How to Turn a Relocation Into a Rebranding Opportunity?

Relocating your business is an exciting time for everyone involved. Whether you are moving because of rapid growth, to explore new markets or to reach more talent, a business move can be much more than just a relocation.

Moving your business is an excellent marketing opportunity and can be the perfect reason for a much-needed rebrand. No matter the type of business you have, a rebrand can be an essential but difficult change, and when combined with relocating, it can be a real competitive advantage.

For many companies, their brand was created during the start-up stages. Over time, things can change dramatically, and the brand you formed in the early days may no longer fit your business. Perhaps you have expanded your product offering, changed your audience or adopted new business plans. Whatever has changed in your company; your initial branding might no longer be doing the job.

Rebranding is never an easy task, and it needs to be done carefully so as not to lose your existing reputation and customer base. Relocating your business is an excellent opportunity for rebranding, and there are a few things you can do to make sure it’s a success.

Embrace the blank slate

Moving your business means you have a blank slate to start again. It is a rare opportunity for a new beginning and to set out how you want your business to operate in its new location. Changing your office space or business location means you will need to update all your communications anyway.

This includes your website, social media, business cards, and any promotional items where your address is included. It is the perfect excuse to update marketing materials with a fresh brand look.

Relocating offers a prime opportunity to refresh your brand image—an ideal time for logo redesign, updating brand colors, and more. With a new location as a blank canvas for your branding, and the need to update all business collateral, rebranding at this stage can signify an exciting new chapter. Leading branding companies often recommend such strategic shifts to engage both customers and employees, creating momentum for your business’s fresh start.

If you are moving to a new area, where there is potential for new customers and clients, then a rebrand and relocation is a good reason to open lines of communication. The same goes for existing customers; you can use this new move to reconnect with past clients and let them know of your next steps as a business.

For some companies, it is easy to get stuck in a rut even when moving premises. It can seem like the simple choice to keep branding and marketing the same and simply update your new address, but this can be a huge opportunity missed. It isn’t often that a business gets a completely blank slate to start again, and it is the perfect chance to get your branding and positioning up to date.

Make location part of your branding strategy

If you have a business that depends on its location, then a move can be a pretty big deal. Whether you are operating a shop, restaurant, café, or other business that customers physically visit, then making your location part of your branding strategy is essential.

When you move your business to a new location and decide to rebrand at the same time, then incorporating your location within your branding strategy can be worthwhile.

Targeting a local market isn’t always easy, especially if you are new to the area. Chances are your business will be up against competition that has been in the area for a long time, which already has solid foot traffic and local referrals.

As a new player in the field, incorporating location in your branding strategy is a great place to start. You can go as far as using your location in your business name or logo, but if you don’t want to commit to your location that strongly, you can incorporate it in subtler ways.

Using local SEO strategies to reach nearby customers is a great place to start. Keep your location at the forefront of your marketing communications, such as in your tagline, on your website home page, and on any marketing collateral that you produce. Social media is also a key component in a local rebranding strategy; you can use your channels to build awareness in your local area and share content that is relevant.

Research your new market or demographic

If you are relocating to a completely new area, then it is inevitable that your demographic and market is going to change as well. Your new branding strategy needs to reflect this new audience, so it is vital that you understand who they are.

Spend some time researching your new market and demographic and complete local market research. This should be one of your first tasks before rebranding because if you get it wrong, you could miss the mark completely.

• Start by thinking about a few core questions about your business structure in its new location. A few important things to consider include;
• How large is the geographic area your business will be serving?
• How large is the local market in your new location?
• How far will people be willing to travel to reach your new location?
• How many competitors are there in the area?
• What are your competitors’ unique selling points?

Once you can answer all of these questions, you will have a solid foundation for researching your local market. If you start researching too broadly, you can waste a lot of time and effort focusing on demographics and businesses that aren’t relevant to you.

After determining your local area and competitors, you can define who your ideal customer is. This is essential for rebranding, as your new branding strategy must resonate with this audience. Think carefully about who your ideal customer is, what they want from your business, and where they will be looking for your services. To determine your new market or demographic, think about;

• What their pain points are?
• What solutions might they have already tried?
• What they liked and disliked about other solutions?
• What is their average age and income level?
• What values do they look for in a business?
• What online platforms do they spend time on?

This information will help you create a rebranding strategy that is relevant to your new market and reach the right audience.

Evaluate positioning strategy (Including any new competitors)

As part of your research into new markets, it is essential to evaluate your new competitors and develop a solid strategy for your positioning. When you relocate your business, your positioning as a brand can also change significantly. What worked well for you in one place, might not be a success elsewhere, and that is why you need to evaluate your new positioning strategy.

Brand positioning is all about how you place yourself among your competitors and in the minds of your customers. It is your niche, and the reason customers should choose you over your competition. The idea behind a positioning strategy is to create a completely unique impression on your audience, making you stand out from the rest.

When you are relocating your business and also rebranding, look closely at any gaps in the market and evaluate how your new competitors are positioning themselves. From this information, you should be able to create your own positioning strategy and bear this in mind during your rebrand.

Your new brand will be positioned within the market whether you make it part of your branding strategy or not, so being proactive and developing it yourself is a good idea. This gives you the chance to get ahead and create an intelligent, forward-thinking approach to your brand’s position. It is crucial you don’t position yourself in the same way as an existing competitor, so understanding who they are and what they do is vital.

Optimise your product or service offerings

Rebranding is an excellent opportunity to look closely at your products and services and determine what is working for you and what isn’t. If you have recently introduced new products or services that differ from when you first created your brand, you might need rebrand to make these relevant. Or maybe you have been avoiding introducing new products because they haven’t fitted with your existing brand?

Relocating to a new area and a new customer base is also an excellent reason to optimise your offering. Perhaps what worked in your old location won’t be as popular in your new space, or your new premises might have more room for new products and services.

Look closely at your current offering and how well each is selling among your audience. Consider which products and services might no longer be working for you and if there are any new ones that could be worth introducing.

Changing your location, brand and product offering all at the same time can seem daunting, and it is important to approach this carefully so as not to lose your loyal customers. Be sure to keep your existing products and services that work well and are proving popular, and only make changes if they are going to be worthwhile for your new brand.

For some businesses, the products and services on offer might not need to change at all, but the way they are marketed might need adjusting.

Generate publicity via local newsletters and websites

If your business is moving to a completely new area, then one of the most important things you need to do is generate some publicity. You are about to embark on a new business adventure in a brand new place, and it is vital that you make sure your potential new customers know about it. Make the most of local channels, including newsletters and websites. These are often the best ways to reach a local audience and connect with your new customers. Think carefully about which newsletter and websites will fit with your new brand and be popular among your target audience.

Even if you aren’t moving far, and still keeping your business in the same general area, then be sure to communicate your new premises. These local channels are great for letting your existing customers, and potential new ones, know where they can find you. It can also be worthwhile partnering up with other local businesses to generate more publicity.

It isn’t all about your new location, either. When you are using your business move as a rebranding opportunity as well, then be sure to shout about the new face of your business. Generate publicity around your new branding and get the message out there that this is who you are now.

Show off your new logo, tag lines and branding messages at every opportunity you get. You want your local audience to recognise and know your brand.

Use sales and offers to your advantage

Everyone loves a bargain or a special offer, and what better way to celebrate your new location and rebrand than with a sale? Sales and offers are an excellent way to get new customers through the door and gain some momentum for your business.

If you have a brick and mortar location, then run special sales and discounts for customers that visit you in person in your new location. For online promotions, try using special offers to encourage new customers to try out your products and services.

Sales and offers are also the perfect way to announce your rebranding. You can use your rebranding materials to tie into your sales marketing activities and get your new look out into the world. Promote any sales and offers on your social media pages, as well as your website and in-store. It can also be a good idea to promote sales and offers to your existing email database and let them know about your new location and branding.

Incorporating your new business information alongside discounts and special offers is an easy way to let your audience know about your changes in a way they will pay attention to. A marketing campaign that simply informs your audience of your move and rebrand might be ignored or dismissed. But adding a sale or offer to the message will help you grab the attention of your audience.

Hold an opening or reopening event

One of the most effective ways of promoting your new business location is to host an event. If you have moved to an entirely new location and developed a new brand, then a grand opening is an excellent way of getting new potential customers through the door. If you haven’t moved too far, then a reopening and inviting in existing customers as well as new is good for raising brand awareness.

Hosting a fun event that customers will remember is an effective way of boosting your new brand and getting into the minds of customers. It is also an excellent way of showing off your new location and all the hard work that has gone into it. Not only that but when your audience are in your business and engaging with your brand, it is an excellent opportunity to showcase your products and services.

An opening event is also an excellent opportunity for marketing and promotions, giving you something to shout about on social media and in the local press. Share your rebrand and your new location with current and potential customers, new business neighbours, and local journalists. When you host a successful event, your brand will stick firmly in the minds of all those who attended.

Related Questions

How can I use branding in my office or store interior design?

When we think about branding, we usually think about logo design, colour schemes and fonts, but it is so much more than that. Your business premises have a significant impact on how customers perceive your brand. Your office or store is an extension of your business and should fit with your brand image.

Think carefully about the layout of the space and how it makes customers and clients feel when they enter. Incorporate your brand colours into your rooms, either through decorations, furniture or artwork. Use your branding in your office or store interior to reflect the values of your business and communicate it to your audience.

What colours are the best for brand signage?

As part of your rebranding, you might be considering changing your colour scheme. When it comes to signage, there are a few colours that can work better than others. Colours can communicate different messages, and the shades you choose will define your brand.

For example, red signage can represent taking action, being passionate and energetic, but it can also symbolise danger, warning or anger. Blue creates a feeling of trust and security whilst also being relaxing and tranquil. Green is associated with nature, health and wellbeing, whereas orange can be motivating and encouraging. Think carefully about the feelings you want your brand signage to create among your audience.

FAQs

1. Why should I consider rebranding during a business relocation?
Relocating your business offers a fresh start and the chance to redefine your brand’s image, identity, and messaging. A new location often means a new customer base or market, so rebranding allows you to align your business with the needs and expectations of the new audience.

2. What are the key elements of rebranding during a relocation?
Key elements include updating your brand logo, refining your brand messaging, enhancing your visual identity (e.g., website, signage), and reassessing your core values to better reflect the company’s new direction. Ensure the changes resonate with both your current and new customers.

3. How can I communicate my rebranding during a relocation to customers?
Communicate your rebranding through a multi-channel approach, including social media announcements, email newsletters, press releases, and a dedicated section on your website. Explain the reasons for the relocation and how the rebrand reflects your company’s growth or new goals.

4. What are the potential risks of rebranding during a business relocation?
The risks include confusing your existing customers or alienating loyal ones if the rebrand feels too drastic or inconsistent with your previous identity. To mitigate this, maintain a balance between familiar elements of your brand and the new changes, keeping customer loyalty in mind.

5. How can I ensure my rebrand aligns with my new location?
Research your new market thoroughly to understand local customer preferences, cultural factors, and industry trends. Use these insights to tailor your rebranding efforts so they appeal to your new audience, while also maintaining brand consistency across different locations.

6. Should I rebrand everything at once during the relocation, or take a phased approach?
While some aspects of the rebrand (like logos or website updates) can be launched during the move, it may be beneficial to adopt a phased approach for larger changes. This allows you to test the reception of the rebrand and make adjustments as needed without overwhelming customers.