If you shop a Walmart like millions of Americans do, you may have noticed Walmart’s “Great Value” brand has gotten a facelift. They’re new look not only feels more modern, but also looks more upscale.

In a press release on March 16, 2009, Wal-Mart explains how the downturn in the economy led them to redesign their brand to appeal to a wider market. More and more Americans are pinching pennies and looking for ways to save. Walmart hopes these people will turn to Great Value.

Not only did the outdated logo get a new look, but the products and packaging also underwent dramatic changes. Products were submitted to rigorous market testing, while packaging was reduced when possible to maintain the company’s sustainability commitments.

Walmart isn’t the only major retailer that saw an opportunity for growth during tough times. Target has also revamped its store brand to maintain consistency and recognition throughout the entire store. Target’s marketing campaign for Up & Up boasts that they carry over 600 products for under five bucks.

Did Target do the right thing by rebranding? Check out this blog post for an interesting take on the matter.

Personally, I think the brand change by both companies was a smart move. Both logos were outdated and inconsistent. Now both are clean, crisp and recognizable.

In my opinion, this was a great time to spend the budget on a revamp. People are saving more and spending less, and store brands are key to many a household budget.

If you’re thinking about rebranding to appeal to an audience that might use your product now when they never have before, follow these two giants’ lead and jump into the waters of change!

Today’s crazy market means that many online business owners must adapt to change. The public’s taste is changing, and so are budgets. People who could once afford your highest-priced items or services may no longer be able to spend money on them. How do you answer to such a tough call without lowering your prices? Simple. Revamp your website to draw budget-minded people in.

Here’s how to do it:

• Place your lower-priced products directly on the front page. Doing this will draw attention to the “thrifty” products you carry without cheapening your brand.
• Create and implement a marketing campaign featuring your lower-priced items or services. Spend a little money to do this if you need to. Show the public that you aren’t afraid to provide them with something they need and/or want for a price they can afford.
• Increase your “bang for the buck.” Instead of lowering prices, offer additional services or a more features with a product or service you already have. Then feature these new offerings on your product pages. If you’re a service business, develop packages that have true value for your budgeting clients. Blog and Twitter about your new packages, and feature them on your website.
• Offer something for free. How many times have you downloaded a free eBook or business checklist? Find out where your strengths lie and then give it to your potential customers! People love free stuff, and if the free item is good, they’ll come back for more.
• Put your contact information (or contact form) in an easily accessible place. Sounds simple, right? Think about how often you try to find a phone number for a company but have to click through 8 pages to find it. Not fun. Your potential clients will go elsewhere. Help them find you! Bonus if you include your phone number.
• Be focused. If you offer several different products or services, make sure your home page focuses on a theme. The easier it is to find things, the more sales you will make!
• Review your site. Keep this important fact in mind – your site is not built for YOU. It is built for your customers. Have several friends or even your current customers review your website. Then (mostly importantly) act on that feedback!
• Optimize! Make sure your keywords are relevant and working. Utilize Google Analytics to make the most of your SEO. The last thing you want right now is for Google to pass you by. Hire a pro to revamp your content or do some advanced SEO for your site. You won’t be disappointed.
• Be prepared to take a hit. Your sales might be down this year, so recognize that this is okay. Remember it could be far worse. Do what you can to draw customers in, but don’t feel like a failure if you’re not performing as well as you did last year.

Need help getting your site recession-ready? Contact Mad Hatter Design Company for help with graphic design, SEO, and custom blog design.

Ok so I’m no economist, but I do work in an industry that works closely with new businesses. Maybe you haven’t seen this, so I’m sharing my experience. I’m pretty sure I am living proof that Americans have the ability to turn this economy around with just a little bit of hard work.

My point? I’ve seen what is working in these times of hardship. The key is this: If something isn’t working, try something new.

Got laid off? Business failing? Get a new career. Go back to school. Start a new business. Do something you love for a change. Or take a chance and do something you don’t like because you know it will put food on the table. Work hard. Do SOMETHING.

The businesses I work with are finally starting to see the value of separating themselves from the pack. If their products aren’t selling, they’re offering a new product that caters to today’s green-minded and budget-minded public. If their marketing tactics aren’t working, they’re going for a truthful, direct approach to selling their goods and services.

This is the only way that businesses will survive. Some businesses will die out, and that’s just fine. The public is changing and so are their tastes. But the smart owners will tap into the next big thing (or the next new thing) to stay afloat.

It’s not that difficult to do something new. It just takes research and hard work. Find out where your talents can be used. Find out what the public needs and fill that need.

Don’t sit back and wait for the wave of layoffs if you know it’s inevitable. Be proactive and prepare yourself for the storm. An umbrella and a raincoat go a long way in the rain.

Like I said, I’m no economist, but I know what works. I’ve seen it, and I’ve done it.

To living!

Brianna
Owner and Mad Designer
Mad Hatter Design Company

We’d like to know – is this recession causing any downturn in online business or freelancing? Let us know if you’ve seen a decline, a rise, or no change at all! Also, please share your tips for staying on top during this time of job cuts and cutbacks all around!

Thanks for your input and advice!

P.S. Regarding Mad Hatter Design Co. – it really hasn’t affected my business either way. People are still starting up small businesses and I am getting requests for logos regularly. The only downturn I’ve seen is because of the Christmas season…but clients are booking for the first of the year instead.