Branding can make or break a business, whether it is a large corporation such as Apple or Coca Cola, a B2B company, or for that matter, a small online store. Developing a branding strategy that gives you a leg up over the competition can make all the difference, especially in a crowded marketplace, where there is little to set you apart from your competition. It is branding that makes your product or service more than just a commodity. Branding decides whether a business survives or gets cast aside – not developing an effective branding strategy is one of the reasons for new startups to have a failure rate of 80%. So what is branding and how can your small business develop a brand that works? A brand is essentially a promise made by a business to its customers. Every business conveys a message through its branding strategy, about the quality and effectiveness of its products and services, and what differentiates its offerings from those of the competition. As a small busi...