Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Consider This Before You Change Your Look

I've worked really hard over the years to create an online identity for Back Home Again. An identity that triggers a warmth and comfort when you see it. But recently I got a little bored with my shop banner and decided to make a change. I couldn't decide if I wanted to go in a completely different direction {get back to my country roots} or just spice it up a bit. I thought long and hard about it and decided on the latter so people could still “recognize” me. Here are some things to consider before making a change....

1) Be honest with yourself about why you want to make a change. If you're just bored {like me}, make a change but don't throw it all away. If you want to make a change in product line or completely change your business goals, it might be worth going in a completely different direction in terms of your banner and online identity. I've known some sellers to even change their name.

2) Keep in mind the cost of new business cards, banners and other business promotionals. You'd be surprised at how it adds up. For me, I felt the cost was minimal but if you have hundreds of business cards setting around unused you may not want to waste money on new ones.

3) Loyal followers. Do you have enough followers that it's worth worrying about your store's recognition. I decided in the end that I do have enough former customers and followers {closing in on 8,000 on twitter} that I want them to be able to find and “recognize” me.

Thanks to Rene at Fly Bird Fly Designs {I've used her for years} I'm very happy with my new look. It's different enough to get me jump started a bit but it has enough elements from my old look to keep my store identity consistent. It's cleaner and more modern. Just what I wanted....

{here's my old banner design}

{here's my new banner design}

I'd love to hear your thoughts and am always open to suggestions!

8 comments:

  1. Love the new banner!
    I've been thinking about changes and this post is very helpful. Thank you :)

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  2. It looks great! I'm actually in the process of doing a "facelift" on my website and your thoughts are really helpful and inspiring to me. Congrats on your cool new look.

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  3. I love this post because I've been thinking alot about this subject while I'm taking some time off my shop to remodel my new home. When I open back up I have a tweaked look in mind. It is a big job for me to re-do product photos but it just nags at me when things don't look the way I want them too=)
    I have to say that I love both your banners so much, they are both total winners to me!!!!
    Thanks for the great advice!
    Cheers!

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  4. Thanks for stopping by ladies! One more thing I'd like you to consider is that you may never get it "perfect". I still look at my banner and think about ways I'd change it. LOL

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  5. Both banners are very nice and similar in colour and tone.
    I used to try and update my banner seasonally but this has fallen by the wayside..I think your new one is perfect.

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  6. I think it's nice to keep things fresh and you've done just that. It's not radical...you've held on to that very appealing Back Home Again feel... fantastic job, love it!

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  7. Those are good thoughts. (I love Fly Bird Fly Designs; she did my banner too.)I'm ready for a shake up, something new to look at, will keep this in mind.

    thank you, d xo

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  8. Great advice and there is nothing stopping you from doing a crafty weekend project. Even though I make bags, I made a tutorial on how to make a pillow cover from upcycled dads shirt.

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