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Find the perfect branding for your designs with Wixel → Every entrepreneur is faced with the same challenge. Somehow, some way, you need your company to stand out and leave its mark in the market. But, of course, this is easier said than done. Memorable brands aren’t built overnight, and a brand development strategy requires much more than a cool logo or a catchy slogan. As a Wix Partner and founder of Small Business Startup Solutions , I've had the privilege of working closely with entrepreneurs across various industries. Together we’ve built, rebuilt and fine-tuned strategies for solidifying their brand positioning and creating a stronger market presence. Below are some of my insights from over the years, and tips for navigating the many components of brand development. Build your brand with the Wix Logo Maker . What is a brand development strategy? A brand development strategy is the plan for creating a brand ’s image, positioning it in a market and building brand equity. Having a strategy in place will ensure that consumers can identify your brand and distinguish it from others, even as your business evolves. Often, the first step to creating a brand development strategy is to evaluate your company’s current market positioning, and the brand characteristics that helped you get there. It doesn’t always involve redoing your current branding—rather, a brand development strategy could mean expanding on your existing strategy, and creating better alignment or efficiencies between your assets. While an agency like mine would assist with things like your web design, logo design, email marketing and other marketing efforts, your brand development strategy could also impact your product development strategy and customer service (among other areas of your operations). Branding vs. brand development: what's the difference? Branding and brand development are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two different things. Branding is the process of creating a unique identity for a product or service. It involves the tactical steps of designing your brand’s visual elements (such as its logo and color palette) and brand messaging (such as its tone of voice and value proposition). Brand development takes the branding that already exists and uses it to create new ways to support your company’s growth. For example, think of a pizza shop that wants to start selling their sauce in grocery stores. This requires creating new labels, packaging and quality standards. The pizza shop’s website branding , social media and marketing all need to reflect the new product line, too—which all relies on having a clear brand development plan to guide the way. How do you know you need a brand development strategy? While your company’s internal goals may be an obvious reason for needing a brand development strategy, there are also plenty of external factors that create a need. For instance, a change in the demand for your product or services may cause you to consider adding or eliminating parts of your brand. Consumer feedback can further indicate what is and isn’t working about your current branding. Or, pressures from new competitors or market challenges may force you to rethink your strategy. A strong brand development strategy can help your products to be seen by the right audience sooner, saving you valuable time and money. 4 popular brand development strategies There are many ways that you can expand your company’s brand. Let's take a look at the four main ways that companies implement their brand development strategy. 01. Product line extension If you’re looking to bring more value to your current customers, you can offer an additional product line. A product line extension involves offering a new product in the same category as your existing products. Under this strategy, you’d apply the same, existing branding to your new product line—which can help create a soft introduction to your new product(s) and encourage customers who already enjoy your products to give your new items a try. At the same time, this strategy could help you attract new consumers by offering something that wasn’t available in your store before. Christiane’s Handcrafted Jewelry offers a variety of silver and gold necklaces, earrings and rings. Christiane is constantly creating new jewelry designs in her studio to extend her product lines within her existing categories. As new jewelry is finished, it can be found on display in her store, online (via her website and social media) or at shows. 02. Multi-brand Your company may decide to create multiple brands to target consumers in different markets. Consumers may not be able to tell that the additional brands are housed under a parent company because each brand or subbrand markets itself differently. For example, Horseshoe Media is a California-based advertising and marketing company that provides digital marketing, social media marketing and consulting services. They house a variety of marketing brands. They own All Country News, a media outlet for country news; Good Scentiments, a candle line that promotes collaborations with musical artists and donations to charity; and MUSICVRSE a music media company that covers a variety of genres. Thanks to this multi-brand strategy, Horseshoe Media has been able to strengthen its following in multiple areas of media advertising. 03. Brand extension A brand extension strategy is when your business uses its established brand name to elevate a new product, product category or version of an existing product. It can also involve combining two well-known products or services together in order to tap into the brand loyalty of existing customers. For instance, artist Rigo Peralta established himself by selling surrealist paintings that, in his words, “represents the push and pull between humanity and machinery.” Peralta’s works are available for purchase online and at his studio ( Rigo Peralta Art Studio ) in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He has also launched an apparel and accessory line called Rigo Collections. Rigo Collections sells print-on-demand products featuring Peralta’s art, and is similarly available online or in the studio. Peralta additionally decorates his vacation property in the Dominican Republic with his art, creating a fully immersive experience. All of these channels together provide multiple avenues for art enthusiasts to get to know Peralta, not just as an artist but as a powerful, recognizable brand. 04. New brand A new brand strategy focuses on creating a new product in a new product category (i.e., creating a brand name from scratch). Take McPhee Family Farms as an example. This family-owned farm specializes in supplying farm-raised beef, pork and produce to serve its local community. They are preparing to open a second business, McPhee’s Butcher Block , which will pay tribute to the farm while offering an in-person retail location (plus an online store) to meet the demands of the everyday shopper. The Butcher Block logo resembles the Family Farm logo to show the relationship between the two brands. Meanwhile, the Butcher Block site embraces tones of a family-oriented atmosphere by weaving in family history and incorporating cooking methods that have long been honored by the family. The 6 stages of brand development: steps for building a solid action plan Identifying the best brand development strategy and creating an action plan starts with analyzing your company's direction, the industry and the overall market. Then, once your plan is in motion, it’s important to set up a process for measuring the performance of your strategy to ensure that you’re making the best decisions for your company, both now and in the future. These six steps can help you to check off all the essential boxes and get your strategy off the ground. 01. Consider your business strategy Your business strategy can (and should) inform your brand development strategy. Maybe you’re seeing that one product is driving a majority of sales, or that one particular subset of buyers is making the most purchases from your company. Think about who you want to target (new or existing customers), and how effectively your brand is currently reaching them. You can use the same KPIs that you use to assess the current state of your business to evaluate the performance of your marketing, and to serve as a benchmark for future performance. By clearly defining the goals, vision and mission for your company as a whole, you can better create a brand that reaches the right people. Your business strategy can further help you decide whether to focus on a product line extension or another type of brand development strategy. For example, take a look at your current sales and expenses of your business. What drives your revenue and where are your costs high? What do your growth numbers look like? At the end of the day, you’ll want to: Make sure that your messaging is relevant to your target audience Align your brand with real customer needs, as voiced directly to your team or elsewhere (e.g., social media) Create a brand that’s unique from your competitors Ensure that everything from your logo to your messaging can evolve as your business grows 02. Do market research Market research is necessary for understanding how your product compares to its competitors, industry and overall market. External factors like overall industry health and/or new trends can impact how well your products may be accepted. Start your market research with a competitor analysis. Take a look at what your competitors are selling, how they’re selling it and who their consumers are. How have they expanded? Are your competitors selling their products in packages or as subscriptions? By analyzing your competitors, you can dig up some good inspiration or spot strategies to avoid. Next, study the industries and markets that you compete in to glean insight into current and future demand. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a company that may have wanted to expand into a physical retail location may have decided that the market outlook was too poor to attempt to do so. Even though external factors can be out of your control, they can significantly impact the performance of your brand. 03. Determine your target audience It goes without saying that in order to clearly and effectively promote your brand, you need to know who you’re talking to. This means going beyond surface-level information and challenging assumptions that you may have about your current or target audience. This also means narrowing down your scope to specific segments of customers who want and need your products or services. It's possible that your new strategy will cater to the same target audience that you have been serving. However, it’s equally possible for you to identify a smaller segment of customers, or a new segment to engage. One way to define your brand’s target audience is by creating personas. Pretend that your audience can be represented by a single person. Give that person a name. Describe who they are. What do they like? What do they dislike? Where do they live and what are their daily habits? Tailor your messaging to speak directly to these personas, and find the best channel to communicate with them. Moreover, use your personas to guide your thinking around brand development—how can your brand best serve their needs? 04. Develop your brand story and personality Before you start crafting your brand assets, ask yourself, what is your company’s mission? What is your vision? The answers to these questions can re-establish the “why” behind your business, which, in turn, can inform your brand story and personality. Your brand's personality can carry similar traits to that of a person and can be used to influence your company name, logo and taglines. For example, when engineering company EU Design Consulting approached my agency, they knew they wanted to convey experience, reliability and professionalism in their messaging. Understanding these brand characteristics helped to create a simple yet sophisticated logo, alongside a website that reflects the company’s maturity and expertise. Your brand characteristics can further guide the type of content you produce in the future, from your emails and your blogs, to your social posts and advertisements. 05. Build a brand guide A brand guide addresses the visual and messaging guidelines for your brand. It defines your brand’s preferred typography, color choices and style—with the goal of maintaining consistency and communicating your brand personality.You may already have a brand guide in place, but chances are, you’ll need to tweak it for any new offerings. For instance, if your company chooses to introduce a new product line, how does that tie in to all of the other branding that exists? To create a brand guide, I recommend keeping it simple. Your brand should involve two to three brand colors as well as font choices. Make sure your guide includes your logo and all of the acceptable variations or placements of your logo. In addition to this, provide guidance on the types of media to be used, brand voice, tone and more to guide any new marketing and communications. 06. Track your progress As you start applying your new branding across your business, you’ll want to actively track your progress and impact. Establish clear KPIs, such as the ones you already use to assess your business strategy, from the get-go. Use benchmark data to compare your business’s performance from before and after your strategy has entered the market. To that end, Wix Analytics can help you connect the dots between your new strategy and sales or web performance. You should also compare your progress to the performance of your competitors, industry and market. Tracking your progress will help to identify if any pivots need to be made in your strategy, or can confirm if you’re on the right track.

Find the perfect branding for your designs with Wixel → People love makeovers. From Anne Hathaway’s character in The Devil Wears Prada, to any “before and after” home renovation transformation, we can’t resist a good revamp. Just like the subjects of these classic glow up stories, brands are like living and breathing entities that carry their own persona, and sometimes, they also need a quick refresh—or a complete overhaul. Even if your business has made good branding decisions up until now, many companies reach a point where their brand identity no longer aligns with their original vision, or their efforts to grow become limited. Whatever has led you here, it is clear that your brand is evolving, so it may be time to consider rebranding. This strategic process focuses holistically on reshaping your brand identity and any emotional or psychological brand associations consumers have of it. In this article we will outline the steps you’ll take to rebrand, from the way your logo design to recalibrating your target market, and examples of brands who have re-worked their image successfully. What is rebranding? Rebranding refers to the process of establishing a new or differentiated brand identity in the mind’s and hearts of your customers. Many people believe that rebranding is simply designing a new logo, changing your brand colors (including cool fonts ), brand name or adjusting your visual identity. While updating your branding collateral is a part of the process, rebranding is actually much more profound. Think of rebranding as an emotional shift driven by any kind of change to your business. It's the process of pivoting in a new direction while maintaining the foundation of what your brand stands for. Whether your brand is growing into a new market, offering different types of services or undergoing any other kind of change, rebranding is a reaction to the growing needs of your consumers. Why rebrand The road to rebranding is different for everyone, and there are a multitude of challenges and opportunities that may lead a company to consider this process. Rebranding can be a very costly process involving time, energy and resources, so it is not a decision that should be taken lightly. Your rebranding strategy is not something that can be impulsively thrown together, either. It requires research, patience and vision to pull off successfully, and when done right—the results can be game changing for your brand. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider rebranding: Mergers and acquisitions: When two companies unite, they bring their own unique brand identities with them. The key to a successful merger is to find a new identity and build a brand that represents and encapsulates the values of both parties in one cohesive place, in order to avoid confusion. It is also worth noting that not every merger needs a total rebrand, sometimes a light refresh will suffice (we will cover that below). New markets and locations: If your brand is growing within the current market or expanding into alternative markets, this presents a golden opportunity. For example, maybe your business has grown into international markets with different cultures and languages that may require a localized brand visual identity and tone of voice. Target audience shift: When your brand is no longer resonating with your target audience, you’ll want to attract a new one, and rebranding can help you achieve this goal. Remember that even if you wish to appeal to a new audience, you must be careful not to alienate your current one. For example, trying out Gen Z branding strategies may be a new approach to reach a specific audience. Outdated branding: Your brand no longer represents your current offerings, or alternatively it just feels outdated. Perhaps your company designed its logo over 20 years ago, and it no longer communicates the same message, or it had more corporate branding that no longer speaks to your audience. Technological advancements: Even if you’re staying on top of the game, there can also be external trends of technological advancements within your industry that can influence your offering. On this note, these advances can also bring new competitors to the field. Revised mission: The core of your brand decisions is rooted in your business’s mission and vision statements, along with your purpose and values. If the foundation that your company is built upon is shifting or evolving, it is worth considering a rebrand to reevaluate your original goals and make sure they are still aligned. Change in experience: Maybe you originally opened a brick-and-mortar storefront that shifted to an online shop. Or your restaurant only offers take away rather than dine-in eating. Big or small, these changes impact the experience for your customers and must be effectively communicated in your branding. Poor original branding: Perhaps you dove in too quickly, or didn’t fully contemplate your branding right from the get-go. Oftentimes, newly established companies quickly throw together a logo and some short-sighted branding elements just to get started. Taking the time to revisit and re-evaluate these decisions can be a great rebranding opportunity. With this in mind, there are a few reasons that on their own do not justify a complete rebrand: New management: Sometimes a new CEO wants to make their mark with a new logo or redesign. Although new management can sometimes be the catalyst for change, remember that rebranding is not just based on superficial elements and must be a holistic strategy that involves reshaping the brand from the inside out. Furthermore, it should not be the decision of one new leader, rather a collective process that takes each aspect of the brand into consideration. Band-aid solution: Good branding is all about authenticity and transparency, so using a rebrand to misguide your audience or distract them from a negative experience can appear dishonest and have major backlash. If your brand has gained a less than favorable reputation, simply changing your logo is a temporary, superficial solution that does not address or resolve the problem. PR stunt: Sometimes brands will try out-of-the-box marketing strategies to draw attention to their product. However, rebranding just to get attention can be risky and ill-received. Having said that, there are the rare occasions when this strategy pays off. Just take a look at the IHOP rebrand strategy, where they renamed themselves “ IHOB” as a gimmick. Boredom: You may have grown tired of your brand identity and think it’s simply time for a refresh, but this isn’t a good enough reason to rebrand. If you haphazardly change your brand because you’re feeling blasé, you’re selling yourself short. Even though you may not like your logo, your loyal customers have grown to recognize and love your brand. Changing your brand without the necessary research and rebranding strategy can be detrimental to your brand trust and persona. You can think of the rule of 7 , a marketing principle which states that it takes consumers approximately seven times before they recognize a brand. While you may see your logo on a daily basis, remember that prospective customers are seeing it with new eyes, and they need time to build connections and make associations with your brand. Types of rebranding Once you’ve outlined the purpose, the specific rebranding strategy you choose will depend on your goals. With this in mind, you also have to consider the amount of time and money a rebrand will cost, which may impact the type of approach you follow. Brand Refresh If your business is already recognized and respected, and you’ve developed strong brand loyalty, a brand refresh is a great way to update your offering without minimizing awareness. Since brand refreshes are less cumbersome than a total overhaul, they also cost less and take less time to pull off. Also known as a partial rebrand, this approach is ideal for companies that want to make adjustments to stay relevant and attract new customers, without losing their hard-earned relationship with current ones. A refresh is perfect for brands that have outdated branding collateral, or have shifted their vision and goals. Some things to consider when executing a successful brand refresh include creating a new logo, updating or creating a website and fine-tuning your brand voice and communication methods. This can also include updating photography and images used in your branding assets, and revising your color palette to ensure that all the visual elements speak your brand message authentically. Furthermore, these changes must be consistent across all mediums, ranging from any kind of print materials to packaging design and retail environments. A great example is the Apple logo, which only underwent one complete redo from its original design in 1976 to the iconic bitten apple we all know and love today. Every 7-10 years, the brand gently updates its logo, almost like a fresh coat of paint. Without sacrificing any brand recognition or loyalty, these refreshed logos are relevant, timely and keep everyone engaged. Brand Overhaul Unlike a refresh, a brand overhaul refers to a complete metamorphosis and is much more thorough and complex. A complete overhaul brings its own diverse challenges and requires in-depth research and a strategic plan to fully understand the scope of the project. Since this type of rebrand can be intensive and costly, it should only be considered when a company is shifting their entire purpose, including their mission and vision, and readiness to repair and rebuild the brand from the inside out. A full rebrand can be provoked by a change in your products or services, or a company expansion into a new market. Regardless of what drives your rebrand, it is most commonly rooted in some kind of failure or misstep to effectively communicate with your target audience. It’s your chance to change the narrative, and tell a new brand story . With this in mind, the goal of a complete brand overhaul is to re-establish your brand identity and perception in the market, reconnecting with your current and prospective customers. You can take a closer look at some impressive full rebranding examples at the end of this article. How to rebrand: Just as no two brands are the same, neither are the rebranding strategies that transform them. With this in mind, remember that your specific challenges and goals are unique to your business and should be approached accordingly. Understanding these nuances will lead to a more thoughtful and strategic result. Define your reason Research and determine your target audience Decide what stays and what goes Collaborate with your team Share it with the world Listen to feedback 01. Define your reason Rebranding is an introspective process and one that requires self-awareness and vision. You must look inwards and ask important and sometimes difficult questions to determine your brand’s current issue or problem. When your business first started, you likely outlined your purpose, mission, vision and values. However, in some cases these may have been overlooked and never fully established. If your brand does not have a clearly defined purpose, this is the time to figure out what it is. Your vision, mission and values will set the foundation and serve as cornerstones of your brand. Creating a brand purpose, will serve to unify your entire organization around a single goal, ultimately enabling your entire team (employees, customers, partners and competitors) to connect better. These will help guide each decision along the way and keep your rebranding strategy aligned. 02. Research and determine your target audience In order for your rebranding efforts to be successful, you want to not only target the right audience, but resonate with them. Taking a look at your competitors to fully visualize the playing field is an important part of this research process to figure out what sets your company apart, and what you can deliver to prospective clients, so they will choose your brand. In order to establish your target market, you need to consider your current demographic and the one you’re attempting to communicate with. You must determine: Age Gender Location Income and financial status Educational background Hobbies and interests You also need to gauge: Previous associations with your brand Connections to competitors Based on your findings, you want to dig even deeper to get to know your target audience. What are their experiences? What are they passionate about? This is also the time to examine what the latest trends are. While it is not recommended to simply jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad, having awareness will give you powerful insights. This is particularly true for your visual assets—just because something is on-trend now, it might not be six months down the line, and you don’t want to rebrand again. 03. Decide what stays and what goes Channel your inner Marie Kondo and think, does it bring you joy? If you answer yes, you get to keep the item, and if not—it goes. While rebranding is not as simple as cleaning out your closet, it is definitely similar in some ways. Before you eliminate all your branding assets, you need to first decide which ones are actually working for you. For example, are you planning to change your brand name ? In many cases, the brand name can stay the same and helps maintain brand recognition. Having said that, there are also times when you’d want to change it, like when two companies merge and form a new brand, this is a great opportunity. Go through each of your brand touchpoints one by one to decide what you’ll keep and what you’ll refresh or eliminate. This refers to both visual and non-visual branding elements. Remember, you may want to hold on to some of your original assets to foster a sense of familiarity and continuity, so customers maintain the same positive associations and sentiments toward your brand. Here are just some of the brand assets you should consider when deciding what will stay and what will go. Logo Brand Colors Typography Slogan or catchphrase Product packaging Website branding Photography Business cards Brand voice Brand tone Advertisements Emails Employee communication and training Brand culture Social media posts Newsletters Promotions 04. Collaborate with your team The key to a strong rebrand is collaborating with a range of people associated with your company, both internal and external. However, it is recommended to follow a general order when you roll out your rebrand, starting from the inside out. First, your rebranding strategy should be communicated inwardly with stakeholders, partners, employees as well as sponsors and donors. Ensuring that your team is properly briefed on the new brand identity and communication will ensure that everyone is on the same page. For example, you may host a “soft launch”, which gives you an opportunity to share your newly rebranded business with your inner circle before unveiling it to the world. It is also a chance to stay ahead of any issues, so that when you do go public, you can do so with complete confidence. 05. Share it with the world It can’t hurt to generate a buzz around your newly revamped brand. Before the big reveal, giving your audience a sneak peek at what's to come can be enticing and make your launch even more successful. Now you’re ready to share your rebrand with your external audience, including your customers, the media, your social media community, influencers or brand ambassadors. One of the most important aspects of your rebanding launch is to share the why behind your decisions, and keep your audience in the loop. Be sure to share your process and the goals of your new direction—transparency and authenticity are as good as gold for your newly rebranded business. 06. Listen to feedback The driving force behind your rebranding decisions was based on the needs of your customers and their perception of your brand. So listening to their feedback is just as important a step as any. For example, one of the greatest rebranding fails of all time was back in 2010 when Gap tried to rebrand their 20-year longstanding logo, in a misguided blunder which has since been dubbed “Gapgate” . It took Gap less than a week to eliminate the rebranded logo and return to their classic blue square. The Gap logo redesign fail was a learning experience not only for the clothing retailer, but lives on as a cautionary tale for other brands. Rebranding examples Velo by Wix What could be worse than when a pandemic sounds like your product? When it comes to branding—not much. Originally called Wix Code, the full-stack development platform evolved and went through a rebranding process in 2019 to be called Corvid by Wix. Nobody could predict that a name that was inspired by the remarkably intelligent Corvidae birds, would later be mistaken for a global pandemic. After constant, often comedic trolling and backlash from the online community, Corvid underwent a name change and a slight brand refresh, to become Velo by Wix. According to Wix CMO Omer Shai, “Velo comes from the word ‘velocity’, and is inspired by the accelerated development that users have on this platform”. With the new name came an updated website, a lighter and more approachable tone of voice and brand message, and of course, a fresh new logo. Victoria’s Secret The iconic lingerie brand, most notable for their black, white and pink boudoir-esque stores, their sexy and empowering messaging, and their annual fashion show flaunting supermodels known as “Angels" has recently undergone a major makeover. Victoria’s Secret has opted for a more diverse, inclusive and authentic onslaught of models including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Megan Rapinoe and Paloma Elsesser, to name a few. These women are the embodiment of empowerment, inclusivity, gender equality and body positivity, basically a 180 from their previous figures. In the wake of the #Metoo movement , controversy around women’s reproductive freedom and attention on transgender rights, Victoria’s secret not only paid attention to the social climate, but they finally listened. This after more controversy around misogyny, bullying and harassment towards their models, and backlash from the global community claiming it took the brand too long to make this change. Nonetheless, the time has come. As a result, their bold rebrand is an effort to mitigate these missteps and rebuild a fresh new image, targeting a more all-embracing audience. The brand is revamping their stores along with the launch of their VS collection promoting new product lines and reimagined content that will challenge women’s causes, including a new breast cancer fundraising campaign. They’ve also made management changes, crafting a mostly-female board of directors. While their brand name and logo will remain the same, this full overhaul is a risk the brand is willing to take to change perception and shift the way they fit into the market. Dunkin' In 2019, the beloved American coffee and donut chain underwent a very successful and effective rebrand. This impressive transformation was a multi-level undertaking which included internal management changes to integrate new perspectives, updates to their visual branding assets including their logo and brand name (originally Dunkin' Donuts) and a fresh new language and approach. What made Dunkin’s rebrand so strong is that they recognized after almost seven decades of service, they needed to revitalize their branding to not only communicate better with a new generation, but to also reunite with their original customers. Through intensive consumer research and competitive analysis, they were able to not only find where they could fit within the market, they also understood where they didn’t fit. In a generation of minimalist and offbeat high-end cafés and coffee aficionados, Dunkin’ didn’t try to be something it is not. Rather, they leveraged their brand loyalty to attract lapsed customers, and built a relationship with new ones. Even their rebrand launch was savvy and relevant, using a friendly approach to reveal their new name. Since most people already referred to the brand as Dunkin’, they invited their friends to “Call them by a first name basis”. This clever tweet shows the affable nature of their new brand language, which has been well received across the board. Dunkin’ continues to expand their offering, selling trendy menu items like plant-based foods, oat milk and Boba to attract a younger generation , while still delivering the familiar cup of Jo.

Find the perfect branding for your designs with Wixel → You might not be creating the next big ice cream brand, but starting a business  means you’ll need a name that sticks. In this article, we’ll look at what makes a brand name memorable and how to come up with one that grabs attention from day one. What comes to mind when you hear Häagen-Dazs? The name, with its Dutch-like flair and the two dots over the ‘a’ (a diaeresis), might evoke images of ice cream from a quaint European village. That’s exactly what Reuben Mattus, a Polish immigrant, wanted when he created the brand in 1961. The twist? Häagen-Dazs doesn’t mean anything, and it started in New York City. Mattus saw a gap in the market for premium artisan ice cream and cleverly gave it a European-sounding name to play into the idea that European goods were superior. It’s a brilliant branding move that still works today. Naming your brand just got a whole lot easier. The Wix Business Name Generator gives you custom, on-brand ideas fast—along with the tools to bring your idea to life. Build your brand with the Wix Logo Maker . TL;DR: How to come up with a brand name Your brand name sets the tone for how customers perceive your business. This guide walks you through how to brainstorm ideas, check for availability and narrow down your options to find a name that truly fits. You’ll also learn how to test your top choices and avoid common pitfalls so your brand name works for you long term. We break down the traits that make a brand name strong and memorable, helping you choose one that leaves a lasting impression. Feature Why it matters Evocative A name that sparks emotion makes customers curious and encourages them to learn more about your business. Catchy Names that roll off the tongue or use techniques like alliteration are easier to remember. Simple to spell and pronounce Straightforward names reduce confusion and make it easier for customers to talk about your brand. Recognizable Standing out through musicality, metaphor or uniqueness helps your brand rise above the competition. According to Daniele Pitkowski, Product Marketing Manager - Alternative Flows at Wix.com Simplicity is key. Choosing a name with an easy spelling and pronunciation, secures quick recognition and recall. A great business name captures attention, evokes emotion and sticks in the mind. It should be unique yet memorable, reflecting your brand's essence and values. How to craft your brand name in 7 simple steps Follow these steps to come up with a brand name that’s sure to turn heads and invite consumers to learn more: Determine your brand’s values Get to know your target market Brainstorm potential brand names Conduct a linguistic screening Make sure your name is available Test it Incorporate your brand name everywhere 01. Determine your brand’s values “Your brand should be a relationship, not a one-night stand,” says leadership expert Simon Sinek. At the end of the day, people choose specific companies not only because of the product they sell, but because of the long-term emotional connection they have to them. But just like any romance, you’ll only be attractive to others as long as you’re confident about who you are. So ask yourself: what’s your brand identity ? What do you stand for? What are your values? These are the essential questions you must ask as you are creating a brand. I recommend starting simply: put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and narrow down a list of 10-15 words or phrases that describe your business. These words should convey your brand’s overall essence. Think about what values and ideals will remain constant no matter how much your business evolves. Examples of words that come to mind may include: Trustworthy Speedy Safe Clear Individualistic Unique Superior Simple Technological As Daniele Pitkowski, Product Marketing Manager - Alternative Flows at Wix.com reminds us, Selecting the right name for your business is paramount. It's the first impression you make on your audience. A well-chosen name communicates your brand identity, values, and purpose. It's the pillar of your brand's foundation, influencing customer perception, market positioning, and ultimately, your success in the competitive landscape. 02. Get to know your target market While you can afford to use cool, foreign words for a younger audience (Uber), it’ll probably be safer to stick to more established terminology for an older niche (Liberty Mutual). You can even customize your fonts to your audience (find cute fonts that match your brand). Always make sure your brand name speaks the same language as your potential customers. To do that, you need to know your market. At this stage, it’s helpful to conduct what’s called an application scenario. This is a process in which you write out a hypothetical “day in the life” of your target consumer. It should include the challenge they face and how it’s solved after purchasing your product. Questions to consider include: How do they spend their time? Are they young? Older? Do they work full time? What might their hobbies include? Do they have kids? An application scenario will create a picture of your target customer. From there, you can speak with people in your identified market to determine the type of language to use. You can do this by holding focus groups or by conducting surveys. Ask participants what drives them to purchase certain brands and what words or phrases appeal to them the most. You can also explore other companies targeting the same niche and do some research into their branding. How can I ensure my brand name works well internationally and doesn't have negative connotations in other languages? Invest in thorough linguistic and cultural research across target markets. Use professional translation services to check for unintended meanings. Consider how the name sounds when pronounced in different accents. Test the name with native speakers from various regions. Research trademark availability in all potential markets. Be aware of cultural taboos and sensitivities and if you're not sure, ask. 03. Brainstorm potential brand names This is your chance to get creative and throw all your ideas on the table. Allow yourself to come up with several brand name options which you can weed out later in the process. Here are ten types of brand names to consider: 1. The made-up name (Sony) Brand names in this category are invented words, but were contrived because the sound of them conveyed the right emotion or value. There may also be a hidden meaning behind part or all of the name. Sony, an international electronics label, is a mash-up of the Latin word sonus , meaning “sound” or “sonic”, and the English sonny , a nickname for a child. Put together, these terms embody the ideas of youth, music, and creativity—characteristics which remain fitting for the brand no matter how much it evolves. To come up with a made-up name, take the list of words you created to clarify your brand values and let your creative juices flow. Play around with different variations and sounds, combine several syllables from different words, and see what you come up with. This is clearly a trial and error process, but after some time and discussion with colleagues or friends, you may find yourself a solid winner. 2. The result-oriented name (IMPACT) In generic or specific terms, these names evoke what your business will do for your clients. For example, IMPACT, the tag of a digital marketing firm that helps companies manage partnerships, carries a strong connotation along with it. Without telling you what they sell, the name grabs your attention off the bat. To come up with a result-oriented brand name, consider what feeling you want to resonate with your consumers. You can also think of adverbs that describe what you’re selling or how you will provide this to consumers ( quickly , strategically , creatively , etc.). Can you incorporate any of these words into your title? 3. The metaphorical name (Nike) There’s a reason Nike picked this brand name. In ancient Greek mythology, Nike was the goddess of victory—an attribute that perfectly suits the ethos of a sports equipment manufacturer. This is what metaphors are all about: comparing your brand to something else whose attributes or qualities you also claim to have. To go this route, think of the most prominent quality you want to be associated with. Then, try to identify one animal, one plant, one natural landscape, one famous character, and one location that embody this attribute. If one of your options evokes the right emotion, you may have a good candidate. 4. The transparent name (5-Hour Energy) Transparent brand names tell the consumer upfront what the business does or sells. By eliminating the guesswork, your customers can more rapidly imagine themselves using your product or service. You can also incorporate an adjective or play-on-words to strengthen your tag. One example is 5-Hour-Energy. You have probably seen these small, colorful bottles at the checkout counter of your local pharmacy. They picture the silhouette of a person running on a mountainous landscape with the name printed in large, black letters. Without even picking up the product, you know immediately that it’s an energy drink. Transparent brand names can virtually work for any type of products or services. If you want to go this route, consider what you sell and if you like the sound of it in your title. You need to be able to label your product in three words or less, as most brand names don’t usually exceed that word count. You can also try merging it with metaphorical elements for some creative flair. 5. The two-in-one name (Instagram) These brand names mash up two words that describe your brand and combine them into a single, catchy tag. Two-in-one names are effective at peaking consumer interest and conveying an idea of what the product or service actually is. The social networking app Instagram is a combination of the words instant camera and telegram . Founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger wanted the name to convey ease and spontaneity as well as appeal to a younger, tech-savvy market. Want to give this type of brand name a try? Take a look at your list of values, on the one hand, and at the words describing your primary product or service, on the other hand. Try merging some of these terms into a single tag that embodies your brand. 6. The founder’s name (Ben & Jerry’s) This is probably the oldest trick in the book. Giving your business your first name, family name or nickname personalizes your brand and creates a sense of trust. A great example is Ben & Jerry’s. By using the founders’ everyday, first names (Ben instead of Benjamin), the iconic brand conveys a relaxed, laid-back vibe—which is carried throughout their branding, from the colorful packaging to the witty ice cream flavor names. If you choose to go this route, remember that a first name will always be more casual while a last name will sound more formal. If you’re not particularly proud of your own name, you can consider borrowing the one of a friend, family member, or even your pet. 7. The foreign language name (Panera) A business owner may choose to incorporate a word from a different language for many reasons. It could be because of their own personal history or simply because they just like the sound of it. In any case, it should be relevant to the specific industry. Take a look at the popular fast casual restaurant Panera. The name means “bread basket” in Spanish, which is aligned with their products. Interestingly enough, Panera is the parent company of Au Bon Pain (“the place with the good bread” in French), another American bakery chain. The founders picked these names because they sound good, but also because European countries (and France in particular) are perceived to be the birthplaces of classic baking techniques. If this type of name interests you, consider the words on your values list or even the product you are selling. Use Google Translate and other dictionaries to look up translations in other languages. Before you settle on one foreign term, check with a native speaker that the word you like doesn’t convey unexpected meanings. The world map's the limit. 8. The abbreviated name (IKEA) Have a lot of things to say? Consider using an abbreviation for your brand name. It will enable you to incorporate a phrase or multiple words that don’t tie together naturally. For example, while you may think IKEA is a Swedish word meaning, “put-it-together-yourself-and-feel-like-you-ran-a-marathon-afterwards,” the furniture giant’s name is actually an acronym. The I and K derive from the founder’s name, Ingvar Kampra, and the E and A come from the name of the farm he grew up on, Elmtaryd, followed by the name of the village it was in, Agunnaryd. While nothing in the term IKEA has anything to do with what the store sells, it has become a worldwide household name associated with furniture. To come up with an abbreviated brand name, take the first letter of each word you want to incorporate and jot them down. Try putting them together in various orders. Anything sound good? 9. The name that conveys leadership (Best Buy) These names are designed to give the brand a sense of leadership in their industry. A great example is the electronics company, Best Buy. They want consumers to know that they are the best store out there for computers, appliances and technology devices. The use of alliteration also adds a catchy element to the name, building on its appeal. To employ this technique, consider how your product or service stands out in your field. Can you convey this in your brand name? A list of words you can tap into include: Best Top Choice Superior Royal Core Finest Supreme Prime First 10. The name with no hidden meaning (Apple) These brand names do not have any particular connection to the product or the service, but were chosen for their attention-grabbing ring. How did Steve Jobs come up with the name Apple for his technology empire? After returning from an apple farm one day, he thought the name would make the brand sound “fun, spirited, and not intimidating.” He wasn’t wrong! Using a name like this can be a good corporate branding strategy to make your business stand out among competitors with transparent tags. It lets consumers know that you are doing business differently than others in your industry. How can I develop a brand name that allows for future pivots or expansions in my business model? Choose a name that's not too specific to your current product or service, for example using abstract or invented words that can take on new meanings and represent your brand no matter how you grow or diversify. This includes avoiding geographical references that might limit expansion. Consider using your own name or initials for flexibility. Always test your name's versatility by imagining it applied to various products or services. 04. Conduct a linguistic screening Your brand name should be easy to write and pronounce—not only in English, but in the language of every country you plan to target. You’ll also need to make sure it doesn’t have an unfortunate meaning or connotation. You can do this by checking a dictionary, doing an in-depth Google search, or by hiring a linguistic brand screening company. Here’s an example that’s close to home. Wix’s professional web development platform was previously called Corvid, after a family of very intelligent birds. The name worked for us until the beginning of 2020, when Covid-19 became a global pandemic. We didn’t want any negative association with our brand name, so we needed to act fast to remedy the issue. That’s when Velo was born, after the word velocity . We took the opportunity to add some exciting new features, and even gave it a catchy tagline: “Smarter, faster, and definitely not a pandemic.” Of course, we couldn’t have predicted this scenario, and most chances are you won’t ever find yourself in this situation. But when choosing your brand name, it’s crucial to consider all the possible issues that may arise. 05. Make sure your brand name is available There are millions of companies out there, and most chances are: someone already thought of the name you found for your own brand. Does it mean it should stop you from using it? Not necessarily. Here are a few things you want to check before you settle: Do a domain name search: A strong online presence is vital for your business. That’s why you’ll need to design a website that’s as unique as your brand. And because your domain name should include your name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available. Do a Google search: Check that your potential name isn’t identical to something else out there in the same country and industry. Check for social media availability: Make sure Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts with your brand name don’t already exist. Check the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USTPO) : If you’re planning to register your business in the U.S., you’ll want to verify that your title isn’t already taken. If your brand name is similar to another that already exists, this may open you up to legal complications. If you’re not sure, consult with a lawyer just in case. Planning to go global? Check with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) , if your brand name is trademarked outside the U.S. 06. Test your brand name You’ve narrowed down your list of potential brand names. Now is the time to test them out for feedback. You would be surprised at the reactions and associations people may make, so don’t neglect this crucial step. This will help determine if you have a solid fit in your selection or if you need to go back to the drawing board. A great tool to introduce people to your possible brand names is a slide deck. Invite a group of people to a presentation (either in person or on Zoom) and introduce them to your future brand. Explain what your product or service is and the market you plan to target. Next, introduce each potential brand name separately. A word of advice is not to include various logo options, as this may distract your audience and give you skewed results. Choose one image or logo, and stick with that. How will you pick your audience? Consider presenting to trusted members in your field for professional feedback and friends or family members for a consumer-based perspective. You can also use surveys to test your brand name on your target market. 07. Incorporate your brand name everywhere Creating a brand is more than just coming up with a name. It includes all aspects of your business, including your website branding , logo, colors, store layout, tagline, and marketing. Ensuring that these elements work together consistently is the key to a good brand development strategy. It relays reliability and trust to consumers, and distinguishes you among the competition. The store Target is a perfect case study. The logo is a red bullseye and the brand colors are red and white, the classic hues of a target. Even the slogan, “Expect more. Pay less,” represents something large becoming smaller—again, like an actual target. Since a target is about preciseness, consumers feel this store will have exactly what they’re looking for. And that's a feeling everybody loves. What makes a memorable brand name? Choosing a brand name is always a challenge, but you know how crucial this is. Your label will dictate your customers’ first impression and set you apart from the competition. While the formula for coming up with a brand name is not an exact science, there are certain characteristics you’ll want to include—a random word or phrase just won’t do. Your brand name should be: Evocative: It should elicit a positive emotional response and invite potential customers to learn more about your product or service. Catchy: It should roll off the tongue and can include, for example, an alliteration or a play-on-words to aid its appeal. Simple to spell and pronounce: The last thing you want is for people to struggle when reading or writing your brand name. Simplicity is key. Recognizable:  Whether it’s through musicality or a metaphor, a good brand name should stand out amongst the crowd. Brand name no-no's If there's a comprehensive list guiding what your brand name should be and how to choose it, so conversely there's one of what to avoid when brainstorming your business name and here it is. Make sure your brand name is not: Unmemorable:  A brand name should be memorable and easy to recall. Avoid names that are too long, complex or difficult to pronounce. Generic or descriptive:  A good brand name should be unique and stand out from the competition. Avoid names that are too generic or simply describe your product or service. Difficult to spell or say:  This can lead to confusion and frustration among your target audience. Offensive or controversial:  A brand name that is offensive or controversial can damage your brand reputation. Too similar to another brand:  This can lead to legal issues and confusion among consumers. Limiting:  A brand name should be broad enough to allow you to expand your product or service offerings in the future. Unrelated to your brand:  Your brand name should be relevant to your brand identity and communicate your core values. Trademarked:  Make sure you check for trademark availability before settling on a brand name. Short-lived:  Avoid names that are based on trends or fads. In a foreign language:  This can alienate potential customers who don't speak the language. In addition to these general guidelines, there are also some specific things you should avoid depending on your brand: For a professional brand: Avoid names that are too casual, playful or slang-heavy. For a luxury brand: Avoid names that are too common, ordinary or discount-sounding. For a children's brand: Avoid names that are too sophisticated or adult-oriented. For a tech company: Avoid names that are too technical or jargon-filled. Questions to ask yourself before choosing your brand name What does the name represent?  Is it easy to spell and pronounce? Is the name unique and distinctive? Can it scale with my business growth? Is the exact domain name available? Does it evoke the right emotions in my target audience? Does it translate well in all markets, across countries and languages? Can it work across various platforms — website, social media, email? Is it legally available and can be trademarked? Does it fit my brand personality? Brand name, legal game: why trademarks matter Coming up with a catchy brand name feels like a win—until you find out someone else already owns it. Trademark issues are one of the most common and expensive legal problems for new businesses. Launching under a name that’s already trademarked can lead to cease-and-desist letters, forced rebranding or even legal action. The worst part? You might not realize it’s taken until your business takes off, making rebranding even harder. That’s why it’s so important to check name availability before ordering business cards or launching your site. Start by searching the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database or your local registry if you're outside the US. Check for exact matches or similar-sounding names in your industry. Even if a name isn’t trademarked, make sure to check domain and social media availability to avoid any mix-ups. Once you find a unique, unused name, think about filing a trademark to protect it. How to come up with a brand name FAQ How do I create my own brand name? To create your own brand name, start by brainstorming keywords that highlight your business’s values, products or mission. Combine or modify these words to come up with unique ideas that resonate with your target audience. Make sure the name is simple to pronounce and memorable, and verify its availability by checking for trademarks and domain names. Testing your ideas with friends or potential customers can help confirm its appeal and effectiveness. How to create a catchy brand name? A catchy brand name is one that sticks in people’s minds, so keep it short, easy to say and relevant to your brand identity. Use techniques like alliteration, wordplay or blending words to make the name more engaging and fun. Ensure it evokes the right emotions or ideas tied to your business while being unique enough to stand out. Test it with your audience to see if it creates the desired impression. How to choose a name for a brand? When choosing a brand name, focus on capturing your brand's essence and connecting with your target audience. It should reflect what you offer or stand for while being adaptable if your business grows. Research to confirm it's not already being used and ensure matching domain names or social media handles are available. A name that’s unique, easy to remember and aligned with your brand’s values will serve as a strong foundation. How to create the most unique brand name? What if people don’t love the brand name right away? That’s okay. Not all great brand names are instant hits—some grow on people over time. Focus on consistency, storytelling and building a strong brand around the name. If it’s easy to remember, pronounce and fits your vision, trust the process.

Find the perfect branding for your designs with Wixel → Nothing captures the imagination like a well-told story. We’re hardwired to be attracted to them, and when it comes to promoting your business - audiences are much more inclined to connect with a good story than a good product. In the past, companies were just cold entities that supplied us with goods. But these days, that’s not enough to get people to engaged with your brand. Instead, customers are attracted to brands they can relate to, brands that interest them - brands with a great narrative to tell. Telling a compelling story is just one aspect of good marketing. Before you begin, keep in mind that you'll eventually want to create website branding , content and other marketing assets like logo design and a strong brand identity to provide a home for your brand’s story, and a place for people to interact with it. What is a brand story Your brand story is the narrative of your company and an important part of your brand identity . While many brands choose to highlight the story of their inception, or that of their founders - you don’t have to be limited by these guidelines. Think outside the box and expand the limits of your creativity - just make sure it’s intriguing and relates to the qualities of your brand. A good brand story is meant to communicate who you are. This is true for any type of brand, be it a company, organization or a personal brand. That means it should encompass the values and ideals your brand represents. Your story is what connects your branding efforts with one another, creating a bridge between your mission statement, brand development style, and marketing campaigns. Another goal of your brand story to humanize your business, making sure people can connect with it, and fostering a sense of familiarity and personality as well as brand loyalty . Plan on updating your story periodically - the world never stops changing, and neither should your brand - so don’t hesitate to adapt it to fit current times. Why do you need a brand story Telling a compelling brand story can get people interested in your company, creating an unforgettable impression. This is a major part of building a brand . You should always strive to be the first brand in people’s minds when they seek out the products or services you provide. While gaining recognition for your brand is a must, that's not all it’s about. Your brand story should give audiences something to relate to and support in addition to providing a good narrative. This is crucial for fostering trust and familiarity with potential customers. At the end of the day, branding is a tool used to grow your audience and increase sales within a competitive market. Today, there are endless options for any given product or service, so people prefer to interact with brands that hold the same values as them. In fact, according to some researchers, shoppers are 55% more likely to buy products from brands with a story they like . What are the main elements of a brand story? We're going to go into more detail into what makes a good brand story but before we do we're going to lay out the main elements or principles of a brand story: A clear purpose for the story and the brand itself An authentic and genuine emotional connection An easy to understand, meaningful unique value proposition that sets your brand apart Consistency across all branding efforts and marketing strategies An ability to humanize the brand, as a business selling to people with their own pain points and needs Authenticity that reflects the true values of the brand What makes a good brand story? It takes planning and thought to create a brand story that will be effective. A well-crafted brand story should include these principles Create an emotional connection Brand storytelling is all about connecting with your audience. The best way to do this is by honing in on shared ideals and values. You can achieve this by identifying your brand's core values and incorporating these into your brand story. For example, your brand story could revolve around a love for nature, and therefore your story emphasize the importance of sustainability in your product. . By forming a shared worldview with your customers, you can create an association between your brand and the ideals you stand for. You can form a bond over practically anything people feel strongly about. This can be as simple as an aesthetic view or a passion for a product, activity or idea. Show your human side You want people to feel as if your brand is a person - with a personality, emotion and an opinion. This is the best way to give your brand a voice that will connect with others. Ultimately, your brand story will be used to communicate these characteristics. A good way to do this is by presenting the actual people behind the brand. This doesn’t have to be limited to the company’s founders - your story could be told through your employees and customers too. Stay authentic Telling your story is a powerful tool, but make sure you can stand behind it. People can recognize when a brand isn’t authentic - and it’s not an attractive quality. On the other hand, customers appreciate brands that are true to themselves and honest to their customers, and will be more likely forge a loyal relationship with an authentic message. Keep it succinct Your story should also be easily digestible. Most people don’t have time (or the will) to read 1,000 words on your brand. Try to encapsulate all you want to say in two or three simple points. That’s more than enough to communicate a brand message that will resonate. Highlight the benefits of your product or services At the end of the day, telling your brand story is about promoting your product. A successful brand story will connect to your product or services. In fact, your product and story are part of one package. While it’s crucial to form a bond between your brand and your audience, it’s also important to highlight the product itself. Use your story to tell people what they can expect from your brand by stating what you can do for them and how your products or services will improve their lives. How to create your brand story in 4 steps Your brand story is an integral part of your company, so you should take time to brainstorm ideas and flesh out an accurate narrative. These steps will help guide you: Define your message Understand your target audience Build your narrative Compose your story 01. Define your message Before you build your story, you should understand what you want to convey. It’s easier to craft a story around a clearly defined message. To start off, your message should answer each of these questions in a sentence or two: What does your brand do? You already know what products or services you provide. But that’s just the surface of what you do. Every product has an additional value or impact on whoever buys it, and this is a critical ingredient of your brand's story. Take board games, for example. The value isn’t in the pieces themselves or the rules of the game, but in bringing people together to have fun. How does your brand do what it does? The “how” is an important part of any brand story. Describe how you manufacture your products, what materials you use and what technology goes into it. You should also describe where you manufacture and who you employ. If your brand provides a service, describe the level of expertise and know-how that goes into it. You don’t have to include all of this in your brand story, but it could be useful to enhance your narrative. Remember, your customers value transparency. Why do you do it? Most people prefer to buy products from a brand with an agenda they believe in. Define a higher purpose for your brand, one that people can relate to. This means defining what drives your brand and how it benefits others. You will attract more customers by giving them a reason to connect with - and support - you. Who are you? You don’t want your brand story to be all about business, products and sales. Customers like brands that have a personality, and one of the best ways to do this is by giving a “face” to your company. Do this by finding a personality for your brand. Brands can embody the same qualities as human beings. Think of what characteristics can be used to describe your brand and the people involved in it. Should it be casual, or serious? Knowledgable or ambitious? Familiar or helpful? Whatever you choose your brand story should convey authenticity. Your brand identity is an extremely important part of growing your business overall, and should influence your brand’s style, colors, brand name and marketing efforts. 02. Understand your target audience In order to know what story would work best for your brand, you need to define your target market. This way, you’ll be able to craft the narrative that’s most likely to speak the customers you’re after. The best way to understand your audience is by talking directly to them about their experience. You can do this by sending out crowd surveys and performing research on their habits. Once you have your target market pinned down, understand who they are as people - think of what your brand can do for them, what language it will use to grab their attention, and what methods you will use to communicate with them. 03. Build your narrative This is where the brand storytelling begins. At this stage, you need to pinpoint the important aspects of your identity and its message, turning it into a story that will resonate with your audience. When relevant, it's always good to start from a conflict or struggle that your brand seeks to solve or overcome. Describe what caused you to take action. In general, audiences want to know what made you start your brand. Next, you should describe how your brand works towards that vision. How do you plan on accomplishing your goals? This part of the brand story should highlight what your brand is doing now, and how it will continue in the future. Finally, explain how your products will impact people’s lives directly, and in the context of the bigger picture. How will it make their lives better? But also - how will it improve the world? 04. Compose your brand story Once your brand story is complete, don't let it gather dust. Find the right platforms to broadcast it. This might mean posting a series of videos on YouTube, creating posts for social media, landing press articles and interviews with relevant publications, and more. Each form of media should be optimized for its platform in order to accurately communicate your cause and gain attention. In other words, telling your story using video won’t require the same material as a written article, so you’ll have to create relevant content for each outlet. Don't forget to tell a version of your brand's story on your website, too. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a dedicated About Us page. Remember, your story is a vital part of your brand, and everything your brand does should be in sync with it. Learn more about YouTube: How to make a YouTube banner How to make a YouTube thumbnail Creating a brand story template Your brand story template or plan should be the beginning of your creation process. It can help layout your brand story must haves and provide direction to the creative process involved in writing a truly great brand story. We recommend incorporating the following sections in your plan: Introduction: Start by introducing your brand and setting the context for your brand story. Explain what your brand does, who it serves, and what makes it unique. Background: Provide some background information about your brand, such as how it was founded, what inspired its creation, and what challenges it has faced along the way. This will help humanize it and establish your authenticity. Purpose : Explain the purpose of your brand, including its mission, vision, and values. Describe how your brand seeks to make a difference in the world and what motivates it to do so. Unique value proposition: Describe your brand's unique value proposition and what sets it apart from your competitors. Explain what your brand offers that no one else does and why this is important to your target audience. Brand personality: Describe your brand's personality and tone of voice. Explain how your brand communicates with its target audience and what emotions it seeks to evoke. Using cute fonts or unique lettering can make your brand memorable. Customer experience: Describe the customer experience your brand offers, including how you treat your customers, how you address their needs, and what kind of support you provide. This should come from your target market research and ongoing research on your current customers. Success stories: Share success stories that showcase how your brand has made a difference in the lives of its customers. These stories can be in the form of testimonials, case studies, or videos. Don't be afraid of multimedia when building your brand story, a variety of content can only make it more appealing. Conclusion : Sum up your brand story by restating your brand's purpose and unique value proposition. Emphasize what sets your brand apart and why your target audience should care. Consider adding ways to distribute your brand story and get it into their sphere of influence in your conclusion. In theory any form of AI content generator could be used as a brand story generator, if fed the right prompts. But considering the importance of your brand story to your brand and business, we think any AI generator should serve as a first draft only. An effective brand story needs your personal company touch to make it authentic and genuine. Examples of great brand stories 01. GoPro GoPro filled a gap in photography that no other company has tackled: the ability to record action while it’s happening. The About Us section on their website tells their entire brand story in a classic structure. It’s easy to understand, the values the brand are clear and we can understand GoPro's what their aim is - while at the same time, they makes sure that their users are a part of it. The company was founded by Nick Woodman, an extreme sports enthusiast, who wanted a better way to film his friends surfing. The story also describes their first model, which adds a sense of depth and humility. Their brand story goes on to describe their users, saying “They humble and inspire us every day with incredible creativity that helps us see the world in an all-new way - and fires us up to keep creating the most awesome, innovative products possible.” The GoPro story makes it clear that their customers are a major part of the brand, which forges a connection with and appreciation for the company. The final part of their story explains how GoPro is a brand that improves the lives of its users, by allowing individuals to “celebrate the moment” and “capture life as you live it, share the experience.” 02. Lemonade Lemonade is an insurance company that wants to change the insurance industry. Understanding that insurance is complicated and a hassle for most people, Lemonade makes their process simple and quick by charging a flat fee and providing myriad services on one app. They’ve also understood that most people view insurance companies as greedy, which is why they offer a transparent process and even give part of their customers’ premium to charity. They sum this up pretty well in just two lines on their website: “Job 1 is to ensure we can always pay claims. Job 2 is to give back money that isn’t needed for Job 1.” While Lemonade’s brand story doesn’t exactly put a face to the company, it works because they focus on their target audience. It highlights exactly what the product can do for them and how the company benefits the world in the process. They’ve found a problem many people share and they offer a technology-based solution in a vibrantly branded package. 03. Airbnb Airbnb also revolutionized their industry by offering travellers to bypass traditional hospitality options and book unique accommodations directly from local hosts. But the Airbnb story is no longer about challenging the hotel industry. Rather, it’s about the ability to create a bespoke vacation and to be able to experience new locations like a local. Their YouTube channel is filled with videos of unique, local experiences, like this one about a UK clog maker . Airbnb’s brand story evolved from one about the hospitality industry, to one that revolves around their users - the modern day traveler. It’s now all about enticing these travellers to visit new places. This shift in their brand story is important. They’ve realized that now that they’re a leading company in their field, they no longer have to talk about their platform. Airbnb knows that their target audience - travellers who don’t want an ordinary tourist experience - is already aware of the brand. Simply enforcing the notion that Airbnb is the perfect option for such an experience is enough to capture customers’ affection and gain their business.

Find the perfect branding for your designs with Wixel → For many businesses, building a brand is the result of a long, organic process; however, with the right intentions—from developing the right concept to creating a logo —you can jump start your brand building. Let’s dive in to how you can build your brand in just ten simple steps: According to Dazed Media’s 2031 A Future World Report , “46% of Gen Z feels connected to brands that are sustainable and have strong ethics, 21% care about brands being clear about their intentions and 17% say they seek out brands that have a clear point of view.” It’s clear that a strategic brand identity is more important than ever. Brands are tailoring experiences both on and offline to address these evolving consumer needs, not only to convey their ethics and intentions, but to shape how their audiences perceive them. Build your brand with the Wix Logo Maker . What is a brand? Wix user and established brand consultant, author and designer Debbie Millman defines branding as “deliberate differentiation,” or the unique point of view which strategically sets a business apart from its competition. Put simply, a brand is the story a company tells across all points of contact with its audiences. From its visual look-and-feel to the written language, these assets amount to a cohesive brand identity . While this article refers to the branding of businesses, the information presented here equally applies to all types of branding . Before deciding how to build a brand, you might want to consider the different branding strategies necessary to build a brand. Some of the most well known- include, individual branding, challenger branding, multi product strategy, product line extension, sub branding, branding extension, co-branding, multi-branding, private branding, mixed branding, attitude branding, no brand branding, derived branding and social media branding. Get inspired : Ready-to-launch business initiatives How to build a brand in 10 steps Target audience: Know your people Perform market research Establish your brand identity Create a brand positioning statement Choose the right business name Craft a catchy slogan Design a professional logo Define a visual language Build a brand voice Apply your branding consistently 01. Target audience: Know your people Before building your brand, know who you're building it for. Get to know the people you want to reach—their habits, needs and what drives them. A little market research can help you find your ideal audience and understand the competition already in the game. Who are you talking to?    You're not here to reach "everyone"—and that's a great thing. The clearer you are about who your ideal customer is, the better you can shape your brand to meet their needs, speak their language and earn their trust. What do they care about? What frustrates them? What kind of brands do they already love and why? Go beyond just their age or location. Think about their mindset, motivations and what really matters to them. Ideal customer Create buyer personas, or fictional representations of them, by listing what you know or envision about them, such as their age, occupation and interests. Visit their favorite online environments, from most frequented subreddits, Instagram hashtags or Discord threads, to see what gets them excited, what products they prefer and how they talk to one another. Knowing your customers will make it easier for your brand to address their needs and speak their language. For example, if you're targeting a specific age group, like Gen Z, you need to understand Gen Z branding in order to speak to this audience. Pro tip:  Give your target audience a name and a story. Picture them as the main character of your brand's journey. 02. Perform market research Great brands don’t guess—they listen. Market research helps you understand what your audience wants, what your competitors are doing and where your brand fits in. Market competitors Search online for other companies within your industry and niche that already target this market. Ideally, you’d complete a full SWOT analysis , but if you’d rather speed things up, simply note what works and doesn’t across each company’s design and marketing strategy. Survey their website branding  and social media platforms for tone of voice and brand messaging  and observe any elements you’d like your brand to include, as well as any that are missing or could be improved. How to understand your market better Google's Market Analysis:  Research trends, find potential customers and assess your competition. Discover what people are searching for, what products or services interest them and where they’re located. This can help you refine your brand strategy and focus your marketing campaigns. While the basic features are free, advanced insights require payment. Facebook Audience Insights:  Get to know your Facebook audience—who they are, what they like and what they’re looking to buy. This tool combines data shared by users and third-party partners to give you a clear picture of your audience. Compare your target audience’s characteristics with the wider Facebook population to identify what makes them unique. Use these insights to create more engaging content and run smarter marketing campaigns. 03. Establish your brand identity As part of your brand strategy , compose a list of adjectives describing your company’s character, as if talking about a person. Would it be better portrayed as classy or trendy? Is it reliable and mature or edgy and youthful? Before you write or design anything, you need to define the foundation. Here’s how to build a meaningful brand identity: Purpose and values: What drives your brand?    Every great brand starts with a purpose. It’s not just about what you do—it’s about why it matters. Maybe you’re simplifying daily life, making sustainable choices easier or empowering a community. That purpose becomes the foundation for everything you build. Your values are how you bring that purpose to life. Are you focused on transparency? Do you put creativity above conformity? These values shape how you make decisions, treat your customers and grow as a brand. They’re what help people connect with you on a personal level. Tip : Write a clear one-sentence mission statement and define 3 core values. Keep them front and center as your brand grows. Unique value proposition: What makes your brand the better choice? Your unique value proposition (UVP) is the one big benefit that sets you apart. Maybe your product works faster, feels more ethical or delivers an experience that’s simply more fun. A strong UVP solves a problem your audience actually cares about. Start by thinking about what makes your business and approach different. More importantly, look at it through your customer’s eyes. What’s in it for them? What’s going to make them genuinely care about what you do? For example, let’s say you own a local food delivery service. Do you aim to send out items as fast as possible or do you focus on your superb customer service? Maybe you use biodegradable packaging in your deliveries because your business values sustainability? Or perhaps your family-owned delivery service knows everyone in town by name? Outline this in your brand manifesto , an outward-facing declaration of your brand’s core motivation. Tip : If a customer had to pitch your brand in one sentence, what would you want them to say? What’s your brand’s personality?    Picture your brand as a person. Are they bold and adventurous? Calm and wise? Maybe a little rebellious? Your brand’s personality should align with your mission and vibe with your audience. This personality shapes everything—your logo, colors, photos, writing, even how you reply to emails. The more consistent it is, the more your brand sticks in people’s minds. Pro tip:  Pick 3–5 adjectives that describe your brand as if it were a character. Keep these as your guide to stay on track. Going forward, your brand identity should shine through your various assets and experiences. Furthermore, defining your brand personality attributes from the start will prevent having to prematurely rebrand . 04. Create a brand positioning statement Your brand positioning statement is a short message that sets your brand apart in the market and highlights its unique value. It's not just a tagline or an elevator pitch; it's a statement that says who you are and who you want to be. To help you write a strong brand positioning statement, here’s a little template you can use: We offer [product or service] for [target market] to [value proposition] . By including this step in your brand-building strategy, you'll be able to set your brand apart and gain an edge over your competitors. 05. Choose the right business name The question of how to come up with a brand name is hardly ever easy to answer. A good name conveys your essence and strengthens your business’s credibility right off the bat. Look for a short, sweet and easy-to-pronounce name to help people easily recognize and remember your business. Try to have it reflect your brand personality, core values or product. If we go back to our delivery service example, this business can pick a name to highlight either its speed and efficiency or its close-knit, familiar style. Keep in mind that your name should represent your business but also keep expansion options open. For example, if you currently operate a ghost kitchen but dream of opening a full-scale restaurant, make sure your brand name accommodates your future business plans just as well. Take a look at Trip , a line of CBD infused oils and beverages created to reduce stress and channel mental clarity. The brand name is clever, catchy and works almost as a play on words. It evokes several meanings including a journey of some sort, a psychedelic experience and a kind of stumble or fall from reality. This subtle name effortlessly takes both the literal and colloquial meanings of the word to effectively represent the brand. To pick the perfect encapsulation of your brand, turn to online tools such as the Wix Business Name Generator . After answering a few simple questions about your unique business, you can pick from a large list of name options. You can rest assured that this tool only suggests options with available domain names , helping to streamline the process of naming your brand and creating a website . If you come up with your own name or use a different name generator, be sure to look up your name of choice on search engines and social media platforms to check that it hasn’t been claimed yet. Finally, reach out to your local business registration service to verify that your name isn’t already trademarked. 06. Craft a catchy slogan In addition to a name and logo, come up with a short, catchy slogan that captures your brand's spirit and values. Not all businesses have or need slogans, but these phrases serve as a handy brand asset, helping people connect to your work. A slogan can show up pretty much everywhere, from your company’s business cards to its Instagram bio. When crafting a slogan, look to successful catchy slogan examples from TikTok’s “Make every second count,” to Skittles’ “Taste the rainbow.” Notice how these unforgettable sayings portray a certain identity in just a few words—whether it’s a liberated, ‘anything goes’ atmosphere, or one that’s playful and colorful. 07. Design a professional logo While your brand is the sum of your consistent assets over time —your logo sits at the heart of your branding efforts. A logo is often the first and most prominent presentation of your business to the world, and it can largely cement your initial brand perception. If you need help with how to design a logo , look at existing brands for inspiration, like the interlocking C’s in Chanel’s logo or the handwritten Walt Disney signature. Notice that many of these famous logos aren’t literal in their design. Placing your brand’s identity and personality on display, without depicting your actual product, is a good logo design tip that may suit your brand. Create and customize a symbol that’s right for your business using the Wix Logo Maker . Pair your new logo with Wix’s website designer to build a professional site that stands out. Once your design is finalized, download high-quality logo files and use them everywhere—from your website and its smaller favicon  to branded merchandise and more. Tip : Use lossless compression and webp file format to reduce file size without sacrificing image quality and apply your logo across your digital assets. To ensure your logo appears presentable at any size and in any location, make sure that it’s flexible. A flexible logo has various iterations for different contexts. For example, a full design in most instances but just the icon or wordmark alone when space is limited. Consider your brand values and voice in your logo design. Every detail from the color palette - your logo color combinations , to the typography helps communicate your brand’s story. For example, look at Opal Camera ’s logo and branding aesthetic. The professional webcam company uses an understated logo and black and white color palette to embody the product’s core principles of upping WFH basics. The simple yet memorable logo pairs two interacting geometric shapes to create the concept of the product itself. We see a circle representing the lens in the camera and the triangle, indicative of the flash or an image being captured. 08. Define a visual language Another part of your brand personality is your look-and-feel, or visual identity . While this encompasses your logo design, it extends to so much more. A visual identity unifies a brand’s appearance, ensuring consistency across your business assets—from your website design to your newsletter layout, social media feeds, the design of your products, packaging and your brick and mortar signage. The shared visual will immediately and effortlessly bring your brand to mind. Your brand’s visual identity can include: Brand colors: Brand colors are a palette of around five to ten colors. A consistent and strategic application of color can increase brand awareness . As an example, think of Slack’s quartet of red, green, yellow and blue, or Instagram’s gradient of warm hues. When crafting your business’s color palette, keep color psychology principles in mind. In addition, think of the colors most commonly associated with your industry. If we look at the food and restaurant industry, for instance, red, orange and yellow are often used to evoke appetite, while green is used to promote well-being. Typography: Your brand’s font scheme can speak volumes about your brand identity. Use one to three fonts consistently for a cohesive, easily-recognizable look. Consider whether you want to use a traditional serif font (with decorative “tails” on the ends of letter strokes), a more modern sans serif (without such lines), or combine different styles to create beautiful font pairings. While you can use free fonts, you might want to purchase one or two font licenses for your brand to ensure you’re legally entitled to all of the relevant typographical uses. These fonts, after all, will serve your business for the long run. Logo: Your logo serves as a tiny ambassador across each brand touchstone. Incorporate your brand colors and typography in your logo design to create a cohesive look and convey your brand values. Photography: As you build your brand, pay attention to the subjects in your photography, as well as the overall composition and style. Be sure to diversify your models and subjects to communicate your brand effectively across assets like social media posts and email marketing campaigns . Graphics, illustrations and icons: In addition to your photographs, integrate graphics, illustrations and icons in your visual identity to shape your brand’s messaging and contribute to a cohesive look. This can include everything from the CTA buttons on your website to your social media profile pictures and package labels. Creating a brand style guide to outline your identity in one definitive place will help maintain consistency. As your brand grows and evolves, a style guide serves as a foundation for anyone who interacts with your brand—employees, external contractors, partners and stakeholders—to stay on the same page. Your style guide also includes non-visual branding elements that guide every decision like your mission and vision statements. For further guidance, check out these brand style guide examples . Pro tip: Learn how to make different types of banners (for example, explore LinkedIn banners ideas  to inspire you) to level up your brand design . 09. Build a brand voice Now that your brand has its own visual language, create one for your words, too. A brand voice is your communication style—how you talk and write to your audience. Your voice should extend to everything from your website’s written content and microcopy, to your hashtags and even the words you use when talking face-to-face with clients. Your voice should stem naturally from your brand personality. If your brand is fun-loving and youthful, use casual language and occasionally even slang. If it’s formal and mature, you’d probably prefer professional-sounding language, with industry jargon here and there. The Wix brand voice, for example, treads a fine line between professional and fun, sounding honest, human and informative. 10. Apply your branding consistently The single most important thing you can do to build your brand, whether it is corporate branding , personal branding , or something else, is stay consistent. As Jackie Treitz, Wix user and founder of the Paper Bakery, puts it: “Consistency is key. Repetition and consistency make for a strong brand identity. You want a well-established brand voice and you want people to hear it loud and clear.” Pro tip: For more guidance from Jackie, plus insight from her experience on the Netflix show Motel Makeover, check out her “In Conversation” on branding advice . For a brand to effectively connect with its client base, it needs to be applied over and over again. Use all of the above mentioned elements—your logo, slogan, visual language and brand voice—in all your business ventures. As your business grows and evolves, your brand will too. Most importantly, make sure that your brand extends beyond your visual assets. As Jason Saran of Brandswaggin , a Wix Partner and branding agency, explains: “My experience of creating several brands led me to create a pretty unconventional definition of branding. In my own words, branding is the sum of impressions of all the interactions a customer has with a company. Branding assets, logos and guidelines are all important, but the way you interact with your customers will leave them with a feeling that will last a lifetime.” You need to live and breathe your brand, and everything from your logo to your communication with clients should tie back to your company mission. Infuse your brand's personality and values into everything you do, and you'll get a base of loyal customers that come back for more. Branded merchandise—from mugs and tote bags to stickers and business cards —is a popular method to strengthen newly-established businesses outside of the web. You can then distribute them to employees to boost team motivation or to loyal clients to show your appreciation and gain their trust. Explore your options with these business card examples . What are some unique ways to create a brand? Building a brand should combine creativity and strategic thinking. Here are three unique tips that can help you build a strong and memorable brand beyond the normal. 01. Use storytelling People remember stories better than facts. Craft a compelling narrative about your brand—why it exists, the problems it solves and the values it stands for. This narrative should resonate emotionally with your target audience and reflect your brand's personality. 02. Create a signature experience Beyond just your product or service, design a signature experience that's uniquely tied to your brand. Whether it's the unboxing experience, customer service interaction or the atmosphere of your store or website, every touchpoint should reflect your brand’s identity. The goal is for your audience to feel a sense of consistency and special treatment every time they interact with you, making your brand memorable. 03. Collaborate with like-minded creators and brands Partnering with influencers, creators or other brands that share similar values can help expose your brand to new audiences. These collaborations should feel organic, authentic and mutually beneficial. The key is to align with partners whose audience would naturally connect with your product or service, for a more meaningful partnership that enhances both your brands' credibility and reach. What it takes to build a brand that sticks Brand development  is about shaping how people think, feel and talk about you when you’re not there. A strong brand stands on two pillars: strategy and marketing. Together, they define what you stand for, how you look and sound, and how you connect with the world. Brand strategy Brand strategy is your game plan for making your brand stand out and truly connect with people. It’s the big-picture guide that shapes everything you do—from what you stand for to who you want to reach and how you want to be seen. Think of it as a roadmap that helps you create a clear, consistent identity while making decisions that grow your brand in a way that feels real and meaningful to your audience. Take Starbucks, for example. They set out to create a welcoming “third place” where people feel at home. Starbucks is focused on creating a sense of community and belonging around their brand. You are no longer simply purchasing a coffee, but an experience. That vision drives everything from their store design to customer service. Types of Brand Strategies    Businesses use different brand strategies to connect with their audience. These approaches can stand alone or be combined to align with your goals and audience. Purpose-driven: Focuses on a brand’s mission and values, highlighting why the brand exists beyond profit. It attracts customers who share the same beliefs. Product-focused: Shines a spotlight on the unique features, quality or innovation of a specific product or product line. Customer-centric: Puts the customer first by emphasizing their experience and needs, often prioritizing personalization and exceptional service. Competitive positioning: Sets the brand apart by clearly showing how it’s better or different from competitors in a specific market. Emotional branding: Creates strong emotional connections through storytelling, visuals and messaging that resonate on a personal level. Co-branding or partnership: Collaborates with other brands to combine strengths, reach new audiences or create something unique. Rebranding strategy: Refreshes or redefines a brand’s identity to stay relevant, attract new audiences or shift public perception. Brand marketing Brand marketing is how your brand connects with the world—it’s the story you tell, the vibe you create and the experience you share with your audience. It’s not just about selling a product or service; it’s about building trust, sparking emotions and turning casual browsers into loyal fans. Great brand marketing keeps your message clear and consistent while finding fun and creative ways to meet your audience where they are—on social media, in their inbox or out in the community. Here are some ways to bring brand marketing to life: Content marketing:  Share stories, tips and ideas that add value and naturally link back to your brand. Social media marketing:  Connect with your audience on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn to build relationships and community. Influencer marketing:  Team up with creators your audience trusts to introduce your brand in an authentic way. Email marketing:  Send messages and offers that feel personal, keeping your audience engaged and your brand top of mind. Event marketing:  Host or support experiences—virtual or in-person—that make your brand memorable. Public relations:  Shape how people see your brand through news, interviews and media stories. Advertising:  Create ads that solve problems, spark interest or speak to what your audience needs. How to build a brand FAQ How to build a strong brand? Building a strong brand is dependent on getting the following steps right - defining your brand identity, conducting in-depth and accurate market research, developing a clear and consistent brand message, building a strong visual identity through your logo and use of images online, creating a strong online presence through your website and social media marketing, delivering great customer service and a stellar product. What are some well-known brand building examples? There are many — from Patagonia, which really instills its brand values in every aspect of its branding, to large and successful brands like Nike and Apple. What are some tips for building a brand? Research and really know your target audience, create a compelling and consistent brand story, use these to influence your brand personality. All of these elements should then lead to the creation of quality branded content. What is a brand kit? Think of it as a toolbox of al your visual branding resources and assets — your logo, color palette, typography, imagery and style guidelines. How to build a brand on social media? To build a brand on social media, start by selecting the right platform that aligns with your target audience— different platforms attract diverse demographics and respond differently to content. Whether it's Instagram, YouTube or Facebook, choose where your brand will resonate best. Consider using influencer partnerships, particularly on platforms like Instagram, to quickly and effectively grow your brand presence. This includes collaborating with micro influencers for cost-effective outreach while still reaching a sizable audience. Pro tip: learn how to edit photos to upload the perfect images to your social media. How do you build a brand with no money? Building a brand with no budget requires creativity and resourcefulness. Use free social media platforms to engage with your audience, create valuable content to showcase your expertise, network with others for collaborations and leverage free or low-cost branding tools online - like a free logo maker. Is it worth building a personal brand? Yes, building a personal brand is highly beneficial. It establishes credibility and authority, differentiates you from competitors, cultivates a loyal community, opens doors to opportunities and provides a platform for personal and professional growth. How much does it cost to build a brand? The cost of building a brand varies depending on factors like industry, target audience and desired positioning. Costs may include design assets, website development, marketing expenses, legal fees and professional services. It can range from minimal to substantial, so prioritize investments based on your brand strategy and budget constraints. Is it possible to build a strong brand without using traditional advertising methods? Yes, it's possible. Leveraging organic approaches such as word-of-mouth marketing, content creation and community building can be highly effective. Encourage satisfied customers to spread positive word-of-mouth, create valuable content that resonates with your audience and foster a sense of community among your followers. You can also form strategic partnerships, secure media coverage and encourage user-generated content.

Find the perfect branding for your designs with Wixel → Contrary to what you may think, branding goes way beyond your logo design , your color palette or your brand tone of voice—and its importance can’t be overstated. Branding is mnemonic, meaning that it enforces a consumer’s association with your company to solidify it in their memory. How can you harness this power and build a brand that leaves a lasting impression on your audience? In this guide, we will define branding, discuss its importance and offer tips for how to build a brand. Build your brand with the Wix Logo Maker . What is branding? In a nutshell, branding refers to the deliberate actions you take to influence people’s perception of your product or service. To quote author and entrepreneur Seth Godin , “A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.” In other words, branding consists of every opportunity you have to influence those decisions—from the way you come up with a brand name , design your logo and advertisements to the way you build your website and layout your store. Types of branding Because every type of business involves different interactions with customers, they each involve different branding opportunities and challenges. Let’s define the different types of branding and discuss their particular nuances: Product branding Product branding refers to the design, quality, functionality, packaging and pricing that form a product’s identity. Product branding aims to make an item stand out in the marketplace, so consumers can easily identify and choose it among others. Service branding Service branding is less tangible than product branding and involves many more variables, making it a much more difficult endeavor. A service business has to ensure that its operating environment, the employees and company policies create a unified identity. Online branding Online branding focuses on the way a company represents itself online. Social media marketing, email marketing, blogging and website design offer opportunities to strengthen your brand. Offline branding Offline branding is the way a consumer interacts with a brand in the physical world. It’s your brick-and-mortar signage, interior decor and scent. It’s the lighting, the playlist and the affect of your employees. It’s the events you host and the outdoor advertisements you utilize. Basically, it’s the vibes your customer gets from an in-person experience with your business. Offline branding is not as easily tested or monitored. You have to pay attention to your customers and their mood while in your store. Furthermore, you should ask for feedback whenever possible. Although the branding strategies differ from those used online, your offline branding should complement your online branding rather than exist as something distinct. Co-branding Think of Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog: their personal brands are strong on their own, but together they've created an unstoppable joint brand. This clever marketing strategy is called co-branding , or a collaboration between distinct businesses. The strategy enables the involved businesses to share their target audience and broaden their reach. Corporate branding Corporate branding emanates through everything the organization sells and how it operates. By providing an umbrella identity, the corporation links all the brands that live underneath it. Some corporations, such as Unilever—which owns hundreds of brands, from Dove to Hellman’s—enable the brands that live underneath it to develop unique identities. On the other hand, corporations like Alphabet—which owns Google, Android, Nest and others—prioritize continuity over distinction. The latter type of corporate branding follows the Vision-Culture-Image model , which calls for all brands to align across these three components. Whether a corporation’s distinct brands maintain a tangible through-line matters less than whether they all stay within the organizational ethos. Personal branding Personal branding encompasses your reputation and your personal and professional image. You emphasize your personal brand via tools like your CV, social media posts, website design (including cute fonts ) and business cards. For inspiration, check out these business card ideas , or create a business card of your own. Why is branding important? People form their first impressions of someone before they even realize it—researchers at Princeton found that people can get a read on someone in fewer than 100 milliseconds . Thoughtful brand strategy makes the most of those milliseconds and influences the impressions a consumer forms of your business. Let’s dig into the ways branding affects your business: It introduces your business Brand awareness refers to the ways in which both the market and consumers perceive your business. Ideally, you want customers to have a positive impression of your brand and your offered service or products. Strong brand awareness encourages your target audience to select your brand explicitly, even over cheaper or alternative options. It set you apart from the competition Regardless of your industry, competition is always fierce. Whether you’re opening a bike repair shop, selling CBD-infused products or becoming a social media consultant—branding allows you to differentiate yourself from your competitors. By highlighting what you offer, you can distinguish why your brand is the better choice. It creates a sense of familiarity A key component of brand awareness, brand recognition applies more pointedly to the ways in which consumers remember your product or service, also known as brand recall. Visual branding assets, like brand colors, a logo or a catchy slogan , can prompt this brand recall. For example, imagine you’re on a road trip, and on the highway in the distance, you see golden arches—without even thinking about it, you already identified McDonald's. It builds trust Brand trust is important both for impressing potential customers and your industry at large. According to Intelligence Node , “over 60% of online adults in Canada, the US, and Europe want the companies they buy from to be transparent about their business practices.” A company with a strong brand not only presents itself as more professional and polished, but also evokes trust through transparency and authenticity. Beyond this, outlining your brand values and keeping your brand promises can encourage prospective and current customers to believe and support your brand. It gives your business an identity Just as each person has their own unique identity, so does your brand. Imagine you’re setting up two friends on a blind date, and you need to describe each person to the other. How might you identify or characterize them? Try to think of your brand as a person rather than a commodity or an object. Known formally as “brand anthropomorphism,” this idea challenges you to visualize your brand like a human to better define how the brand acts, speaks, dresses, communicates or impacts the world. It establishes employee pride Employees who stand behind their brand and take pride in their work are not only good for business, but they also shape your brand’s public perception. This can influence the ways customers identify your brand, but it can also encourage prospective employees to seek out your company. A well-branded company should make workers feel a sense of belonging, overall satisfaction and pride. This will encourage them to authentically promote the brand across all types of channels and platforms. It enhance your business value Whether you’re a small business owner or an established corporation, branding plays an important role in validating your financial value and building your brand equity . Your company’s growth can depend on successful branding when attracting new customers, generating business or breaking into new markets. Even more, in regard to expanding your venture, an expertly-branded business can attract potential investors. How to build a brand You can read our full guide on how to build a brand for more in-depth steps, but let’s get started with a brief overview: Build a strong brand strategy Figure out your ‘why’ Sculpt your brand identity Write your brand story Design your visual branding Build a branded website Develop a style guide Manage your brand Expand your brand 01. Build a strong brand strategy To develop a strong brand, you need to strategize each step along the way. Your brand strategy serves as a roadmap to guide each aspect of your branding efforts, from your design to your customer service. Through research, analysis, planning and preparation, you can outline long-term goals and achieve great branding results. 02. Figure out your ‘why’ Before you can dive into color palettes and logo design, you must first identify your core purpose. Your brand manifesto —or the statement that represents the motivation behind your brand—should thread your brand together. It’s your brand’s raison d’etre. Make sure to include these elements in your brand manifesto: Mission statement : A mission statement is a vital part of your branding efforts, expressing your brand purpose and brand values. In no more than a few sentences, this branding element should let anyone who encounters your brand (from your customers to your investors and competitors) clearly understand what you’re all about. Think of your brand mission statement as a ‘why’ explanation that guides not only what your business offers but the purpose behind it. Vision statement : Like your mission statement, your vision statement clearly and concisely articulates your strategic business goals. It serves as a roadmap to guide your company’s initial stages and your brand’s future. Your brand vision can evolve over time and grow with your business, but should always remain consistent with your core brand values. Brand values : Consumers crave transparency and authenticity and want to connect with brands that uphold similar values. Your brand values are the foundation of your business and trickle into each aspect of your branding. Imagine these values as a compass directing and supporting your brand purpose and story as well as your decisions and actions. When it comes to defining your brand values, think of how you want your business to influence and impact the bigger picture. 03. Sculpt your brand identity Once you’ve defined your business’s intrinsic value, you can start crafting its identity. A brand identity is its personality. It’s the full picture that your brand messaging —or the visual and non-visual ways your company communicates—represents. Not sure what personality fits your brand? Check out these brand identity examples for inspiration. Also keep in mind how your brand identity differs from brand image—or the ways other people view your brand. 04. Write your brand story Stories captivate, engage, intrigue and connect. Your brand story should set the tone for all content and branding assets, from your social media posts to your marketing campaigns—even when deciding how to design a business card . This means staying consistent and authentic. For example, a brand story can introduce company founders and the origin of the business, or highlight a tale of passion and purpose behind why a brand exists. Whatever the approach, your brand story offers an opportunity to create connections and highlight the qualities of your brand with your audience. 05. Design your visual branding Because people tend to judge a book by its cover, your visual language is your best weapon in building brand recognition . The most important visual branding aspects include your: Logo : When it comes time to figure out how to design a logo for your brand, keep in mind that this branding element carries significant importance. And with power, comes great responsibility. This small symbol is a visual representation of your company. Your logo can evoke emotion, persuade or inspire your customers just from a single glance. Take the time to craft an authentic design that represents your brand identity. Brand colors : When it comes to brand colors , there is more than meets the eye. While it is often subliminal, color conveys messages, triggers emotions and ultimately affects your brand perception in the minds (and eyes) of consumers. Consider how color psychology and dopamine colors can influence your consumers’ buying decisions. For example, red is an attention-grabbing hue associated with passion, energy, excitement and danger, while blue is a much calmer color, linked to trust, peace and stability. Typography : Typography refers to the letter forms, including their design and layout, that are used in various branding features. Similar to your brand colors, the typography you choose shapes your brand, communicates your message, and can even influence perceptions through font psychology . In general, when it comes to typography, branding experts recommend you stick to three or fewer font styles and focus on cohesive font pairings . Whether you use it in your logo design, website content, or product packaging, keep everything aligned and cohesive to develop brand consistency. For a branding typography example, check out Madefor , the custom digital-first typeface by Wix. 06. Build a branded website A professional website is an essential branding asset and a critical part of your digital marketing strategy . The type of website you create will depend on your industry, but nonetheless it will attract new visitors, generate leads, promote and sell products, educate and inform customers and most of all—communicate. When you learn how to make a Wix website , you can customize it to suit your business needs with a range of free templates and advanced free tools . Make sure your customers instantly know what your brand is all about and what it offers. From your homepage to your blog posts to your email marketing campaigns , your website should showcase your brand in the best possible light. 07. Develop a style guide Branding is a strategic and critical process that requires creativity. Since you’ll consider many branding elements, it is wise to create a strong and cohesive brand style guide to catalog both visual and non-visual elements. If you're looking for a little inspiration, you can explore these style guide examples to help you get started. 08. Manage your brand Branding is an ongoing process that requires thought, awareness and conscientious brand management . Even the most successful brands are always evolving to grow authentically. When it comes to successfully managing your brand, keep in mind the following: Consistency is key : In the pursuit of recognition, trust and brand loyalty, consistency is a vital aspect of branding. Customers will return time and again to the dependable companies that maintain a unified and consistent brand across all their platforms. Reputation is everything : We all know a person or a place that has a bad reputation, and we avoid it at all costs. We even avoid things based on what others say, without even experiencing it firsthand. Sometimes companies can go through a rebranding process to overcome potential challenges, but it’s better to strive for a positive brand reputation right from the start. Stick to your promises : Keeping your word and delivering on your promises is an essential aspect of brand management. This includes the brand promise you make to your customers, employees and stakeholders, as well as the actions you take to uphold it. Keep the conversation going : It’s important to develop and open a continuous dialogue between your brand and your consumers, both on and offline. However, you must take it one step further to not only engage with your audience but also ask questions, actively listen to criticism and implement changes based on the genuine and credible feedback. Build meaningful relationships : The best customers are loyal—the ones who not only love your brand but keep coming back. Whether they are your brand ambassadors or life-long customers, it all boils down to differentiation, engagement and loyalty. Make sure you take good care of these vital relationships—that’s what it’s really about, isn’t it? 09. Expand your brand As your brand grows and expands, you will find new ways to stretch your offerings through brand extension . You know how Dyson now makes hair dryers or Hyundai Motors makes electronics? This is a perfect example of how businesses with established brands can extend their offering into new markets. When done right, it can be an excellent strategy for increasing brand awareness and revenue. But beware: When done wrong, it can lead to brand dilution and confuse loyal customers. Branding guidelines Brand guidelines cover ever aspect of your branding efforts. They set the style, tone, colors and messaging of each of the elements that make your brand. These include: Logos including icons, primary and secondary brand logos Color palette, primary and secondary color Typography, font sizes, styles and spacing Other imagery and media, including photos, designs and illustrations Tone and voice 4 branding examples Need some inspiration? Let’s look at four examples of effective branding: Oatly If we had to choose one business that gets Gen Z branding right, it would have to be Oatly. The company—which makes milk, ice cream and yogurt out of oats—stands out in the crowded dairy-alternatives market with lighthearted copy and a visual language to match. To really hit the Gen Z sweet spot, they are as serious about their commitment to sustainability as they are playful. Kylie Jenner Take a look at Kylie Jenner. Known as the one of the youngest billionaires in the world, Jenner is a prime example of personal branding done right. Having started her career on Keeping up with the Kardashians, Jenner has leveraged herself on social media and with her lucrative makeup business, Kylie Cosmetics . Beyond her companies, Jenner has used her personal life to iconically brand herself and promote her products. For example, when she first launched her famous lip kits, she shared videos of herself using them on social media and as a result they sold out within hours. She also models all her own products on her website and in her ad campaigns. Furthermore, Jenner’s personal branding approach is strategic, and constantly evolving by paying attention to (and setting) trends targeting her loyal followers. Jenner lives and breathes her products with authenticity, focus and shares her real experiences (even when they fail). Southwest From the goofy flight attendants to the egalitarian open seating policy, Southwest distinguishes itself as a friendly, down-to-earth airline that is honest and reliable. It uses a heart logo and a quirky, pun-forward brand voice (the “Transfarency” ad campaign has been running for the past seven years) to emphasize its identity. Whereas most low-cost carriers are seen as the last-ditch option, Southwest has successfully used “The Everyman” brand archetype to build a brand image (or reputation) as “the good guys” in the eyes of their fiercely loyal customers. Macbook A MacBook is the pièce de résistance of product branding. The unboxing experience is supreme: You open the smooth, modular packaging to reveal a gleaming device remiss of sharp corners. When opening the computer for the first time, the screen automatically boots up with a gentle gong sound— sonic branding at its finest. All of it adds up to a humanistic and forward-thinking brand personality.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →  Finding the right website builder for your floral business can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options available, each promising different features, it can be confusing to understand which one will actually help your flower shop thrive. This guide breaks down the 6 best website builders for florists, so you can make the best decision for you. Whether you’re a wedding florist needing an online portfolio or a local shop needing complex local delivery scheduling, you’ll find a website maker that fits your needs. Building a website for your floral business, passion project or studio should be as beautiful as the arrangements you design. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. Its all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most—creating memorable moments for your clients. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. TL;DR: What to look for in a florist website builder Choosing the right website builder for your florist brand is a big decision. You need one that not only showcases your blooms beautifully but also handles the logistical nightmare of local delivery zones and date-specific orders. Think of it as finding the perfect vase—it needs to support the arrangement while looking elegant. So what should you look for? Delivery date picker:  Essential so customers can choose exactly when their bouquet arrives (and you can block off Sundays or holidays). Local delivery zones:  Tools to set different delivery fees based on zip code or radius. High-res galleries:  To show off the intricate details of your wedding installations. POS integration:  To sync your online orders with your in-store inventory. Website builder Build for Estimated pricing Standout feature Wix Overall design freedom and local delivery settings Free / Premium from ~$17/mo Native "Cut-off Time" & Delivery Zones Squarespace High-end visual portfolios (Weddings) Starts from ~$16/mo Award-winning, clean aesthetics Shopify High-volume and route planning Starts from ~$29/mo Powerful local delivery routes Floranext Traditional retail florists Contact for quote Built-in "Card Message" logic GoDaddy Speed (Get online in minutes) Premium starts from ~$9.99/mo AI-powered quick setup Site123 Absolute beginners Free / Premium from ~$12.80/mo Hard to break the design 6 best website builders for a florist business We’ve rounded up the best website builders to create your floral website: Wix Squarespace Shopify Floranext GoDaddy Site123 01. Wix Wix gives you complete creative freedom to build a floral portfolio or online shop that matches your brand’s aesthetic. Wix’s website builder offers over 2000+ website templates , including those templates specifically for florists , botanical studios and event planners. You can customize every element using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor without touching a line of code. Wix is particularly strong for florists because of its native local delivery settings. You can easily set up delivery zones by radius or zip code and assign different fees to each. Even better, Wix Stores allows you to set delivery cut-off times (For example, order by 2 pm for same-day delivery) a feature many other builders lack or require expensive plugins for. For wedding florists, Wix’s image galleries are great. You can create immersive florist website examples with video backgrounds to capture the movement of your installations. Learn more: How to make a florist website Best for:  Florists who want full design control and robust local delivery settings built-in. Pricing:  Free plan available; Premium plans from ~$17/month. 02. Squarespace Squarespace is known for its sleek website designs . If your floral business focuses heavily on high-end weddings, editorial shoots or luxury events where the visual presentation is everything, their templates will make your work look magazine-ready immediately. The platform includes product blocks that keep your bouquet offerings looking clean and professional. While it handles basic commerce well, adding a specific pick a date calendar at checkout often requires a custom form workaround or a third-party extension, which can be a hurdle for daily delivery shops. Best for:  Wedding and event florists who need a high-end portfolio first and a store second. Pricing:  Personal plans start from ~$16/month. 03. Shopify If your flower shop is pushing high volumes of orders daily or you are shipping non-perishable goods (like dried flowers, vases or merch) nationwide, Shopify has strong inventory management. For local florists, Shopify creates a robust local delivery experience where you can map out delivery routes for your drivers. To get a "Delivery Date Picker" on your cart page, you will almost certainly need to install a third-party app (like DingDoong or Flare), as this isn't a native feature on standard plans. Best for:  Busy shops that need powerful inventory tools and route planning for drivers. Pricing:  Basic Shopify starts from ~$29/month (plus cost of date-picker apps). 04. Floranext Floranext is a niche builder designed specifically for the floral industry. It comes with florist-specific logic baked in, like card message fields, delivery routing and and add on prompts (bears, chocolates) right in the checkout flow. It's often used by florists who want to break away from expensive wire services but still want a system that thinks like a florist. Best for:  Traditional retail florists replacing a wire-service website. Pricing:  Subscription-based (typically higher than DIY builders); contact for quote. 05. GoDaddy GoDaddy is known for its speed. Its AI website builder asks about your florist business and automatically creates a simple, professional site in minutes. The platform includes essential features like a contact form, a map, and a simple product gallery. GoDaddy covers the basics and keeps things simple. It’s a great option if you need to get a site up for Mother’s Day weekend fast  and don’t have time to design a masterpiece. Best for:  Florists who need to build a florist website quickly. Pricing:  Starts from roughly $9.99/month. 06. Site123 Site123 uses a wizard-style setup that walks you through every step, asking questions about your shop and automatically configuring your site layout. It is very rigid in design, meaning you can't drag and drop elements freely like on Wix. However, this structure ensures you can't break the design, making it perfect for non-tech-savvy florists who just want to list their Valentine’s Day specials and phone number. Best for:  Quick launches with zero design skills required. Pricing:  Free plan available; Premium from ~$12.80/month. Editor’s note: All prices were correct as of December 24 2025.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix→ Looking for the best website builder for your handyman business? You’re not alone. A handyman website needs more than just good looking website templates , they need platforms that can showcase their services clearly while handling client bookings, showcasing repair photos and building professional trust. Whether you’re launching your first business website or refreshing an existing one, the right handyman website builder can make all the difference. A website helps you attract local homeowners, display your versatility in repairs and manage your schedule from one central hub. This guide breaks down the five best handyman website builders specifically suited to trade professionals' needs. We’ll walk you through their standout features, pros and cons and what makes each one worth considering. TL;DR: best website builders for handyman business Website builder Best for Starting price Templates Standout feature Wix All-around flexibility and booking Free (Premium from $17/mo) 2000+ Robust booking system + local SEO tools GoDaddy Speed & simplicity Free (Premium from $16.99/mo) ~200 Built for speed & quick setup Weebly Budget-friendly basics Free (Pro from $10/mo) 40+ Easy-to-use drag & drop Houzz Pro Industry-specific tools Subscription based N/A Integrated CRM & project management Site123 Beginners Free (Premium from $12.80/mo) N/A Wizard-style setup Editor's note: The information presented in this table reflects typical market rates and plans as of December 24, 2025. 5 best website builders for a handyman business Here are the top platforms that will help you create a website for your handyman business. Wix Godaddy Weebly Houzz Pro Site123 01. Wix When it comes to choosing the best handyman website builder, Wix is known for its flexibility and user-friendly editor. For a handyman business, it offers the perfect blend of control and ease, allowing you to build a professional site without needing to code. With hundreds of professionally designed website templates, you can find a layout that matches your trade—whether you focus on general repairs, painting or carpentry. Explore these services and maintenance templates to get started. Wix is packed with features ideal for service businesses. You can create Before and After galleries to prove your skills add a Get a Quote form to capture leads and use Wix's Booking system to let clients schedule estimates or repairs online. Be inspired by these handyman website examples , all built on Wix. Best for: Intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows you to easily customize a template or design. Over 2000+ templates, with specific options for trades and services. Wix Bookings to manage your schedule and appointments. Built-in SEO checklist to help you be optimized for local search. AI website builder — build a site in minutes. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium plans start at ~$17 per month. 02. GoDaddy GoDaddy offers a simple and fast website builder designed for business owners who need to get online quickly and who want to understand how to build a website from scratch . If you're busy on job sites all day, this is a great option. You get all the essential features you need, including contact forms, a service list and social media integration. Their marketing tools also help you send simple email newsletters to past clients to remind them of seasonal maintenance. Best for: Quick setup. Simple interface that doesn't overwhelm. Integrated marketing tools for email and social media. Pricing:  Free plan available; Prices start at ~$9.99 a month. 03. Weebly Weebly offers a straightforward drag-and-drop editor that makes it simple to add and arrange content. Its template selection is clean and functional, if a bit simpler than competitors. If you're on on a budget, Weebly provides all the necessary tools to build a solid brochure site. You can add a service list, client testimonials, and a contact map. It allows you to publish a functional site for free (with ads) or upgrade for a low cost to connect your own domain name. Best for: Simple drag-and-drop editor. Affordable plans, including a free option. Good for simple service lists and contact info. Pricing:  Free plans available. Paid plans start from ~$10 a month. 05. Houzz Pro While known as a directory, Houzz Pro offers website building specifically for home improvement professionals. It integrates deeply with their other tools, such as lead management and project estimating software. If you're a handyman who is scaling up to larger renovation projects, this ecosystem might be worth it. The website builder is more rigid but it connects directly to a community of homeowners actively looking to hire. Best for: Professionals who want project management and website in one place. Access to the Houzz homeowner directory. Industry-specific features like 3D floor planners (for larger projects). Pricing:  Subscription-based; contact Houzz for current professional tier pricing. 06. Site123 Site123 is designed for those who want the website building process to be as automatic as possible. You answer a few questions about your business and it generates a layout for you. It’s great for a set it and forget it website where clients can find your phone number and see a list of what you fix. You won’t have total design freedom, but you won’t break anything either. Best for: Non-tech-savvy users. Quick launches with a wizard-style setup. Multilingual support if you serve diverse communities. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium starts from ~$12.80 a month. What to look for when choosing a handyman website builder Choosing the right website builder for your business comes down to your specific needs. Its worth keeping in mind the following: Local SEO:  Your business is local. Ensure the builder has tools to help you optimize for local search terms like "handyman in [City Name]." Ease of use:  You’re a tradesman, not a web developer. A builder with an intuitive interface lets you update your site between jobs without spending too much time or effort on it. Booking features:  Can clients book a slot or request a quote directly from the site? This automates your admin work. Mobile optimization:  Most clients will find you on their phone while a pipe is leaking. Your site must load fast and look good on mobile. Trust signals:  Look for the ability to easily display testimonials, reviews,and before and after photos to prove your competence.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix→ Finding the right website builder to build your bakery website can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options available, each promising different features and benefits, it can be confusing to understand which one will actually help your cake shop or patisserie thrive. The good news? We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. This guide breaks down the 4 best bakery website builders on the market, so you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re launching a home-based cookie business or scaling an established wedding cake studio, you’ll find a website maker that fits your needs. Building a website for your business, passion project, or side hustle should be as satisfying as pulling a fresh loaf from the oven. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. TL;DR: What to look for in a bakery website builder Choosing the right website builder to build your bakery's website is a big decision. You need a tool that not only helps you create a site that looks appetizing but also has the ability to handle the specific logistics of a food business. Think of it as finding the perfect mixer—it needs to be reliable, powerful and easy to clean up. So what should you look for in a bakery website builder? Online ordering:  Essential for pickup (click and collect) and local delivery. Menu management:  Easy-to-update menus for daily specials or seasonal flavors. Mobile-friendly website design :  Because most customers will search for you on their phones while hungry. Appetizing galleries:  High-quality image support to show off your cake designs and pastries. Website builder Best for Estimated pricing Wix Overall design freedom & restaurant features (menus/ordering) Free plan available; Premium from ~$17/mo Squarespace High-end visual portfolios (wedding cakes/artisanal) Starts from ~$16/mo Shopify Selling shippable goods & nationwide delivery Starts from ~$29/mo Site123A Absolute beginners Free plan available; Premium from ~$12.80/mo 4 best website builders for a bakery business We’ve rounded up the best website builders to create your bakery website: Wix Squarespace Shopify Site123 01. Wix Wix gives you complete creative freedom to build a bakery portfolio or online shop that matches your brand’s aesthetic. Wix’s easy to use website builder offers over 2000+ website templates , including those templates designed for bakeries , cake shops and cafes. You can customize every element using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor without touching a line of code. You can also use Wix's AI website builder to create a stunning bakery website fast. Wix is particularly strong for food businesses thanks to its restaurant website builder. You can display menus that are easy to update when you sell out of a flavor. The built-in online ordering system allows customers to place orders for pickup or delivery commission-free. For custom cake decorators, Wix’s image galleries work well. You can create online portfolios of your wedding cakes or custom cookies.Th ese bakery website examples show how you can put the galleries to work for your bakery business. Wix also includes in-built SEO tools to help locals find you when they search 'best bakery near me,' and the built-in analytics dashboard lets you track which treats are getting the most views. Learn more: How to make a website from scratch Best for:   Bakers starting a business that want a beautiful design combined with powerful restaurant features (menus and ordering). Pricing:  Free plan available; Paid plans from $17/month. 02. Squarespace If your bakery focuses on high-end wedding cakes or artisanal sourdough where the visual presentation is everything, their templates Squarespace make your products look editorial-ready. The platform includes menu content blocks that keep your offerings looking clean and professional. While it offers e-commerce capabilities, it's often favored by bakeries that operate more as a portfolio or a café than a high-volume online store. Best for:  High-end cake studios and artisanal bakeries prioritizing visuals and website design. Pricing:  Personal plans start from $12/month. (Free trial available) 03. Shopify If your bakery’s primary goal is shipping cookies, baking mixes or merchandise across the country, Shopify is a known e-commerce website builder . While it has fewer restaurant specific features (like table reservations), its inventory management for shipping physical goods is rated highly. It handles complex shipping rules and tax calculations automatically also. Best for:  Bakeries pivoting to e-commerce and nationwide shipping. Pricing:  Basic Shopify starts from $29/month. 04. Site123 Site123 uses a wizard-style setup that walks you through every step, asking questions about your bakery and automatically configuring your site layout. Site123 includes most things small bakeries need—menu lists, contact forms, and basic galleries. It is very rigid in design, meaning you can't move elements around freely, but this ensures you can't break the design either. Best for:  Quick launches with zero design skills required. Pricing:  Free plan available; Premium from $12.80/month. Editor’s note: All prices were correct as of December 24, 2025. Best website builders for bakeries FAQ If I use a website builder to make my website, can I accept orders online? If you use a website builder like Wix, yes. It includes features and integrations that allow your customers to browse your menu, choose what they want to order and then pay for pickup or delivery direct from your site. Do I need coding skills to use a website builder? The beauty of a website builder is that you don't need any coding to use it. The same goes for technical and web design skills, you don't need any to build a bakery site with a website builder. Which website builder has the best bakery templates? Wix, for example, has over 2000, including templates designed specifically for bakeries, dessert shops, and catering services. These templates often come pre-loaded with menu pages and galleries.

Smart business owners know how important it is to adapt to changing market patterns. Whether you’re thinking about updating your business website , restructuring your business development  plan or revising your small business marketing  tactics, making informed changes based on shifting tides will help you stay competitive and thrive. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of emerging small business trends to watch in 2026, so that you can make smarter decisions. What are the small business trends in 2026? If you’re looking for insights on how to run a business  today, here are eight small business trends to keep in mind. AI adoption Data transparency Move to multi-hyphenate Micro-influencer collabs AI ethics Domain strategy Remote work flexibility Optimizing for LLMs 01. AI adoption Artificial intelligence  is not going away—and for good reason. However, the story is evolving. In 2026, small business owners  are moving beyond the AI testing phase to strategic adoption. That means identifying specific pain points and applying AI solutions that deliver measurable results for their business. Ido Kosover, head of Media at Wix, recognizes this transition. “I believe we’re now in a phase where AI is becoming more practical and less about flashy, experimental uses. It’s about achieving real, objective results that we actually want to accomplish.” You should explore ways to use AI not just for chatbots and content generation, but also for team meetings, advanced analytics, workflow automation, customer segmentation and even supply chain management. There are plenty of top-notch free versions of AI tools for business  to get your feet wet, like Wixel  for design, Base44  for fully functional small business apps , and, of course, the many Wix AI  tools to cover your web creation needs. Jean-Briac Coadou, founder of Horizons IA, advises SMBs to “start by integrating basic artificial intelligence tools to automate repetitive tasks and improve the operational efficiency of your business.” 02. Data transparency Trust is still currency. Now that customers expect complete transparency in how their personal information is handled, small businesses will treat data with as much care as big companies. If you’re a small business handling personal information, it’s important that you implement and provide a privacy policy for your site. A privacy policy is a statement that discloses how a website collects, uses and manages the data of its visitors and customers. Having a privacy policy will also fulfill a legal requirement to protect your client’s privacy. Be clear with your clients about the type of information you collect and how you use it. You can also mention your site’s use of cookies , which are small pieces of data stored on a site visitor’s browser. Being as transparent as possible with your customers reinforces your credibility. 03. Move to multi-hyphenate Small businesses are no longer staying in their lane.  Whether it’s a wine-bar-turned-events-space or design-agency-turned-podcasting-studio, we’re seeing more and more SMBs go multi-hyphenate. Cashing in on non-core offerings isn’t just about diversification—it’s also a survival strategy. By creating multiple touchpoints with their audience, small businesses aren’t just selling products or services; they’re building an ecosystem around their brand. And AI is making it even easier to test and multihyphenate quickly. You can launch a digital product, automate your marketing and adjust based on data in real time—all without needing a big team. Tip:  If your company has loyal customers who love your brand, why not move into merch with Wix Print on Demand ? It allows small businesses with limited resources to design, sell and dropship products without the hassle of inventory management  and shipping. 04. Micro-influencer collabs In 2026, expect to see more small brands partner with micro-influencers as they look to reach a wider audience with greater authenticity. Unlike traditional celebrities or large influencers, micro-influencers tend to have smaller but highly engaged audiences who trust their recommendations. Plus, most micro-influencers operate within specific niches or local markets, making them the ideal partnership  for small businesses looking to maximize their impact on a limited budget. Sarah Adam, head of marketing partnerships and influencer marketing at Wix, shares advice for SMBs considering using micro-influencers as part of their marketing strategy. “The right influencer can deliver your message in a far more authentic way than you can. Leveraging their content creation skills and boosting their content to reach a wider audience can be highly effective in raising brand awareness and driving traffic to your business website.” Tip:  Adam recommends small businesses look for real customers who are also talented content creators. “It’s a true win-win and can act as an extension of your marketing team when leveraged correctly.” 05. AI ethics With generative AI gone mainstream, customers now demand authenticity and disclosure. That means small businesses need strategies for ethical AI use in their marketing, content and customer interactions. How can you do this? Start by disclosing when your company is using AI and ensuring AI-generated content aligns with your brand values. Audit your business regularly, use trusted AI tools and make sure a human is always involved in making important decisions to help uphold ethical standards. “Why does ethics in artificial intelligence matter?” asks Gustavo Miller, an artificial intelligence specialist. “Because AI systems are impartial and depend on this data to be trained. The responsible collection and use of data are essential to prevent algorithms from perpetuating and reinforcing discriminatory patterns.” Miller advises SMBs to instill ethical principles right from the start to avoid problems down the line. 06. Domain strategy A strong domain name  is still prime online real estate.  And now, small businesses are getting in on the act. They’re getting creative and strategic with domains—using unique extensions, securing branded short links and optimizing URLs to boost search rankings and establish brand trust. "When choosing a domain, prioritize one that aligns with your brand and is easy for customers to remember,” advises Einat Shafir, product manager at Wix. “A domain should reflect your business and make it simple for people to find you online.” This year, we’ll see new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .ai and .shop gain even more popularity among tech startups and eCommerce businesses, as they offer a targeted, professional identity that stands out.  Wix now offers and supports .ai domains to all users across all channels. “This latest addition addresses the growing demand for .ai domains, which have become increasingly popular and competitive in the industry,” says Tom Pasha, product manager at Wix Premium Services. Tip:  Are you struggling to come up with a powerful domain name that will help you make your mark online? Use the free Wix domain name generator  to instantly get unique domain name suggestions for your site. 07. Remote work flexibility Yes, the remote working debate rumbles on. As many big tech companies reassess their WFH policies and encourage staff to return to the office, small businesses will use it as a way to compete. Unlike larger companies with extensive resources, SMBs often can't match the high salaries or benefits employees are looking for, so offering flexible work options can make all the difference. By giving employees the option to work remotely, they can also reduce overhead costs, increase employee satisfaction, improve productivity and reach a wider talent pool. If you’re a small business that can afford work-from-anywhere flexibility, use it as a calling card when you’re building your team and advertising your jobs. 08. Optimizing for LLMs SEO has always been a moving target, but AI is shifting the search goalposts like never before. In 2026, more small businesses will adopt a holistic approach to SEO, creating valuable, engaging content that answers user queries comprehensively and is optimized for large language model (LLM)-based search engines. While it’s still a science in flux, the good news is that Wix Analytics  offers an AI Visibility Overview  tool that helps businesses understand and improve how they appear across LLM search engines like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude. It highlights how their site shows up on AI platforms, if at all. “Generative Engine Optimization, or GEO, is SEO for the AI era,” says Wix’s Head of Analytics Doreen Weissfelner. “We are empowering users to bring AI search into focus by giving them information on how their sites are being cited, perceived and surfaced by leading AI platforms.” Small business trends FAQ What businesses are going to boom this year? The following business sectors are expected to experience significant growth: eCommerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC):  The rise of online shopping and the growing popularity of DTC brands are driving strong demand for businesses that can effectively sell and ship products to consumers. Healthcare and healthtech:   As people prioritize their health and well-being, businesses offering healthcare services, fitness and wellness products and telemedicine solutions are expected to benefit . Technology and AI-related businesses:   The continuous advancement of AI technology is creating new opportunities for businesses that can develop innovative solutions and adapt to changing consumer needs. Sustainable and eco-friendly businesses:   As consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses that offer sustainable products, services, and practices are gaining traction. Pet care industry:   As pet ownership rises globally, pet care services and products continue strong growth. Services like premium pet products, veterinary tech and pet-related digital platforms are now in high demand. What are small businesses struggling with right now? There are a variety of common small business challenges  facing SMBs today, including: Inflation and high costs:   The rising costs of labor, rent and supplies are putting a strain on small businesses' profitability. AI integration:   Many small businesses are feeling pressure to keep up with AI trends, but lack the time, skills or resources to do so. Limited access to capital:   Small businesses often have difficulty securing loans and other forms of financing, which can hinder their business growth . Digital marketing:   Small businesses may lack the resources or expertise to effectively market their products or services online and stay up to speed with social media and SEO. Navigating regulations:  Businesses must comply with a complex web of regulations, which can be a significant burden for small firms. Finding and retaining talent:  The labor market is tight, and it can be difficult for small businesses to find and retain qualified employees. Burnout and mental health:   Many small business owners are spinning too many plates, leading to burnout and decision fatigue. Where are the opportunities for small businesses to thrive?  There are many opportunities for small businesses to thrive, such as: Focusing on niche markets:  Small businesses can often compete effectively by focusing on niche markets and catering to specific customer needs. Building a strong online presence:  Small businesses can leverage the power of the internet to reach a wider audience and generate sales. Emphasizing customer service:  Providing excellent customer service can help small businesses differentiate themselves from larger competitors. Being adaptable and innovative:  Small businesses can be nimble and quick to respond to changing market conditions. Adopting AI and automation: Small businesses that adopt AI tools for marketing, workflows, inventory and customer service are working efficiently and effectively within their sectors. Offering events and experiences:  As more people crave connection and novelty, small businesses specializing in pop-up experiences, workshops, classes and events are reaping the rewards.

Looking for the best way to build your website? Get started with Wix → Want to get your business or project online but not sure how to build a website from scratch ? Don’t worry—you don’t need to be a tech genius to create something unique.  A website builder  makes the process easy, even if you’ve never built a website before. Others like Wix's AI website builder  can help you whip up a site in minutes. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the best free website builders you can use to create a simple one-page portfolio or a full-blown business site. Learn more: What is a website builder? Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder  tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website.  What is a website builder? A website builder is a tool that helps you create different types of websites  without any technical expertise. You can drag, drop and customize everything to make your site look exactly how you want. For example, if you want to promote your services, a business website  with multiple pages might be the way to go. But if you’re looking for something simple and sleek, a one-page website  can be perfect for showing off your portfolio or a specific project. Learn more: Multi-page website vs. one-page website Parts of a website How to start a business Best content management systems What to look for in a free online website builder Here’s what to look for when choosing a free website maker: 01. Ease of use The best builders have a friendly interface so you can navigate the platform with ease, even if you’re just starting out. They also offer a drag-and-drop editor that helps you add elements like texts, images and buttons and provide plenty of templates so you can get started quickly. 02. Mobile-friendly templates A 2024 study by DataReportal shows that 93.7% of people  aged 16 and above use their smartphones to access the internet. So, you can be sure that most people will visit your website on their phones, and if your site doesn’t look good on mobile versions, you could lose a lot of visitors. That’s why popular website builders offer website templates  that automatically adapt to different screen sizes—whether someone’s using a desktop, tablet or phone. Learn more: How to choose a website template What is a mobile website 03. Security Web security  still matters even if you’re creating a website for free. Look for features like SSL certificates (that padlock symbol in the browser) and basic security against hackers to keep your site secure and reliable. Learn more:   Site reliability 04. SEO and marketing tools A good website builder gives you access to SEO tools to help boost your online visibility. SEO settings that let you add things like meta tags and image alt texts can make a big difference in how search engine bots crawl your website. Builders that come with marketing features are a bonus, too. Options like basic email marketing tools and social media integration can help grow your website traffic and engagement. Learn more:   Marketing strategies 05. Limits of the free plan Free website builders usually come with a few trade-offs. One is limited storage space, which means you might not be able to upload tons of images or videos. So, if you plan on growing your website, you’ll want to check what those limits are. You’ll also get basic design features on most free plans. That means limited customization options and, sometimes, the builder’s branding slapped on your site. That said, some free website builders like Wix often come with additional website features , like an online portfolio  or a blog maker , that make your website more functional. Learn more:   How to start a blog What are the best website builders for free? 01. Wix 02. Weebly 03. Webflow 04. Jimdo 05. Strikingly 06. Google Sites 07. Ucraft 08. Carrd 01. Wix Wix is a top pick if you’re looking for a free website builder that has it all. It offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to build your website, even if you’re new to web design .  With the Wix Editor, you can customize fonts, color schemes, shadows and even letter spacing so your site looks exactly how you want. The platform also has hundreds of templates to choose from. Another great feature is the AI-powered website builder. Instead of starting from scratch, you can chat with Wix’s AI website builder tool, answer a few quick questions and watch as it creates your custom website in minutes. Wix also offers essential features for eCommerce, blogging, scheduling and events to give your site advanced functionality. Pricing:  Free plan available - learn more, is Wix free ?. Premium plans start at $17 per month. Learn more:   Best AI website examples  02. Weebly Weebly is a popular website builder that provides handy tools to build your website and grow your business. It has a drag-and-drop editor and mobile-responsive themes so your website looks polished on any device. Beyond website creation, Weebly has premium features for marketing, SEO and eCommerce. This makes it a great platform for anyone looking to establish an online presence. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium plans start at $13 per month. 03. Webflow Webflow offers creative freedom, making it a solid choice for anyone with a bit of design or coding experience. Its design tools let you create everything from simple blogs to highly detailed websites.  The free plan offers a range of advanced features, which is pretty rare for free builders. It also has a wide selection of free templates organized by industry to help you quickly find the right fit. That said, Webflow’s learning curve is steeper than most drag-and-drop builders. So, it might take a little time to get used to. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium plans start at $14 per month (billed annually). 04. Jimdo Jimdo is perfect for business owners who want to create simple websites. It has easy-to-use blocks, a library of free photographs and tons of design features to help you build your site to your liking.  You also get responsive designs that adapt to various screen sizes, so you don’t have to create different versions of your website for mobile and desktop.  Moreover, you can create an online store to sell products and find new customers. Visitors can also book your services with an integrated booking tool. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium plans start at $11 per month. 05. Strikingly Strikingly offers a simple drag-and-drop builder that lets you create a website without coding or design skills. You can also create signup forms and newsletters in one place to grow your audience and keep them engaged. In addition, the platform lets you add an online store with shipping, coupons and membership log-ins to start making sales from your website. Additional features include social media integration, built-in analytics and a blogging platform. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium plans start at $12 per month. 06. Google Sites Google Sites is an ideal place to start if you’re brand new to building websites and want something straightforward. The platform’s free plan allows you to choose from a variety of themes and templates and customize them with headers, footers, images, fonts and menus.  In addition, you can connect Google Sites to most Google products like Google Analytics. You can also insert Google Workspace tools like Google Docs and links and files from your Google Drive. Pricing:  It’s free on its own. Paid plans to use it with Google Workspace start at $6 per month.  07. Ucraft Ucraft offers a drag-and-drop editor and beautiful templates on its free plan. It also has a user-friendly Content Editor that makes it easy to change your content without altering your site's design or functionality.  Moreover, the platform offers extra features like a Translation App to make your website content available in other languages. You also get a free logo maker , an online store builder and AI-powered customer support. Pricing:  14-day trial period. Premium plans start at $14 per month/project. 08. Carrd Carrd is a simple one-page website builder. It’s perfect for a free landing page , portfolios or personal sites. The platform is easy to use and offers a free plan that includes customizable templates and basic customization options.  It's ideal for anyone who wants to get a website up and running quickly without a steep learning curve. Pricing:  Free plan available. Premium plans start at $19 per year. How to build a website Let’s now look at the steps to follow to create a website for your business or portfolio. Learn more:  How to create a professional website How to launch a new website like a pro How to make a subscription website How much does it cost to build a website ? 01. Register a domain name First things first—you need a domain name . This is your website’s address, and it’s how people will find you online. Most free website builders will give you a default URL that includes their branding, like yoursite.websitebuilder.com . If you want something more personalized, you can do a domain name search  to check if your preferred name is available. Some free plans let you connect your custom domain, while others might ask you to upgrade for that option. Learn more:   What is a domain ? 02. Choose a web hosting provider Builders like Wix offer free web hosting  features as part of their free plan. That way, you can focus on creating your website without worrying about where it “lives” on the internet. Just remember, free hosting might come with limited features, like storage caps or having the builder’s branding on your site. Learn more:   What is web hosting ? 03. Design your website A free website builder makes website development  simple. No coding—just easy-to-use tools that let you focus on designing your website. You can pick a basic template and customize it with texts, logos, color palettes and fonts until it matches your brand identity. Learn more: Best website design Website ideas Website infrastructure What is web design? 04. Manage your website Once your website is live, the real work begins: website management . The good news is that most builders offer simple dashboards where you can handle everything in one place. That way, you can do regular updates to keep your site fresh and increase the chances of visitors coming back. Learn more: How to make a website accessible *Editor's note: All information in this blog is accurate as of December 2024. Features, pricing and other details may change over time. Free website builders FAQ What is the best free website builder? The best free website builder depends on your needs, but some one of the top options includes Wix, known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates. Each option has unique features, so choosing the best one depends on your goals and level of experience. Is Wix really free? Yes, Wix offers a free plan that allows you to create a fully functional website. With the free plan, you’ll have access to Wix’s drag-and-drop editor, templates and basic features. Note, your site will display Wix ads and you’ll need to use a Wix subdomain (example, username.wixsite.com/sitename). To remove ads and connect a custom domain, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium plan. Can I create a website for free? Absolutely! Many website builders, like Wix, Ucraft and Google Sites, offer free plans that let you build and publish a website without spending a penny. These free plans usually include basic tools and hosting but come with limitations, such as ads and subdomains. If you need advanced features like custom domains, eCommerce functionality or ad-free experiences, you can always upgrade to a paid plan later. What are some of the top free website makers? Some of the top free website makers include Wix, WordPress.com , Google Sites, Weebly, and SITE123. Each offers drag-and-drop editing, mobile-friendly templates, web hosting and other essential features/infrastructure for beginners making a free website without coding knowledge.

The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain →   A domain name is your unique address on the internet. A customized domain is essential for building your business and brand online. A great domain helps customers remember and find your website easily. The domain lifecycle consists of several stages: registration, active use, expiration, grace period, redemption, and deletion. After registration, the domain can used for your website. When it expires, it enters a grace period for renewal. If not renewed, it can be redeemed briefly before being deleted and made available again. It's important to understand what the lifecycle of a domain is, to make sure that you protect your own unique brand name. What are the stages of a domain lifecycle? The life cycle of a domain name includes several key stages: Registration : Securing your desired domain name. Learn more about how to register a domain name. Active phase : Maintaining and managing the domain. Renewal : Extending the domain's validity. Domain expiration : When a domain is not renewed, leading to potential deletion. Transfer : Moving a domain to another registrar if needed. Learn more about how to transfer a domain name. What is domain registration and why is it important? Domain registration is the first step in securing your unique domain name. It involves reserving a specific name for your website, ensuring that no one else can use it. Once registered, the domain becomes yours to use for a specified period, typically one year. Buy your domain name today. A domain registrar is a company authorized to sell domain names. They work under the guidelines of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) , which oversees global domain name policies. Learn more in our guide to the best domain registrars. What is the active phase of a domain name? Once your domain is registered, it enters the active phase. This is when your domain is live and accessible on the internet. An active domain is fully operational, allowing users to visit your website. It signifies that all necessary configurations are in place. What makes a domain active? DNS settings : Ensure that your domain's DNS (Domain Name System) settings are correctly configured to direct traffic to your website. If you build a website with Wix, this is done automatically for you. Web hosting : Your website needs a hosting service to store its files and make them accessible online. Enterprise grade, secure hosting is included with every Wix site. At Wix, your domain is set to renew automatically at the end of the subscription period. Should you choose to turn the auto renew off , your domain will expire at the end of the registration period and move on to the grace period. What is the domain renewal process? Renewing your domain name is crucial to maintaining your website and brand name online. It ensures that your domain remains active and accessible to users. Domain renewal involves extending the registration period of your domain before it expires. It's vital to renew on time to prevent losing ownership of your domain, which could disrupt your business operation What are the consequences of not renewing a domain in time? If a domain is not renewed, it enters a grace period and eventually becomes available for others to register. This can lead to loss of your brand identity and customer trust if someone else acquires your domain. How to make sure my domain renewal is seamless? Set up reminders well in advance of the expiration date. Use automatic renewals, ensuring continuous ownership without manual intervention. With Wix you should keep auto renewals on to make sure this happens. Regularly check your contact information with your registrar to receive timely notifications about renewal deadlines. Wix makes domain transfer  easy, with free SSL, reliable hosting, privacy options and 24/7 support. What are the grace and redemption phases? These phases offer a safety net if you miss renewing your domain on time. So it can be important to know what they are and how they work. Grace period After a domain expires, it typically enters a grace period, lasting around 30 days. During this time, you can still renew the domain at the regular renewal price without losing ownership. However some domain extensions do not have a grace period: .at .be .ch .co.at .com.br .or.at .de .fr .nl .mx .it  domains have a 15 day grace period. .me  domain s do not have a grace period, or  a redemption period.  If you own a .me domain its important to remember that your domain will lapse automatically if not renewed on time and will not enter a grace period. Redemption period If the grace period lapses without renewal, the domain enters a redemption period, usually lasting 30 days. Recovering a domain during this phase involves paying additional fees, as it requires more effort from the registrar to restore it. It's important to note that the release of a domain from the redemption period is not guaranteed, as Wix resells domains from a 3rd party registrar that has the right to privately auction the domain. If your domain is registered at Wix and has entered this period, you can retrieve it from the Domains page in your Wix account. If your domain is registered outside of Wix, you'll need to contact your domain registrar directly to retrieve a domain in redemption. Domain expiration and deletion Domain expiration is a critical phase that can lead to the permanent loss of your domain if not managed properly. Once a domain isn't renewed, it enters the grace period, followed by the redemption period. If no action is taken during these periods, the domain may proceeds to pending deletion, making it available for public registration again. This usually happens 5 -10 days after entering the pending delete period. Consequences of domain deletion Losing a domain can disrupt your website being live, leading to potential loss of traffic and revenue. It may also result in damage to your brand and business reputation if competitors or malicious entities acquire your expired domain. This makes it essential you renew your domain at the end of each registration period. Transferring a domain name Transferring a domain name to a different registrar can be necessary for various reasons, such as better pricing or improved services. Looking to transfer your domain to Wix? To transfer your domain to Wix, you must get an authorization code (also known as the EPP code) from your current registrar. The code is usually sent to your domain's registered email upon request. If needed, contact your current domain registrar for assistance.  Your domain must be unlocked before you begin the transfer. In most cases, you can contact your current registrar to unlock the domain. In some cases, your domain might be locked due to ICANN's 60 day lock policy .  Learn more here .