Finding Your Brand Voice: A Guide for New Businesses
When starting a new website project, one of the biggest challenges clients face is describing how they want their brand to feel. Having the right vocabulary to express your brand's personality is crucial for creating a website that truly represents your business.
That's why we've compiled this comprehensive list of brand descriptors. These words are organised into different categories to help you think about various aspects of your brand identity.
Why Your Brand Words Matter
The words you choose to describe your brand will influence everything from your website's colour scheme to its typography, imagery, and overall design direction. They serve as a foundation for creating a consistent and memorable brand experience.
How to Use This List
- Set aside 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time
- Read through each category slowly
- Note down any words that instantly resonate with your business
- From your shortlist, select 4-5 words that best capture your brand's essence
- Think about whether these words together tell a coherent story about your business
For example:
- A luxury spa might choose: Serene, Sophisticated, Healing, Premium, Natural
- A tech startup might choose: Innovative, Dynamic, Trustworthy, Modern, Expert
- A family photographer might choose: Authentic, Warm-hearted, Creative, Playful, Professional
The Brand Words List
Personality & Character Traits
Authentic, Honest, Reliable, Trustworthy, Confident, Professional, Friendly, Passionate, Creative, Innovative, Original, Unique, Traditional, Modern, Progressive, Conservative, Capable, Competent, Conscientious, Considerate, Consistent, Credible, Dependable, Determined, Diligent, Diplomatic, Disciplined, Discreet, Genuine, Honorable, Humble, Independent, Influential, Ingenious, Responsible, Self-Assured, Self-sufficient, Selfless, Sincere, Smart, Strategic, Strong
Visual & Aesthetic Elements
Elegant, Minimal, Bold, Clean, Luxurious, Rustic, Vintage, Contemporary, Sophisticated, Sleek, Artistic, Colorful, Industrial, Natural, Organic, Airy, Beachy, Boho, Chic, Classic, Couture, Dainty, Delicate, Elaborate, Ethereal, Glamorous, Gorgeous, Graceful, Grand, Light, Masculine, Polished, Posh, Pretty, Pristine, Raw, Retro, Shabby, Simple, Striking, Stunning, Sumptuous, Swanky, Understated
Energy & Mood
Dynamic, Energetic, Calm, Peaceful, Exciting, Fun, Playful, Serious, Mysterious, Vibrant, Zen, Tranquil, Upbeat, Soothing, Rebellious, Dramatic, Active, Adventurous, Amusing, Assertive, Athletic, Bubbly, Candid, Carefree, Charismatic, Charming, Cheerful, Comfortable, Content, Cool, Cosy, Curious, Daring, Dazzling, Delightful, Dreamy, Driven, Easy-going, Eccentric, Eclectic, Edgy, Effortless, Enchanting, Endearing, Engaging, Entertaining, Enthusiastic, Exuberant, Fierce, Flirty, Fresh, Happy, High-energy, Impulsive, Intense, Intuitive, Inviting, Jolly, Joyful, Magnetic, Moody, Motivational, Mystical, Optimistic, Outgoing, Pleasant, Positive, Radiant, Refreshing, Relaxed, Relieving, Romantic, Sassy, Seductive, Serene, Spiritual, Spontaneous, Vivacious, Wild, Zesty
Market Position
Exclusive, Affordable, Premium, Luxury, High-end, Budget, Sustainable, Innovative, Classic, Trendy, Timeless, Cutting-edge, Disruptive, Educational, Specialised, Value, Action-oriented, Ambitious, Competitive, Corporate, Expensive, Expert, Extravagant, Fast, Fit, Focused, Functional, Groundbreaking, High-tech, Influential, Professional, Quality, Revolutionary, Rugged, Systematic
Values & Ethics
Sustainable, Ethical, Conscious, Responsible, Transparent, Authentic, Honest, Altruistic, Caring, Collaborative, Concerned, Faithful, Forgiving, Generous, Gentle, Healing, Helpful, Holistic, Honourable, Hopeful, Kind, Kind-hearted, Mindful, Open, Open-minded, Patient, Perceptive, Pure, Receptive, Reflective, Resilient, Resourceful, Sensitive, Soulful, Tactful, Thoughtful, Tolerant, Understanding, Warm-hearted
Product Qualities
Quality, Reliable, Durable, Practical, Efficient, Innovative, Functional, Versatile, Accessible, Convenient, Consistent, Dependable, Expert, Meticulous, Methodical, Orderly, Organised, Perfect, Perfected, Precise, Predictable, Productive, Professional, Punctual, Safe, Sensible, Specialised, Structured, Succinct
Style & Fashion
Fashionable, Trendy, Stylish, Modern, Classic, Vintage, Contemporary, Elegant, Chic, Sophisticated, Luxurious, Minimalist, Eclectic, Bohemian, Urban, Rustic, Glamorous, Sleek, Edgy, Couture, Retro, Alternative, Avant-garde, Traditional
Next Steps
Once you've chosen your brand words, we can use them to:
- Guide color palette selection
- Choose appropriate fonts
- Define the overall design style
- Inform the tone of your website copy
- Create a consistent visual language
Remember, there are no wrong answers – the key is choosing words that authentically represent your business and resonate with your target audience. These words will become the foundation of your brand's personality and help guide our design decisions throughout your website project.
Need help defining your brand? Feel free to reach out, and we can explore these options together to create a website that perfectly captures your business's unique personality.