Let’s talk about branding—something that might sound like it’s for big companies with big budgets. But here’s the thing: great branding isn’t just for the Apples and Nikes of the world. It’s for YOU—yes, your family-run/small business. And guess what? You don’t need a huge budget to make it happen.
Whether you’re just starting out or wanting to give your business a little refresh, here are some DIY branding ideas to help you —while keeping costs down.
1. Start with Your Why
Before you dive into logos, fonts, or colours, pause for a moment. Think about why you started your business. Why did you start your business? What are your values? Your “why” is the heart of your brand—it’s what makes you you and why customers will connect with your business.
DIY Branding Tip: Start with your ‘why,’ mission, and values, and turn them into a mini brand story. Then, go over your website and socials—are they telling the same story? If not, it might be time for a little refresh (And yes, we can help you refine this if it feels overwhelming!)
2. Nail Your Logo
Your logo is often the first thing people notice about your business. It doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to represent you.
DIY Branding Tip: Tools like Canva (free version) offer easy-to-use templates to help you get started. Keep it simple—use clean fonts, make sure it’s readable at any size, and choose a design that reflects your brand’s personality. Canva also has a Pro Brand Kit feature, where you can keep your fonts, colours, and logos organised for future use.
If you want something custom, this is where we can step in to create a logo that really captures your story. (We can also help if you design your own logo but need it redrawn professionally for clarity.)
3. Pick Your Colours and Fonts (and Stick to Them)
Consistency is your secret weapon for looking professional. Choose 2-3 main colours and a couple of fonts that reflect your business’s personality. Are you warm and inviting? Think earthy tones and soft fonts. Sleek and modern? Bold colours and sharp fonts work wonders.
What if a refresh is in order?
Sometimes, a little makeover can go a long way. If your current colours and fonts don’t feel right anymore, think about how you want your business to come across and explore colours and styles that match your desired look and feel.
DIY Branding Tip: Start small—try tweaking one colour or font to see how it transforms your look. You can use Coolors.co to experiment with different colour palettes until you find the perfect match.
To choose the perfect fonts for your business, check out Google Fonts, a free resource with hundreds of typography options to elevate your design.
And if you’re stuck, we’re always here to brainstorm fresh ideas with you!
4. Make Your Social Media Work Harder
Social media is your best friend when you’re on a budget. It’s free and the perfect place to show off your personality, connect with your audience and share your story.
Content Ideas:
- Share behind-the-scenes content of your business.
- Tell your story—people love learning about your story and the faces behind the brand.
- Highlight customer testimonials.
DIY Branding Tip: Use free tools like Canva to create simple, branded post templates. Upload your brand’s colours, fonts, and logo to keep everything consistent. When your posts look cohesive, your business appears more polished and professional.
However, while Canva is fantastic for DIY designs, let’s be honest—how many hours can you spend fiddling with designs while running a business? That’s where we can step in. With our one-hour design slots (just £80), we’ll create a bank of on-brand templates you can reuse. It saves you time and effort, so you can focus on what you do best. Just drop us a message to find out more
5. Create a Website That Works for You
You don’t need to spend thousands on a fancy website, but you absolutely need one. It’s like your 24/7 shop window—the go-to spot where customers check you out, learn about what you do and decide if they want to work with you.
DIY Branding Tip: Platforms like Wix are a good place to start if you don’t have the budget (although they are a bit harder than the adverts suggest, they are great for many businesses in the early stages). Start with a homepage, an About page, and a Contact page—keep it simple. And don’t forget you can also use Pexels to access free, high-quality images to elevate your website visuals.
6. Don’t Forget Your Voice
Branding isn’t just about how you look—it’s also about how you sound. And no, we’re not talking about how you answer the phone (although, actually, we do as well!), but for this, we are talking about how you communicate with your customers through your copy. Think about how you talk to your customers. Are you warm and chatty? Professional and concise? Your tone of voice should feel like an extension of who you are as a business, and this needs to be seen on your website and marketing copy.
DIY Branding Tip: Write as you speak! If you’re a family-run business, let that authenticity shine. Use your voice to make your customers feel like they’re chatting with a real person—not a robot.
If you’re feeling stuck or struggling to get your copy on-brand, we offer Copywriting Services to help you nail your messaging. Whether it’s crafting engaging website content or insightful blogs, we’ll help you find the right words to tell your story and connect with your audience.
When to Call Us
DIY branding is a fantastic way to start, but at some point, it will get a lot. Branding doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but it does need to tell your story. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like your branding isn’t quite hitting the mark, we’re here to help.
As a small, family-run business ourselves, we totally understand the balance between wanting branding that feels personal and professional and doesn’t break the bank. Whether you’re after a logo refresh, a website refresh, or a full brand makeover, (or just some advice) we can help create a brand that truly represents who you are.
If you would like to find out more about how we can help you, drop us a message or give us a call for a friendly chat.
