Many businesses have failed to recognize the many benefits that are related to having the perfect logo. However, as an entrepreneur, this is not a mistake you can afford to make.
A business logo is usually the first visual interaction that your potential customers will have with your business. As such, there are many benefits you can get from having an informative and attractive logo such as brand loyalty and repeat sales.
Benefits of having a strong logo
First of all, your startup business logo can leave your target audience with an excellent first impression. This is especially important for those firms new to the marketplace who stand to gain a lot from creating a lasting impression. Therefore, a logo gives you the perfect opportunity to draw the attention of your target customers. Once you interest customers you then can work your way on building brand loyalty with them.
In addition, a great logo is an essential tool that can help you to build brand identity. Think of the logos of companies like Apple, Mercedes, Audi, KFC, and Nike you can picture them in your mind because they have built strong brand identities. A vast majority of the population can quickly identify these companies through their logos. This goes to prove just how important a logo is towards a business’s identity.
Years ago, when these companies were startup companies, barely recognizable by anyone they began their brand journey with a good logo. They were able to grow into major companies with the winning combination of a compelling recognizable logo and delivering exceptional goods and services. Consequently, you should consider learning how to make a logo for your new business now at your launch stage.
Here are some helpful tips to help you come up with a great logo that will build your business;
1. Learn about the different type of logos
There is a variety of logos types that companies utilize.
Some only use a symbol as their preferred logo, think Apple. If you would like to use a symbol, it is essential that the symbol stays relevant to the type of services and products that you sell. This type of iconic symbol is popular in technology businesses.
On the other hand, there are some businesses which opt to use a wordmark as their logo, which is their company name in a stylized design. Examples include Coca-Cola and Ray-Ban. It is imperative that you identify which logotype that best fits your needs.
2. Look at your competitor’s brands
If you find yourself struggling to come up with ideas for your logo, you should borrow some inspiration from the logos of other businesses. Notice I said “borrow” “inspiration” not steal ideas, which you would never consider.
Given that you are competing for the same clients, this is the best way to get a feeling of how your logo should communicate.
However, it is crucial that you remain creative and unique. Do not plagiarize their logo as it will have a counteractive effect of confusing customers and lowering your sales. Instead, look at it in the sense of how much better and more creative their logo could be and make it your own.
3. Let your logo have a message
As you come up with a design for your business’s logo, you should ensure that it is backed by a message. Let the logo embody what your target audience would appreciate knowing about your business. (Remember that this is one of the first interactions that they will have with your company).
The red circle of Target’s logo came from an archery target which told the customer that their stores were the perfect location to find all their shopping needs at one location.
This means that the logo needs to be meaningful in that when a customer looks at it, the logo passes a message of what industry you are in and the kind of services that you offer. Therefore, it would be better to keep in mind what your brand is about as you design your logo.
4. Your logo should be simple
It is wrong to have the perception that the more flashy and elaborate your logo is the better it serves its purpose. Simplicity is important both for customer perception and ability to use for multiple purposes such as websites, t-shirts and business cards.
It is true that your logo needs to stand out and be creative. However, it is equally important for people to understand your logo. This can only be achieved if the logo is easy and flexible.
Also, having a clean and functional logo is beneficial in that it can be used across different media. Keep in mind that your logo will not only be on your website but also on newspapers, your social media accounts and on your products. Consequently, the visual graphics of your logo should be functional.
Most professional graphic designers suggest that you view all your logo designs in plain black ink on a white background to be sure that it communicates with its design and not its fancy colors alone. If you like it in black you will love it in color.
5. Choose the logo colors carefully
Other than the image or name for your logo, the color that you choose plays a vital role. Do not hurriedly select a bright color because it entices more eyes. It would be better off if you pick a color that that is symbolic of what your business is about. Learn about how you can use color power to boost your marketing.
Also, when choosing colors, you should try and limit your logo to three colors. Having more than three colors will turn out to be costly when it comes to printing. For this reason, you should consider how much you would like to spend when creating your logo.
6. Seek help from professionals graphic designers
As an entrepreneur, generating a logo by yourself can prove daunting. Therefore, if you find yourself experiencing any difficulty, consider hiring a professional logo designer. Recently I had a logo made for my business using a logo design contest at the crowdsource site 99designs – read about my experience in my review of 99designs.
Whereas this means facing additional costs, it is beneficial in that you will do everything in the right way.
If you are on a budget, you should hire the services of freelance logo designers as opposed to going to a design firm. They are a cheaper alternative.
In conclusion, creating an impressive logo for your startup business is essential. As much as it will not guarantee you instant success, it is the perfect way to build your brand by attracting more customers. Ultimately, a good logo will ensure that your business experiences significant growth.
Bio: Marsha Kelly is a serial entrepreneur who has done time in corporate America, selling her first business for more than a million dollars. She has learned what products and services work in business today, and she shares her experiences on her best4Business blog at https://best4businesses.com/. You can learn from her experiences from shopping the internet for tools, supplies, and information to build your business and improve your finances.
