Your online identity - own it!

Your brand is your image, your face to the world. The simple symbol or graphic that makes up your logo can convey a world of information. It tells your customer what you're about, your ethos, what they can expect from your company, what you have to offer.

A good businessperson will put their logo and name everywhere - ads, literature, shopfront, vans. The very same should apply to your website and your presence on the internet in general.
Below is a quick guide to branding yourself on the internet.

Own It
Make your site yours - make sure your logo is as clear and in as prominent a position as possible. Hit the user in the eye with your logo and name, so they are in no doubt where they are. This conveys confidence and professionalism and will build up trust in the user.

Repeat, repeat, repeat...
Keep the branding consistent and in the same place throughout the site.
Provide a seamless experience for the user as they browse deeper into the site. You will build up a relationship with your brand, and make a much bigger impact on the user's memory.

Reinforce
Use your branding colours throughout the site to support your brand. This includes links, text colour, background colour, and so on.

Many modern businesses exploit the vast array of networking opportunities open to them on the internet, such as LinkdIn, Twitter, forums, blogs, online business groups.

All these sites allow a certain amount of customisation - even if it's simply allowing you to upload your logo. Many dedicated Twitter and Facebook users not only have their logo prominently on the page, but also change background, text colours to compliment and reinforce their brand and their website.

Case Study:
The popular parental networking site, mumstown.ie are skilful promoters of their brand through clever association and sponsorship, and their site design reinforces this.
The distinctive logo appears in the top left on a complimentary coloured banner throughout the site. The two main branding colours are evident and consistent throughout the site, in the graphics and text, and the funky floral motif is also featured subtly here and there. Nothing too overpowering, but we are in no doubt as to where we are.





Branding your company's internet presence is just one facet of how your company presents itself to the world, but is an increasingly important one. Keep the above guidelines in mind and you will be well on your way!