Hi, I’m. Jess, Creative Director of New World LA and Brand’N’Boujee. I’ve helped countless entrepreneurs and businesses build standout brands, and while I love rolling up my sleeves to create magic for my clients, I know not everyone has the budget to hire a professional right away.
If you’re just starting out, don’t worry—you can build a strong brand and branded website on a budget! There are some fantastic free and inexpensive tools out there that make it easier than ever to create a cohesive, professional look that reflects your vibe. Let me share my favorite DIY services and tips for building your brand like a pro, even if you’re working with a tight budget.
Logo Design
Canva (Free & Paid Tiers)Canva is a lifesaver for DIY design. It has hundreds of logo templates that you can customize with your brand colors, fonts, and icons. For best results, keep it simple and timeless.
Hatchful by Shopify (Free)Hatchful generates logo options based on your industry and preferences. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for beginners.
Color Palette
Coolors (Free)
Coolors is a fun, intuitive tool for generating color schemes. You can explore different palettes or create one based on your mood and industry.
Typography
Google Fonts (Free)
Google Fonts has a massive library of free fonts you can use for your website, logo, and marketing materials. Pair two complementary fonts for a polished look.
Step 2: Build a Branded Website
Your website is your digital storefront. With the right tools, you can create a professional-looking site without hiring a developer.
Website Builders
Wix (Free & Paid Tiers)Wix is perfect for beginners with its drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates. Choose a template that aligns with your brand and update the colors, fonts, and images to make it yours.
Squarespace (Free Trial, Paid Plans)Known for its sleek templates, Squarespace is great if you want a clean, modern look. It’s also user-friendly, with features like built-in SEO tools.
WordPress (Free, With Hosting Costs)If you want more control and scalability, WordPress is the way to go. Pair it with free themes like Astra or OceanWP, and you’re off to a great start.
Step 3: Create Consistent Content
Content is king when building your brand. From social media to your website, consistency is key.
Graphics and Social Media Content
Canva (Free & Paid Tiers)
Yes, Canva again! It’s not just for logos. You can create Instagram posts, flyers, and even eBooks using their templates.
Stock Photos and Videos
Pexels & Unsplash (Free)
Both offer high-quality, royalty-free images and videos you can use for your website or marketing.
Email Newsletters
Mailchimp (Free & Paid Tiers)
Mailchimp is an excellent platform for sending branded emails and building your mailing list. Their free plan offers a lot of functionality for new businesses.
Wix (Frere & Paid Tiers)
Wix offers the best of both worlds - design and functionality all in one place! If you're building your site on Wix, go ahead and take advantage of their email marketing channels for stronger conversions!
Step 4: Brand Strategy on a Budget
A strong brand isn’t just about how it looks—it’s about how it feels. Here’s how to create a cohesive strategy:
Define Your “Why” Why are you in business? What do you want to achieve? Write this down—it’ll guide everything from your messaging to your visuals.
Free Online Resources Platforms like YouTube and HubSpot Academy offer free courses on branding, marketing, and content creation. Take advantage of them!
Test Your Ideas. Use your social media channels to test brand colors, logo concepts, or messaging. Your audience will tell you what resonates.
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