Firstly let me re-introduce myself. 🎤
Hi, I’m Laura. Brand AND web designer. I’m the dream team in a small but mighty package.
When working with me, you have the benefit of working with a brand designer that understands brand strategy, a graphic designer with 15+ years experience in print and digital design and a website designer that understands user friendly, accessible, and interactive websites.
Although today’s key message is about the benefits of working with the same brand and web designer, I’m still going to circle back on the importance of brand strategy and how this is always stage one for your business.
We’ve all heard the website horror stories.
The website projects that didn’t end well, or the clients who’ve had their sites redesigned (1 for the price of 2 😥). There could be many reasons why these projects went wrong and I want to make sure your name isn’t listed on the horror movie credits.
Let’s start with what I’ve seen happen based on my conversations and experiences with my own clients.
Badly built websites
Websites where the backend of the website is a mess, sites that clients cannot edit or update content without needing to go back to the developer.
This has been common issue that’s frustrating and costly and one that may be more linked to WordPress websites. There are many different ways for a website to be build using this platform and although some of these ways are not ‘wrong’ it is important to ask how much freedom and flexibility you will have with your website going forward. I use WordPress with Elementor, a drag and drop website builder which allows you to edit, update and add to the site without needing to outsource this to someone like me constantly.
You can learn more about why WordPress is the platform I use to build custom websites HERE.
Your website doesn’t communicate your business or your brand clearly.
Let’s look at the scenario – You have a badly designed website that doesn’t communicate your business clearly or entice a website visitor to stay on the website to find out more.
It feels inconsistent and doesn’t represent your business or your brand. Why?
There was no brand strategy or no brand identity at all!
Unfortunately in those cases we have needed to start again. And some from the beginning. This has been a costly and frustrating experience for those clients. To pay for something twice is hard to swallow let alone the cost to those businesses in missing out on reaching their target audience.
Fortunately, (positive vibes returning ✊) those clients have been thrilled about their new brand and website and have seen the value and results in doing it right this time.
What did I tell you? Brand and Web Dream Team. 👯🏻
You can read more about a successful brand and website design experience in the client case study HERE.
It’s brand and web, not web and brand.
This ties in closely with my last point. Getting the right order is key.
Branding may still be a newish term to some businesses and so some may feel a little confused on what order to work on their marketing and digital assets. (Not you wise reader, you’re informing yourself on what not to do, but this does still happen).
I understand the end goal is to have an engaging, user friendly website that gets more eyes on your business and converts those into paying customers.
However, without a brand identity this is a chicken and egg scenario. To get the best from your digital home, we first need to have a solid brand identity and strategy.
A brand identity is one of the most valuable assets to your business. Start here.
The website doesn’t gel with the brand identity.
In a lot of cases the branding can be diluted when working with a web designer that hasn’t been a part of the creative brand strategy process. I feel so invested in a brand after spending a lot of time, love and energy into creating it. And so it’s heartbreaking to see the branding misinterpreted by a web designer that wasn’t part of, or didn’t understand that strategy.
There are so many benefits to using the same designer to create your brand identity AND website. Firstly these services mesh so well together. Your brand identity has created the story and style for your business and you want this to flow beautifully into your new digital home which is the most important asset for your business.
Your brand and website is a complete puzzle that should be done together, by the same designer who created the strategy behind it all.
Each individual piece of the brand puzzle has its own important role, but the most critical aspect is how they connect together.
Bringing the brand identity together takes many long hours of strategy, decision making, not to mention testing out the design, the colour combinations, where and when to utilise the branding assets and when to allow the content to speak for itself.
No one knows your brand better than the designer who’s brought this visual identity to life. A designer who has worked on your brand identity will have a deep understanding of your brand and its values. They (I 👋) will be able to create a website that not only looks good but also accurately reflects your brand identity and messaging.
There may be many people who may create documents or graphics for your brand as your business takes off, and this is where a strong and clear style guide will come into play. And you won’t get it perfect every time. However your website is your most valuable asset so it’s one you definitely don’t want to leave to chance.
Working with one designer for both your brand and website can be more efficient and cost effective. Communication is streamlined and there is less room for miscommunication. I believe you will get the best result in your website asset by continuing the project with the brand designer.
My combination of skills are the #ginandtonic to your brand. I’d love to get acquainted and help you bring your brand and website together.
Get in touch today to chat more about how I can help and to clear up any questions you may have.
