How to brand your van and better your business
If you are self-employed and have just bought a new van, then branding it is a must. Branding your van can be one of the most cost-effective ways of marketing. Depending on whether you live in a major city, up to 3,000 potential customers could see your van every hour! So, if you choose not to brand your van, you’re missing out on many potential business opportunities.
Don’t worry though, branding your van doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you are happy with a simpler look and design, then it might even only cost a few hundred pounds.
Here are our top tips to making sure you make the most out of branding your van:
1. Stand out from the crowd
Although branding your van can really help grow your business, there are also lots of others doing the same. Stand out from the crowd and make sure your message is seen and read.
Think about big bold lettering and a clear and visible logo, which can easily be linked to what you do. It might seem silly, but most people will only get a few seconds to read the information on your van, whilst you are sat in traffic or driving past them. Make it stand out and be memorable, so they will know who to call.
2. Work with a professional
It could cost you a little bit extra but working with a professional to brand your van is key. These people do this day in day out and will be able to give you strong advice on sizes, colours, materials and what to put on your van. It will also make your company look more professional, and that you are good at what you do.
3. Make sure the design works from all angles
Check that your design will look right from all angles, this includes mainly with the doors open. When the doors open, whether that be on the back or side of your van, make sure that any words that end up cut in two don’t cause offence. It’s a bonus if you can still get your message across with the door open, so bear that in mind.
4. Don't forget the detail
Although it’s very important to stand out from the crowd and to get your message across, don’t forget the details. There is no point someone remembering who you are and what you do, without your contact details! That is the most important bit.
We would advise, a logo, a small list of services, and your most important contact details to be displayed. Passers-by need to be able to read all your information in a blink of an eye.
5. Keep it clean
We would always advise to keep any van clean, and not just for safety reasons. Once your van has been branded, a dirty van can portray a bad image of your company. This also includes inside the van, so always remove any rubbish from inside the cab. A clean van will portray a professional image of the work you do.
6. Be clear
We would suggest not putting any prices on display. If the prices are not accurate or explicit with what it covers, then customers are within their rights to report this to trading standards. So be careful unless the price is accurate.
For example, you could have £20 displayed as the price to clear guttering, but is this for the entire house, or an average house size? These things would need to be clear.
It’s also important to use fonts and colours that can be easily read and can be seen in any light, whether that be a grey rainy day or in bright sunshine. It also heavily depends on what colour your van is. If you use a professional to create the branding they’ll be able to guide you on this.
7. Be consistent
Keep your branding consistent. If you already have some branded materials in place, such as business cards or flyers, keep the branding the same on your van. Having different fonts, colours or images can give mixed messages. Meaning potential customers won’t be able to link your business card with your van and potentially missing out on some business.
8. Don't offend
Keep your messages and branding simple. Don’t use offensive language or phrases to try and be funny. Everyone is different and people find different things offensive. Your humour might not be the same as your customers, but that doesn’t mean you don’t want to be considered for any work they might consider you for.
9. Be sure
If you are creating a new brand from scratch, then make sure whatever you decide is what you really want. Take away the branding ideas and really consider if you can put up with it for years to come. It’s not a good idea to change brands very often, so make sure you like it and stick with it and stay on brand.
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
Moneybarn is the trading style of Moneybarn No. 1 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 04496573, and Moneybarn Limited, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 02766324. The registered address for these companies is: Athena House, Bedford Road, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 3LJ.
Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
