Why Brand Values Matter More Than You Think
When you’re just starting out, brand values can feel like a “nice-to-have” rather than an essential. But here’s the truth: your brand values are the DNA of your business. They influence:
- How you make decisions
- How customers see you
- How your team communicates
- How your marketing sounds
Without clear values, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing trends, copying competitors, or sending mixed messages. Customers in the UK are more likely to choose businesses whose values align with their own, so getting this right is crucial.
What Do We Mean by Brand Values?
Brand values are your guiding principles—the beliefs and priorities that shape how you present yourself in the world. They aren’t fluffy slogans; they’re actionable.
Examples of strong values:
- Customer-first – making decisions that always put service quality first
- Innovation – never standing still, always looking for new solutions
- Sustainability – committing to eco-friendly practices
- Honesty – clear, upfront communication with customers
The key is that your values should be genuine. Don’t choose sustainability just because it’s trendy if you’re not prepared to back it up with action.
How to Define Your Brand Values: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a simple, practical way to uncover your brand values.
Step 1: Look at Your “Why”
Ask yourself: Why did I start this business? Was it to solve a problem, bring people joy, create change, or fill a gap in the market? Your motivation often points directly to your values.
Tip: Write down three sentences that explain why you started. Circle the words that stand out.
Step 2: Think About Your Ideal Customer
What do your customers care about most? Speed? Price? Quality? Creativity? Aligning with them helps your brand connect faster.
Tip: Imagine your best customer. Write down what values they’d expect in a business they trust.
Step 3: Brainstorm 5–7 Words
Choose words that describe your business personality. Examples: reliable, bold, ethical, fun, affordable.
Tip: If you struggle, ask colleagues, friends, or even loyal customers how they’d describe you.
Step 4: Narrow It Down
Cut your list down to 3–4 values. Any more and it becomes hard to stay consistent.
Tip: Test each one by asking: Can I demonstrate this value every day? If not, it’s probably not right.
Step 5: Put Them Into Action
Values only work if they’re visible.
- Add them to your website
- Train your team around them
- Reflect them in customer service and marketing
Tip: Check each new piece of content or campaign against your values. Does it fit? If not, rework it.
Real-World Example
Innocent Drinks are brilliant at this. Their values — natural, healthy, and playful — show up everywhere. From cheeky packaging copy to their eco-conscious campaigns, customers don’t just buy smoothies; they buy into Innocent’s fun, ethical outlook.
How We Tailor Our Approach
At Digital Hype, we make sure values feel practical, not overwhelming:
- Small Businesses & Startups – We help you keep it simple with 3 core values that drive growth.
- SMEs – We create brand guidelines to ensure your values are consistently communicated across all channels.
- Corporates – We refine existing values and embed them in campaigns and training.
- Personal/Hobby Projects – We bring your passion to life through meaningful values that customers recognise.
Discover our Social Media Marketing services to learn how values inform content tone and engagement.
Service-by-Budget Guide
| Budget Level | What We Deliver |
| £500–£1,000 | Brand values workshop + simple guidelines |
| £1,000–£3,000 | Values-driven identity design & messaging |
| £3,000–£10,000 | Integrated marketing campaigns built on your values |
| £10,000+ | Company-wide strategy embedding values in all departments |
See our SEO company services to showcase your values-driven brand online.
Struggling to Define Your Brand Values?
We guide businesses across Bournemouth, Poole, Dorset, and UK-wide to uncover and apply values that build trust and loyalty.
Let’s Define Your Brand ValuesFAQs About Brand Values
1. How many brand values should I choose?
Stick to 3–4. Too many and it becomes confusing.
2. Can my values change later?
Yes, they can evolve, but your core beliefs should stay consistent.
3. Should I share values publicly?
Definitely, transparency helps customers trust you.
4. What if my competitors use the same values?
It’s about how you live them, not just list them. That’s where you stand out.
5. Can I define values on my own?
Yes, but workshops or feedback from others often reveal insights you’d miss.
6. Do values really influence marketing?
Yes—they shape everything from tone of voice to campaign messaging.
7. How do I make sure staff follow our values?
Train them, use examples, and reward behaviours that reflect your values.
8. Do values really affect sales?
Absolutely. Values create loyalty, and loyalty drives repeat purchases.
Putting Your Brand Values Into Action
Here’s the thing: brand values only matter if you live them out. I’ve worked with numerous businesses in Bournemouth and across the UK that thought they had values, neatly written on a page, but they weren’t being reflected in their day-to-day decisions. Customers notice that disconnect instantly.
The real magic happens when your values guide everything: the way you answer the phone, the way your website copy reads, and even the way you handle tricky customer moments. That’s when people start saying, “I trust this brand. I’ll stick with them.”
So don’t overthink it. Start small. Write down three values you can honestly commit to and let them shape your marketing from today. Over time, those values won’t just define your brand, they’ll become the reason customers stay loyal to you.
Discover our Content Marketing services to help you turn your values into stories that customers actually remember.
