Why Nailing Your Brand is Non-Negotiable Before Building Your Website
Don't pick out the curtains before building your house.
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Ciao Amici,
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Your website is your digital storefront.” But here’s the kicker—without a solid brand foundation, that storefront is like a store with no signage. People may stumble across it, but will they know what you’re about?
Probably not.
Before you dive headfirst into the website build (because let’s be honest, that’s the fun part, right?), you’ve got to take a step back and make sure your branding is airtight.
This is a step I’ve seen so many businesses skip—leading to costly revisions and a website that just doesn’t hit the mark or convert.
Why Branding Before a Website?
Think of your brand as the blueprint for your entire business. It’s the foundation for everything—how you communicate, how you show up, and yes, how your website looks, feels, and functions.
Imagine trying to build a house without a blueprint. You wouldn’t know where the walls go, what the layout should be, or how to furnish it.
The same logic applies to your website. Your brand is the blueprint that guides the design, content, and user experience.
1. Clarity is Key
Your brand is more than just a logo and color palette; it’s how people perceive your business. It’s your message, your story, and what makes you different. Getting clear on your brand before you start building your website means every pixel and every word will align with who you are and what you stand for.
Without that clarity, you’re throwing darts in the dark, hoping something sticks.
2. Consistency Builds Trust
Brand consistency across all platforms, especially your website, is crucial to building trust. When your website reflects the same tone, look, and feel as the rest of your brand, you create a cohesive experience for your audience.
They recognize you, they know what to expect, and they feel confident in what you’re offering. Inconsistent branding? That’s a trust killer.
3. Efficiency in Execution
Getting your branding right first saves you time and money.
If your brand isn’t well-defined before the website build, you’ll likely face rounds of revisions, conflicting feedback, and endless tweaks. But when your brand is locked in, you can streamline the process, allowing your web designers and developers to work more efficiently. They’ll have a clear roadmap to follow, which leads to a more polished, intentional final product.
Real-World Example: The Cost of Skipping the Branding Step
I once worked with a startup that rushed into building their website without a solid brand identity. They thought they could figure out the branding later, but what happened? After launching, they realized their messaging was all over the place, the design didn’t resonate with their audience, and the website wasn’t converting.
They ended up rebranding and rebuilding the entire site—a costly and time-consuming mistake.
Another example is the business I spoke with last week. They have big visions, but small thinking. They’re doing some base-line SEO and PPC and instead of working on their brand, they’ve decided to skip ahead to their website. 🤦♂️
I’m sure they’ll be calling me back in a month or two.
4. Your Website Should Amplify Your Brand
At the end of the day, your website should be an extension of your brand, not the other way around. It’s there to amplify your brand’s voice, showcase your values, and convert visitors into loyal customers.
Without a strong brand foundation, your website will just be another pretty face on the internet. And trust me, that’s not what you want. 😉
Getting your branding right is non-negotiable before you embark on a website build.
It sets the stage for everything that follows, ensuring that your digital presence is aligned, impactful, and authentic to who you are.
So, before you start picking out website templates, fonts, and fancy features, ask yourself—do I have a clear, compelling brand that will guide the way?
To your unstoppable success,
-Steven ✌️🍕
P.S. Today’s newsletter is brought to you by ⚡️MOVETIC⚡️, an award-winning progressive brand consultancy building resilient brands through strategy, content, and web. Contact them HERE.
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