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How to Conduct a Brand Audit: Assessing and Enhancing

How to Conduct a Brand Audit: Assessing and Enhancing

A company's success or decline hinges on its brand's effectiveness. Strong brands can attract a large customer base, more easily withstand competition, and strategically set the stage for growth. This emphasises the necessity for marketing teams to carry out a brand audit.

An extensive brand audit provides valuable insights for assessing your strategy and other elements that can shape long-term strategic decisions. This process lets you formulate actionable steps for improvement. Continuously monitoring outcomes and presenting them in connection with goals provides an ongoing health evaluation.

Engaging in an audit can be valuable whether you're comparing your brand to your competitors, contemplating a rebrand, or looking for a comprehensive overview of performance and positioning.

What Is a Brand Audit?

Brand Audit Template

A brand audit involves a detailed evaluation of a brand's present standing in the market. This assessment helps you understand how customers perceive and engage with your brand, giving you critical insights into your strengths and weaknesses. As a result, it lets you develop a well-defined strategy for building your brand and growing your business.

Critical components of a brand audit may include:

  • Brand strategy. We are assessing the clarity and effectiveness of a brand's mission, values, and positioning in the market.
  • Visual identity. Examining design elements such as logos, colours, typography, and imagery to ensure consistency and alignment with brand values.
  • Messaging: Evaluating the language and tone to ensure consistency and resonates with a target audience.
  • Customer perceptions. Gathering customer feedback to understand how they perceive a brand and identify areas for improvement.
  • Competitor benchmarking. It compares the brand against its competitors to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
  • Market trends. Staying informed about current market trends and shifts that may impact the brand.
  • Internal alignment. Ensuring that employees and stakeholders are aligned with the brand's values and messaging.

How to Conduct a Brand Audit

A brand audit involves a systematic and thorough examination of various aspects of your brand.

We have outlined a ten-step process to assist you in evaluating your brand's current market position, which will help you create a strategic plan for areas requiring improvement.

#1. Define Your Goals and Objectives

Before implementing any specific actions, clarify the objectives you aim to achieve with your brand audit. For instance, do you intend to:

  • Boost your brand visibility.
  • Improve your brand's distinctiveness.
  • Breathe new life into a brand experiencing a decline.
  • Boost and reinforce customer loyalty.

You should ensure that your goals and objectives are aligned with your broader business objectives and resonate with your target audience.

Understand how customers perceive and engage with your brand. This will help you identify areas for improvement.

Maintaining a clear set of goals enhances clarity throughout the brand audit process. These goals act as a guiding force, influencing the information you collect, team member involvement, and the actions you take as a result of the audit.

#2. Create a Framework

Brand Audit Process Typical Marketing Strategy

A framework serves as a guide for organising and conducting the audit systematically and comprehensively. Creating a framework typically includes the following steps:

  • Define key components. Identify the essential elements to be evaluated during the brand audit, such as brand strategy, visual identity, messaging, customer perception, and marketing channels.
  • Set evaluation criteria. Establish criteria and metrics for assessing each component. This could involve creating specific benchmarks, performance indicators, or rating scales.
  • Determine assessment methods. Decide the methods and tools used to gather information and evaluate each component. This could include surveys, interviews, data analysis, and competitor research.
  • Allocate responsibilities. Define roles and responsibilities for team members involved in the audit. Ensure that individuals with relevant expertise assess each aspect of the brand.
  • Timeline and milestones. Create a timeline with milestones to track progress and ensure the audit stays on schedule. This helps in managing the project efficiently.
  • Reporting structure. Establish a transparent system for reporting and documenting findings. This ensures that the results are communicated effectively and can be used for strategic planning.

A well-defined framework acts as a roadmap that ensures that the audit is thorough, consistent, and aligned with the overall goals of the assessment.

#3. Review your web analytics

Web analytics provide valuable information about how users interact and engage with your online platform, and this data is instrumental in assessing various aspects of your brand.

  • Traffic sources. Analyse where your website traffic is coming from. This information can help you understand which marketing channels drive visitors to your site most effectively.
  • User behaviour. Examine how users navigate your website. Identify popular pages, entry points, and exit points. This data can reveal user preferences and areas of interest.
  • Conversion rates. Evaluate the conversion rates on your website, such as the percentage of visitors who take desired actions (e.g., making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter). This helps determine the effectiveness of your online platform in achieving business goals.
  • Bounce rates. Assess the bounce rate, which indicates the percentage of visitors who leave your site without interacting further. A high bounce rate may suggest issues with content or user experience.
  • Keyword performance. Review keywords that drive organic search traffic to your site. This insight is valuable for understanding how well your content aligns with user search queries.
  • Device and browser compatibility. Check how your website performs across different devices and browsers. Ensure a consistent and user-friendly experience for visitors regardless of their device.
  • Social media integration. If your brand has a presence on social media, examine how well your website integrates with and leverages social media platforms. Assess the impact of social media on driving website traffic.

You can gain valuable insights into your brand's online performance by thoroughly reviewing your web analytics. This information helps you understand user behaviour, refine your online strategy, optimise user experience, and align your digital presence with your brand goals.

#4. Conduct an Audience Survey

Find Target Audiences Social Listening

An audience survey helps you understand how your customers perceive your brand, their preferences, and how well your brand aligns with their expectations.

You should clearly outline the goals of the survey. Determine what specific information you want to gather from your audience, such as their perceptions of your brand, preferences, and improvement areas.

Develop a set of well-crafted questions that address the objectives of the survey. Ensure the questions are clear, concise, and relevant to the information you seek.

Decide on the method of survey administration. Depending on your target audience, this could include online surveys, phone interviews, in-person interviews, or various ways.

Define the sample size and demographics of the audience you want to survey. Ensure that your sample is representative of your target customer base.

Implement the survey by distributing it to your chosen audience. Utilise various channels such as email, social media, or your website to reach a diverse group of respondents.

Once the survey responses are collected, analyse the data to identify trends, patterns, and critical insights. Look for common themes and areas where your brand performs well or needs improvement.

Derive actionable insights from the survey findings that can help in strategic decision-making. Identify opportunities to enhance your brand based on the feedback received.

By conducting an audience survey, you gain valuable first-hand information about your brand's perception among your target audience. This feedback is instrumental in refining your brand strategy, improving customer satisfaction, and aligning your brand with the expectations of your audience.

#5. Audit Social Media Channels

Auditing social media channels is crucial for understanding how well your brand engages with its audience, maintaining consistency across platforms, and effectively leveraging social media for brand building.

Check the completeness and accuracy of profile information on each social media platform. Ensure that profile details, such as your bio, contact information, and links, align with your brand messaging.

Evaluate the quality and relevance of the content posted on each platform. Assess whether the content aligns with your brand voice and values and ensure it resonates with your target audience.

Analyse the level of engagement on each platform, including likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates. Identify which types of content generate the most interaction.

Understand the demographics of your social media audience—Analyse follower data to determine if your brand is effectively reaching and resonating with your intended demographic.

Assess how your brand responds to social media comments, mentions, and messages. Ensure timely and appropriate responses to maintain positive interactions with your audience.

Verify that all social media channels' tone, language, and messaging align with your brand strategy. Consistency is critical to reinforcing your brand identity.

Stay informed about current social media trends and industry insights. Adapt your social media strategy to align with emerging trends and changes in user behaviour.

#6. Monitor and Evaluate Your Competitors

Research Your Competitors

Monitoring and evaluating your competitors help you understand the competitive landscape and identify areas where your brand can excel.

Begin by identifying the main competitors in your industry or market segment. These brands share a similar target audience and offer comparable products or services.

Examine how competitors position themselves in the market. Understand their unique value propositions, brand messaging, and the overall image they project to consumers.

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Analyse the marketing strategies employed by competitors, including their advertising, promotions, and content marketing. Identify successful strategies and areas for improvement.

Evaluate competitors' digital presence, including their websites, social media channels, and online reviews. Understand how they engage with their audience and the effectiveness of their online strategies.

Compare your products or services' features, quality, and pricing with your competitors. Identify any gaps or areas where your brand can offer a unique advantage.

Gather information on how customers interact with your competitors. This could involve studying customer reviews, feedback, and sentiments on social media or review platforms.

Stay informed about industry trends and innovations. Anticipate how competitors adapt to emerging trends and consider how your brand can stay competitive in a changing market.

Analysing your competitors is crucial for staying competitive and ensuring your brand remains relevant and appealing to your target audience.

#7. Review Sales Data

You need to thoroughly examine the data related to the sales performance of your products or services. Consider the following approach when reviewing sales data as part of a brand audit:

  • Gather sales data. Collect comprehensive data related to your sales, including revenue, units sold, and any relevant sales metrics. This data can be obtained from your internal sales reports and records.
  • Segment sales data. Break down sales data into segments based on different criteria, such as product lines, geographic regions, customer segments, or periods. This segmentation helps identify specific areas of strength or weakness.
  • Analyse sales trends. Examine trends in your sales data over time. Identify patterns, seasonal fluctuations, or any significant changes in sales performance. This analysis provides insights into the effectiveness of your current strategies.
  • Compare performance. Compare sales performance across different products or services. Identify which offerings contribute the most to your revenue and which may require adjustments in marketing or positioning.
  • Assess customer behavior. Understand customer behaviour through sales data. Analyse purchasing patterns, repeat business, and customer preferences. This information can guide targeted marketing efforts and improve customer retention.
  • Track customer acquisition costs. Calculate the cost of acquiring customers and evaluate the return on investment for various marketing and sales initiatives. Identify cost-effective channels for customer acquisition.
  • Examine channel performance. If your products are sold through multiple channels (e.g., online, retail, wholesale), assess the performance of each channel. Determine the most effective channels for reaching your target audience.
  • Forecast future sales. Use historical sales data to forecast future sales trends. This helps anticipate demand, adjust inventory levels, and plan marketing strategies for future cycles.

#8. Review Brand Assets

Starbucks Brand Guidelines Example

Reviewing brand assets involves thoroughly examining the various elements collectively representing your brand. These elements, known as brand assets, include visual and non-visual components that contribute to your brand's identity and perception.

As mentioned earlier, you need to examine the visual components of your brand, such as the logo, colour palette, typography, and imagery. Ensure these elements are consistent across all brand collateral and align with your brand's personality and values.

Review the messaging used in your communications, including taglines, slogans, and key brand messages. Evaluate whether the language is clear, consistent, and resonates with your target audience.

Assess the various marketing materials and collateral, both digital and print, that represent your brand. This includes brochures, advertisements, website content, and social media posts. Ensure consistency in messaging and design.

Analyse your brand's online presence, including the website, social media profiles, and other digital platforms. Ensure the online experience aligns with your brand identity and provides a good user experience.

If your brand produces merchandise, review the design and quality of these items. Branded merchandise should reinforce the overall image of your brand.

Review any audio or video assets associated with your brand, such as jingles, video content, or podcasts. Ensure that these assets contribute to a consistent and positive brand experience.

Verify that all brand assets comply with legal and regulatory requirements. This includes trademarks, copyrights, and any industry-specific regulations.

By thoroughly reviewing brand assets, you ensure that every touchpoint aligns with your brand strategy and presents a compelling image to your audience. This step is essential for maintaining brand consistency and strengthening brand perception.

#9. Check Internal Alignment

The perception and understanding of the brand by those within the organisation directly impact how it is presented and experienced by external audiences.

Assess whether employees are aware of and understand the core values that the brand aims to embody. Evaluate the alignment of the organisational culture with the intended brand culture.

Verify if employees are well-informed about the brand's mission, vision, and overall strategy. Check whether there is clarity on how individual roles contribute to the broader brand objectives.

Examine internal communications, such as employee handbooks, training materials, and internal memos, to ensure consistency with external brand messaging. Confirm that employees communicate a unified brand message in their interactions.

Assess the effectiveness of brand training programs. Ensure employees receive training on the brand's values, voice, and visual identity. Identify opportunities for ongoing education to keep employees aligned with brand updates and changes.

Evaluate the extent to which employees act as brand ambassadors. Check if they actively promote the brand values and contribute to positive brand perceptions. Encourage and recognise employee advocacy efforts.

Ensure that leadership and management teams are aligned with the brand strategy. Leadership support is crucial for creating a brand-aligned culture. Confirm that leaders embody the brand values in their actions and decision-making.

Solicit employee feedback regarding their understanding of the brand and its alignment with their work. Encourage employees to provide insights on how the brand can be better integrated into the workplace.

Ensure that recognition and reward systems align with brand values. Acknowledge and reward employees who actively contribute to building and maintaining a solid brand.

When internal stakeholders are aligned with the brand, it creates an authentic brand image that resonates with external audiences.

#10. Formulate Improvement Strategies

What Is A Swot Analysis

Review the findings from the brand audit comprehensively. Identify key areas where the brand performs well and aspects that require improvement.

Prioritise the issues and opportunities identified during the audit. Focus on the most critical aspects that significantly impact the brand's performance.

Clearly define specific and measurable objectives for improvement. These objectives should align with the overall business goals and the desired outcomes of the brand audit.

Conduct a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to shape improvement strategies. Leverage strengths, address weaknesses, capitalise on opportunities, and mitigate threats.

Formulate customer-centric strategies. Consider how improvements can enhance the overall customer experience and satisfaction.

Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of improvement strategies. Regularly evaluate and adjust strategies based on ongoing performance metrics.

Develop a communication plan to inform internal and external stakeholders about the improvement strategies. Transparency and clear communication are essential for garnering support.

Why You Should Conduct a Brand Audit

Conducting a brand audit is essential for several reasons, as it provides a comprehensive assessment of your brand's current standing and performance in the market. Here are key reasons why conducting a brand audit is beneficial:

#1. Understanding Brand Health

A brand audit helps you determine the overall health of your brand. You gain insights into how well your brand is performing by assessing elements such as brand strategy, visual identity, messaging, and customer perception.

#2. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses

Through a brand audit, you can identify the strengths that set your brand apart and areas that may need improvement. This understanding is crucial for making informed strategic decisions.

#3. Aligning with Business Objectives

A brand audit allows you to align your brand strategy with broader business objectives. This ensures that your brand effectively contributes to your organisation's goals and mission.

#4. Enhancing Brand Consistency

Consistency is critical to building a solid brand. By auditing brand assets and communication channels, you can ensure your brand is consistently presented across various touchpoints, reinforcing brand identity.

#5. Improving Customer Perception

Understanding how customers perceive your brand is vital. A brand audit includes gathering customer feedback, allowing you to enhance positive perceptions and address any concerns or misconceptions.

#6. Staying Competitive

Evaluating competitors and market trends during a brand audit helps you stay competitive. It allows you to adapt to changing market conditions, differentiate your brand, and capitalise on opportunities.

#7. Optimising Marketing Strategies

Reviewing marketing channels, messaging, and the effectiveness of promotional efforts helps you optimise marketing strategies. This ensures that resources are allocated efficiently for maximum impact.

#8. Guiding Strategic Decision-Making

The insights gained from a brand audit provide a foundation for strategic decision-making. The audit informs these critical decisions, whether they're refining brand positioning, entering new markets, or launching new products.

#9. Building Brand Resilience

Brands evolve, and external factors can influence perceptions. A brand audit allows you to proactively identify challenges and opportunities, building resilience to navigate changes effectively.

#10. Facilitating Continuous Improvement

A brand audit is not a one-time task; it's an ongoing process. Regularly assessing your brand's performance enables continuous improvement, helping your brand stay relevant and adaptive in dynamic market conditions.

Wrapping Up

A brand audit is a strategic initiative that allows organisations to evaluate, strengthen, and strategically position their brands in the marketplace.

A well-executed brand audit serves as a roadmap for strategic decision-making, guiding organisations toward enhancing brand visibility, improving customer experience, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Conducting a brand audit helps organisations position their brands as market leaders and entities capable of adapting and thriving over the long term.

Author Bio: Andy Beohar is the Managing Partner at SevenAtoms, a leading B2B demand generation agency. SevenAtoms is dedicated to driving growth for SaaS and B2B businesses through innovative and optimised paid search and is recognised by Google as a Google Premier Ads partner. At SevenAtoms, Andy plays a strategic role in managing paid search campaigns.

Photo of author

Stuart Crawford

Stuart Crawford is an award-winning creative director and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience building memorable and influential brands. As Creative Director at Inkbot Design, a leading branding agency, Stuart oversees all creative projects and ensures each client receives a customised brand strategy and visual identity.

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