Show The World Your Brand
These days everyone needs logos for their business. Look at companies like Pepsi Cola, Apple, Mcdonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and hundreds of others; those globally recognized logos easily identify their brand. Most businesses aspire to have a logo that will also be well recognized. The primary function of a logo is brand identification and connecting customers to your business. The logo should instantly trigger an image of your product or service. But does every business require a logo, and when should you get one made? Let’s take a look at what some business experts say.
Is There A Right Time To Make A Logo?
A logo is an essential marketing tool; it is not a random symbol but a reflection of your brand and business. People get to recognize your logo and know what values you stand for. The question is not whether every business needs a logo but when you should create one. Even though many people prioritize a logo for their business, in most cases, this is premature. The reason is that many startups fail to get off the ground, and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a logo, could be a waste of money. More than likely, your next startup will not be the same as the one that just folded, so the logo will go to waste.
Some beginner entrepreneurs spend several thousand dollars on a professional logo even before the business has opened. Then they discover that the company is not going to move forward. Business experts suggest building the business, developing robust infancy, and creating a logo is essential. The experts agree that you should develop your logos when the company is stable and running.
Initially, the effort should be to grow the business and develop a solid reputation. For example, if you have just started a coffee shop in Tonawanda, NY, and have only ten customers daily, rest assured that not many people will see your expensive logo. Once you have 100s of customers coming to your coffee shop, you can start to create a logo around the brand you’re developing.
Some people may argue that you need a permanent logo immediately since you will make a website and business cards. Today, hardly anyone uses business cards; the smartphone has become a means of contact and communication. Even if you develop a website, this does not mean that you must have a permanent logo. When people are looking for your coffee shop, the last thing they check out on your webpage is if you have a logo. All the customer is interested in is your location and what type of coffee you offer.
What Can A Logo Accomplish For A Business?
- Creates a memorable first impression
- Grabs your attention quickly
- brand recognition
- Creates brand loyalty
- It makes your business stand apart from your competition
- Allows customers to determine the durability of a business
- Marketable identify
What to Consider When Making A Logo For Your business?
Once you decide on a logo idea for your business, you should ask the following questions before you rush out and hire a graphic designer:
- What is your budget? Logos are not cheap- see below.
- Who will make your logo?
- What type of logo do you want? Image, text, or a combination
- What colors do you prefer?
- What size is your logo?
How Much Does It Cost To Make A Logo?
The cost to make a logo depends on who you select as your designer. In general, the prices of logos range from $50-$800. However, some professional designers will charge anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Here are some logo designers that you may want to consider:
Know What You Want
Before you go to a designer for a logo, do a little research on the internet on what type of logo you want. There are thousands of choices, and you will probably get some idea of what you’re looking for regarding shape, color, size, and font by looking at logos from around the world. Selecting a suitable logo can be overwhelming because there are just so many choices, and if you are not sure what you have in mind, it will be tough to take the next step. So the key is to know what you want and move on from there. Sketching ideas with a pencil is great. You’re ready to take the next step when you have some sketches and show them to a designer.
So When Should You Make A Logo?
While there is no ideal time for making a permanent logo, experts recommend that the best time is after the business has become established. Perhaps 3-6 months after opening. Once the company is up and running, plus if you have clients or customers by this point, they may influence your business and your logo plans.
Fiverr
If you decide to go with Fiverr, the logo will cost anywhere from $5 to $100. In most cases, you can make a good logo on Fiverr for less than $50.
Overseas Freelancers
Most logo freelancers from outside North America will make the logo for you for $50 or less. And if you don’t like the logo, you don’t have to pay for it. You can determine the graphic designer’s skills by asking for samples before making the order. You only pay after the logo is done. Unlike craigslist, there is no money upfront, and scams are rare.
Craigslist
Another common place to search for a logo designer is craigslist. Unfortunately, this platform is inundated with scams and shams. Plus, most North American designers will charge you over $300 for a logo. Because craigslists is unregulated, you have very little chance of getting your money back if you don’t like the logo. Plus, if you pay upfront, the person may disappear with your money. Unless you find someone on craigslist who can make you a logo with no money upfront, only then should you use this platform.
Canva
If you do not want to spend a fortune on making logos and have some basic design skills, you can make your own logo on the Canva platform. Canva provides all the features you need to make a logo, and all you need to do is connect the dots, change colors, drag, and drop, etc. Whatever you design on Canva belongs to you, and Canva does not charge any fee. Canva also has a bank of stock photos and videos that you can use for free. If you are a beginner, then Canva is a great platform, but if you want a scalable logo with good resolution, then photoshop is much better- but the latter costs money.
Professional Designer
Hundreds of graphic designers make great logos, but they all have one thing in common- they are prohibitively expensive. Logos by professional designers can cost anywhere from $500-$4,000. And if your business fails within the first year, you can say goodbye to your investment in the logo.
Web Hosting
If you use a web-hosting service like GoDaddy, Blue Host, or Wix, these hosting sites may design a free logo for you, but the quality may not be excellent. Many large hosting firms can make you a logo. These large companies are sometimes the most expensive option and not always recommended.
Can I Make A Logo For Free Online?
Yes, there are at least two dozen platforms where you can make your logo. Some websites generate free logos. But the logos are sometimes of poor quality, and you cannot modify them.
Some of these platforms will only let you make a basic logo with poor resolution. You will need a paid subscription to get access to more tools to refine your logo.
- Adobe Illustrator ($19.99 a month if annual commitment.
- Adobe Photoshop (basic plan $20.99 a month).
- Adobe Spark Logo Maker- FREE offers many templates for making a logo
- Canva (Basic version is free, and the pro version is free for 30 days)
- CorelDraw (Starting version is $249).
- DesignHill Free Logo Generator. To make the logo is FREE
- DesignCrowd Free
- DesignEvo Free
- GIMP (Completely free).
- GraphicSprings: you can make the logo for free, but if you want to download it, there is a fee
- Hatchful by Shopify (Completely free).
- Inkscape Free
- LogoNerds Varies from $27-$97
- Look Charges $20
- Shopify Free Logo Generator. Free
- Squarespace Logo Maker basic logos for $10
- Tailor Brands (Free to make the logo but to download it, you’ll need to pay anywhere from $9.99 to $69.99 a month.
- Themeisle Logo Maker.
- TurboLogo Free
- Wix Online Logo Generator. Make the logo for free, but the download is $12.99
- Zyro Free Logo Maker.
- 99designs Pricey
All the above software programs will allow you to make a professional-looking logo that rivals any logo made by a professional company. There are 100s of tutorials on youtube on making logos using each of these above software programs. However, learning the basic technique may take you several weeks or months.
How Do You Create A Good Logo?
To ensure that your logo stands out, here are a few features that experts recommend
- It should be unique so that it stands apart
- Clear message
- Easy to interpret
- Readable from a distance
- Should tell a story about your business
- Make sure it works on multiple media platforms
- Select the right typography- so that it will promote trust, and interest and enhance interest
- It has to be elegant and aesthetically pleasing.
- Pick the right colors to trigger the right emotions (e.g., blue builds trust)
- Select suitable artwork and the right font
- Make sure it is original
Can I Use Someone Else’s Logo?
The answer is NO. If you use someone else’s logo, you could be charged with violating copyright laws. You have to ask permission from the owner of the logo for usage. For example, it is unlikely that Mercedes Benz or Apple will let you use a similar logo. There are way too many problems associated with using a similar logo to a large company. The monetary penalties are enormous, and they can ruin your reputation.
How Do I Protect My Logo?
To protect your logo, you should register a trademark for your business name, slogan, and logo. There are many services online such as LegalZoom, which provide these services. To prevent others from using your logo, use a powerful trademark symbol on the logo. Once you use the trademark symbol, it tells others that the products are your property.
Can I Use Royalty-Free Images In My Logo?
It is legally not permitted to use royalty-free images in a logo. The logo will quickly become invalid when someone else’s image is on it. Plus, it is not a good idea as your customers will associate the business with the company that made the stock-free image.
Final Point
Whatever the size of your business, selecting a suitable logo to reflect your brand is essential. The best recommendation we can make is to start small and perhaps go with Fiverr to have a logo created for under $50. As your business grows, you can have the logo designed or modified. But remember, having an excellent logo does not mean your business will succeed. It only means that customers recognize your brand.
