“When do I need to start looking at branding if I’m wanting to launch my business in 2026?”

You think you’ve gotten ahead for your 2026 business launch/rebrand. But the truth is? You’re most likely 10 steps behind, whether you like it or not. Now you’re probably thinking, “Mariah, what the hell does this have to do with branding and 2026?” Well, let me tell you! 2026 is only 4 months away. Within those 4 months there are 19 weeks, 135 days, and 3 holidays. Sounds like plenty of time, right? But do you know how long branding and web design actually take?

Branding Takes Time (Way More Than You Think)

A lot of people look at brand design as just a logo and boom—we’re done. But that just isn’t the truth. Branding is so. much. more. than that!

Branding always starts with finding your brand’s voice. What do you want your brand to say to potential customers? That alone takes about a week and a half. From there, we hand it off to a copywriter who’ll craft the words for your website. That usually takes two weeks, happening simultaneously while we start building your brand identity.

There’s the golden word: BRAND. IDENTITY.
What the hell is it, and why do you need it?

Brand identity is exactly what it sounds like—it’s how people out in the wild recognize your brand. While a lot of people think it’s just a logo, it’s so much more. Sure, it starts with a logo. Buuuuttttt… what else do you notice when you’re looking at a brand you love? You’re probably vibing with their color palette that ties everything together. You notice their fonts are consistent across the board. Maybe their photos all share a specific look or vibe. Or their packaging has patterns that echo their logo in a clever way.

That’s the brand identity! And all those pieces take time. A solid identity can take a seasoned designer 6–8 weeks. 6–8 weeks! You only have 19 left in the year!

So let’s do the math: after an 8-week branding process, you’re left with 11 weeks. Now you’re probably thinking, “Well, Mariah, 11 weeks is still plenty of time… this doesn’t sound that urgent.”

Oh my dear friend. The 8 weeks was just the branding side of launching a business. How do you think your customers are going to find you? By an owl flying through their window? We’re not in Hogwarts.

You need a website that not only matches your brand but also works for you. One that drives traffic through SEO, guides people through your site step by step, and tells them exactly what to do. A well-developed, multi-page site can take up to 8 weeks depending on complexity—number of pages, functionality, SEO optimization, etc. That’s another 8 weeks on top of your branding.

Now you’re at 16 weeks, with only 3 left in the year. And those 3 weeks aren’t wasted—they’re when you start learning and implementing your brand, warming up your audience, and getting hyped for your 2026 launch.

Future-You Will Thank Present-You

I promise you, when January 2026 rolls around and you’re getting ready to launch, your future self is going to thank present-you. Because YOU thought ahead. YOU invested in your brand. YOU gave it time to grow into something people will talk about, not just another DIY logo slapped on a cup or sign.

Do your future self a favor—let’s get your brand and website started now.