We’ve all heard the question, “are you’re comparing apples to apples?”

The services of service-oriented businesses like web developers are difficult to compare exactly.  It’s not like comparing identical iPhones with identical features from two different stores.  Service offerings are different.  Service providers have different levels of expertise, education, creativity, social skills, technical skills, business aptitude, foresight.  Even if you are comparing apples to apples…show me two apples, and I’ll show you one bruised, small, mushy apple from Walmart and one big, shiny, round, crunchy apple from the local farmer’s market.

Sometimes we say, “please don’t compare apples to oranges.”  The web design industry is filled with both apples and oranges of all shapes and sizes, and there is one common thread that goes through the entire lot of them…each one of them can put together a website.  Beyond that commonality, their paths diverge.

The services from Redhead Web Development are neither apples nor oranges.  What we provide is more like a big bowl full of chocolate covered strawberries.

We are professional web developers.  We are artists.  We are detailed, finicky, perfectionists when it comes to content and copy.  We constantly study, we learn and refine the craft.  We don’t cut corners.  We are e-commerce experts.  We are marketing minds who freely share ideas beyond web design.  Some of these ideas have earned thousands of $$ for our clients.  Our skills are broad, and our minds are focused.  We are in the business of building business.

When you are considering the services of a professional web development company who will define your image online, for better or worse; or will be your partner to build the engine that runs your online store or training website, it will serve you well to know what kind of fruit you are dealing with.  A little extra investment on the front-end could mean a big payout on the backend when your potential client is impressed enough to buy from you.

Forget about apples and oranges, and go for the good stuff.  Your business will be better off for it.

If you own a business with a name that blends in with every other Tom, Dick, or Harry Enterprises, it may be time to rethink your branding strategy.

On ranchers’ livestock, a hot branding iron makes a permanent mark by burning through the hair and into the skin.  If the branding iron isn’t hot enough, it will only make a temporary mark that eventually fades.

Let’s face it, when many of us small business owners start our companies, we don’t really consider the power of a great brand name.  With all the other “stuff” going on as businesses are being hatched, we often don’t take the time or invest the resources to come up with a hot brand name that sticks.

Some of us opt for the simplest of brand names, such as Bill’s Tour Guides or K&S Hair Salon.  Some opt for mystery names, such as Industrial Solutions or Southern Sales, which tell potential clients very little about the business or products.

If you are starting a business or want to heat up your brand, then think red hot.  You need a name that will burn on the minds of your potential clients.

Your brand should define who you are and what your company does and do it in a way that is memorable.  The brand also needs to conjure up the right feelings and emotions about your business.

There are many different strategies for developing the perfect brand name for your company or product line.  Here are a few examples.

• Address Client Concerns – lets them know ahead of time that you won’t disappoint
  • One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
  • Speedy Printing
  • FedEx
• Build Trust or Stability – make your client confident in you and your product
  • Duracell Batteries
  • Under Armor
• Be Visual – put an image in your customer’s mind
  • Blue Dot Technologies
  • Two Fat Daddy’s BBQ
  • Redhead Web Development
• Be Creative – this usually requires a larger marketing budget, but can be powerful
  • iPod
  • Kindle
  • Starbucks

Steps to Build a Brand That Burns

1. Brainstorm – throw out all of the words that describe you.  Throw out all of the words that describe your product or business.  Then throw out all the words that describe the emotions, thoughts, or feelings you want your client to have.  Write them down or enter them into your computer for later reference
2. Thesaurus – get out the thesaurus and look up catchy synonyms for any of the words generated during your brainstorming
3. Test Word Combinations – combine some of the above words as direct sum combinations, as in Blue Fin Salon.  Also combine some of the words as melded word combinations, as in Invisalign
4. Get Input – from friends, family, potential clients, business owners, or advisors.  Something that sounds really good to you might sound really bad to others
5. Domain Check – this is one of the most important parts of the process.  You need to secure a domain name www.mybrand.com that uses a majority of your brand name, if not the entire brand name.  Potential names should be checked as you are thinking about them, so you know what is available.  If your brand name isn’t available, keep thinking.  A great web tool for searching domain names on the fly can be found at www.ddwhois.com Also, check out www.makewords.com to find word combinations and domain names with one tool.
6. Trademark Search – you need to run a trademark search to see if anyone else has a registered trademark using your brand name.  Visit the US Patent & Trademark Office search site at http://tess2.uspto.gov/.  If you want to register your name, consult a qualified trademark attorney
7. Search The Internet – even if your name is not registered, someone may be using it already.  Perform a Google search of the name in “quotes.”  This will turn up any exact word combinations of others who may be using the name.  If someone is using the name already in a similar industry, it is probably best to steer clear.  When in doubt, consult an attorney

Think hot when developing your brand name.  If the brand really burns, it won’t fade.

If you want assistance with branding, new product concept development, product launch, or business start-up, contact Redhead Web Development for help.  Redhead specializes in online and offline marketing strategies that can elevate your business.  Visit www.redheadwebdevelopment.com or call (417) 272-1932.