When most business owners think about boosting sales, they think about pricing strategies, sales funnels, or advertising budgets. Design rarely makes the shortlist. But here's the truth: graphic design is quietly one of the most powerful sales tools you have, and underestimating it is costing you money.

When a small business owner needs a logo, a social media graphic, or a flyer, the temptation to DIY it is completely understandable. Tools like Canva make design accessible to everyone, and skipping the designer fee feels like a smart money move. But is it really?

Building a brand takes time, effort, and intention. But even the most well-meaning business owners can fall into common traps that quietly erode the trust and recognition they've worked so hard to build. Brand inconsistency is one of the biggest culprits behind stalled growth, and the frustrating part is that most businesses don't even realise they're doing it.

Ask most people to define branding and they'll point to a logo. And while a logo is certainly part of the equation, reducing branding to just a logo is like saying a house is just a front door. It's the entry point, yes, but it's not the whole story.