Branding

Six signs it’s time to rebrand

Colbea rebrand launch: new window graphics and signage at the Colchester business centre, designed by CJ Creates

Not every business needs a rebrand. Many just need a tidy-up. These six signs tell you which. If two or three sound familiar, it’s worth a conversation.

1. You’ve outgrown it

The logo you made yourself, or had done quickly at the start, did its job. Now you have staff, bigger clients and better work, and the brand still looks like day one.

2. Your business has changed

You’ve added services, dropped others or moved into a new market. If your name, logo or strapline describes what you used to do, new customers get the wrong idea.

3. You look like everyone else

Put your logo next to your competitors’ logos. If you could swap the names and nobody would notice, you’re relying on price to stand out.

4. You’re attracting the wrong customers

If most enquiries want the cheapest option, your brand may be telling them that’s what you are. More on this in why branding sets your price level.

5. Nothing matches

The website says one thing, the van another and the socials something else. It looks like three businesses.

6. You’re embarrassed by it

If you hesitate before handing over a card or sharing your website, you already know.

What a rebrand looks like

Drag the sliders to see two of ours, before and after.

Colbea

Colbea new logo after the rebrand by CJ Creates: a teal location-pin “o” with the tagline “A space to work, learn & grow” on charcoalColbea old logo before the rebrand: the Colbea name in a swoosh on a grey metal signBeforeAfter

See the full Colbea project.

Beaulieu Wills

Beaulieu Wills and Estate Planning new logo after the rebrand by CJ Creates: a handwritten bw monogram in a circle on navyBeaulieu Wills and Estate Planning old logo before the rebrand: a white dove on black with serif capitalsBeforeAfter

See the full Beaulieu Wills project.

Refresh or rebrand?

  • A refresh keeps your name and the core of your logo, and tidies the colours, fonts and how they’re used. It suits signs 5 and 6.
  • A rebrand rethinks the lot, sometimes the name too. It suits signs 1 to 4, where the business itself has changed.

Sometimes the answer is smaller still: a new logo and nothing else. Logo or brand identity explains which you need.

How long does a rebrand take?

It depends on the size of the job. A focused refresh can be done in as little as two weeks. A full rebrand, with the whole identity worked through, takes six to eight weeks.

“Chris has been fantastic with my recent artwork, taking an existing brand and bringing it to life again – not only great with the detail, but wanted to know about me and my business, and wanted to make sure that his work hit my brief and strategy.”

Justin Moy★★★★★ Google review

Where to start

Take the 10-point brand check to find the gaps. Then see our branding services or get in touch. We’ll tell you whether you need a rebrand, a refresh or nothing at all.

More thoughts

CJ Creates designers reviewing a brand guidelines book together in the Colchester studio

How strong is your brand? A 10-point check

Ten questions, six minutes. Answer yes or no and get your brand score out of 100.

Read article

Accounticorn business card design with rainbow-mane pattern backs and pink logo, branding by CJ Creates, Colchester

Why branding sets your price level

People decide what you’re worth before they see your prices. Here’s how your brand sets that number, and how to move it.

Read article

Brands people choose. Websites that win work.

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