As a brand, what is the benefit of creating a browser theme? People want to connect and they connect with what gives them comfort. We all spend a ton of time, if not the majority of our time on the internet as it is the fastest way in the world to send and receive information. Most of us use one of three browsers; IE, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome. Whether we are checking our email, updating our Facebook status, or facilitating business online, we want a browser that is not only visually stimulating, but also one that is based on something we are interested in.

A browser theme connects technology and information for the user and creates a strong connection between this target market and your brand. It increases engagement, drives traffic to your brand, and gives value; building a relationship with your consumers. As a brand, you need to understand what brings value to the user. For example, sports teams have passionate fans that look for many ways to display their loyalty to their “sports brand”. As a result, many sports teams have created branded browser themes to connect and stay engaged with their fans.

These sports browser themes allow a user to access information from that team’s webpage even when they are not actually visiting that page. For example, if a user is an Ohio State Buckeyes fan and they choose this theme, their entire browser will be based on the Buckeyes and by choosing this browser theme, it is like the user is always on the Ohio State Buckeyes web page. Even when they are not actually on their team’s webpage, they still always have access to any information on the internet that is related to the Buckeyes. This is why it is important for you to know what appeals to your fans. Find the visual elements your audience identifies with and use these in the themes you create. These can be mascots, colors, a logo, news updates, or entertainment. Try multiple designs and platforms to keep you in the top of mind for your users. By customizing their browsing experience, your business interacts with the consumer/user every time they access the Internet.

Marketing Benefits of Branded Browser Themes
Clients that have used custom branded browser themes have seen the following: 1,500 hours of exposure a year, 800% increase in site visits, 30%+ site users using the theme, 29% of clicks going to commerce offers or revenue generating sponsorships. On average a brand will see an increase of 8X the number of visitors to their website from fans who use their branded browser theme over fans who don’t. These are some amazing statistics and prove that branded browser themes can provide increased engagement with your fans.

Now that you know the benefits of branded browser themes, here are nine ways you can create a branded browser theme to meet the needs of both your business and your audience.

Nine Ways to Meet the Needs of Your Audience and Business Via Browser Themes.
1 – Know your value – what you have to offer to the user. Again, find the visual elements your audience identifies with and use these in the themes you create. Ex: mascots, sports teams, logos, art, news updates, or entertainment.
2 – Understand the needs/wants of the user. Know the best way for you as a brand, to reach the user as you want to create a platform for communication directly to your users.
3 -Market your value as this will establish a relationship with your consumers
4 – Building a relationship increases consumer engagement. Provide some design element in your theme that shows you can connect with your fans. For a sports team, maybe an image of famous athletes from that team.
5 – Engagement drives traffic. Make your theme interactive with elements individuals can click on to get to your site. If you’re a sports team, think about links to buying tickets or gear.
6 – Choose a browser theme that has creative design capabilities and customization beyond what other businesses are using; be competitive
7 – Customize. Make it possible for your business to interact with consumers/users through the browsing experience by developing multiple interactive browser designs and platforms. In result, the user will always have access to your theme no matter what they are doing online. Ex: Buckeye fans can receive updates on the Buckeyes no matter where they are surfing online.
8 – Giving the consumer options creates a strong connection between the target market and your brand. By creating a strong browser theme, one that is interactive and always takes the user back to your brand and any information surrounding it online, you will always be able to communicate directly with them.
9 – When technology and information are blended together they give the user what they need based on their interests and as a result establish value and brand loyalty.

About the Author: Patrick Murphy

Patrick Murphy is the founder and CEO of BrandThunder(BT). With its extreme makeovers for Internet browsers, BT creates persistent engagement between major brands and their online consumers. BT’s new platform, BT:Engage currently in private beta, gives everyone the tools to build and share their own browser themes. You can follow Patrick and Brand Thunder on Twitter or on Facebook.