5 questions that tell you it’s time to outsource branding for your e-commerce business

Hiring a professional designer for your business is a big step. We often call it an investment, because for small businesses it’s often one of the first (and possibly most important) investments you'll be making in your business. But it can be hard to know when to take the leap and find the perfect designer or agency to work with, so we’re sharing our tips and advice that tell you it’s time to ditch the DIY and hire a professional.

1. How long have you been in business?

First and foremost, consider where you are at in your business. If you are a new business or in your first two years of operating, a custom full branding and web design package might not be the best investment for you at this time. You’re probably still figuring out your products and business model, and still getting to know your customers, so something like a semi-custom brand or a brand-intensive package might be the best solution.

However, if you’ve been in business for a few years and are ready to grow your brand more (such as planning to sell your products in retail stores or to take it from part-time to a full-time venture), a professional designer can you help create a brand identity that allows you to elevate your visual identity and achieve your big, ambitious goals.

2. What are your goals and vision for your brand?

What are your biggest business goals? Where do you see your business going in the next 5 or 10 years? What do you want to accomplish through your business? There’s no right or wrong answer here - it can be wanting to quit your day job to pursue your business full time or opening a physical store, it could be wanting to fully support your family on your business’ revenue or being featured in speciality magazines.

If you have big dreams for your business, it’s probably time to invest in crafting a brand and visual identity that matches that. If you’re ready for something more from your business, that matches your vision and dreams, a brand identity rooted in strategy can help you achieve that and allow you to instantly communicate it to your audience.

3. How committed are you to your business?

Do you still see yourself owning or running your business in the next 5 years? Do you want to be there for your business, day after day, even when it gets hard? Understanding how excited you are about your business and its goals can help you determine how committed you are and whether investing in working with professionals to elevate your brand is worth it.

If you want to run your business for years to come and keep growing, it might be time to outsource your branding and design needs so you focus your energy on actually running your business. Good design takes time and research, and a dedicated designer can help you bring your business’ commitment and vision to life, while you can use your energy doing what you do best.

4. Do you feel your current brand doesn’t represent your business?

Businesses are fluid and they can change with time. As you run your business for longer and grow into it, it will inevitably change. And sometimes, current economic or societal events can lead you to make big shifts in order to adapt and thrive. Whatever the reason for it, your branding should always reflect the current identity and mission of your business.

If you feel that your current branding doesn’t represent who you are as a business, what you want to achieve or what your products can do for your customers, it might be time to consider rebranding. A fresh brand identity can not only bring back your spark and confidence but can also reconnect you with your audience and customers.

5. Do you look like everyone else in your industry?

When we get bombarded by so many brands and ads in a day, standing out (in a meaningful way!) is important. Looking like all your competitors can be tempting, as you want to be recognised and look like you belong within your industry, but it can hurt your business in the long run.

Creating a brand that authentically represents your business and your products will not only allow you to show up confidently as an expert in your industry but also stand out from the crowd. A strategy-led designer can help you understand what makes you unique, help you identify ways to authentically stand out in your market and distil that into a visual identity that's unique and grabs your audience's attention.

Now that you’ve asked yourself some hard questions about your business, you should have a clearer idea of whether spending your business's hard-earned money on branding and design will be a worthwhile investment.

Here at Kind and Ivy, we want to make sure that our clients make the right decision for their business and invest in branding for the right reasons, which is why we always have a no-pressure Welcome call with everyone that wants to work with us. We see branding as a long-term investment for your business, so everything that we create together for your brand is crafted to help support your business's goals and ensure that working with us will bring you a return on your investment.