Car branding is a marketing strategy in which vehicles are transformed into mobile billboards. This is achieved using decals, partial wraps, or full-body car wraps. It helps to increase brand visibility and recognition. Studies show that branded vehicles generate between 30,000 and 70,000 impressions per day, depending on the area.
Every day, your vehicle drives through neighbourhoods of potential customers. If you run your business with a plain white van or truck, you are missing out on these customers. People in your area might be looking for the services that you offer, but without brand visibility, you’re missing out on hundreds or even thousands of impressions.
Big businesses use fleet branding as a strategy to enhance their brand’s visibility while making their business vehicle look professional. Service-based businesses such as plumbers, electricians, mobile pet groomers, cleaning services, and photographers, among others, can also leverage car branding for their business.
Wondering how your service-based business can use car branding? In this blog, we will explain how to utilise car branding for your business, mistakes to avoid, and creative ideas to make your service business unforgettable.
Why Car Branding Works for Service Businesses
Service businesses are companies that provide services to customers. These services are intangible and may include labour, assistance, cleaning, expertise, or transportation. Using branded vehicles for service businesses makes them look more professional and trustworthy. It sends out a message that your brand is reliable and here to stay. A well-maintained branded vehicle also declares a message that you mean business.
Service businesses do not usually invest in advertisements. But investing in a vehicle is mandatory for your business. Why not make your vehicle your mobile billboard? Car branding can be leveraged to increase your business’s visibility. Whether the car is stationary or mobile, it garners impressions. It helps amplify the local awareness of your service business.
Service businesses usually invest in their websites and social media pages. Car branding is a one-time investment with long-term visibility. When compared to print ads, which are time-bound, car branding can last for years.
Service businesses usually operate in localised areas or neighbourhoods. Car branding offers targeted exposure. Your branded vehicle operates in your localised area, and the community is exposed to your brand regularly. On repeated exposure to your brand, people tend to retain your brand name and service in their memory. When they need that particular service, they will be able to recall your business and contact you for services.
What Makes a Great Branded Vehicle
When done right, car branding can be a powerful tool for your business. Ensure that the colours used for car branding align with your brand’s aesthetics. The logo and name of the service business have to be clearly displayed on the vehicle. Contact info and CTA should be clearly visible from all sides. The services you offer should be clearly enumerated, or you could even use a tagline.
Ensure that the branding design is clean and uncluttered. The design should not distract from the core purpose of the mobile billboard. The condition of the vehicle should also align with the business’s professional attitude. A clean and well-maintained vehicle exudes professionalism. It shows that you don’t take your business lightly and that you mean business.
The quality of the car branding is also important. Cheap stickers send out a message that your business probably cuts corners. Always utilise the services of professional car wrap detailers for the best results. Colibri Car Wrap and Detailing in Toronto is a trusted brand that has a stellar reputation.
Best Practices for Car Branding Success
Less is more when it comes to car branding. Keep the design simple and the message strong. Keep the contours of the vehicle in mind when designing the car wrap. Certain towns have laws regarding car wraps, so be aware of the legal framework. Use both sides, back, and even the roof if possible.
If your business has undergone a rebranding update, update the car branding as well. Choose vehicles that align with your brand’s image. If possible, invest in clean, newer models. To increase the brand visibility, yard signs, door hangers, and online ads can also be employed. The goal is to boost brand visibility subtly, without being overbearing.
A Success Story
Joe’s Plumbing Services is a small local plumbing business that was struggling with low visibility despite providing top-notch service. The company primarily relied on word of mouth and a basic website for publicity. After realising the potential of car branding, Joe decided to invest in a professional vehicle wrap. He hired the services of a local agency to create a design featuring his logo, contact details, and a catchy tagline. He added a QR code on the back panel, allowing easy access to his website for bookings and reviews. Joe then made a habit of parking his van strategically in busy neighbourhoods and at his job sites. Just three months later, he saw a 40% increase in inbound calls. Before branding, Joe received 15 new clients every month, and after branding, he was receiving between 21 and 24 calls.
Car branding became Joe’s most reliable form of local advertising!
There are many such testimonials from clients of Colibri Car Wrap and Detailing.
The Do’s and Don’ts
Let us dive into the common mistakes of car branding.
Avoid too much text and a cluttered design. The brand and its services must be clearly visible at a glance. A busy design will shift the focus away from the main message of the advertisement. The font has to be clear and legible. The colour contrast should be stark to enhance readability. Choose a colour palette that suits your business. The contact info should be clearly displayed so that customers can easily reach out. Ensure that the design and graphics are aligned with the brand image. Keep up with the times and avoid outdated graphics.
How to Get Started
- The first step would be to choose the right vehicle for your brand.
- Find the local wrap shop after proper research.
- Read their online reviews and ask for a portfolio of their work.
- Decide between a full wrap, a partial wrap, or decals.
- Work with a graphic designer to create a design that aligns with your brand.
- Proper car wrap maintenance ensures it lasts longer.
Conclusion
Service businesses can benefit abundantly from car branding. Car branding increases visibility and shows a level of professionalism. It shows potential customers that they can be trusted. The ROI of car branding is much greater compared to other forms of advertising. Car branding is a form of daily advertising, whether the vehicle is mobile or stationary. It is a one-time investment that pays dividends for years.
Service businesses still operating with unbranded vehicles are missing out on a massive marketing opportunity. A professional car branding can last for up to 3-5 years. Unlike traditional advertising, car branding is not time-bound and does not need regular renewal. After wrapping your vehicle, you can forget about it and let the design do the work. Low-key maintenance will suffice for years.
If you are a service business owner, don’t hesitate. Visit Colibri Car Wrap and Detailing in Toronto today for the best quotes and services.
