10 Steps to Get the Perfect Logo for Your Business
Think of the Nike swoosh, the bitten Apple, or the golden M of McDonalds. They’re memorable, and unique. But, most of all, they’re everywhere. They exemplify the power of a great logo.
Every brand deserves a logo that’s going to ensure customers know who they are, identify with the product, and keep coming back for more. But as a small business, it can be tricky to navigate the world of design, and end up with the quality design you were expecting.
In an effort to help, we’ve partnered with DesignBro to create a 10-step guide for getting the right logo for your brand. DesignBro is a simple and cost effective service which gives you multiple design options in a hassle free way. Check it out.
Step 1: Understand Your Goals
Before you delve into the whole logo process, sit down and think about why you need a logo, and what you want to achieve with your new logo. What kind of quality do you require? How much are you willing to spend? This will help you figure out how to go about getting your logo, and what your priorities will be during the whole process, so you don’t lose sight of the end-goal.
Step 2: Figure Out Your Story
A logo is all about storytelling. Whether your brand is focused on innovation or tradition, your logo needs to reflect this, and tell a captivating tale to your customer about who you are. Figure out what your brand represents, or wants to represent, and what story your logo should tell your customer. This will give your design a personality, and a clear message.
A logo is all about storytelling.
Step 3: Know Your Context
Your logo is meant to pull in your audience and make them fall in love with your brand. So, your design should have your target audience in mind. If you haven’t already, narrow down your target audience and think about what will make your brand become their favorite. Make sure your design reflects this.
You may also want to look into your competitors. Figure out what things you like about their logos, and what you don’t. Use this as inspiration. It’s important your logo will stand out among your competitors, so this research is a good starting point to making that a reality.
Step 4: Look for Inspiration
Nothing will give you a clearer idea of what you’re looking for than other logos. Figure out what it is about certain logos that makes you a fan, or doesn’t, and detail this so whoever is designing your logo knows what to avoid, and what to incorporate. This will save the designer an unbelievable amount of time and facilitate the whole process.
Step 5: Determine The How
There’s a lot of different ways to get your logo made. You could design it using an online logo maker, reach out to a freelancer, use a design contest platform, or go for the professional design agency. To help you figure out what’s best for you – here’s when you should use each one:
Online logo maker – Use this only when you have no other choice. It sounds harsh, but the quality of the online logo maker is low, and there’s a whole issue with copyright, which you should probably avoid.
Freelance designer – Use this when you know a freelance designer you can trust. A lot of faith and good communication is needed with a freelancer to make sure you’re being charged fairly, and are going to receive a quality design, so if you don’t have someone you can trust – go for another choice.
Design contest – This can be the most cost-efficient route to take if you choose the right platform that’s going to deliver quality.
DesignBro, focuses on quality-control, and has only quality talent on their platform, and keeps their pricing low.
Professional design agency – Use this when money and time aren’t a concern. The design agency will give you the most comprehensive approach to getting your logo, but at a hefty price.
Sit down with the goals you outlined in step one, and decide which choice is right for you.
Step 6: Communicate
When working with a designer, make sure you communicate honestly, but respectfully. If you feel something is wrong with the design – you need to speak up. But note that while designers are great at incorporating feedback, if you’re rude, the whole process is likely to end up a disaster.
Step 7: Check the Logo
If you’re unfamiliar with the design industry, and how a logo should be, it can prove almost impossible to determine if a logo is good. In order to facilitate things for you, here’s a checklist to determine if your logo is the right choice.
Is the logo…
o Telling the right story and reflecting your brand?
o Unique?
o Noticeable and memorable?
o Appropriate for the context (target audience, industry)?
o Adaptable (different platforms)?
If your logo doesn’t check all the boxes, go back and keep working.
Step 8: Confirm Copyright
Copyright is something you need to get right, or you might find yourself running into legal issues. Ensure you can, and do, get the rights to the logo. If this seems intimidating, you might want to opt for a design contest platform, since these usually take care of copyright for you.
Step 9: Understand the Need for Branding
Create a brand identity. Everything associated with your brand (your website, social media, etc.) should create a look that reflects its personality and forms a coherent whole. Go far beyond your logo.
Step 10: Grow & Rebrand
As your company evolves and grows, you may find yourself needing a new design. When this time comes, let your new design be inspired by your previous.
Conclusion
Getting your logo can be challenging, but if you plan it right, and understand the importance of going about it the best way possible – you’re sure to get the result you and your company deserve.
In an effort to help, we’ve partnered with DesignBro to create a 10-step guide for getting the right logo for your brand. DesignBro is a simple and cost effective service which gives you multiple design options in a hassle free way. Check it out.