I’ve been building websites for almost a decade. But yet, I’m not simply a web designer any more.
As I’ve said in previous posts, I help service-oriented, small and independent businesses plan, develop, design, execute and grow their businesses using the web. I’ve also written about how I coach, mentor, consult with and educate my clients on the best web-based strategies for building and growing their businesses.
So then why Healthy WebDesign?
Well, that’s a great question. Basically, Healthy WebDesign developed from my desire to build better (healthier) websites in every way possible – from the coding and visual design to caring about the business needs of my clients. ‘Healthy’ became the metaphor for a simple, balanced and profitable approach to website development.
But when you read about what I do, it’s obvious I’m not just a web designer. What’s more, anyone who talks to me about what I do or reads the blog postings, quickly finds out that I’m much more than a coding geek or a design artist (I’m neither, by the way). Instead they find me as someone who takes a personal interest in the growth of their business.
Blogging, more than anything, as shown me how limiting a business name can be – if it’s not the right one. I know that simply because I have ‘Web Design’ in my business and domain names, that I’ll always be looked at as a web designer first.
So, in essence, I’m poorly branded. And I want to do something about it.
The question I asked was ‘How do you know when it’s time to rebrand your business?’ Well, you know when the work you do no longer fits under the umbrella of your business name. That’s one way of knowing.
Valeria Maltoni has some ideas (and resources) about naming a business. Dan McComb knows what makes a great business name. Veronika Noize talks about how to brand your name. And BlogTalkRadio has a great podcast of Business and Name Branding. Each of these resources have really helped me.
So I ask you, what else should I look at when as I consider a rebranding?
OK, are you reading my mind too? Both you and Darren Rowse are posting about things I’ve been thinking an AWFUL lot about lately!
Creepy! I just blogged today about the fact that hindsight being 20-20, I never would have guessed that eMoms at Home would have about a 40% or so male readership.
But I feel stuck with it – Gah! Can’t wait to hear more on this one!
@ Wendy: “stuck” with eMoms? I should be so lucky to be “stuck” with something as brilliant.
“Healthy” has a great connotation, but “Mom” has so much better “cred”. Everyone loves their mom, a mom and every dad is or has been or will be a substitute mom. And stay at home/work at home is a huge dream for so many. De-emphasize blogging as a separte theme and emphasize it as just one of the many things that cna be done to earn income from home …. anyway …
Anyway @Dawud: rebranding or brand tuning is a great idea but make sure there is really something to gain by changing things at the domain level. You might really want to be more than one “person”. Anybody looked lately at what Steve Pavlina pulls in lately from basically self-help, self-actualization that he _gives_ away? Makes me think that most information selling/service selling models may not be optimal.
Best regards
You should look at what things you talk most about when you can talk about anything. That’s where you will find your passion. 🙂
Liz,
Well, that would be spiritual and personal growth, parenting, marriage, my kids and my love for the outdoors. Each are an ingredient in my soup of passion.
Oddly enough, I bring pieces from each to my client work.
Wendy,
WOW! You mention me in the same breath as Darren, cool.
I have parts of a plan to move Healthy WebDesign to a new domain as I move away from it as being my brand. One of the sticking points is that I’ve built some nice momentum with HealthyWebDesign.com and I want to minimize the loss.
Once I have an plan fully established, we can talk about the ins-and-outs of moving domains, if you like.
Dave,
I actually agree with you on Wendy. I, and what sounds like many other men, don’t feel hampered by eMom. I think it’s a great domain name.
Good point on branding. I’m needing to take a long term look at what I want from my business. Healthy WebDesign was created with a similar view – which I outgrew in less than 4 years. So I’m trying to be even more careful with my new branding. We’ll see how it goes.
I think one of the signals of needing to re-brand is when the “wrong” people are finding you and the “right” ones aren’t.
When you are approached by potential clients that want something different than what you want to offer and/or when the people that need to find you, can’t — you know something is out of kilter.
There you have my 2 cents (Canadian ;-).
Karen
Karen,
Great point. Personally/Professionally, I’m sort of faced with that right now. Not so much that the wrong people are finding me. It’s more that when people find what I really do, they’re often blown away because not only do I not really speak to it on my website, I’m also quite unique in my knowledge and approach.
How would you rectify this?