44. Four tips to brand your website
Guest blog post
by Taryn Mercedes Web Design
Your website should tell your brand's story strategically through visual content and copy. It's your brand that defines the look and feel of your website.
Here are four tips to consider when preparing to design a beautifully branded website:
Brand design keywords.
Choose a few keywords or adjectives to describe the design of your website. These keywords should reflect your brand's identity and describe how you want your website to look and feel. For example, minimal, editorial, sophisticated. These keywords will guide the design direction of your site.
The design of your site includes the elements that make up your visual branding — logo design, typography, colors, images, and graphics.
Brand mission statement.
This is your one or two sentence headline that defines what you do. This will appear at the top of your Homepage above the fold (the area that is visible before you start scrolling).
Your brand mission statement or message should be clear and concise. You don't want to confuse your audience with the very first thing they read. This headline should in some way state WHAT you do (or what benefit you provide) for your dreamy client/customer. HOW you do it to make them feel the desired emotion you want them to feel. WHY you do it as a solution to their problem, or WHY you are unique to support them in what they are struggling with so they can reach their dream goals.
Your headline can also simply state precisely what you do. You want to excite them to read further about what you can do for them!
Brand visuals/photography.
An important piece in a high-converting website are compelling images and video that match your brand aesthetic. Prepare ahead for your photoshoot so you know exactly what photos you need and how they will represent your brand mood.
Remember, your audience loves to see your face! This helps build an authentic connection and trust. For truly personal and authentically stunning photos, it's best to hire a brand photographer!
Brand voice/copy.
Along with beautiful visuals on your site, just as important is your copy. Write copy in your voice as if you are in a conversation with your dream client or customer. Be clear and concise. Don't use too many words, but do use keywords! Think of words and phrases that your audience may search for and use them in your copy. Write headings, subheads, and short paragraphs of copy.
Most of the time your website will be skimmed through and you want the important information to stand out.
COPYWRITING TIP: After you write your copy, go back and cut the content in half. Then go back and cut it again!
Strategic Design ties your brand and website together. If you would like to create a brand and/or the website of your dreams, let's connect and chat! I create modern and stylish web designs exclusively through the user-friendly platform of Squarespace so that you will stand out with a unique and successful website.
Find out more about my services at https://tarynmercedes.com
If you need a guide to get you started in your branding journey, I have created a free Minimalist Brand Guide just for you to download here: https://tarynmercedes.com/brand-design-guide
To see what I'm up to on Instagram, follow along at https://www.instagram.com/tarynmercedes.webdesign/
I am a SQUARESPACE web designer. Creating exclusively through Squarespace, allows me to provide you my expertise at an advanced-level on a user-friendly platform. And I am continually learning to upscale my designs.
I’M REDEFINING PERFECTIONISM, as a strength in fulfilling the visions of my clients to fit them perfectly.
I’m a wife and a mom of three boys and one big crazy dog.
I’m passionate about environmental causes, yoga, education, and reading.
I’m an expat living + loving life in Europe, traveling, and drinking wine along the way!