Colour palettes dictate a LOT on your website and across your brand. A brand colour palette makes up a large part of a brand. The colours you choose represent your business in your logo, branding materials, website and marketing. It’s everywhere!
But without careful thought they could be telling your audience exactly what you don’t want it to, making you blend in with the crowd or look unprofessional. The colours don’t have to be dull but they do need to be cohesive and reflect your brand values.
Tip: If you’re short on time or budget, try coolors.co to get a professional looking colour palette in seconds.
Trust factors
This is another huge sign that you’re a professional business. Trust signals tell a potential customer that you are a safe investment. Without them, you could be any old so-and-so trying to sell me something.
It’s easy and simple to inject trust into your brand and website. Here are three of the easiest tweaks to make in the next half hour:
- Testimonials or reviews
- Easy contact and communication on your website and social media
- Security on your website
Social Media
Social media accounts are great tools to reach new audiences and develop a community alongside your website. In today’s day and age it’s a must have to look professional in your business.
And it’s not enough to have a profile that’s become a social media desert. You need to be showing up regularly and consistently. This shows your audience that yes, you are still operating and yes, you are committed to your business.
Consistency
And finally, one of my favourite words in business - and life come to think of it. This is the difference between a DIY business and one that looks professional and successful:
Consistency.
In the quality, quantity and voice of your marketing, in your style through your brand and in your identity on your website.
I hope you enjoy implementing these into your business and watching your audience grow loyal to your new professional-look brand and website.
