Years ago, as I was just getting started in my design career, I used to tell people that Coca-Cola owned red.

Target is going out of its way to push this idea out of my head. And they have the means by which to do it. Means that Coca-Cola can’t have unless they start opening up their own retail environments offering someone else’s stuff.

This weekend as the family was shopping at our favorite retail conglomerate, we happened across the latest installment of the Target brand philosophy that has so often graced the shelves: Red Peeps. Exclusively at Target.

Of course.

Exclusive Target Red Peeps. Now why didn’t WE think of that?

I’ll tell you why: because we’re not a national, multi-billion dollar household name. Not that we don’t want to be, mind you.

The fact that Target has been able to influence a higher level of clients with brand awareness has been unmatched in the past 20 years. OK, maybe Starbuck’s. However, with Starbuck’s, the reach is considerably smaller and is, not surprisingly, etched into the Target brand by being located in every one of them by the end of this decade. Makes sense to me.

Keep your eyes peeled for those “exclusively at Target” items (toys, clothes, and now Peeps). Just don’t forget to put some tape over them if you’re buying them as a gift for your kids at the holidays. Because if Santa reveals that he’s been buying the goodies at Target, your face will be branded the “new” red.

In a recent Web site design poll by Web hosting provider 1&1 Internet, over 30% of those who responded said that they have opted to use a do-it-yourself package to create their company Web site.

We commend small business owners who have the time, patience, branding and architectural knowledge to take on the production and maintenance of a Web site. In fact, for one or two-person shops, a “d-i-y” site seems like a perfect match.

For those of you who wonder why a branding and design agency would be willing to point out that there is a large and real demand for these software packages, it’s because we believe in the empowerment of the small business owner.

The advantages for someone are quite obvious and include:

• inexpensive price
• little or no need for graphic design
• hosting and Web construction all-in-one

Amazingly enough, there are a ton of useful packages out there for the person looking to have a 5 page brochure-ware site. However, there are a few things we should point out to the casual, would-be Web designer:

• Look for the small print: Some companies will only allow you to design and host 5 pages (or similar) based on your hosting plan
• Your site is common: The Web design you choose will more than likely be chosen by customers just like you who need to get a site up and running in quick order
• Transferring the site: Read the fine print and make sure that if you decide to leave your current hosting provider that you’ll be allowed to move the site lock, stock and barrel. Most of the d-i-y packages are based on, not surprisingly, shared resources. Ensure you have the right and the ability to move your content.

We encourage small business owners to take it upon themselves to check this cost-saving measure out and see if it’ll meet your needs. If it does, fantastic! If it doesn’t, then consider the next level of site design and development: outsourcing. If you decide that you need to hire a firm, make sure you know exactly what you want and send it out for bid. You’ll be glad you spent the time doing the research so that there aren’t any surprises.

Thank you to whomever finally decided to listen to customer and advocacy demands for tighter security practices at Google.

While we don’t believe that it should have taken over a year, we applaud Google for finally settling down and realizing that customer data can only be taken so far.

For more information on this issue, please read this article on CNN.