When rebranding, its always good to go back to the reason why you set up in business in the first place. Remind yourself of the situation and re-live it.
#koogarrebrand
Why did you set up in the first place?
Write the story of how your business came to be.
Why did you set up in the first place?
List the reasons, the situation, thoughts and feelings you had back then.
Write it down and get it all out onto paper or a word document if you prefer.
This will also drive you to keep going when you lose focus.
Koogar was formed on 6th November 2006. I was being approached by many Business Owners asking if I could “build a websites for them” and I’ve been asked to build all sorts of websites!
At this time, websites for business were a new marketing element businesses wanted to add so they could now be found online. The problem was, they were VERY expensive, and the quality of website being built was poor.
WordPress or “build your own websites” didn’t exist then. Websites were made using Notepad (or Text Editor) where you needed to know how to code.
Because I noticed the quality of website that was being made, I looked into them further to find most were not portraying the businesses well at all. These Business Owners were not getting the presence they really deserved and knew I could do a better job.
Checks and Research
Graphics
Logos seems to be made in Word and visuals were either taken from the internet or taken by the owners but the sizes were wrong. Out of proportion, slow loads times and not good enough quality.
Content
No effort went into the content.
These sites were full or jargon and no personality!
No calls to action, customer journey or experience created for the user. At one point, usability is the main part of my job, so needed to ensure the user of the website can easily understand the wording, buttons and navigation amongst other things.
Code
Some of the sites I looked at were shocking (some are still this way today) but I knew I could make the code leaner and more up to date.
Love and Passion
I was in my 8th year of working in the Internet/Web industry in 2006 and I was getting a little bored. The software house I worked for wanted me to become a programmer, but I knew that wasn’t my path.
I loved art and design; qualified from college as a Graphic Designer, enjoyed client meetings and putting what they wanted into the websites after asking the right questions.
So, I thought to myself… “can I make websites for businesses?”, bearing in mind, that year I was building multiple websites for companies like HSBC, head of usability and in client meetings every week.
So, the answer was, “yes, of course I can!”
Koogar was born.
1st Koogar Client
My first client (as Koogar) that year was a Hotel based in North Wales. Ged had worked with me for a very long time (13 years), like most of our clients have. He retired in 2019, selling the hotel on to a chain who took over the marketing and digital elements.
I had taken what I had learnt during my career as an Internet Developer and mixed it with what I had learnt from my parents; customer service, experience and people.
My Dad was Head Maître D in the best hotel on the island of Bermuda and my Mum was an entrepreneur and ran many businesses.
Over the years, I’d learnt the digital way of creating customer journey’s, understanding the user as well as the traditional version of customer service by understanding people and being in front of them.
Marketing is about psychology NOT technology.
Technology will change but people are people.
Marketing is about communicating well so no matter where your message is, the RIGHT people will notice you and take action. Leading them to the sale…
Without marketing (awareness or attention) you don’t get the sale!
In Summary
Koogar was born because of lack of standards and quality; not only for the websites but how they looked and sounded to the people using them.
The whole experience!
I wanted to deliver the best service as a web designer but also get the attention the Business Owners wanted and giving them the presence they all deserved.
Your 2nd Step
If you are looking to rebrand, take a step back in time.
Go back to the day you had the idea of running your own business. Remember WHY you set up in the first place. What was wrong with the industry that made to start your business?
This exercise will put fire back in you belly. Making the evolution of your brand even better than it has been!
- Check out your 1st Step in Rebranding
