One of the most challenging aspects of owning an eCommerce business is making your brand stand out to your ideal customers.
New brands come to the market daily with new products that entice consumers to buy.
If you’ve wondered how to make your eCommerce brand stand out or how to make a high-end eCommerce brand.
You have landed in the right place.
In this post, I’ll cover the insights you need to know about how luxury branding can help elevate your eCommerce business.
Successful luxury branding starts with understanding the foundational principles of elevated design.
What is Luxury Branding?
Think of your brand as more than visuals.
Luxury branding is the experiential design of your business.
It has many important elements that influence how people react to your brand.
Your brand is often the first encounter someone has with your business. In an attention economy, it’s important that your brand makes a great first impression.
Though luxury can be defined by your own standards. Most people believe luxury brands to have the following characteristics:
- Quality craftsmanship.
- Not marketed to everyone.
- High-end or expensive.
- Presumptuous.
Luxury brands are about the experience.
Your branding sets the tone and influences the behavior of your target audience.
Key Elements of Successful Luxury Branding
Successful luxury branding begins with a smart system for how you’ll attract and retain the desired attention and customers you want for your business.
In the creative industry, we call this your brand strategy.
Every successful brand starts with a vision that turns into realistic objectives and goals.
As an eCommerce founder, it’s vital that you have clarity about your brand’s direction.
Your brand strategy dives into the deeper reasons for your business.
For example, here are some questions you’ll need to know.
- What is your brand’s unique point of view?
- Do you serve only a particular market?
- What makes your products different than others in your industry?
- What is the personality of your brand?
The answers to those questions will help to define how your brand will show up in the market and make an impact.
Tiffany & Co does a great of this in how they communicate their brand positioning in advertising. Here you can see Tracee Ellis Ross showcasing their Tiffany T line.
Developing a solid luxury brand strategy will help to make the design of your brand more aligned and on par with the goals of your business.
Suggested reading: What Is Luxury Brand Strategy And Why You Need One
Develop A Cohesive Luxury Brand Identity
After creating a luxury brand strategy for your eCommerce business. The next step is to develop a cohesive luxury brand identity.
While brand strategy focuses on the overarching vision and direction of your business luxury brand identity focuses on the design aspects of your business.
This is the part that most founders get excited about because it’s the most visual part of the process of creating successful luxury branding.
What is included in Luxury Brand Identity?
There are many components that go into luxury brand identity design. Before diving in you’ll want to think about all the places you plan for your brand to show up. Whether that is in person or online.
Here are some places to consider where your brand will show up:
- Your website and other media.
- Online for social media.
- In any guides or marketing materials.
- When partnering or taking part in events.
- On your physical products
With those things in mind here are some items you’ll need for your luxury brand identity as an eCommerce business.
A Sophisticated Logo
Your logo should be a sophisticated identifier that alerts people that this is your business. You may have seen other luxury brands have really simplified logos as their mark. This is because simplified marks can withstand the test of time.
While yes, it’s fun to be trendy. I would caution you to play with trends in other ways. As trends are known to constantly change.
You don’t want your logo as you’ll end up weakening your brand. You’ll want to always do your best to uphold the image of your brand.
A Cohesive Color Palette
Color plays a huge role in tugging the emotions of your customers. In fact, colors play an important role in influencing our behavior. Have you ever noticed that certain brands are always associated with certain colors?
For example, Apple is associated with silver or light grey. The psychology behind the color silver is calm, neutral, and balanced.
While other brands like Target’s red is more aligned with bold and youthful.
Depending on the type of customers you want to attract. Your brand’s colors should tap into the psychology of your buyers. Otherwise, if you select the wrong color, you could repel your customers and not even know it.
Refined & Legible Typography
Typography helps you to express your brand’s personality. Serif fonts are typically associated with luxury brands as well as san-serif fonts.
When deciding on which typography should be used to represent your brand think about where it will be displayed.
It needs to be legible and easy to understand. I would avoid using handwritten fonts as it will be harder for your audience to read important information.
Typography also plays an essential role in hierarchy. Your typography should be balanced so that important elements are shown in a manner of importance.
Design Patterns or Elements
Patterns or textures are another way to help your visuals stand out within your brand.
These additional design elements can help add some extra emphasis to your brand. Especially for social or print graphics.
Like the other assets of your visual identity, these elements also need to flow with the vibe and direction of your brand. Tying in a more cohesive presence.
Create Luxurious Product Packaging
One of the most important areas to invest in when it comes to luxury branding is luxurious product packaging.
If you sell products that will be displayed often. You’ll want your packaging to make a statement.
I always tell my clients that their products should be top-shelf worthy, not tucked off in a drawer to be forgotten.
Don’t think of your packaging as an afterthought.
Think about every aspect of your packaging details, such as:
- The shipping box of your products.
- The tissue & sticker that you’ll use to wrap your products.
- Any thank you or note cards.
- Labels or bags.
- Any gift card packaging.
Knowing what you’ll need to make a complete packaging experience will help you have a more cohesive luxury brand packaging experience.
We’ve all seen those dream unboxings on IG or YouTube where someone is so excited to receive their order that they want to unbox their products on camera.
Imagine that being your brand and you feeling the excitement of your customers’ experience. With them being so gracious to share it with their audience, it gives you more exposure for your business.
As a business owner, that is definitely #goals.
Avoid Common Luxury Branding Mistakes
Now that you are aware of the elements you need for successful luxury branding. Here are some common luxury branding mistakes to avoid
Inconsistent Branding
Your branding should tell a consistent story at every interaction. A common mistake I see eCommerce brands committing is borrowing design elements that don’t effectively tell the story of their business.
For example, using way too many fonts that don’t flow together or incorporating colors that repel their target audience.
Be aware of how design can influence others’ perceptions of your business.
Next is forgetting their customers
Watch this live video recording I did on Luxury Branding Mistakes That Turn Off High-end Customers.
Not Focusing on Your Customer
While our brands often include parts of us. Remember your brand isn’t all about you but your target customer. When making decisions about the business always keep your customers in mind.
Want to know what other mistakes to avoid? Read 5 Branding Mistakes Luxury Brands Should Avoid
What happens if you already have branding but you aren’t sure it’s working for your eCommerce business?
When to Consider Rebranding Your eCommerce Business?
If you have existing branding and you’re not sure is still serving you. Here are some indicators it’s time to consider a rebrand.
Your Current Branding Doesn’t Reflect Luxury
Do you want to appeal to more high-end customers? Then you’ll need to look like the type of brand they want to buy. It’s not enough to call your brand luxury it must also reflect high quality in every aspect of your business.
If your current branding doesn’t exude luxury it’s time to consider a rebrand.
You Want to Attract High-end Customers
High-end customers are attracted to high-end brands. Not only does your brand need to look the part to attract customers who are happy to invest. You’ll need to also make sure that your brand messaging speaks to their desires.
You’re Ready to Elevate Your Brand
Have you been in business for a while or are you ready to make a change? Then a rebrand may be great to help you position your brand for more opportunities. Such as working with a PR firm, doing collaborations, and more.
Be sure to read: When to Rebrand Your Product-based Business
Conclusion
Luxury branding is important to ensure you are telling a consistent story that represents your brand. Think about how you want your business to be reflected in the market.
If you need support in helping your eCommerce business stand out in your market with luxury branding. Reach out and inquire about how we can elevate your brand through brand positioning, luxury branding, and more.
