If you thought that a brand platform was just a logo and a cool punchline, think again! Behind this somewhat pomposous term hides an essential element of any brand strategy, a real strategic lever that can propel a company... or condemn it to anonymity. Apple, Evian, nike... they all have a brand platform that's as solid as reinforced concrete, and that's no coincidence.
You can also call it a “brandbook.” Overall, it is the synthesis of your brand: from its positioning to its visual deployment.
But then, how much should you invest to build one that sticks? A few thousand euros with a freelancer? A startup budget with an agency? Or even the price of a yacht for a CAC 40 box? And above all, what justifies these price differences?
In this article, we decipher you The real costs of a brand platform, which increases the bill (or not). Spoiler: a good brand platform is much more than a simple document, it is a strategic task, designed to help your company attract its target audience and differentiate itself sustainably. 🚀
Imagine walking into an ultra-stylish restaurant. The decor is great, the atmosphere is great... but it's impossible to know what they are for. No menu, no explanations. You ask the waiter, who answers you vaguely “we do a bit of everything”. Atmosphere of total confusion. Result? You leave without ordering.
A brand platform is exactly what avoids this kind of situation... but in the business world. It defines who you are, what you offer, and why you do it. It is the foundation on which all your communication and marketing approach is based.
👉 Without it, your brand may be fuzzy, illegible... and above all forgotten.
A good brand platform allows you to share a clear vision, to build a strong image and to guarantee consistency in all your speeches. It is often formalized in a reference file, which is used for your entire company. The latter allows meet the expectations of your target by promoting your products or services in a powerful and differentiating way.
Whether you are a fast-growing startup or a well-established company, setting a clear foundation allows you to attract the right customers, federate a community and stand out from the competition. Do you want to go further? Discover our complete guide to create an impacting brand identity. 🚀
In a world where everyone sells the same thing, how can you explain that some brands explode while others go completely unnoticed? The answer often comes down to one thing: their brand platform.
✅ Notoriety : You think of Apple, Nike or Evian before you even see their ads. Why? Because they have a very clear positioning and a strong identity.
✅ Brand image : A brand that exudes consistency and well-defined values inspires confidence and attracts its ideal customers more easily.
✅ Loyalty : When a brand doesn't just sell, but tells a story and has a vision, its customers become true ambassadors.
So why do some businesses break through while others struggle? A well-thought-out brand platform can make all the difference. We talk about this in detail in This article on how to boost your branding.
Okay, we understood that it is a must. But what do we put in? 🤔
🎯 A well-thought-out strategy : The brand platform is based on a clear methodology, such as the famous Golden Circle by Simon Sinek. Because yes, before saying what you are doing, you must first know why you are doing it.
🗣️ A ripping tone of voice : Are you more of a premium and elegant brand, or a fun and accessible startup? Defining the voice and personality of your brand is key to not being like everyone else.
🎨 A solid graphic charter : Colors, fonts, logos... everything that allows you to be identifiable at first glance. We don't want bland branding that you forget in a second.
📜 Rules of use and projection : The brand platform is not only used to look good on a PDF doc. It should be a clear guide for all future corporate communication.
💡 Do you get the idea? A well-built platform is a bit like your GPS for the future: it avoids going in all directions and it gives real coherence to your brand. 🚀
Ah, the big question: “How much does it cost?” 🤔 We would like to answer you with a fixed price, but the reality is that it depends. A bit like for a car: between a used Twingo and a state-of-the-art Tesla, there is a world.
⏳ Average time
💰 Price range
It's a bit like hesitating between cooking your meal or going to a gourmet restaurant. Freelancing is often quick and efficient, but agency is a complete menu with starter, main course, dessert and digestive.
✅ A freelancer will usually work on either strategy or design, but rarely both with the same expertise.
✅ An agency offers a more global approach with several experts (strategy, design, writing, digital...).
✅ A high-end studio or agency can even go so far as to create the website and launch communication. The choice therefore depends on your ambitions and your budget.
Do you want to see the concrete steps to design a brand platform with an agency? Take a look at our guide . You can also push to book a call with the studio to get a quote for the creation of your brand platform.
At Studio Elias, we have a philosophy of our own: no endless processes or 150-slide PowerPoint presentations. We get to the point, and above all, we deliver quickly ⚡.
🔹 Our secret?
We did it for us, and we did it for our customers. Do you need support that doesn't take long? There we are. 💪
Creating a brand platform is not just a fun marketing exercise to have a great PowerPoint presentation. It is a powerful strategic lever that impacts your entire business: from your communication to your internal culture. Here is how a good brand platform influences each pillar of your business
Without a brand platform, every speech is a bit lucky. A LinkedIn post may seem ultra-corporate, while an advertising campaign will be very offbeat... and in the end, customers don't really understand who you are.
With a well-defined brand platform:
👉 Need examples? Nike, Innocent and Patagonia master this art to perfection.
If your branding is unclear, your marketing campaigns will be less effective and more expensive. Why? Because you will have to re-explain who you are and what you offer each time.
✅ With a solid brand platform:
📌 Concrete example : Apple doesn't sell computers, they sell a universe. Their marketing does not revolve around technical specifications, but on emotion, innovation and excellence.
In a saturated market, it's not always the best product that wins... it's the brand that has the most impact.
✅ With a well-defined brand platform:
💡 Why does Red Bull sell cans for €2 when other energy drinks cost €1? Because they're not just selling a drink, they're selling lifestyle, adrenaline, and a powerful universe.
The brand platform doesn't just impact the outside world: it also influences how your teams perceive your business.
✅ With a well-defined brand platform:
📌 Example : At Google, corporate culture is based on innovation and audacity. Every employee knows they're working for a brand that encourages creativity and risk taking. Result? Top motivation.
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Without a brand platform, every evolution of your business is a risk. Do you rotate? Are you internationalizing? Are you launching a new range? If your brand doesn't have a solid foundation, every change can blur your image.
✅ With a strong brand platform:
📌 Example : Tesla first sold electric cars... then extended its offer to household batteries, solar panels and soon to AI. Their DNA of innovation and disruption allows them to diversify without losing their identity.
When we talk about a brand platform, some still think that it's just a nice graphic charter with a well-crafted logo. Big mistake. 🤦
A brand platform is much more than aesthetics. It is a real strategic tool that serves as a compass for all the communication and marketing of a company. So, before looking only at the price, here are the crucial elements that should not be overlooked (and that many forget in their budget).
A brand platform is not just a logo!
💡 Imagine a sports car without an engine. Sounds cool, but it's not progressing. A logo alone is the same. It can be beautiful, but without a well-defined brand strategy, it's of little use.
The essentials not to forget:
✅ A real strategy and a clear positioning: Where is your brand located in the market? What is your unique promise?
✅ A defined communication tone: Are you fun, serious, premium, quirky? That's what makes the difference between a brand with a real personality and a bland brand.
✅ Rules of application and a projection on the future: Your brand must be consistent on all media and capable of evolving without losing its identity.
In short, a brand platform is a mix between a concrete foundation and an ultra-practical guide for the whole company. And to build a solid one, you have to look beyond the simple logo. Good branding is an investment, not an expense."But €10,000 for a brand platform is expensive!” Yes... but no. Because good branding pays off. Brands that explode are those with strong and assertive branding.
Apple : They don't sell phones, they sell a unique experience and a lifestyle.
nike : They don't sell sneakers, they sell identity and motivation (“Just Do It”).
Evian : They're not just selling water, they're selling a promise of youth and purity. 🧐 Why are they so popular? Because they have invested heavily in their branding and brand platform.
Result? Strengthened customer loyalty, unparalleled reputation and optimized conversions. In short, putting a real budget on your branding is a winning strategic choice in the long term.
❌ Taking an approach that is too superficial Making a brand platform in 3 hours with ChatGPT or an automatic generator is like wanting to build a house with ice cream sticks. That'll last two weeks, max.
❌ Forget to include your employees in the process If the vision comes only from the CEO without consulting the team, hello disconnection with reality. The brand platform must be a unifying tool that speaks to employees as well as customers.
❌ Do not think about future brand developments Your business will grow, evolve, maybe even pivot. If your brand platform is not flexible and scalable, you will have to start all over again in 2 years... and now, it will cost even more.
👉 Moral: a brand platform isn't just a pretty PDF. It is a strategic investment that must be considered over the long term. And for that, it is better to surround yourself well.
We often talk about a brand platform as a strategic concept, but in concrete terms, what do we get at the end? 🤔 A nice PDF? An ultra-technical presentation? A list of reusable items? Here's what to expect as deliverables:
A structured and clear document
A strong and coherent visual identity
An application and user guide
A foundation for all future communication
💡 The objective: to have a document that does not remain in a drawer, but that becomes a real work tool for your entire team.
👉 And if you want to see how this is applied in practice, we talk about it in our article on the steps to build an effective brand platform in agencies.
If you have made it this far, you have understood that a brand platform is not just a line in a marketing budget, but a real growth engine for your business. 💡 It helps you differentiate yourself, attract the right customers, and build a strong and memorable brand.
Of course, everything depends on your ambitions and your resources. You can opt for a freelancer if your budget is tight, or use a specialized agency for a more comprehensive approach. But one thing is certain: a well-thought-out brand platform is an investment that pays off.
And if you're looking for an agency that won't sell you an endless process and boring PowerPoints, you're in the right place. At Studio Elias, we get straight to the point, with an agile methodology, concrete results and a brand that really suits you.
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