Here are few tips to help you create a focused brand identity online.

1. Define your brand up front. When visitors arrive at your web site, let them know immediately what you do and why they should care. As the old saying goes “you only get one chance to make a first impression” - so it is worth doing it well. We use a simple 5 second website test. Pick a few amiable colleagues and get them to view two or three websites in succession (including your own if you dare!) - but only for a maximum 5 seconds at a time. When they are done, ask them to give their initial impressions of each website. You will be surprised at some of their comemnts and views. If your brand doesn’t spell out exactly what you stand for, then you need to think about rediesigning it.

2. If you have a logo, create a simple strap line. It may seem fairly logical but reinforcing your logo with a simple strap line can do wonders on the web. Use the strap line to say exactly what your business does e.g. “Small Business Website Solutions” or “Cost Effective Payroll”.

3. Add a persona. The online world can be a cold, mechanical place, so adding a recognisable human element can be effective. If your company has a CEO or spokesperson who is closely identified with the company offline, make sure that connection carries to the online world. If you run a business by yourself, make sure you put your name, photo and personal message on your web site. Nothing creates mystery and distrust more than a site that is void of a human contact.

4. It’s a Social World out there! Most website owners will try to generate readers, visitors or users. But in the age of Web 2.0 and Social Media Marketing there are many more ways to interact with your potential customers base. There’s Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, Youtube and thousands of forums - some talking about the specific products and services that you offer. It’s time to get socially connected. If you can spare the time, set up at least one profile about yourself and try and encourage customers and suppliers to write reviews about your services and provide testimonials. But don’t forget whenever you are online - you take your brand with you - so always take a moment before responding to a bad review of forum posting.

5. Content is King. Although a picture can speak a thousand words, it is the words on the page that really matter. Take care when writing your website copy, be conversational in your approach - but don’t forget that the tone of your writing will have an impact on how your copy is received.

6. Make sure your online images reinforce your identity. While words are important, the look of your website must also support your brand image. Is your brand best served by hard edges or softer, rounded shapes? Do primary colors capture your personality or would earth tones be a better match? Find the design scheme that best compliments your identity. Use the services of a profesional graphic designer or branding agency to getthe look that fits your business.

7. Publish an e-mail newsletter. Offering a free e-mail newsletter is a great way of building a database of subscribers who are specifically interested in what your brand represents. The best thing about email marketing is that you can deliver your message right to your customers inbox whenever you want - putting you clearly in control of when others see your brand.

8. Create a blog. Blogs used to sit in the realm of the personal online diary but have now become a key part of business online marketing. Many larger businesses have reaped the rewards of direct access to public opinion of their products and services by opening the floodgates to two-way communication. It takes a brave person to openly discuss their product’s shortcomings via a blog, but the valuable insight into customer behaviour can be absolutely priceless.

The Internet provides such an enormous opportunity for any business, especially those with a recognisable brand identity. See how Sattom Media can transform your online brand and help you reap the benefits online. Give one of the Sattom Media team a call on 01962 670155 or if you’re a little shy, feel free to email your website requirements to info@sattom.co.uk.

Over the last couple of years there has been a general trend to what the web industry calls the Web 2.0 look. Graphic designers have been creating simple looking websites, with bold logos and bigger text that puts useability at the forefront of the online experience.

There is a great blog post over at Web Designs from Scratch that goes into a great deal of depth about the current Web 2.0 fashion styling for websites. If you have time if it is well worth the read.

But here is a precis of some of the top graphic design styles for Web 2.0 :-

• Simplicity - Keeping your website objectives at the heart of your design and using as few features as are necessary to achieve what you need to achieve.
• Central layout and Fewer columns - a site that sits straight front & centred on the page with fewer columns, feels more simple, bold and honest.
• Separate top section with Simple Navigation - creating a clear space at the top of your website allows you to position your logo and navigation boldy on the page.
  Differentiating
  the top of your page from the rest of the site helps the user to focus on the important elements.
• Bold logos and Bigger text - A clear, bold, strong brand - incorporating attitude, tone of voice, and first impression - is helped by a bold logo. A strong brand says who we are and what we believe. Larger text not only helps reading but reinforces the message.
• Strong colours and Rich surfaces - Strong colours and rich surfaces help draw the eye and making distinctions between real estate on teh page and what the user should take notice of.
• Gradients and Reflections - the epitome of Web 2.0 graphic design. Apple were probably the first mainstream brand to push the reflection idea on website graphics.
• Cute icons and Star flashes - Icons play an important role in Web 2.0 design. They can be useful when they’re easily recognisable and carry a clear meaning.

Our Graphic Designers at Sattom Media love the new Web 2.0 trend and are always keen to get involved with projects that push them creatively. If you are looking for a Graphic Designer in Winchester that can create a look that really will make your customers go “WOW” then give one of the Sattom team a call on 01962 670155 or email info@sattom.co.uk .