Dropshipping is one of the most popular ways to make money online for a good reason. Before building a brand, you want to make sure you at the very least go over some brand image or spy on some brand image examples. Are you part of the group of people that believes dropshipping is simply about finding a handful of products, uploading them to your store, and then driving traffic with ads? Sure, that’s how a lot of dropshippers operate, and there’s nothing wrong with following that method. However, wouldn’t you rather take it a bit further than the average dropshipper and build a strong brand that your customers recognize, remember, and trust? Not only will this make you stand out from the sea of other ecommerce businesses, but it will also make your dropshipping business more successful in the long run.
Building your brand image might seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually not as difficult or time-consuming as you might think. This article will explain what brand image is and why it’s vital for dropshippers, go over some brand image examples, and provide some quick tips for creating a successful brand image for your own dropshipping business.
What is Brand Image?
Most simply put, your brand image is how your customers perceive your brand. It’s the overall feeling that people get when they think of your brand. A strong brand image will make people feel positive emotions towards your brand, naturally leading to customer loyalty and repeat purchases.
Brand image is built up over time as your customers, or potential customers, interact with and form opinions of your brand. When a customer purchases your products, they’re not only purchasing the product itself, they’re buying into the image associated with that product or brand. Building up a positive brand image, and avoiding a negative one, is critical for the success of your brand, which can truly help you go even further in your goal to make money dropshipping.
In the end, a strong brand image is one of the most important assets you can have for your business. It’s what sets you apart from the competition and builds customer loyalty. When starting a dropshipping business, it’s important to create a brand identity that your customers can trust. This means you need to put thought into your brand image and come up with creative ideas to set yourself apart from the competition.
Brand image vs brand identity
In many industries, brands are distinct in their identity and branding. Where the brand logo explains how a customer perceives the brand product or service, a brand identity shows the customer, competitor or expert perception of the brand. In other words, companies disclose how they create their products and how they use raw materials to ensure customers believe the brand is genuine to them.
Why is a Strong Brand Image Important for Dropshippers?
Many dropshippers may not even consider their brand image because they just want to make a quick sale and move on to the next customer. This is honestly a huge mistake! Creating a solid brand image is essential for any business, but it’s especially important for dropshippers who want to truly create a successful business with a good reputation and loyal customer base. Why? Because dropshippers rely heavily on social media marketing and word-of-mouth to promote their products. If your brand image is strong, people will be more likely to talk about your brand positively and recommend your products to others.
Dropshippers need to be especially aware of brand image because they often sell very similar products to their competitors. If you’re selling the same type of product as other dropshippers, what is going to make your customers choose your brand or products over the others?
A strong brand image will make your brand more memorable and trustworthy in the minds of your customers. If you can create a brand that people recognize, remember, and trust, you’ll be miles ahead of the competition which is huge in the dropshipping world where many dropshipper sell similar products. This makes things like gaining new customers, retaining loyal customers, and even introducing new products much easier in the long run.
Think of some of the most popular brands in the world. Nike, Adidas, Apple, etc. These companies have built such strong brand images that people are willing to pay a premium for their products, even though there are often cheaper, very similar alternatives available. That’s the power of a strong brand image.
If you’re a dropshipper looking for long-term success and want to continue to make money dropshipping, then putting effort into building a strong image is a no-brainer.
Examples of Brand Image
Now that we’ve gone over what brand image is and why it’s important for dropshippers, let’s take a look at some brand image examples to get your creative juices flowing. These brand image examples are from well-known companies in a variety of industries to show you that brand image is important for businesses of all types.
Nike
Everyone knows Nike! Even without their brand name spelled out on products, everyone is familiar with their logo. Nike is one of the most well-known brands in the world and their brand image is a big part of their success. Nike’s brand image can be summed up with one word: sports. They are known for making high-quality, durable sports apparel, shoes, and equipment. One thing they do to boost their brand image is sponsoring some of the biggest athletes in the world further ensuring that their brand is synonymous with sports and elite athletes.
Tiffany & Co.
When you think of high-end jewelry, chances are one of the first brands that come to mind is Tiffany & Co. They are known for their high-quality, beautiful jewelry and have a loyal following. Tiffany’s brand image is all about luxury and elegance. They use simple but gorgeous packaging, and their stores have a luxurious feel to them. There are plenty of classic Tiffany and Co. statement pieces that sell for hundreds of dollars more than similar pieces from lesser-known brands because their good brand image is something that people are drawn to and want to be a part of.
McDonalds
Don’t be fooled, not all positive brand images need to be about luxury or highly sought-after products. McDonalds is one of the most well-known fast-food chains in the world. They are known for their cheap, quick meals. When you think of McDonalds, words like “fast,” “cheap,” and “convenient” probably come to mind. Their brand image is all about being a quick and easy option when you’re in a hurry to grab a bite to eat and don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Apple
Apple is well known for making high-quality, user-friendly electronics like laptops, phones, and tablets. One of the things that sets Apple apart from other electronic brands is its brand image. Apple is all about simplicity and ease of use. Their consumer products have a clean look and feel to them and their advertising focuses on how sleek and user-friendly their products are. This brand image has helped them become one of the most successful electronic brands in the world.
Starbucks
Another brand image example is Starbucks. They are well known for specialty coffee that’s available all over the world. They have a very strong brand image that is about convenience, but also luxury and consistency. People are willing to pay more for Starbucks coffee because they know what they’re getting and that it will be consistent no matter where they are. In fact, their brand image is so strong that people will take photos of their Starbucks cups to post on social media to feel part of their brand.
As you can see, brand image is important for businesses of all types. Nike, Tiffany & Co., McDonalds, Apple, and Starbucks all have different brand images but they are all extremely successful and easily recognizable. Of course, it may not be your goal to be as big as these brands, but these are just a few examples that most people know to help illustrate how a brand’s image can impact the way people view a brand or company.
Tips to Create a Positive Brand Image for Dropshippers
Now that you know how important brand image is, it’s time to start working on your brand image. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few tips on how to create a strong brand image for your dropshipping business:
● Decide what type of brand image or personality you want to create. Are your products convenient, cheap, luxurious, whimsical, or something else?
● Your brand image should be reflected in everything you do from the product you sell to the packaging, social media posts, and even your customer service.
● Consider using a slogan or tagline to help communicate what your brand is all about to further drive home your brand image.
● Make sure your target audience is clear on who you are and what you stand for.
Conclusion
Dropshipping can be a great way to make money and having a positive brand image is highly beneficial for long-term success. By looking at some brand image examples in this article, you can get an idea of how brand image can impact a business and start brainstorming the type of brand image you want to create. Just remember, brand image is about more than just the product or service you sell. It’s about everything from your packaging to your social media posts. So take some time to plan out what type of brand image you want to create and make sure it’s reflected in everything you do.