Does your business have an online personality? In other words, if you took your company name off your Internet marketing materials, including your website, Facebook, and any client email correspondence, would your existing customers still be able to recognize you? Does your e-marketing channels carry the same branding, or do they appear to operate separately, as though they don’t belong to the same company?

These questions might seem fussy, but you have to take inventory of your online business image if you want to generate long-term growth and customer retention. This kind of image, both visually and verbally, has to be carefully cultivated and maintained. It’s called branding, and it is a vital part of every company’s marketing strategy.

Successful online branding has 3 essential components:

  •     A website that is aesthetically pleasing, optimized for mobile viewing, and professionally designed.
  •     A social media presence that is both active and interactive.
  •     Periodic electronic correspondence, whether through an e-blast, e-newsletter or personal e-mail.

Once your company is utilizing all three of these components, the next step is to focus on making them work together seamlessly. Develop an established process for branding your company “personality” that integrates the same colors, fonts, logos, and general uniform standards that every employee must follow when communicating via any of the three channels. This set of standards is also known as a style guide.

Developing a brand personality and style guide may feel like a time-consuming process, but it’s one that is necessary for businesses who hope to develop a loyal, long-term customer base. By using one voice consistently, your audience will remember your brand and view you as a credible and trustworthy source for their needs.

If this all seems overwhelming, consider hiring a professional marketing agency to handle all the legwork. Call us at 757-482-3492 and let’s discuss how we can help you best represent your company to your customers.