5 Branding Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Trying to brand your business on your own? You’re not alone. DIY branding can be an empowering rite of passage for many founders, but it’s also where I see a lot of common roadblocks that slow people down or lead to visuals that don’t quite resonate. If you’re creating your own logo, website, or brand visuals, this guide is here to help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Here are 5 of the most common branding mistakes I see, and how you can avoid them with simple, doable steps:

5 Branding Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Trying to brand your business on your own? You’re not alone. DIY branding can be an empowering rite of passage for many founders, but it’s also where I see a lot of common roadblocks that slow people down or lead to visuals that don’t quite resonate. If you’re creating your own logo, website, or brand visuals, this guide is here to help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

Here are 5 of the most common branding mistakes I see, and how you can avoid them with simple, doable steps:

NO 1

Skipping the Strategy Phase

It’s tempting to jump straight into picking fonts and colors (the fun stuff!). But without a strong foundation (your mission, audience, personality, and positioning) it’s hard to make design decisions that actually work.

Try this instead:
Before opening Canva or choosing a logo template, take a pause. Write down:

Your brand’s core mission in one sentence
Who your ideal client is (be specific!)
Three words that describe the feeling you want your brand to evoke

Hot Tip: Use a free brand strategy worksheet or journal your answers inside a blank Google Doc. If you want more structure, book a 90-minute brand consult to talk it through with someone who can offer clarity and next steps.

NO 2

Using Too Many Fonts or Colors

Design can go from polished to chaotic fast when there’s no visual restraint. If every heading is a different font or your Instagram grid is full of clashing colors, your brand can start to feel inconsistent or amateur.

Try this instead:

Pick one font for headings, one for body text, and (optional) one accent font
Choose a color palette with 4–6 shades: primary, secondary, accent, background, and neutrals

Hot Tip: Use a free online tool like Coolors or Adobe Color to build your palette, or choose a pre-made one from a designer you trust. Then, document it in a simple brand style guide so you always have a reference point.

NO 3

Inconsistent Visuals Across Platforms

Your website feels clean and modern. But your business card? Totally different vibe. Visual inconsistency makes your brand look disjointed and makes it harder for people to remember or trust you.

Try this instead:

Create a simple brand style sheet that includes your logo, fonts, color codes, and image style
Use the same brand assets (colors, logos, tone) across all platforms, from email footers to Instagram stories

Hot Tip: If you’re using Canva, upgrade to Canva Pro and set up a Brand Kit. It’s a game-changer for consistency. Bonus: You can duplicate branded templates to use again and again.

NO 4

Overcomplicating Your Logo

I get it: there’s pressure to stand out. But overly detailed logos can get muddy in small sizes or feel trendy fast. Your logo needs to work across a lot of formats, from a tiny browser tab to a shipping label.

Try this instead:

Choose clean typography with room to breathe
Make sure it’s legible at a small size (like 100x100 pixels)
Test it in black and white (it should still feel strong without color)

Hot Tip: Start with a simple wordmark (just your business name in a signature font). You can always expand later with a symbol or secondary logo once your brand grows.

NO 5

Trying to Do It All Alone

Even the most creative founders hit a wall when working solo. Branding is a mix of strategy, design, psychology, and tech— and expecting yourself to master it all overnight is a fast path to burnout.

Try this instead:

Use a semi-custom brand kit as your starting point
Join a creative community or free Facebook group for feedback
Book a consult call with a designer to audit what you’ve built

Hot Tip: You don’t need to outsource everything, but having someone you trust review your branding can save hours of guesswork and help you feel more confident moving forward.

NO 1

Skipping the Strategy Phase

It’s tempting to jump straight into picking fonts and colors (the fun stuff!). But without a strong foundation (your mission, audience, personality, and positioning) it’s hard to make design decisions that actually work.

Try this instead:
Before opening Canva or choosing a logo template, take a pause. Write down:

Your brand’s core mission in one sentence
Who your ideal client is (be specific!)
Three words that describe the feeling you want your brand to evoke

Hot Tip: Use a free brand strategy worksheet or journal your answers inside a blank Google Doc. If you want more structure, book a 90-minute brand consult to talk it through with someone who can offer clarity and next steps.

NO 2

Using Too Many Fonts or Colors

Design can go from polished to chaotic fast when there’s no visual restraint. If every heading is a different font or your Instagram grid is full of clashing colors, your brand can start to feel inconsistent or amateur.

Try this instead:

Pick one font for headings, one for body text, and (optional) one accent font
Choose a color palette with 4–6 shades: primary, secondary, accent, background, and neutrals

Hot Tip: Use a free online tool like Coolors or Adobe Color to build your palette, or choose a pre-made one from a designer you trust. Then, document it in a simple brand style guide so you always have a reference point.

NO 3

Inconsistent Visuals Across Platforms

Your website feels clean and modern. But your business card? Totally different vibe. Visual inconsistency makes your brand look disjointed and makes it harder for people to remember or trust you.

Try this instead:

Create a simple brand style sheet that includes your logo, fonts, color codes, and image style
Use the same brand assets (colors, logos, tone) across all platforms, from email footers to Instagram stories

Hot Tip: If you’re using Canva, upgrade to Canva Pro and set up a Brand Kit. It’s a game-changer for consistency. Bonus: You can duplicate branded templates to use again and again.

NO 4

Overcomplicating Your Logo

I get it: there’s pressure to stand out. But overly detailed logos can get muddy in small sizes or feel trendy fast. Your logo needs to work across a lot of formats, from a tiny browser tab to a shipping label.

Try this instead:

Choose clean typography with room to breathe
Make sure it’s legible at a small size (like 100x100 pixels)
Test it in black and white (it should still feel strong without color)

Hot Tip: Start with a simple wordmark (just your business name in a signature font). You can always expand later with a symbol or secondary logo once your brand grows.

NO 5

Trying to Do It All Alone

Even the most creative founders hit a wall when working solo. Branding is a mix of strategy, design, psychology, and tech— and expecting yourself to master it all overnight is a fast path to burnout.

Try this instead:

Use a semi-custom brand kit as your starting point
Join a creative community or free Facebook group for feedback
Book a consult call with a designer to audit what you’ve built

Hot Tip: You don’t need to outsource everything, but having someone you trust review your branding can save hours of guesswork and help you feel more confident moving forward.