“I can’t afford branding right now.”
As a brand strategist who works directly with founders, I often hear this. And you know what? That’s okay. Many entrepreneurs and small business owners start with DIY branding — it’s practical, budget-friendly, and a necessary first step when you’re just getting your business off the ground.
But here’s the thing: DIY doesn’t have to mean unprofessional. Making the right choices with your color palette, logo, and overall visual identity can help you present a cohesive, polished image that sets you up for success.
The key is knowing what works and what to avoid. And when you reach the point where DIY no longer serves your growth, you’ll be ready to elevate your brand with confidence. In this post, I’ll share some practical tips for DIY branding — and how to know when it’s time to take the next step.
Brand Color Palettes: The Visual Foundation
Let’s be real—a good color palette can make you immediately trust a brand. Alternatively, a bad color palette might make you scoff, squint, or suffer from sensory overload.
Colors evoke emotions, influence perceptions, and play a huge role in how people experience your brand. The right color palette can make your brand feel trustworthy, modern, playful, accessible, luxurious, or fun.
Consistent use of your colors across your website, social media, and marketing materials helps build brand recognition and creates a cohesive experience. People want to see this consistency when they’re deciding what brand to trust enough to give their hard-earned money to.
Choosing a Brand Color Palette
When selecting colors for your DIY branding, start simple: limit yourself to 2-4 primary colors. Think about your audience and the feelings you want to inspire. Keep accessibility in mind by avoiding overly bright colors or clashing combinations that strain the eyes or make text hard to read.
I recommend searching ‘limited color palette inspiration’ (or some variation of this key phrase) on Pinterest. When you find a few you like (definitely don’t use an exact palette you find), move to the online palette generator Coolors. Coolors is great for finding alternative color pairings. For example, if you have a main color in mind but really want a yellow that will complement it, you can use Coolors until you find a match.
The number of hours I have sat in front of my computer pressing the ‘space’ bar to shuffle color palettes on Coolors is…unhealthy. Highly recommend.
How to DIY a Logo (the Right Way)
When you’re DIYing your logo, you might think you need an intricate design or an AI-generated icon to stand out. But more often than not, this approach can lead to something that looks generic or off-kilter.
A simple, well-crafted wordmark — a logo that’s just your business name in a thoughtfully chosen font — is often a smarter and more professional choice. Here’s why wordmarks work and how to create one that makes a lasting impression.
Why a Wordmark Works Best in the DIY Stage
A simple, clean wordmark is one of the smartest choices for DIY branding. Unlike AI-generated logos or Canva logo templates, which can look generic or unprofessional, a thoughtfully designed wordmark ensures your business name is clear, memorable, and easy to recognize. It also gives you flexibility: a well-chosen wordmark can adapt seamlessly across different platforms and materials.
When creating your wordmark, start with a readable font. Avoid trendy or overly stylized fonts that can quickly become outdated or hard to read. A slight customization of a letter or two can make your wordmark unique without overcomplicating it.
Lastly, test your wordmark across platforms: Does it look good on your social media profile picture, your website, and printed materials like business cards? A wordmark that’s clear, consistent, and professional helps your brand stand out while keeping things simple and effective.
A Warning for the DIY Founder: Avoid Cheesy or Overused Design Elements
When DIYing your branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using trendy but overdone elements like watercolor brush strokes, generic icons, or Canva logo templates. While these might seem appealing, they often make your brand blend in rather than stand out.
These elements can also make your business appear less professional or less unique. Instead, aim for simplicity and authenticity. Focus on clean lines, timeless fonts, and colors that reflect your brand’s personality. Remember, your goal is to create a distinct identity — not something that looks like hundreds of other DIY brands.
Another reason to avoid these overused design elements? You can’t trademark a logo that looks too similar to others — which can lead to legal headaches and limit your brand’s growth. Here’s a list of more top branding mistakes.
Creating a Simple and Strategic DIY Website
When DIYing your website, simplicity is your best friend. A clean, easy-to-navigate site helps visitors quickly understand who you are and what you offer. Start with a clear homepage that highlights your core message and includes a strong call to action, like booking a call or signing up for your newsletter.
Stick to easy-to-read fonts and a consistent color palette that reflects your brand. Avoid clutter — too many animations, flashy graphics, or excessive text can overwhelm visitors. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as many users will view it from their phones.
Prioritize essential pages like Home, About, Services, and Contact, and ensure all links and buttons work smoothly. Use high-quality images and legible copy to create a professional feel.
A simple, well-structured DIY website will serve you well until you’re ready to invest in a custom design that elevates your brand’s online presence.
And when is that, you ask? Keep reading to find out…
When It’s Time to Elevate from DIY to Professional
DIY branding is a great starting point, but there comes a time when it no longer serves your growth. If you’re wondering whether you’ve outgrown your DIY approach, here are some clear signs it’s time to invest in professional branding:
- Something big is coming up: You have an upcoming event, product launch, new location, or media opportunity, and want to make a strong impression.
- Inconsistent or unpolished visuals: Your logo, colors, and fonts feel scattered, making your brand look less cohesive. It’s frustrating for you and confusing for your audience. (This is Brand Chaos.)
- Your website isn’t converting: Your messaging isn’t resonating, and potential customers seem confused about what you offer. Your own dad said something like “What’s your business again, sweetie? I tried to explain it to my hair stylist and didn’t know what to say.”
- You’re ready for a solid brand foundation: You know your business’s value and want your branding to reflect your next level.
Professional branding helps you create a strategic, polished identity that connects with your audience, enhances credibility, and sets the stage for growth and success.
And with a cohesive look and clear messaging, even your dad will “get it.”
😌and if he doesn’t, it’s not meant for him anyway…I said what I said.
How We Can Work Together
Whether you are a bootstrapping solopreneur or a scaling founder, there are ways we can work together. Our branding packages will create the thread that ties strategy to your brand’s story, so your audience will know who you are, what you do, and how they will feel when they interact with your product or services.
If you’re not ready for comprehensive branding yet, that’s okay! Our services range from Done for You to Done with You. If you have a specific branding dilemma to tackle, book a free 30-minute consultation and we can grow from there.
Let’s See Your Brand Bloom
DIY branding is a great starting point, but your brand deserves to bloom. The effort you put into creating your own visuals and messaging is valuable, but there comes a time when elevating to professional branding can make all the difference.
Investing in a strategic, polished brand will help you tell your story more effectively, connect deeply with your ideal audience, and stand out with confidence.
When you’re ready to move beyond DIY, professional branding will give you the foundation you need to grow, thrive, and make the impact you’ve been dreaming of.
We can help you build on your brand’s strategic foundation by delivering brand clarity during a Brand Clarity Session and then you can handle implementing the strategy using the plan we deliver, if you prefer.
Let’s make your growth story unforgettable! 💛
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Branding
A DIY logo tends to stand out with mismatched fonts, generic icons, or colors that don’t quite work together. It might feel a bit cluttered or hard to read, especially when resized. These little quirks can make your brand look less polished — but don’t worry, it’s all part of the process!
For solopreneurs, website platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and ShowIt are fantastic options. They’re easy to use, offer beautiful templates, and don’t require coding skills. Squarespace is great for sleek, professional sites, Wix is popular, affordable, and definitely has gotten better in terms of customization, and ShowIt is great for minimal landing pages.
DIY branding is a common starting point for a business, especially when you’re just getting off the ground. With the right tools and a bit of research, you can choose colors, fonts, and create a simple logo that reflects your brand. Just remember: keep it clean, consistent, and legible! And outsource to the pros (wink wink, me) when you’re ready to scale.
Yes, you can DIY branding for a nonprofit, but it can be tricky. Your messaging needs to resonate deeply to attract donations and volunteers, and getting that right is essential. If you go the DIY route, focus on clarity, consistency, and a mission-driven message. Choose colors and fonts that align with your cause and are easy to read. Start simple, but remember: professional branding can help ensure your message hits the mark and inspires the support you need to grow your impact.