Everyone’s Favorite Marketing Tool Is Actually Hurting Businesses
Nothing gives me the ick more than graphics that still have the canva watermark on it. It just makes me want to shout from the rooftops, “IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS!!”
Canva is a double-edged sword for your business. On one hand, it makes design accessible for everyone, even those without a background in graphic design. With the click of a few buttons, small business owners to create their own graphics and promotional materials without having to hire a designer. Sounds great, right?
On the other hand, the convenience it offers can lead to overuse and lack of originality. And instead of enlisting the experts to craft our brands, small businesses often take matters into their own hands and end up with an inconsistent mess of disoriented graphics that look like they’re trapped in the early 00s. Ick!
What’s more, many businesses end up using the same templates and designs, leading to a lack of uniqueness in their branding and online presence.
So, while Canva can be a valuable tool, it’s not always the MVP you think it is for your marketing efforts. And I’m not just saying this because I’d rather you hire me instead for your design needs.
I’m not saying never use canva, in fact I use it in my own business at time (shocking I know, I can hear other designers in the distance coming for me as we speak)! But using it as your primary design tool can lead to some pitfalls, hindering your business's growth. .
If you intend to use Canva, my suggestion is to start with a solid brand foundation FIRST. Otherwise, you run the risk of creating graphics with a mishmash of fonts and colors, which change continually. As a result, your target audience may struggle to recognize your brand and voice because they’re constantly getting a different version of you. And that's something we definitely want to avoid!
Here are some mistakes you might be making with Canva:
You’re picking overused templates for your small business branding
If you’ve ever had a Canva account, you know there’s a limitless number of elements and templates the platform offers, but that’s not always the good news you think it is. It can lead to a temptation to overdo designs, resulting in a cluttered and unprofessional look. Canva also provides LOTS of templates, which is great. But, while it makes design accessible for everyone, it also means that many businesses may end up using the same templates. While blending might be important while I’m doing my makeup in the morning, it’s not something I’m trying to do in business, and you shouldn’t be either.
You’re Using Canva to DIY your logo creation
While Canva makes it easy to DIY your logo, the end result lacks the unique touch AND STRATEGY a professional designer could provide. Investing in professional brand design services can lead to not just a logo but a BRAND that truly encapsulates your company’s essence and values and speaks to your ideal customer, whoever they might be.
One thing we need to get really straight here…
There’s a difference between building a logo and building a brand.
Brand design is about strategic decision-making and understanding the 'why' behind every design choice. When you work with a professional designer, they think about your target audience, your business goals, and your brand voice. They weave all these elements together to create a design that's not just visually pleasing, but also aligns with your overall business strategy.
Canva alone largely focuses on aesthetics. Sure, you can make some nice designs with it, but it doesn't offer the strategic component that professional design services do. When you're using Canva, you're missing out on the opportunity to integrate your business strategy into your design, which has long term effects on your business’ ability to be successful.
Canva is just one piece of the puzzle. Your branding should be more than just aesthetics; it should be a strategic reflection of your business and its unique identity.
You’re overdoing it with your designs
Another pitfall of using Canva is the risk of overdoing your designs. With so many features and elements readily available, there's a temptation to use too many of them in a single design. This could lead to a cluttered look that does more harm than good to your branding.
Your lack of consistent branding colors is showing…
Canva offers a wide range of colors for your designs. However, it's crucial to understand the importance of having unique branding colors that align with your business's identity. These colors should be consistently used across all your branding materials, including your small business website design.
Want to get serious about your business and bring your brand to life?
Hire a professional, it’ll change ya life. I promise. Sometimes small business owners wear our DIYing abilities like a badge, and I have to just say…stop that! Take it from somebody that DIY’d everything in her business for four years straight. Trying to be an expert at everything will not get you where you want to go in business. But making smart decisions about what you should outsource to an expert so you can focus on doing the things that only you can do? That’s what’s going to take you to the next level.
At Simply Sophie Designs, we provide female founders like you with custom branding, purposeful websites, and results-driven marketing strategies that boost growth beyond what you once thought was possible.
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