BrandingClient ResourcesWorking with Designers

10 Outdated Branding Practices to Leave Behind

Stuart Crawford

Welcome
Discover outdated branding practices hurting your business. Learn why traditional marketing tactics are failing and explore modern alternatives!

10 Outdated Branding Practices to Leave Behind

Here's what most business owners get wrong about branding in 2025: They're still doing what worked in 2015. And it's costing them millions.

I see it every day. Entrepreneurs obsess over logo colours while their competitors build trust engines—companies spend fortunes on brand guidelines that collect digital dust. “Expert” agencies recycle decade-old playbooks and charge premium rates for outdated advice.

But here's the reality: The branding practices that built billion-dollar companies ten years ago will kill your business today. The market has evolved. Customer psychology has shifted. And if you're still following the old rules, you're already falling behind.

In this article, I will show you the 10 outdated branding practices that silently sabotage your growth – and, more importantly, what to do instead. No theory. No fluff. These are just battle-tested strategies working right now in the real world.

Let me be clear: This isn't just about staying current. It's about survival. Because in today's market, the gap between brands that adapt and those that don't isn't just widening – it's becoming an unbridgeable chasm.

Key takeaways
  • Outdated branding practices decrease credibility, engagement, and sales, threatening business survival in a rapidly evolving market.
  • Simplifying logos enhances recognisability and adaptability, essential in a mobile-first world.
  • Customised branding strategies for diverse platforms are crucial for connecting with target audiences effectively.
  • Active social media engagement fosters authentic relationships, enhancing brand loyalty and visibility.
  • Ignoring sustainability initiatives alienates consumers; brands must incorporate and communicate eco-friendly values.

Impact of Outdated Branding Practices on Businesses

Imagine entering a shop with mediocre lighting, dusty shelves, and old advertising from a decade ago. Would you stick around? Probably not. That's your business without an updated branding strategy.

Outdated branding can create a fragmented customer experience. It ages your brand quicker than milk left out on a hot summer day. Here are some significant impacts you should consider:

  • Loss of Credibility: Customers see a brand not evolving as untrustworthy or uninterested in keeping up with modern trends.
  • Decreased Engagement: Modern consumers expect active and responsive brands. Outdated practices lead to lost opportunities for dialogue.
  • Lower Sales: When your branding doesn't resonate, fewer customers will be willing to spend their hard-earned cash with you.

The takeaway? Keeping your branding fresh and relevant isn't just smart—it's essential for survival in this cutthroat market.

Overly Complex Logos – Simplify Your Design for Versatility and Recognisability

Renault Logo Redesign

Take a moment to think about logos that immediately come to mind. Nike, Apple, McDonald's—these logos are all simple and effective. They communicate their brand messages without the clutter.

But what happens when your logo is as complicated as assembling IKEA furniture? 🤔 It loses recognisability.

Consider this:

  • Versatility: Your logo must look great on various platforms, from business cards to social media avatars. If it's too complex, it's like fitting a square peg into a round hole. Please keep it simple!
  • Memorability: A clean, straightforward design sticks in customers' minds. The simpler it is, the easier they'll remember it.

In my experience at Inkbot Design, simplifying client logos often resulted in immediate positive feedback, making them more visually appealing and memorable. One client's convoluted logo became a minimalist design, instantly making it more effective.

Related:  Sustainable Branding: Build an Eco-Friendly Brand

So, take a good look at your logo. Is it doing you justice?

Ignoring Mobile Optimisation – Ensure Branding is Mobile-Friendly

Now that we're living in a mobile-first world, ignoring mobile optimisation is akin to trying to shove a square peg into a round hole. It's not going to work.

Your consumers are no longer chained to their desks. They're swiping, tapping, and scrolling on smartphones, tablets, and all sorts of tech.

So, what should you consider?

  • Responsive Design: Use elements that adapt perfectly to screen sizes.
  • Fast Load Times: If your branding takes longer than a few seconds to load, you lose potential customers. 📉

Neglecting mobile optimisation shrinks your audience faster than you can say “lost opportunity!”

A friend once told me he lost a significant deal because his brand's website looked horrendous on phones. Don't let that happen to you.

Static Brand Messaging – Update Messaging to Remain Relevant and Resonate with Evolving Audiences

Your brand messaging might feel like a warm old blanket. Cosy, right? But what happens when your target audience evolves and your message doesn't? That blanket becomes suffocating!

Refreshing your messaging is crucial to addressing changing consumer needs and interests.

  • Relevance is Key: Connect with your audience where they stand today, not yesterday.
  • Timely Updates: Consider current events and cultural trends your audience cares about.

Don't just take my word for it. In my experience at Inkbot Design, we frequently update messaging for clients to match evolving market demands. The responses are astounding: higher engagement, shares, and transformation in brand perception.

So, how often does your brand update its message?

One-Size-Fits-All Approach – Customise Branding Strategies for Different Platforms and Demographics

Guide To Tiktok Advertising Strategies

Have you ever tried to wear a large-sized shoe when you're a size seven? Not the best experience, right? That's what a one-size-fits-all branding approach feels like.

Different platforms, demographics, and target markets have their unique characteristics. Here's how you can tailor your brand accordingly:

  • Understand Your Audience: Use analytics to ascertain different preferences across your customer segments.
  • Adapt for Each Channel: What works on Instagram might not translate to LinkedIn. Each platform's vibe deserves its unique approach.
  • Content Tailoring: Perhaps short videos for TikTok and in-depth articles on Medium. Give your audience what they consume best.

The brands that get this right connect deeply with their audiences. A tailored approach to branding is akin to tweaking a recipe to just the right taste—everyone loves it!

Neglecting Social Media Engagement – Actively Engage and Interact with Your Audience Online

Here's a thought: Your audience isn't just a number; they're real people! 🕺

Ignoring social media engagement is like throwing a party and not inviting your friends. You can't build a vibrant brand without active communication with your audience.

  • Active Participation: Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and create polls. Your customers will feel valued.
  • Storytelling: Share stories about your brand, behind-the-scenes content, or customer testimonials. Authenticity goes a long way.

I remember posting an engaging story on social media profiling one of our team members at Inkbot Design. The engagement skyrocketed. People loved the peek behind the curtain!

Why not initiate that conversation? What is your audience saying?

Related:  20 Football Team Logos That Capture the Spirit of the Beautiful Game

Inconsistent Brand Identity – Maintain a Cohesive and Consistent Brand Image Across All Channels

Picture this: You walk into a store wearing a bright yellow shirt, but you find the logo in the store is now bright pink. Confusing, right?

An inconsistent brand identity creates chaos and confusion for customers, leading to a lack of trust.

Here's a quick checklist for maintaining consistency:

  • Brand Guidelines: Define your brand tone, colours, typography, and imagery. Ensure everyone on your team is in sync.
  • Regular Reviews: Regularly audit your social media and online interfaces to confirm they align with your brand's core identity.

Consistency builds trust. When customers know what to expect, they're likely to return. Look at major brands like Coca-Cola—their consistent branding keeps them at the forefront.

Ignoring Sustainability – Incorporate Eco-Friendly Practices and Highlight Them in Branding Efforts

Sustainable Packaging Design Example

With climate change storming the castle of public consciousness, brands that ignore sustainability might as well dress up in dinosaur costumes. 🦖

Your customers, especially the younger generation, care about sustainability. Failing to make eco-friendly practices part of your branding is like ignoring the elephant in the room.

Here's what to do:

  • Practice What You Preach: Implement sustainable practices within your operations.
  • Showcase Efforts: Regularly communicate your brand's sustainability efforts. Whether eco-friendly packaging or giving back to the community, flaunt it! 🏆

In my journey at Inkbot Design, we shifted toward sustainable materials for our print projects. You better believe it boosted our credibility and attracted like-minded businesses.

Are you making eco-friendly moves?

Relying Solely on Traditional Advertising – Embrace Digital Marketing, Influencer Partnerships, and Content Marketing

Let's be honest: traditional advertising is like a dial-up internet connection. It was great once, but times have changed!

Relying solely on old-school ads can stall your growth and leave $$ on the table.

  • Digital Marketing: Social media, SEO, and email marketing are the new frontlines. Flex those digital muscles!
  • Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers who resonate with your brand, enhancing your reach and authenticity.
  • Content Marketing: Blogging and vlogging can build authority and create engaging stories that captivate your audience.

Personal experience has taught me that engagement soared when we shifted our strategies at Inkbot Design. Fresh, dynamic approaches opened doors previously thought locked!

Don't get stuck in the past. Embrace the change!

Overlooking User-Generated Content – Leverage Authentic Content from Your Audience for Stronger Engagement

User Generated Content Social Media Ugc

User-generated content (UGC) is free advertising. Your audience loves to share their experiences with your brand—why not turn that to your advantage?

Consider this:

  • Social Proof: UGC acts as testimonials, compelling potential customers to engage with your brand.
  • Increased Engagement: Highlighting customers' content often results in a snowball effect, prompting others to join in.

I have seen brands whose customers shared images of their products; that content can launch a viral campaign quickly.

Why not ask customers to share their experiences? Use a custom hashtag to curate their content!

Avoiding Data and Analytics – Use Data-Driven Insights to Refine and Personalise Branding Strategies

Finally, ignoring data and analytics is committing branding suicide! 💀

A business without data is like sailing blind. You may think you're heading in the right direction, but you're at the mercy of the winds without a compass.

  • Track Performance Metrics: Keep an eye on what content performs best, customer interactions, and conversion rates.
  • Refine Strategies: Learn from the data. If a messaging style resonates better, shift your focus.
Related:  11 Luxury Branding Trends To Pay Attention To

At Inkbot Design, we often review data weekly to assess what's working and what's not. The insights gained allow us to pivot quickly, keeping our strategies fresh and compelling.

So, are you utilising data to fine-tune your approach?

Conclusion

In a nutshell, holding onto outdated branding practices is a surefire way to fall behind.

From overly complex logos to neglecting sustainability, every aspect matters. Keeping your branding fresh, adaptable, and engaging will not only resonate with your audience—but it could also save your business from the brink.

So, where do you stand? Are you ready to leap into modern branding strategies? 💪

Your brand won't just survive; it will thrive!

Outdated Branding FAQs

If I'm investing in brand development now, what's the #1 outdated practice I must immediately drop?

Static brand guidelines that never evolve. Look, business moves at the speed of culture. Your guidelines from 2019 are about as relevant as a flip phone at a tech conference. Your brand needs to breathe and adapt while keeping its core identity. Build flexibility into your system or watch your competitors eat your lunch.

Everyone says “professional” corporate speak is dead. But my industry is conservative – won't casual language hurt credibility?

Here's the truth about “professional” language: It's a security blanket suffocating your growth. Your customers aren't robots; they're humans. Even in finance, law, or healthcare, people connect with authenticity. I've seen “conservative” brands 3x their engagement by just talking like actual humans.

What's wrong with multiple brand variations targeting different audiences?

This is like trying to be everyone's best friend – you end up being nobody's. Today's most profitable brands have one strong identity that naturally attracts their ideal customer and repels everyone else. When you try to shape-shift for different audiences, you dilute your impact and blow through cash with minimal returns.

My designer says we must follow every trending aesthetic to stay relevant. True?

Chasing trends is like running on a hamster wheel – lots of motion, zero progress. Brands making real money focus on timeless principles that communicate their value proposition. Trends come and go, but clarity and consistency print money.

Should I focus heavily on my logo design and brand colours?

Most people obsess over logos like they're building the next Nike swoosh. Here's the reality: Your brand is the feeling people get when interacting with your business. Colours and logos matter, but they're maybe 5% of the equation. Spend the other 95% on delivering extraordinary value and experiences.

What about maintaining a super-polished, perfect brand image on social media?

Perfect is boring, and boring doesn't sell. Today's highest-converting brands show their process, failures, and humanity. Your audience wants to see the kitchen, not just the plated meal. Perfection builds distance; authenticity builds trust.

Do I need to maintain different tones across different platforms?

That's old-school platform thinking that's killing your momentum. Your brand voice should be consistent everywhere – it's the platforms that adapt to you, not the other way around. When you change your personality for each platform, you fragment your impact and confuse your audience.

Should I avoid controversial topics to protect my brand?

The brands playing it safe are the ones dying slow deaths. Taking a stand on issues that matter to your core values attracts the right customers and builds deeper loyalty. Just ensure you're genuine – people can smell performative activism from a mile away.

My team says we must focus on brand awareness first, and then sales will follow. Thoughts?

This is backwards thinking that burns cash. The strongest brands today build through performance marketing first, then scale through the brand. Start by selling something valuable, optimise your funnel, and then amplify what's working through brand building. Brand awareness without sales is just expensive ego-stroking.

What about maintaining strict brand consistency across all touchpoints?

Consistency matters, but not at the expense of testing and optimisation. The best brands today maintain their core identity while constantly testing new approaches. If you're so rigid with consistency that you can't experiment, you're wearing handcuffs in a fistfight.

These myths are costing you money. The faster you drop them, the quicker you'll scale. Focus on what drives revenue: clear messaging, genuine relationships, and consistent value delivery. Everything else is just expensive decoration.

Photo of author
Written By
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.

Need help Building your Brand?

Stop leaving money on the table with weak branding. We'll build you a complete brand identity that connects with customers and drives real revenue!

Leave a Comment

Inkbot Design Reviews

We've Generated £110M+ in Revenue for Brands Across 21 Countries

Our brand design systems have helped 300+ businesses increase their prices by an average of 35% without losing customers. While others chase trends, we architect brand identities that position you as the only logical choice in your market. Book a brand audit call now - we'll show you exactly how much money you're leaving on the table with your current branding (and how to fix it).