--- title: Protecting your brand identity description: Just like identities, brands can be stolen. Learn some of the basics on safeguarding your brand and domain name so you don't have to worry about it. image: https://320867.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/320867/blog-image-uploads/protect-your-brand.png --- $15,000 web design grant from ArcStone [![Apply Now](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/320867/fbbcda94-7c24-4963-a9ff-46e94ea03955.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/320867/fbbcda94-7c24-4963-a9ff-46e94ea03955) [ArcStone](https://320867.hs-sites.com/) - [Impact](https://info.arcstone.com/impact) - [Work](https://info.arcstone.com/work) - [About](https://info.arcstone.com/about-arcstone) - [Careers](https://info.arcstone.com/careers) - [Services](https://info.arcstone.com/services/) - [Web Design & Development](https://info.arcstone.com/services/web-design-and-development) - [Web Hosting & Email](https://info.arcstone.com/services/web-hosting-and-email) - [Accessibility & Inclusive Design](https://info.arcstone.com/services/accessibility-inclusive-design) - [Digital Marketing & Strategy](https://info.arcstone.com/services/digital-marketing-and-strategy) - [Membership Management](https://info.arcstone.com/services/membership-management) - [Online Webinars & Events](https://info.arcstone.com/events) - [Blog](https://320867.hs-sites.com/blog) - [Contact](https://info.arcstone.com/contact-us) ### Categories # Protecting your brand identity By Chloe Mark | March 2018 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![protect-your-brand](https://320867.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/320867/blog-image-uploads/protect-your-brand.png) You’ve worked hard to create and build a strong brand. Your brand sets you apart from the competition, increases awareness, builds loyalty, and so much more. Unfortunately, now, more than ever before, opportunists are finding ways to hack your brand and use it to their advantage. That’s why it’s critical that you protect your brand and all that it stands for. [![Web Design Grant](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/320867/43ec87de-7e47-454c-8287-0b74efe38893.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/320867/43ec87de-7e47-454c-8287-0b74efe38893) ## Use these six steps to protect your brand identity. ### 1. Buy other versions of your domain name. If your domain name is a .com, consider purchasing .org, .net, .info, etc. as well. This will keep others from taking advantage of your hard work. You can check to see if a domain name is available by going to [Whois.net](https://www.whois.net/).  ### 2. Claim your brand name popular social media platforms. Even if it’s not your plan to have a presence on Twitter, protect your brand by securing your name there. There are lots of sites like [NameChk.com](https://namechk.com/) that let you check username availability. ### 3. Copyright your logo and name You can also make sure that others can’t use your logo or brand by filing a copyright. Visit [https://www.copyright.gov/](https://www.copyright.gov/) to learn more. ### 3. Monitor your brand. Enlist tools like [Social Mention](http://www.socialmention.com), [Google Alerts](http://google.com/alerts), and [Image Raider](https://www.imageraider.com/) to monitor your brand. #### Pro tip: Monitoring mentions of your brand reveal opportunities for building links to your site. ### 4. Regularly audit who is linking to your site. Poor quality backlinks not only reflect poorly on your brand, they can be detrimental to your SEO efforts. We like [SEMRush.com](https://www.semrush.com/), [Moz.com](https://moz.com/), and [Google Search Console](https://www.google.com/webmasters/#?modal_active=none) for reviewing backlinks. ### 5. Establish brand guidelines. Write brand guidelines, share them, and more importantly, make sure that everyone on your team use them. Brand guidelines will make sure that everyone uses your brand elements consistently and properly. Your brand is much more than your logo. A strong brand can make or break your success. Taking steps to protect your brand will pay off long term. Topics: [Digital](https://320867.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/digital), [Digital Marketing](https://320867.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing), [Design and Technology](https://320867.hs-sites.com/blog/topic/design-and-technology) ![Dan Olson](https://www.arcstone.com/hubfs/dolson.jpg) ## Talk to a Digital Strategist Questions about your project? We can help. 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