Branding - Old City Web Services

Logo Roll Out Checklist

March 13, 2020 by anoadmin

At the end of the day, we all want to look good and present our best selves. This goes double when you’re running a business – and looking professional for your customers starts with your logo. In fact, when a customer visits your website or receives an email from your business, your logo goes a long way towards validating the trustworthiness of your business. On the flip side, a missing logo can cause customers to hesitate to do business with you.

So, whether you just had a logo designed or you’ve had one for years, use our Logo Roll Out Checklist to dot your i’s and cross your t’s by making sure your logo is on everything that represents your business.

Image contains two different shoes on one person.

How Our Logo Checklist Can Help You

We want you to look good for your customers and one way we can help you with that is by making sure your logo is aligned throughout your online and print materials. After all, you wouldn’t leave the house missing a shoe or wearing two different shoes, would you? Well, that’s exactly why you should never have two logos – or no logo at all – representing your business.

Regardless of if you have a new logo or just want to double-check that your current logo is in each place it needs to be, below is our Logo Checklist as well as some quick tips to help you place your logo in the right places!

Read our quick tips below before starting your Logo Roll Out Checklist:

Digital first, print second: Adding your logo to your website or social media is much simpler than adding it to a business card or rack card. So, a good rule of thumb is to always check your online materials first.

Update your color scheme: Whether it be in the marketing emails you send to customers or in your email signature, don’t forget to utilize the very intentional color scheme of your logo!

Logos put customers at ease: Your logo is like your business’ badge because it speaks to the professionalism and authenticity of your business. Without one present, you risk looking untrustworthy.

Logo Roll Out Checklist

Need a logo? We can help!

Does your business need a logo or does your current logo need sprucing up? Or, maybe you just need your current logo added to your business cards and other print materials. Either way, we’re here for you for whatever logo needs you may have. Schedule a free consultation by calling us at 904-867-4112 or by clicking the button below and filling out our form.

Let’s get started!

Mission Statement

The mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success.

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Unique Print Materials That Your Customers Will Love

February 14, 2020 by anoadmin

Your customers will just love rocking the print materials we have listed below! But you will also love them because they double as an advertisement for your awesome business. In fact, once your customers get their hands on them, they will instantly become a walking advertisement – and who are you to stop them?

At the end of the day, we all love taking home a few stickers from our favorite restaurant or receiving a free bag with a purchase or buying a t-shirt with the logo of one of our favorite businesses. While these ‘things’ may seem insignificant when we receive them, they’re actually a business’s strategic print materials and we all love accessorizing with them!

So, don’t miss the opportunity to give your customers a chance to flaunt your business. Use the list of unique print materials below to steal the hearts of your customers and get long-lasting, inexpensive advertising for your business.

Bags: Nowadays, communities are moving away from the use of plastic bags. This got us thinking that a custom bag with your logo might be exactly what your customer needs to get their errands done. We can picture it now: a bag with your logo on it hanging off the arm of your customer for all the world to see!

Business Cards with A Coupon: Everyone loves a good deal. So, the next time you print your business cards we recommend placing a promotion or coupon on the back of it. This way, it’s less likely to get thrown away or tossed in a drawer and your customer is more inclined to use it in the future or pass it along to a friend.

Buttons: Not only are buttons fairly inexpensive to have printed, but your customers will love them for adding a special pop to their shirts, backpacks, car sun visors, hats, and other places!

Car Billboards: null Car billboards such as stickers, magnets, and decals are a great way to advertise and they are also enormously popular among customers. Need more convincing? The next time you’re on the road, take a look around at all the stickers on the back of vehicles. You are sure to see everything from roofing companies to coffee shops to festivals being promoted. Although the world seems to be moving more and more towards online, this example is living proof that car billboards are still an effective way to advertise in print.

Koozies: During long, hot summer days in Florida, there is a serious shortage of beverages that stay cool and refreshing. What better way to show your customer how much you care about them than with a koozie that incorporates your logo. Not only will their friends likely notice the koozie, but they’ll also think of you each time they pull it out to insulate their beverage.

Magnets: Customers love receiving magnets from a company because they are super versatile. In fact, can you think of a business whose magnet you wouldn’t put on your refrigerator? Whether you’re an insurance company, eye doctor, or accommodation, chances are that your magnet will get a prime spot next to the other magnets on your customers’ refrigerator. The best part? This accessory is sure to be seen by friends, family, and even the babysitter!

Stickers: Just like voting stickers and festival stickers, there is a place in your customer’s heart for your sticker too. You will get major brownie points for providing your customer with an item other than your product/service and the benefits just keep going once they peel it off and stick it on their shirt, hat, laptop, water bottle, or body!

T-shirts and Hats: null T-shirts and hats with your logo on them can be used as a bonus when customers sign up for a service. Or, you can give them away and receive free advertising when customers wear them. Not sure how to incorporate your logo onto a shirt or hat? Check out how some of our other clients did it for inspiration: Gator Door East, R.V. Construction, Datil Pepper Tea.

From a logo on a t-shirt to a car billboard, giving your customers a chance to show off your company is an opportunity you don’t want to miss. In fact, they want to show off how much they appreciate you just like you love showing off your favorite business by sporting their printed materials. Whether you decide to sell or give away your new merchandise, allow your customers a chance to brag about your business through these print materials that they will just love!

Don’t see a type of print that is right for your customers? Not a problem. Take a look at the work we’ve done for our clients to get a better idea of which print materials are suited for you. Or, if you saw something that peeked your interest, press the button below or call us at 904-867-4112 to get started on print accessories that will steal your customers’ hearts!

The Way to Your Customers’ Hearts

Mission Statement

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3 Reasons to Host Email At Your Domain

September 26, 2019 by anoadmin

What does it mean to host your email at your domain?

Hosting your email at your domain means that instead of an @Gmail or @yahoo address you have an email address with your domain in it. For example, if your domain is www.windowtreatments.com, your email address would look something like john@windowtreatments.com.

You may be asking, “Well, why is this so important?” The honest answer is that clients perceive businesses that host their email at their domain as more professional. Although it may seem like a small detail, the bigger picture makes this a worthwhile marketing investment for your company.

Image contains a graphic of a laptop sending several emails.

3 Reasons to Host Email At Your Domain

We can’t think of one single reason not to host your email at your domain. On the flip side, there are many pros to taking this step. Below we’ve broken down what we think are the three biggest motivators to host your email at your domain.

It’s an integral part of your branding.

Image contains two road signs that say "email marketing strategy".

Your email address is part of your brand because its a method of communication between you and customers. In today’s world, fewer people are making phone calls and more people are doing business online. So, if most business interactions happen online versus offline, businesses have to find a practical way to communicate with customers and email is the solution. Since your email address is often incorporated on your business cards, press releases, and website, it becomes a great opportunity to expose your business name and brand to customers.

Hot tip: If you’re interested in email marketing, having an email at your domain is twice as important for branding.

It’s more professional.

Image contains a woman saying "Welcome".

Businesses that host their email at their domain are more professional. Think of it like this: A business that answers their phone with nothing but “Hello,” will result in the caller questioning if they have the right number. On the flip side, when a business answers with “Hello, this is [business name here]. How can we help you?” the caller can assume that the business is somewhat organized and has some procedures in place. In the same respect, an email address that doesn’t have a business’ domain in it can seem unprofessional and cause confusion.

Clients won’t second guess you as a sender.

Image contains warning signs that say 'spam'.

Nowadays, people receive as many spam emails as they do legitimate ones. This means they won’t look twice at an @Gmail or @yahoo address – they’ll send your message right to the Spam Folder. However this is preventable when you host your email at your domain. In fact, it’s the best way to guarantee your message will be read by your sender and that they aren’t second-guessing who the message came from.

But those aren’t the only perks when you host email at your domain.

The reasons above are persuasive from a monetary standpoint. However, when you host your email and domain with us, there are also a few benefits for you:

You can host up to ten email addresses at your domain for free.
You have more control over your business’ email. If an employee leaves, you can have their emails forwarded to you or delete their address altogether.
You can set up an alias email address so that your main business address isn’t available to just anyone.
You have a direct line to contact us if something goes wrong.

Ready to get started?

Hosting your email at your domain is inexpensive and one of the easiest steps to gaining the trust of your customers. If you’re ready to take the way your business communicates to the next level, we can help. Call us at 904-867-4112 or fill out our form by clicking the button below and selecting “Web/Email Hosting”. One of our team members will contact you to help get you started.

Press for Success

Mission Statement

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4 Branding Tips

May 18, 2018 by anoadmin

Branding is an imperative element of every marketing strategy. Without a well-developed brand your web presence, customer service, and products are at risk of being overshadowed by other businesses in your market. If it isn't time for your company to rebrand, stay competitive and further develop your brand with these four tips.

Identify your ideal customer

Ideal customers play a primitive role in branding. Knowing your target market can directly impact the success of your brand – after all, most marketing strategies are based on appealing to a company's dedicated customers. Once you identify your ideal customers, you can easily develop a social media presence and voice based on your findings.

Find your brand's voice

Businesses that take the road less traveled when building their brand's voice are more successful. Brands, especially those of small businesses, need to stand out from competitors by creating a distinguished voice that is unique to their market. Instead of mimicking the voice of big brands, establish what is competitive about your service. Base your voice on the feedback you've received from customers, family, and other businesses. This will help you create a strong and unique voice that accurately depicts your brand.

The hashtag #LoveFL is an integral part of VisitFlorida's brand. It's utilized throughout their site and social media platforms and gives users a sense of familiarity.

Once you have a solid idea of your branding voice, enforce it across every outlet. This includes social media accounts, print media, web design, and customer service. This way, your brand’s voice stays consistent whether it’s reaching clients through the web, on Facebook or in your storefront. A consistent voice will give your brand familiarity; some companies go as far as creating a specific list of words, phrases, and mannerisms which the employee base is encouraged to use.

Align visual pieces with your brand's voice

Logos, print media, packaging, web design, and storefront décor are the visual voice of your brand. Similarly to your brand's voice, visual pieces should be attractive, accurate, and most importantly, consistent with your brand. For example, I would never expect a store with organic-based products and earth tone packaging to have a logo with primary colors; this is a fitting example of why do it yourself logos don't work. Marketing collateral, web design, and logos are representative of your brand; they need to reflect your product and appeal to your customers.

Stay consistent on social media

To successfully establish your brand on social media, post routinely in your brand's voice. If you post every day for months, then suddenly stop: your followers will think your company isn't making new achievements; they might forget about your service or product; this can deter them to a business with a better social media upkeep. In the photo below, you'll notice that Best Western Hotels & Resorts posts on each social platform consistently, and use the same color scheme throughout each platform as well as the same language.

Note: Social media is an important platform for your brand because everyone from Baby Boomers to Generation Z actively uses it. In fact, a Google study found that Baby Boomers spend more time online than watching tv. Additionally, they found that 82% of boomers use at least one social media account; the leading networks for boomers are Facebook and LinkedIn. Source

Call us for more tips on social media, or check out these blogs: Social Media Tools, Social Media Holiday Campaigns, Local Businesses Getting it Right on Social Media.

Concentrate on the social media profiles that are benefiting your business the greatest! In many cases, businesses think that they’ll get left behind unless they’re on every platform. This is a waste of time and simply isn’t true. Instead, you should create profiles for every outlet but only zero in on one or two. In the long run, focusing on your most successful platforms will provide insight into what that following wants from your business and help you deliver more relevant material. Plus, I bet your ideal customers aren’t on every platform!

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – manage their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success. If you are looking to increase your business’ visibility give us a call at 904-867-4112 or contact us today.

4 Reasons Why DIY Logos Don’t Work

April 5, 2018 by anoadmin

A logo must be versatile.

Remember, your logo will be used across the board and must be versatile. Store signage, business cards, packaging, and documents are only a few of the items you'll find a company's logo on. Your logo should look as good as a thumbnail as it does on a store sign, but a DIYer will unlikely have the skill set to create a logo that is scalable. This results in a logo that is too busy for small print or too simple for large print.

The logo on the left is too busy at this size. But, Airbnb's logo appears professional as a thumbnail as well as on a larger scale.

DIY logos don't translate well.

At a glance, your logo should let people know what your company does and represents. If your logo doesn’t immediately translate this, you risk losing customers before you’ve had a chance to tell them about your awesome product. An inexperienced designer will miss the mark when it comes to communicating their message – even if that person owns the business and knows the company like the back of their hand. What a DIYer associates a business with may not necessarily match the general public’s idea of the industry. Knowing how to brand and market a company’s message into a compelling logo is part of a professional designer’s job! Take a look at the logo Old City Web Services designed for Rodbender Fishing Charters, pictured below.

Rodbender is a fishing charter business; their logo is fused with a bent fishing rod, and the font mimics a wave-like motion.

They aren't timeless.

A company should rebrand no more than two times throughout their lifespan, especially that of a small business. It is so important that your logo can stand the test of time because you only have one or two chances to get it right! Investing in a professional designer, trained to create timeless work, will save you from asking yourself early on "Is it time to rebrand?"

Although Google and Best Western have made minor adjustments to their original logos, their formats are timeless and will be used for years to come.

The finished product looks amateurish.

One of the most common DIY mistakes is ending up with an amateurish logo. Logo design is artistic, technical and scientific, making it very easy for a first-time logo designer to create a sub-par logo. Along with color, size, and brand identity, professional designers consider how balanced and overall appealing a design is - with an unbiased eye. DIYers run the risk of creating a logo with a partial view that is based on what they find appealing. This is a critical mistake for two reasons; a DIYer uses their favorite colors, symbols or shapes that are generally unpopular with their customers; the logo doesn’t parallel the company’s brand. A logo should be more than acceptable or good. Keep in mind, it needs to be unbiased, professional, and as polished as your product.

The logos above are examples of amateur mistakes newbies make when they create a logo; Bodega is offensive and inappropriate; Flightning is too similar to the logos of Facebook and Twitter; Look is unbalanced and boring!

Creating content for your website can be difficult – especially if writing isn’t your cup of tea! The best way to grab the attention of potential customers as well as appear in search engine results is to STAY ON TRACK and have a purpose. This process is easiest when you do the following:

Use analytics to guide your content creation.
Ask yourself, who is your audience?
Keep an editorial calendar!
Use one voice – your “brand’s voice.”
Add value. Focus on being useful, not on being the next Shakespeare.

Mission Statement

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Photo credits: Rodbender Fishing Charters, Eric De los Santos of treestrategies.com, www.startups.co
Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on Old City Web Services Blog.

OldCity Web Services – Highlights of 2017

January 12, 2018 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Check out a few highlights from our year in 2017.
From website and print designs to new content services, SEO efforts, and pro bono projects – we’ve been busy!

Advertorials

Advertising and Content

In 2017 we implemented a new type of advertising on OldCity.com, called advertorials. We now offer a 300-word blog, made-to-order for our clients. Advertisers can use advertorials to spread the word on sales, services, general awareness and more. Our first client was the franchisee of the local chain, Dunkin’ Donuts. Check it out.

Content Writing

St. Augustine Historic Inns

In other content news, the St. Augustine Historic Inns requested we create intriguing blogs for their customers, which are then published on the bottom of their Home Page. The blogs vary in topic, but all pertain to things-to-do, holidays, and events in St. Augustine. Now, when potential customers navigate to the Inn’s website, they are greeted with material that is persuasive, making them more inclined to book a trip to exciting St. Augustine!

Print Design

Bluewater Adventure

Front and back of rack card designed for Bluewater Adventure.

Bluewater Adventure’s made a big move from the waters of South Carolina to the Old City that prompted them to redesign their rack card, which was no longer accurate. Our team decided the only way to fully capture their quality tours was by taking on the Intercoastal Waterway ourselves! We set up a Bluewater Adventure photo shoot and scored photos of the catamarans in action along with phenomenal photos of The Great Cross and Castillo de San Marcos. Now, on the front of the rack card is a proper representation of the sightseeing opportunities you have when sailing with Bluewater Adventure.

Magazine Advertisement Design

Gator Door East Inc.

Gator Door East used this advertisement for their big debut in St. Johns County Parade of Homes magazine! After learning they’d be a featured business, Gator Door sat down with our team to create an influential and compelling ad to catch the attention of shoppers! Don’t you just a-door this ad?

Business Card and Site Design

Jack Ward Fire

Jack Ward Fire, recently under new ownership, desired a brand with a haute look, reflecting their field of work. Working through fire and flames, we presented them with what is now their company’s business card. They were so pleased with the fire-hot cards, that our design team is currently working with them on a smokin’ hot site.

: Gator Door magazine ad for St. Johns County Parade of Homes.

: Jack Ward employee business cards.

E-commerce Solutions

Minorcan Datil

After facing multiple issues with X-Cart commerce solutions, Minorcan owner decided to upgrade to a more modern system, WordPress. Our development team knew that WordPress’s, user-friendly, Woo-commerce theme would satisfy her desire to add new products, edit old products, and raise her customer satisfactory level. Now, Minorcan can concentrate on managing customers and products without the hassle of learning how to navigate a difficult system.

Site and Logo Redesign

Rodbender Fishing Charters

The fishing charter industry in Northeast Florida can be compared to a shark tank, it’s a competitive field and standing out in the crowd can be difficult. After a consultation, it was clear to Chuck Stearns, owner, that Rodbender Fishing Charters needed a fresh logo and easy-to-navigate site. The design team created a few mockups and Chuck decided on this creative logo and simple site. Now, the Homepage of his site subtly answers frequently asked questions and has three call-to-action charter packages. As for the logo, if you can think of a better design, let minnow.

Site Design and Launch

R.V. Cooper Construction

R.V. Cooper Construction is a local construction company servicing St. Augustine and surrounding areas. Remarkably, since 1998, the company has relied on word of mouth to reach new clients; their quality workmanship and attentiveness in guiding customers was their business strategy. However, the competitive nature of the construction field prompted them to make their web presence concrete. Ricky Cooper, the owner, desired a platform that would showcase the construction process, to ease the customer experience. Our team raised the roof by creating Cooper’s beautiful new site; straightforward, simple and user-friendly.

: R.V. Cooper Construction’s Home Page.

: Hook, line, and sinker logo for Rodbender Fishing Charters.

Search Engine Optimization

Ranking Efforts

Search engine optimization (SEO), is imperative for every business to incorporate into their business plan. In 2017, our SEO team worked with nearly a dozen local businesses, developing key-terms and strategies to gain a higher ranking in their search engine results.

Multipurpose Online Designs

St. Joseph Academy

Old City Web Services also did a few pro-bono projects in 2017. One of our favorites was creating a series of 14 athletic-banners for St. Joseph Academy’s sports teams, the Flashes. It was important that the banners could be transferred and size-well whether they were added to newsletters, emails, print media, or their site. Our team sparked the Flashes interest with a lightning bolt and bold imagery. Go team!

Logo Design

The Ponce Hotel

Upon branching out from under the franchise, Magnuson Hotels, The Ponce Hotel needed a fresh look and logo. Our design team worked with the new interior designer at the Ponce on matching the color scheme used inside the hotel. In conclusion, they decided on the simple yet elegant logo.

Love what you see? Call us for a consultation.

Check out other work we've done for clients.

Two things clients can do to push security efforts is to never trust embedded URLs or unsolicited mail. This may seem obvious, but you wouldn’t believe the number of times a client is hacked because they thought they recognized the “From:” address in a spam mail. Also, be on guard for shady apps requesting unusual permission’s – especially mobile ones!

Mission Statement

Our mission at Old City Web Services is to navigate the world of web design, web development, and advertising for our clients so that they can focus on what they do best – running their business! Our business intentions go beyond the metrics of graphics, coding, and SEO. Located on Florida’s First Coast, we run a personable home front service and consider our relationship with our clients as a partnership in their success. If you are looking to increase your business’ visibility give us a call at 904-867-4112 or contact us today.

Sharing and re-posting this blog is encouraged. Please credit Old City Web Services when sharing.
Disclaimer: Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information on Old City Web Services Blog.
Photo credits: Old City Web Services

Is It Time To Rebrand?

April 28, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

Your company's name, logo, and brand identity define who you are and how the world perceives you. People associate these things with the quality of your products and services. As we said in our previous blog about the importance of branding your business: Your brand says who you are, what you stand for, why your business matters, and what you contribute to your industry.

Just as it takes time to build a brand identity, it takes time for your identity to be recognized in your industry and community. But as time goes by, companies evolve and change and many business owners feel their identity should change as well.

Companies choose to rebrand for many reasons. Whether it's their service, products, mission, or vision, any change to the core of a company can lead to a new look. If your company fits into any of the categories below, it might be time for a change.

When a company has outgrown its brand

Credit: LogoDesignLove.com

Growing a company is never a bad thing, but it is important to make sure your brand grows with your company. This doesn't mean you have to completely get rid of your logo and start over. Many of the most iconic brands have simply evolved over the years.

For example, Starbucks started out in 1971 in Seattle as just another coffee company. The infamous siren you know on today's Starbucks cups looks quite different if you trace their logos back to the beginning. Over the years, Starbucks has become the go-to coffee shop. As their company grew, business owners chose to stick with the iconic siren and eventually made the siren the entire logo, forgoing the name. They evolved as a company, built on their strengths, and now have one of the most well-known companies to date.

When the first logo was rushed

This is a common trap a lot of first-time business owners fall into. A lot of time and money gets invested in a business, and business owners find themselves rushing to have a logo, signage, and business cards made right before their grand opening. They think of it as more of a last step than an integral part of their business plan. While a quickly done logo may have worked for a while, it isn't a permanent solution. Brands are what a business is built upon. Well-done brands provide a strong foundation for everything else to be built. If you fall into this category, it may be time to consider a rebranding strategy, especially the more your business grows.

When a business wants to change their public perception

McDonald's started putting nutrition information on their packaging in 2006.

A big reason business owners consider a rebranding is when they notice their public perception has fallen in popularity.

For example, McDonald's, an American staple for decades, became a target of blame for America's obesity problem after the release of the documentary Super Size Me in 2004. The documentary came out right after two lawsuits had been filed against McDonald's for the potential health risks of Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets.

Due to the viral popularity of the documentary, McDonald's sales fell. So the owners of McDonald's took action. They not only got rid of "Super-Size" menu options but also added salads and more fruit, vegetable, and yogurt options to Happy Meals as a part of their "Eat Smart, Be Active" campaign. To this day, McDonald's has continued to focus on healthy meal options and transparency by making nutrition information visible on packaging as well as their website. McDonald's couldn't control the events leading to their negative public opinion, but they did a great job of taking action, which has helped their business monumentally."Eat Smart, Be Active" campaign. To this day, McDonald's has continued to focus on healthy meal options and transparency by making nutrition information visible on packaging as well as their website. McDonald's couldn't control the events leading to their negative public opinion, but they did a great job of taking action, which has helped their business monumentally.

When a business wants to attract a new audience

A screenshot from an Old Spice commercial featuring Isaiah Mustafa. / Photo credit: Old Spice

The audience your company is attracting has a lot to do with your branding and marketing. Think of any business out there. It's probably not hard to figure out the demographic they're after, is it? So, what happens when you have a product that could span across multiple demographics, but you're not attracting all of them? Many companies finding themselves stuck with the same audience over and over again look to a rebrand for help.

Take Old Spice for instance. Old Spice had long been perceived as a product line for older men. In 2010, Old Spice changed all that when they launched a campaign geared toward a younger audience. Old Spice released a series of comical commercials featuring athlete Isaiah Mustafa. The commercials were perfectly geared toward a younger age group. Old Spice also revamped their website which now features young men using their products and humorous content. Their rebrand worked like a charm making them a brand for all ages.

When a company isn't keeping up with the competition

Image from BusinessInsider.com

As a business owner, it's important to know who your competition is and how you compare. If two companies are selling the same products and services, it's going to come down to how you're presenting your company to the public. If you take a look at other's in your industry and see that you're not where you should be in comparison, it might be time to look into a rebrand.

Believe it or not, Apple had to rebrand for this exact reason. In 1997, Apple almost declared bankruptcy because it wasn't keeping up with IBM, Dell and HP. When Steve Jobs rejoined the board of Apple, changes were made. With the introduction of the iMac came the introduction of a new logo, the apple we know and love today. It started out as the multicolored apple and went along with a new campaign, "Think Different". They not only introduced new technology but made their technology about a lifestyle. It was a hit, and Apple is now one of the leading technology companies in the world.

How we can help

At Old City Web Services, we believe that branding a company is essential for its foundation. We understand that the needs of a company change over time. We have been involved with the branding and rebranding of many companies over the years.

One of our most recent rebranding clients is Rodbender Fishing Charters. St. Augustine fishing charters is a very competitive local industry and Rodbender was looking to not just keep up, but to exceed the competition. Owner Chuck Stearns sat with Old City Web Services to address updating both his logo and website. Our goal was to provide a branding that would position Rodbender Fishing Charters as a top-level charter that aligned with Chuck’s extensive experience. The logo has been well received, and the website is a much better tool in answering common customer questions with clear, easy-to-understand charter packages.

Whether you need to refresh your logo or want to start from scratch, we are here to help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation!

The Importance of Branding Your Business

April 14, 2017 by anoadmin Leave a Comment

You've been preparing for months. You've spent countless hours applying for your business license, filling out and submitting all the legal paperwork, and planning out your budget and inventory.

You believe in your business and are ready to share it with the world. But before you do that, it's important to build your brand.

Branding is important. When you create a brand, you're creating a name, symbol, or design that is your visual identity. Your brand says who you are, what you stand for, why your business matters, and what you contribute to your industry. A well-done branding gives your company legitimacy, builds consumer trust, and allows you to compete with top businesses in your industry.

One mistake among startups is putting off branding until they get settled and get some momentum going. It makes sense - you've invested a significant amount of time and money and you want to see how your company does before investing more. You believe in your company, and other people will too, right? Well, not exactly.

You could have the best products or services on the market, but without the right branding, there's a good chance you could be overlooked.

Branding can seem like an overwhelming venture, so we've laid out some easy-to-follow steps to help you through the process.

Allow enough time to create a brand worthy of your business

A brand isn't made overnight. It's a process. Just as it takes time to build a business, it takes time to build a brand. As badly as you want to get this show on the road, it's important to allow enough time to get your brand just right. It's better to invest the time now and get it right than have something done quickly and have to redo it because you're dissatisfied. A brand is what everyone will associate with your business. Think about popular brands such as Target or Starbucks. Their iconic logos come to mind, right? You don't even have to see their name to know who they are. A well-done branding can mean the difference between blending in and standing out among the competition.

Define your business mission and vision

You may have already done this step, especially if you've written out a business plan. Regardless, the act of writing out what your business stands for and goals for the future will help you layout your core values and dreams, where you are, and where you want to go. Answering this question will help you define what you want your business to represent to others. What tone and message do you want to convey to your audience?

Work with a team who has your best interest at heart

Branding isn't a one-person job. Just as you are the expert on your business, there are design companies who are the experts at branding.

If you wing it and try to create your logo and visual identity, you risk spending an exorbitant amount of time and getting in over your head. The perks of working with a design team are far worth the investment. Creative teams design brands all the time. It's their job and specialty. They work with a spectrum of industries and demographics. They will be able to lead you through the process whether you have a general idea of how you want your business to be portrayed or if you're starting from scratch. A good design company's goal is to help you succeed and to create the best design for your market while keeping your company's integrity in mind.

At Old City Web Services, we believe in doing everything we can to help our clients succeed. We enjoy seeing a someone's vision come to life and are happy to be a part of that process. Take a look at the work we've done for our clients, and if you are interested in working with our experienced creative team to help build your brand, contact us today for a free consultation!