What is brand perception? Why is it important, and how can you measure it?

What is Brand Perception?

Brand perception is how people – whether they’re your customers or not – view your brand. It’s the opinion they have about your quality, your integrity, and your value system.

Brand perception is also how your customers feel when they come into contact with your brand – whether that’s your digital assets, physical products, or human capital. And it all boils down to a positive or negative association

Why is Brand Perception important?

Your brand perception is all about your reputation. When consumers have a positive perception of a brand, they are more likely to purchase from that brand, recommend it to others, and become loyal customers. Positive brand perception can also lead to increased brand equity and market share, which can be crucial for a company's long-term success.

Learn more - Brand Equity Examples

On the other hand, negative brand perception can be detrimental to a company's reputation and bottom line. Consumers may avoid purchasing from the brand, leave negative reviews, and tell others about their negative experiences. This can lead to decreased sales, damaged brand reputation, and difficulty attracting new customers.

Therefore, managing and maintaining a positive brand perception is crucial for companies that want to succeed in today's competitive marketplace. Companies need to monitor their brand perception regularly, identify areas where they can improve, and take steps to address any issues that may be negatively impacting their brand's image.

How to measure your current Brand Perception

First things first, you need to know how your customers perceive your brand. It’s virtually impossible to know what you need to change or what things to continue doing, otherwise. This includes both their thoughts and their feelings about your brand

There are a few initial steps you can do to discover how your customers feel about your brand. One really great – and simple – way is to talk to people. Reach out to your customers and ask them questions like:

• What is your overall opinion of our brand?
• What has your experience been like, recently?
• What specifically do you like about us?
• What do you dislike?
• Would you be likely to recommend our brand to friends and family?

Following this, you can follow more dedicated steps in measuring brand perception. Here are some common ways to measure your current brand perception:

Brand Surveys

Conducting surveys is a straightforward way to gather feedback from your customers and understand their perception of your brand. You can use tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to create a survey and send it to your email list or social media followers.

Online reviews

Monitoring online reviews on platforms such as Google, Yelp, or social media can give you insight into how customers perceive your brand. You can track the number of positive and negative reviews, respond to feedback, and take action to address any negative comments.

Social media monitoring

Social media is an excellent platform to track what people are saying about your brand. You can use social listening tools such as Hootsuite or Brandwatch to monitor mentions of your brand, track sentiment, and engage with customers.

Website analytics

Monitoring website traffic, bounce rates, and engagement metrics can give you an idea of how customers perceive your brand online. You can use tools like Google Analytics to track these metrics and make data-driven decisions to improve your website and overall brand perception.

Net Promoter Score (NPS)

NPS is a widely used metric to measure customer loyalty and brand perception. It is calculated by asking customers how likely they are to recommend your brand to others on a scale of 0-10. A high NPS score indicates that customers have a positive perception of your brand and are likely to recommend it to others.

By using these methods, you can get a better understanding of your current brand perception and take action to improve it

How is Brand Perception formed by consumers?

Brand perception is formed by various factors, and understanding these factors is essential for any business that wants to build a positive image and reputation. In this section, we will explore how brand perception is formed by consumers and the various sensory and cue-related factors that contribute to it.

Sight

Visual elements such as colors, packaging, and logos can have a significant impact on brand perception. Consumers tend to associate certain colors with particular emotions, such as red with excitement or blue with trust. A brand's logo and packaging can also convey important information about the brand's values and positioning.

Sound

Audio cues, such as jingles or background music in advertisements, can also impact brand perception. Certain sounds can trigger emotional responses and create associations with the brand. For example, a jingle that is catchy and memorable can help consumers remember the brand and associate it with positive emotions.

Smell

Smell can also play a role in brand perception, particularly in the food and beverage industry. The aroma of a product can impact consumers' perception of its taste and quality. For example, the smell of freshly baked bread can create a perception of quality and freshness.

Taste

In the food and beverage industry, taste is a crucial factor in brand perception. Consumers associate taste with quality and consistency. If a product consistently delivers a positive taste experience, consumers are more likely to perceive the brand positively.

Touch

The tactile experience of a product can also impact brand perception. The texture and feel of a product can create an association with quality and luxury. For example, a soft and luxurious fabric can create a perception of high-end quality.

Social Cues

Social cues, such as word of mouth and online reviews, can also impact brand perception. Consumers are more likely to trust the opinions of their peers than a brand's marketing messages. Positive reviews and recommendations can help to build a positive perception of the brand.

6 Keys steps to improve Brand Perception

Improving your brand perception takes time and effort, but it's an essential component of building a successful business. Here are some 6 key steps on how to improve it.

1. Define Your Brand

Before you can improve your brand perception, you need to clearly define what your brand stands for. What are your values, your mission, and your unique selling proposition? Once you have a clear understanding of your brand, you can begin to develop a strategy to improve your brand perception.

3. Focus on the Customer

Your brand perception is ultimately determined by your customers. Focus on creating a positive experience for them, from the moment they first interact with your brand to long after they've made a purchase. Ask for feedback and respond to any concerns or complaints promptly.

3. Consistency Is Key

Consistency is crucial when it comes to branding. Your brand should be consistent across all channels, from your website to your social media profiles to your packaging. Make sure that your messaging, tone, and visuals are all aligned, so that customers have a clear understanding of your brand.

Brand guidelines can play a vital role in ensuring a consistent and positive brand image. By providing clear guidelines and templates for all branding materials, brand guidelines can help ensure that all brand touchpoints, such as logos, typography, and color schemes, are consistent across all channels.

4. Tell Your Brand Story

People connect with stories, so use your brand's story to your advantage. Share your history, your values, and your vision with customers. This can help to create an emotional connection between your brand and your audience.

5. Build Relationships

Building relationships with customers is key to creating a positive brand perception. Engage with customers on social media, offer personalized recommendations, and provide exceptional customer service. By building relationships, you can create a loyal customer base that will help to spread positive word-of-mouth about your brand.

6. Be Authentic

Finally, be authentic in your branding. Customers can quickly spot a brand that is trying too hard to be something it's not. Be true to your values and your mission, and let your brand's personality shine through.

Conclusion

Making sure your brand perception is ‘just right’ can be challenging, especially now that we’re entering a decade defined by the customer experience. But, by following the steps covered in this guide, you’ll be able keep your brand perception on the right track – boosting your customer loyalty and driving up sales.