Kicking off your business takes a lot of time and energy. There are often many plates spinning at once: hiring staff, finding an office location, securing any investors, and so much more. While all of these are in motion, one of the most important things to keep in the forefront is design.

Design is crucial in building the public perception of your brand or product. It establishes important messages to your customers like who you are, what you do, and why you’re different from everyone else out there. Often, your presence is the deciding factor when people choose between you and a competitor.

If you are thinking about starting your own business, or are in the beginning stages, then we have caught you just in the nick of time. This is a breakdown of the most essential elements (after your logo, of course) you need to help your business stand out in the crowd.

 

Signage – There are 3 types of signage to promote your business to consider: outdoor (in front of your office), indoor (don’t forget to continue your brand on the inside of your work space), and on the go (for trade shows and events).

Web – Every company needs a strong web presence – period. Today, the internet is the first place people turn to gather information on companies. It is such common practice that often if they search a company and no website exists, they pass over that company completely and move on to a competitor who does have a web presence. Keeping an up-to-date, easy-to-navigate website, with clear content, is essential to attract new customers and convert potential leads.

Stationery & Sales Collateral – Though we live in a highly digital world, it still is necessary to send out a good old fashioned formal letter to a client or lead, and handing out business cards is still common practice. Honing in on your brand identity and presenting it consistently across printed collateral goes a long way in the eyes of clients.

Merchandising – Everybody loves swag! When creating company merchandise it’s always good to choose utilitarian objects that people will use. Maybe you sell this stuff, maybe you just hand it out for free to get your name out there. Whatever your intentions, choose well-made products that are useful, but unique. How many notepads can one person really use?

Content Marketing – Content marketing can consist of elements like social media profiles and graphics, eBooks, infographics, blogs, and more. When creating your content marketing strategy remember to keep your design aesthetic consistent. Branded elements like social media graphics and blog headers convey a lot about your company.

Advertising –You don’t need a huge marketing budget to advertise effectively. If you feel overwhelmed, contact an advertising company to help maximize your dollars. Whether print ads or digital, it’s pretty important to execute a well-thought-out strategy.

 

As you begin your planning for your new business, keep this design checklist handy so you can ensure you have all the pieces in place that will help make your company successful.