The Importance of Branding Up Your New Business

Whether you’re thinking of starting a business or you’ve just taken the leap, you might be wondering how to get your name out there and start building a customer base. This is where branding comes into play. But what exactly is branding, and why is it so important? 

This guide will demystify the world of branding, giving you handy tips to ensure your new business gets off on the right foot! 

Table of contents

What is branding?

Why is branding important for new businesses?

How to brand a new business

Printed essentials for your new business

What is branding?

Successfully branding your sparkly new business starts with a solid understanding of what branding really means. 

“Branding” is quite a vague term, so don’t worry if you’re struggling to grasp it – we’re going to break it down! 

Branding is the complete picture people hold in their minds when they think of your business. 

• What you stand for: Your values and the promises you make to customers.
• Who you help: Your ideal customers and the problems you solve for them.
• Your tone of voice: Messaging and how you communicate with your audience. 
• Visual identity: A consistent “look” and how it is applied. 
• Upholding standards: High service standards, reliability and customer experience. 

Branding goes beyond your logo. It helps customers understand your business, what sets you apart from competitors, and whether you’re the right fit for their needs. 

Why is branding important for new businesses? 

Finding customers is always tricky for new businesses. Without a reputation, reviews or word of mouth, you need to convince people to trust you, which is where branding can come in. 

Good branding helps relieve potential customers’ anxiety by showing that you are legitimate, trustworthy, and the right choice for their needs. 

Clear, consistent branding makes your marketing endeavours much faster. Every leaflet, poster, brochure or menu is easier to create when you know exactly what you need to say. 

Lots of new businesses feel they have to keep their prices low to compete with more established names. Having a strong brand from the off helps you stand out, meaning customers choose you for reasons beyond the price of your product or service. 

How to brand a new business

First things first, your new venture is going to need a name. But, before you go too crazy, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Companies House naming rules to ensure you comply. You’ll need to make sure your name doesn’t sound too similar to an existing company, or include any sensitive words or phrases without prior approval. 

As well as Companies House-friendly, your name should be:

• Easy to say and spell
• Available as a handle on social platforms 
• Flexible enough to grow as your business does

Trade marks

It’s wise to check existing UK trade marks, and consider registering one to protect your brand. 

Brand positioning

Having a clear position will help draw in customers. Have a think about the following questions, and answer them as clearly and concisely as you can:

• Who do we help?
• What problem do we solve?
• What makes us better or different from others? 

Weaving these answers into your brand messaging will ensure you attract the right customers, as they will know exactly what it is you’re offering. 

Visual branding

Time for more of the fun stuff! (unless trademarks are your idea of fun, we’re not judging) Creating a logo and a visual identity for your brand is a great way to flex your creative muscles. 

You could hire a designer to create a brand suite, including a logo, typography, colour scheme and templates, or head to a tool like Canva and give it a go yourself. 

Canva has plenty of free templates to help get you started with building your brand’s look. 

It’s also a great time to think about any printed materials for your new business. Canva is a great place to design your first Business Cards, and you can find our comprehensive guide below to get you off to a strong start: 

Once you have your brand visuals sorted, you’ll want to apply them consistently to build brand recognition. Ensure your logo is visible on your website, social media channels, any documents or invoices, in your email signature, and of course on any printed marketing materials you use.

Trust signals 

As we mentioned earlier, trust is difficult to build for new businesses. To help things along in the early days, there are a few trust signals that can help reassure customers that you’re real and reliable. 

Clear contact details: Small things like a professional email address and phone number can help customers feel at ease. One good way to get your details seen are with a Google Business Profile. It’s free and easy to set up and you can add everything from contact details to opening hours and links to get you seen by more people. 

Reviews and case studies: Even just a few reviews and strong case studies can build trust.

Accreditations and professional memberships: If you have specialist accreditations or memberships of professional bodies or councils, make sure you have these listed publicly. 

Clear policies: If relevant, clearly list any delivery, returns, or cancellation policies. 

Printed essentials for your new business

When you’re ready, printed materials are a great way to get the word out about your new venture. 

Stationery

Our Stationery is perfect for marketing your new business. We have versatile classics like Leaflets, Flyers and Business Cards, as well as fun additions like Pens for even more opportunity to get your branding seen.

Signage

If you’ve got a bricks and mortar shop, Signage can be a great way to direct people and encourage them to take a look. Our extensive range features indoor and outdoor options, with everything you need to get your branding seen by potential customers. 

Branded Merch

Get your brand seen organically with Branded Merchandise! Perfect for giving out to your staff, repping at events, or as an addition to your shop stock.

Office Decor

If you’ve got an office, why not kit it out with some branded decor? It creates a more lively atmosphere and also looks great to visiting clients or customers.

Attending an event or exhibition? We have everything you need to make sure your brand stands out. From Lanyards and Lanyard Cards to Saddle Stitch Booklets to create a programme or educational handout for attendees. Explore the full collection for more options!

Get your new business branding sorted with Printed.com 

Printed.com is here to support you on your new business journey! With a wide range of printed materials that cover all bases, we’re here with you as your new venture grows – from the first Business Card to your latest Brochure. 

With a fantastic choice of high-quality Papers, we have options for every budget, no matter where you are in your business journey.  

Ready to make it real?