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Starting your business from the ground up is no small thing…especially when you’re juggling all the hats! Owner, marketer, designer, content creator, and customer support. Sound like you?
One of the first big hurdles new business owners face is branding…and with it comes a big decision:
Do you DIY your branding, or should you just hire a professional?
This guide will help you figure out what makes the most sense for your small business right now, and how to make the most out of either path!
Whether you’re launching a side hustle or building a full-time business, your brand is your first impression—and first impressions matter.
What Is Branding Really?
Branding is more than just a logo.
It’s the vibe your business gives off.
It’s how people feel when they land on your website, scroll your social feed, or unbox your product. It includes:
- Your logo and visuals
- Your color palette and fonts
- Your tone of voice
- Your mission and values
- Your customer experience
Think of branding as your business’s personality. It doesn’t need to be fancy to be powerful!
The Case for DIY Branding
(When It Makes Sense)
You’re just getting started and maybe you’re still hesitant to make any investments, or even just struggling financially. You want to launch quickly without spending thousands upfront!
Here’s when DIY branding for small business makes a lot of sense:
- You’re launching a side hustle or passion project
- You want full creative control
- You have time to learn and experiment
- Your budget is tight
Tools to Help You DIY Like a Pro:
- Canva – My go-to tool for design. Even the free version should have everything you need to create on-brand graphics.
- Pinterest – Use it for branding inspo and visual direction.
- WordPress or Shopify – Both make it easy to start a professional-looking website FAST.
PRO TIP: Start with a mini branding kit that gives you custom, ready-to-edit templates…like the ones I offer in my Etsy shop. You’ll save hours!
When It’s Time to HIRE Help
(Even If It’s Just a Little)
There comes a point where doing everything yourself becomes… EXTREMELY tedious.
Here’s when hiring a branding expert (like me, hi!) becomes a smart investment:
- You’re launching a premium offer or product
- You want to look polished and professional from day one
- You’re overwhelmed by the design process
- You’ve DIYed it, but your brand still just feels off
If your visuals don’t match the quality of your offer, people will scroll past! No matter how amazing your product or service is.
That’s why I created affordable branding kits and custom branding services—so you don’t have to choose between “professional” and “budget-friendly.”
View my branding kits for small businesses → Here!
Quick Checklist: Should You DIY or Hire?
| Question | DIY | Hire Help |
|---|---|---|
| Is your budget under $100? | ✅ | ❌ |
| Are you launching something fast and casual? | ✅ | ❌ |
| Do you want a custom, polished look? | ❌ | ✅ |
| Are you overwhelmed with tech or design tools? | ❌ | ✅ |
| Do you need branding that can grow with you? | ✅ (with help) | ✅✅ |
Small Business Branding Examples + Tips
No matter which path you take, branding works best when it’s consistent and intentional!
Here are a few beginner-friendly, small business branding ideas to consider:
- Pick 2 brand fonts: one for headings, one for body text
- Choose 3–5 brand colors and use them everywhere
- Use the same logo or watermark on all your content
- Set up a Brand Kit in Canva
- Organize everything into a folder for easy reuse
For more tips on the DIY route, check out this post on Canva Hacks for Branding or How to Build a Brand that Grows with you
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to DIY your branding or get expert help, the most important thing is starting!
Perfect branding isn’t the goal right now. Authentic and consistent branding is. Your brand can evolve with you, and it should.
If you’re ready to take your visuals and vibe to the next level, I’m here to help! Browse my affordable branding kits, or reach out below for something even more custom!
💌 Want More Branding Help?
- Shop my Branding Kits on Etsy
- Subscribe below to get free branding tips + guides
- Pin this post for later!
- DM me on Instagram or Pinterest @CRAFTEDbyJeanna
CRAFTEDbyJeanna 
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