Introduction
"Your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room." – Jeff Bezos.
Branding is more than just a logo; it's how your customers perceive you, trust you, and remember you. But hiring a professional designer can be expensive, and when you're just starting your business, every dollar counts! So, what’s the solution? DIY branding.
With the right strategy and tools, you can create a professional, cohesive brand that builds credibility and attracts customers—without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step. Plus, we’ll show you how That Branding Co.’s branding templates can help you achieve a polished, high-quality look effortlessly.
Understanding the Foundations of Branding
More Than Just a Logo
Branding isn’t just about slapping a logo on your website and calling it a day. It’s about creating an identity that resonates with your audience. Strong branding includes:
- A clear brand voice (the way you communicate with customers).
- A defined message that reflects your business values.
- A consistent experience across all touch points—website, emails, social media, and more.
When done right, a strong brand builds trust, increases recognition, and helps your small business stand out.
Your Brand’s Visual and Emotional Identity
Your brand's look and feel are just as important as its messaging. Colours, fonts, and imagery all play a role in shaping how customers perceive your business.
- Colours evoke emotions. Think about how red signifies passion, while blue conveys trust.
- Typography sets the tone. A modern sans-serif font feels sleek and contemporary, while a serif font exudes tradition and reliability.
- Imagery builds connection. High-quality, consistent visuals help create a memorable brand.
Big brands like Apple and Nike are instantly recognisable because they maintain a consistent identity. Your small business can do the same—even without a designer!
Step-by-Step Guide to DIY Professional Branding
Step 1 – Define Your Brand Identity
Before you start designing, get crystal clear on your brand identity.
Ask yourself:
- What’s my business’s mission and core values?
- Who is my target audience?
- How do I want my brand to make people feel?
- What words best describe my brand personality? (e.g. fun, elegant, trustworthy)
Defining these elements will guide every branding decision you make.
Step 2 – Establish a Consistent Brand Voice
Your brand voice is how you communicate with your audience. Is it playful? Professional? Inspirational?
For example, at That Branding Co., we keep our tone modern, fun, and approachable—just like the branding templates we create! Once you define your brand voice, use it consistently across your website, social media, and emails.
Step 3 – Choose Your Brand Colours and Fonts
Colours matter. Studies show that 85% of consumers base their buying decisions on colour alone! (Source: Kissmetrics)
When choosing colours:
- Stick to 2–3 primary colours and add 2-4 accent colours.
- Ensure they align with your brand personality (e.g. soft pastels for a feminine brand, bold neons for a trendy startup).
Typography is just as important.
- Use one primary font for headings and one complementary font for body text.
- Avoid using too many different fonts—it creates inconsistency.
👉 Our branding kit includes pre-selected colour palettes and font pairings to make this step easy!
Step 4 – Design Professional-Looking Branding Materials
Your brand needs to be consistent everywhere—from your website to your Instagram.
Here are the essentials:
- Logo variations (primary, secondary, and icon versions)
- Business cards & email graphics
- Social media templates (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc.)
- Website theme (colours, buttons, typography, layout)
🚀 Our complete eCommerce brand kit includes:
- Logo templates
- Colour palette
- Typography & brand guidelines
- Business cards & thank-you cards
- Email signature
- Shopify theme
- Social media templates
- Email graphic templates
This means you can have a fully branded business in just a few hours (not months)!
Step 5 – Stay Consistent Across All Platforms
Branding consistency makes your business look professional and trustworthy. Here’s how to maintain it:
- Use the same logo, colours, and fonts on every platform.
- Keep your social media templates cohesive.
- Make sure your email graphics match your website branding.
That Branding Co.’s branding templates make this process easy—everything is designed to work together seamlessly!
Common DIY Branding Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Inconsistent colours and fonts. If your Instagram has pink and gold but your website is black and blue, it confuses customers.
🚫 A scattered brand message. If one post sounds formal and another sounds playful, it weakens your brand identity.
🚫 Low-quality visuals. Blurry images and messy designs make your business look unprofessional.
🚫 Overcomplicating your branding. Simple, polished branding is more effective than a cluttered, over-the-top look.
Final Thoughts – Branding Made Easy with Templates
Branding doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With the right tools, you can create a stunning, professional brand without hiring a designer.
That Branding Co. offers branding kits, Shopify themes, social media templates, and email graphics to help you launch a cohesive brand effortlessly.
✨ Ready to elevate your small business branding? Check out our professionally designed branding templates and start building your brand today!
By following these steps and using the right templates, your small business can look as polished and professional as any big brand—without the hefty price tag.
