What people think of when Brand is talked about can vary but the brand plays an important part of your website design and the information within it. Things to consider:
- Colours
- Fonts
- Layout
- Text
All of these things should be looked at over your entire business, every business card you hand out, the flyers, brochures, and ebooks you give out as well as your website should all look like they belong to the same company.
I am sure we have all received a business card then when we visit the website it looks completely different, with an entirely different look and feel to it. If you take a little time, though not too much, to consider a few things then everything will tie in and look cohesive.
Colours
It can be difficult to decide on colours, I personally start with one colour I really like then use tools to help me find a palette that works. https://coolors.co is a website that help you to find sets of colours. You can then save them and export with their colour codes.
The same colours can be used in your website, on you printed materials and in your email.
Fonts
Fonts are the text format that you use, it can be difficult to know which ones go together. Some people will use the same font for headings and paragraphs.
Google fonts help, they are free to use and if you select one it will tell you which fonts will go with it.
The type of font is actually important. Is your business formal or relaxed? If it is a relaxed and modern business but the font is stiff and old fashioned then you are giving mixed messages.
In google fonts you can search by type, like handwriting, calligraphy or script. You can even type in your own text to see what it will look like or with their generic text.
The fonts can be downloaded and installed on computers so you can use with your letters and in other programs. Some online software has google fonts available as well.
WordPress has themes that use google fonts and if the theme does not there are plugins that can be added to use them.
Layout
This may not seem important but goes with text. If you have a layout that is busy and confusing or overwhelming but you want your business to seem clear then you are again sending mixed messages.
If your business is loud and manic and that is your brand then your website layout should not be sparse and minimalist.
Navigation is with layout, if people cannot get around your site and find what they want quickly they will leave.
Text
The text is the most important part and there is a lot to consider, but do not let this be overwhelming, some of what to think about:
- Language – the language that your clients will understand
- Tone – what tone do you want to use, reserved, casual, etc?
- Information – what information does your perfect client want from your website and what do they need?
Overall
Having a brand can help with all of this, even if you only look at what your perfect client is like and what they like. For example if your client is young, loud and talks using modern saying then you probably want to make your brand reflect that. Modern casual fonts with text that uses modern sayings, trendy colours.
If your perfect client is retired then using modern sayings that teenagers would use may not work but using language they use and understand would.
Once you know these things creating business documentation and marketing becomes easier, standard fonts, colours and tone of text, you only have to worry about the actual words!