As a brand and web designer, I’m kind of like a doctor for your website and business. I can see symptoms of an outdated brand from miles away, and I’m equipped with the antidote! As 2025 comes to an end, it’s time to take a good long look at your brand and website and start asking the hard questions, like “Does this website represent who I am?” and “Will this branding appeal to my ideal client?” This blog shows you how to recognize if it’s time for a rebrand and what you need to know when updating your visual identity. 

Four Signs it’s Time for a Rebrand

Imagine, if you will, that I’ve donned a white lab coat and have a stethoscope around my neck. We’re examining your business for symptoms of outdated branding. Are you ready? 

Symptom 1: You cringe when someone asks for your website or business card

This is the most obvious sign that you need a rebrand. If you are not proud and excited to send people to your website, it’s time. And now, clients can go to your website directly from your social media, meaning that it’s getting a lot more attention than it used to. If you’re still using the same logo from 2012, your site visitors will notice. 

Symptom 2: Your business has grown, but your brand hasn’t kept up

Have you refined your packages in the last five years? Or raised your prices? Or perhaps begun attracting a more elevated clientele? If you answered yes to any of the above, but you haven’t updated your branding, it’s time to refresh your visual identity. 

However, the opposite side of this is true, too! If you’re still running the same business and serving the same clientele you were five years ago, you don’t need to rebrand just because you’re “tired of your logo.” You don’t see brands like Coca-Cola rebranding every year! 

Symptom 3: Your visuals aren’t consistent across platforms 

Consistency is key, and consistent visuals are essential for brand recognition. I like to think of this as a “digital uniform.” Are your avatars the same across the board? If not, make them consistent for that easy recognition!

Symptom 4: Your brand isn’t standing out

This is the most painful symptom of outdated branding: blending in. If you look the same as your competitors, your potential clients have no reason to choose you. Your branding should help differentiate you from others, drawing your ideal audience right to your doorstep. 

Things to Remember when Updating Your Visual Identity 

If you’ve read the first part of this blog and realized that you’re due for a rebrand, there are a few things to keep in mind. Updating your visual identity can be a daunting task, but you can break it into pieces. And the first step is knowing your ideal client and developing strong brand messaging. If you don’t have a strong foundation in these areas, you’re just going to have to do another rebrand in a few years. 

My advice? Put in the work to understand your audience. And when you’ve done that, find a designer whose work you admire, who has testimonials to back up their work, and designs in a range of styles that best suit your needs. You can absolutely update your visual identity in pieces… just do it right the first time by putting in the work to know who you are marketing to. 

Brand and Web Designer 

If you’ve already done the work to understand your ideal client, then I have the perfect service for you! A VIP Day is a mini brand identity for business owners who know their audience and goals and are ready to reach them through a visual identity refresh. VIP Days include a mood board and creative brief, custom branding (including a logo, submark, and typography and color guide), and a brand board. And the best part? It takes about a day and a half. Yes, that’s it. 

Maybe you don’t have your ideal audience figured out just yet. I can help with that, too! I offer a Full Brand Identity that takes an in-depth look at your core values and gives you a comprehensive understanding of your ideal client. Plus, it comes with everything the VIP day includes, plus patterns, taglines, stationery design, and more. If you’re ready to feel confident in your brand, this is for you. 

Whatever stage of business you’re in, a strong brand and visual identity are vital. Contact me to inquire about updating your branding and explore my other design services!