How to Fix 5 Common Branding Mistakes

Branding is more than just a logo—it’s how your business is perceived, remembered, and trusted. As a small business owner, you might have started out doing your own branding to save costs. And we totally understand! However, without the right strategy, DIY branding can lead to costly mistakes that weaken your business’s identity and impact. If your branding isn’t working as well as it should, you’re not alone! Here are five common DIY branding mistakes and how to fix them.

1. Inconsistent branding across platforms

The problem:

Your logo looks different on your website than it does on your social media. Your colours change depending on the platform, and your fonts don’t match from post to post. This inconsistency confuses your audience and weakens your brand recognition.

The solution:

A strong brand is consistent across all touchpoints. Creating a brand style guide ensures your colours, fonts, and logo variations remain the same everywhere. At Splitpants Productions, we can help you develop a cohesive visual identity that’s easy to apply across all platforms, making your business instantly recognisable.

2. Using too many fonts and colours

The problem:

DIY branding often leads to a cluttered visual identity with too many fonts, colours, and design styles. While creativity is great, a chaotic mix of elements makes your brand look unprofessional and difficult to remember.

The solution:

Stick to two or three fonts and a consistent colour palette that aligns with your brand personality. Not sure where to start? We specialise in helping small businesses refine their branding to create a polished and professional look that stands out.

3. Overlooking professional logo design

The problem:

Your logo is pixelated, hard to read at small sizes, or looks like a generic template. You also don’t have the file types that embroiderers, and sign writers are asking for, and you don’t have a transparent PNG or vector files. A poorly designed logo can make your business appear amateurish and fail to convey the right message. And you may find you don’t have the assets to move your business branding forward.

The solution:

A well-designed logo is simple, scalable, and memorable. At Split Pants Productions, strategic custom brands that reflect your brand’s personality and work seamlessly across print and digital media. And we ensure that you have all the logo files that you need to promote your business professionally. If your logo isn’t working, it may be time to invest in a professional redesign or brand refresh that truly represents your business.

4. Not considering your target Audience

The problem:

Your branding might reflect your personal taste rather than what appeals to your ideal customers. If your colours, fonts, and imagery don’t resonate with the people you’re trying to attract, you may be losing potential clients before they even engage with your business.

The solution:

Your branding should be strategically designed to appeal to your target market. We help businesses clarify their audience and visual identity so that their branding speaks directly to the right people—building trust and connection from the start.

5. Overcomplicating your brand message

The problem:

If your branding feels all over the place, or if people struggle to understand what you offer at first glance, your messaging might be unclear. Complicated taglines, overloaded visuals, and conflicting brand elements can turn potential customers away.

The solution:

A strong brand is simple, clear, and effective. Your logo, colours, and messaging should immediately communicate what you do and why it matters. At Splitpants Productions, we help businesses refine their branding so that it’s not only visually appealing but also targeted and clear.