11 NDIS Branding Mistakes I Had No Idea About!

By The Pink Haired Lady

Alright, buckle up, because we’re about to rip the band-aid off when it comes to branding mistakes! 🚀 If you think branding is just about slapping on a logo and picking your favourite colour—honey, I’ve got news for you.

With Konnect Fest exploding across Australia, my world has been moving at lightning speed. The NDIS industry has forced me to learn, pivot, and grow in ways I never imagined. I had to surround myself with the right people and the right knowledge, and guess what? The universe delivered BIG TIME.

I crossed paths with a couple of marketing geniuses (or absolute lunatics, still deciding) from Good Things Happen. Every time we chat; they blow my mind with insights that make me rethink everything I thought I knew about branding. 

Since we built Konnect Fest branding from scratch, I’ve picked up thousands of juicy tips, tricks, and hacks that NDIS providers NEED to hear!

As an NDIS provider, your brand isn't just a logo—it's the foundation of trust, credibility, and recognition in a highly regulated industry. So, let me save you from my mistakes and spill the tea on the 11 biggest branding blunders NDIS providers make (and how to fix them!).

1. Your Brand Colours Might Be Turning Clients Away

Colour psychology has changed drastically with digital algorithms influencing brand perception. A recent study by the Institute of Colour Research found that people make subconscious judgments about a product within 10 seconds, and 90% of that assessment is based on colour alone. If your brand colours aren’t aligned with trust, care, and reliability, you might be losing clients before they even read about your services.

🔹 Fix it: Certain colours communicate trust and reliability, which are critical in the NDIS space.

• Blue: Stability, trust, and professionalism—often used in healthcare and disability services.

• Green: Growth, care, and inclusivity—great for organisations focused on well-being.

• Purple: Wisdom, dignity, and independence—ideal for services supporting empowerment.

• Yellow: Optimism and energy but be cautious—it can also signal caution.

• Red: Can be alarming if overused, but effective when applied strategically for action-driven messaging. Use online tools like Adobe Colours to find a balanced and psychology-backed palette that resonates with your participants and families. Avoid using too much red in healthcare branding, as it can trigger anxiety.

2. Your Logo is Failing the Simplicity Test

A logo should be instantly recognisable, whether it’s on a business card or a billboard. The Harvard Business Review found that simple logos are more memorable and create stronger brand recall. If your logo is too detailed, outdated, or inconsistent across platforms, it’s hurting your brand.

🔹 Fix it: Your logo should be:

• Simple: Avoid clutter—logos with too many elements can be hard to recognise.

• Meaningful: Circular logos suggest inclusivity, straight lines represent structure, and wavy designs indicate flexibility and approachability.

• Accessible: Ensure strong contrast and legible typography—thin fonts can imply instability, while bold fonts convey confidence.

• Versatile: It should work in black and white, on signage, uniforms, and digital platforms. If your logo doesn’t look clear on a business card, it’s time for a refresh.—circles evoke inclusivity, straight lines signal strength, and waves represent flexibility. 

3. Your Branding is Inconsistent Across Platforms

Studies show that consistent brand presentation increases revenue by 23% (Forbes). If your website looks one way, your social media another, and your marketing materials don’t match—your brand lacks credibility.

🔹 Fix it: Create a Brand Style Guide to standardize your logo usage, font pairings, colour codes, and tone of voice. Use a free tool like Canva Brand Kit or a professional brand book to maintain brand integrity across all platforms.

4. Your Website Looks Outdated & Untrustworthy

Did you know 75% of consumers judge a business’s credibility based on website design (Stanford University)? If your website looks like it was built in the early 2000s, potential clients might assume your services are outdated too.

🔹 Fix it: Your website should load in under three seconds—use Google Page Speed Insights to check. Mobile responsiveness is key, as 70% of web traffic comes from phones. Ensure easy navigation, clear CTAs, and high-contrast colours for accessibility. Make sure it’s mobile-optimised and loads quickly to retain visitors.

5. Your Brand Message is Vague or Confusing

A clear brand message is crucial. Studies by Nielsen Norman Group show that visitors leave a website in 20-30 seconds if they don’t find a compelling reason to stay.

🔹 Fix it: Your brand message should be clear, concise, and participant-focused. Use this structure:

• Who you help: Identify your target audience (e.g., "We support NDIS participants and their families...")

• What you do: Clearly state your key service (e.g., "...by providing high-quality, person-centered support...")

• Why it matters: Reinforce the impact (e.g., "...so they can live independently with dignity and choice.") Test it with your audience—if they don’t immediately understand what you do, it needs refining.: “We help [ideal client] achieve [specific goal] by providing [service].” Example: “We help NDIS providers build trust and visibility through expert branding and content.” Keep it short, clear, and client-focused. that explains who you are, what you do, and why you’re different.

6. You’re Using Generic Stock Photos

Stock images might be convenient, but they often feel impersonal and staged. Research from MDG Advertising found that authentic images perform 35% better than stock photos.

🔹 Fix it: Hire a professional photographer for team, client and services photos or use authentic, diverse imagery from “Unsplash”. Ensure images are high resolution and properly lit, avoiding forced stock poses that feel impersonal of your team, clients, and work environment to build trust and credibility.

6. You’re Using Generic Stock Photos

Stock images might be convenient, but they often feel impersonal and staged. Social media and search engine algorithms prioritise original content—Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn reward brands that use authentic images because they want to promote genuine, engaging content that keeps users on their platforms longer. Research from MDG Advertising found that authentic images perform 55% better than stock photos, meaning that using original visuals could increase engagement and visibility for your NDIS brand.

🔹 Fix it: To make sure your visuals are helping—not hurting—your brand:

• Ensure high resolution and proper lighting—poor-quality images can make your brand appear unprofessional.

• If you must use stock images, customise them—add text overlays, branding, or combine them with original visuals.

• Regularly update your website and social media with fresh content, as platforms prefer new images over repetitive, overused ones.

7. You’re Not Leveraging Social Media for Brand Awareness

Social media isn’t just a tool for sharing updates—it’s where your organisation can build trust, demonstrate impact, and engage with participants, families, and the broader NDIS community. Research shows that 60% of people check a brand’s social media before deciding to engage with them (Facebook Business Insights). 

🔹 Fix it: Schedule posts in advance using tools like Later or Buffer to ensure consistency. Incorporate these key content types:

• Good news stories: Share participant successes (with consent) to show the real impact of your services.

• Behind-the-scenes content: Let people see the dedication of your team and the heart behind your work.

• Educational posts: Simplify complex NDIS processes and provide helpful information for participants and families.

• Community appreciation: Thank staff, celebrate milestones, and recognise contributions to foster engagement.

• Call-to-action campaigns: Make it easy for people to enquire about services or participate in events.

8. You’re Speaking in Industry Jargon

If your audience can’t understand what you do within a few seconds, they’ll move on. Studies show that clear, simple language improves engagement by 40% (Plain Language Association International).

🔹 Fix it: Swap industry jargon for plain language. Instead of saying 'capacity-building frameworks,' say 'helping clients gain more independence.' Use tools like Hemingway Editor to simplify your messaging for readability. Keep it clear, concise, and relatable.

9. You’re Not Using Video Marketing

Video content drives 1200% more engagement than text and images combined (Forrester Research). If you’re not using videos, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to connect with your audience.

🔹 Fix it: Video content is essential for building trust in the NDIS space. Start small:

• 30-second introductions: Show your team’s warmth and professionalism.

• Day-in-the-life videos: Share what participants can expect from your services.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Address common concerns about funding, eligibility, and support options. Use tools like InShot or CapCut to add captions (since most videos are watched without sound). Keep videos authentic, accessible, and informative. (30-60 sec) on FAQs or client success stories. Use easy editing apps like InShot or CapCut to add captions (85% of social videos are watched without sound). Make it engaging but professional.—short, engaging intro videos about your team and services go a long way.

10. Your Brand is Not Accessible

Branding isn’t just about visuals; it’s about inclusivity. Over 4.4 million Australians have a disability, and if your branding isn’t accessible, you could be alienating a large audience.

🔹 Fix it: Accessibility isn’t optional—it’s essential in the NDIS industry. Ensure:

• Readable fonts: Minimum size 16px, with high contrast.

• Colour contrast compliance: Check with WebAIM Contrast Checker.

• Alt text for images: Descriptions for visually impaired users.

• Captioned videos: Many users rely on captions for comprehension. Providing accessible branding not only expands your reach but also shows you are committed to inclusion and best practice.—use fonts that are at least 16px, contrast ratios above 4.5:1, and add alt-text descriptions to images. Check accessibility using the WebAIM Contrast Checker., and alt-text for images** to make your content inclusive for everyone.

11. You’re Not Including Clear Calls to Action

If you’re not telling people what to do next, they won’t do anything. Websites with strong CTAs increase conversions by 80% (HubSpot).

🔹 Fix it: Instead of generic CTAs like "Contact Us," be specific and participant-focused:

• “Book a Consultation with Our Support Team” (encourages immediate action).

• “Find Out How We Can Support Your NDIS Plan” (relevant and value-driven).

• “Join Our Inclusive Community Today” (fosters belonging and engagement). Place CTAs strategically: on your homepage, service pages, and social media profiles. Make it easy for families to take the next step.. Instead of “Contact Us,” say “Book a Free Consultation Today” or “Download Your Free Branding Checklist.” Place CTAs above the fold and repeat them at least twice per page., social post, and marketing material with a clear, compelling CTA—book a consultation, follow on social media, or download a free guide.

Final Thoughts

Branding is so much more than a logo and colours—it’s about how people see, feel, and trust your business. If you’re making these mistakes (don’t worry, I did too!), it’s time for a brand glow-up.

Luckily, my marketing soulmates at Good Things Happen specialise in NDIS branding, websites, and social media content that actually works. If you think your brand needs some TLC, hit them up!

📩 Contact Good Things Happen: hello@goodthingshappen.com.au

 📢 Special Offer: Mention my name for a 5% discount on any of their branding services!