Tips for cafe branding to set your venue apart
Things to consider when branding your cafe
Things to consider when branding your cafe
If there is one thing our team loves, it’s coffee (obviously not as much as we love our pups...). And we aren’t alone. It’s no secret the options are abundant when it comes to choosing a place to grab a cup of coffee or a quick bite to eat. If you’re wanting to enter the industry, there’s a lot to consider. How do you set yourself apart from the others? Every cafe sells coffee, even 7-Eleven sells coffee! The busiest cafes don’t necessarily sell the best coffee, either! They’re often the ones with the best cafe branding strategy.
Your brand is how your customers feel about your cafe. If you can evoke a positive feeling, you will be welcoming back a lot of regulars. See, customers aren’t just buying a cold drip or warm cup of joe when they visit your business, they are paying to indulge in the experience your brand provides. Successful cafe branding sets you apart from your competition. It gives you an identity and gives your customers an idea they can latch onto and, ultimately, support.
With that in mind, there are a few things you must definitely consider when branding your cafe and establishing your cafe’s brand in your area. So grab a cup (or a mug, we don’t judge) and let’s jump in.
With so many cafes popping up on what seems to be every corner, it’s imperative you make yours stand out. Once you establish the uniqueness of your cafe branding, never stop telling people why and how you are different.
Don’t make the common mistake of thinking it will be obvious. Open up a conversation with the community you are in and share your brand values every chance you get.
Don’t copy what you’ve seen, challenge how things are done. Thinking differently is what’s going to help you be different. Being different is what is going to catch your customer’s eye. These differences can be expressed through your cafe logo and overall branding strategy.
The first step in building your fabulous brand is to create your cafe branding strategy. This is what will guide your content, packaging design and all graphic design choices. It’s not something you can quickly whip up, but the more effort you put into this strategy at the start, the better the reward will be in the end.
Your brand strategy should encapsulate your brand’s purpose, vision, mission and values. Once you have determined this foundation to your cafe branding you should conduct thorough research on your consumers, competitors and potential distribution channels. All this information will allow you to develop a content strategy which will help you connect directly with your customers. This doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of effectively branding your cafe, so if you’re wanting to know more, you can find it here.
Sustainability is at the forefront of most people's minds. We believe it should also be at the forefront of your business. Cafes have a wonderful opportunity to promote sustainability and be rewarded for it! Think of strategies such as encouraging consumers to bring their own cups. It saves the environment and you some extra dollars along the way. Speaking of cups, consider using biodegradable, compostable or recyclable packaging. It’s becoming all the rage and not just for the turtles! A creative packaging design agency (hey, that’s us!) can help you craft stunning and sustainable packaging that speaks to your customers on a deeper level.
Keeping sustainability in mind from the get-go will ensure it’s a part of the foundation of your cafe’s branding. We personally think it’s something to be really proud of and we’re certain your customers will agree!
Your cafe’s branding should extend throughout all touchpoints. It should extend through every point of contact you have with your customers: the sign at the door, your uniforms, the cafe’s decor, your delicious menu (not only it’s design but its written tone), as well as customer service and community engagement. Consistency is key and will help to establish your cafe’s brand and reiterate it so that you won’t be easily forgotten.
With all that to think about, we know what you’re actually thinking; “that sure seems to involve a LOT of work”. And you’re not wrong. We never said you had to do it all alone though! We’re a brand design agency and are here to help you figure out the best cafe branding strategy for your business.
We aren’t amateurs. Take a look at the work we’ve done for other cafes in the past here — who knows, you may even pick up some cafe branding ideas! Give us a buzz and we would thoroughly enjoy the chance to help you with branding your cafe, over a warm cup of coffee.