What’s the best way to start branding my business if I’m on a budget?
Spoiler: You don’t need a $10K logo to look legit.
When you're starting a business, funds are tight, priorities are everywhere, and branding can feel like this vague, expensive thing you’ll “get to later.”
But good branding isn’t just for big businesses. And it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Here’s how to start building a real, cohesive brand—even if your budget’s basically a burrito and a dream.
🧠 Step 1: Get clear on the core of your brand
Before you spend a dollar, spend some time getting clear on:
What you offer
Who it’s for
Why it matters
You don’t need a 50-page strategy doc. Just ask:
“If I had 30 seconds to explain what I do and why someone should care, what would I say?”
That clarity will drive everything else—your website, your content, your visuals, your tone of voice. Clarity = confidence = consistency (and that’s what builds trust).
🎨 Step 2: Create a simple, consistent visual identity
You don’t need five fonts and a hand-painted logo. You need:
One clean font for headings
One simple font for body copy
2–3 colors that reflect your vibe
A simple logo (even text-based is fine!)
A consistent style for photos or graphics
Free tools:
Canva for quick mockups
Coolors or Adobe Color for palettes
Google Fonts (or Adobe Fonts if you’re fancy)
If you can afford a designer for even a mini brand kit—great. If not, consistency is your best friend.
🧱 Step 3: Focus your energy on 1–2 key platforms
Don’t try to do everything everywhere.
Pick the 1–2 places where your audience already hangs out, and show up consistently.
Example:
Coaches → Instagram + email list
Designers → Pinterest + blog
Product-based biz → Instagram + Etsy
No brand was built in a day. But small, focused efforts > scattered perfection.
💻 Step 4: Build a simple, clear website (Squarespace is great for this)
Squarespace is beginner-friendly, mobile-optimized, and clean out of the box. You can:
Launch a homepage + about + services/contact page in a weekend
Use a pre-designed template and customize it later
Start blogging early to grow your SEO over time
Your website is your digital home. Even a minimal one is better than nothing.
🧠 TL;DR?
You don’t need a big budget to build a strong brand—you need clarity, consistency, and confidence.
Start with the foundation. Keep it simple. Show up with intention.
Branding is less about looking expensive and more about making people feel like you’re the right choice.
Need a small-but-mighty brand kit or a website that doesn’t feel DIY?
Let’s build something real (and budget-friendly)