77% of the world’s top marketers agree that branding is integral to the success of businesses.

A brand encompasses a variety of elements. These elements extend from a company’s name to its culture. Perhaps the most important brand element a business has though is its logo.

A logo communicates an immense amount of information to customers. This information is transmitted from the shapes a logo utilizes, the colors it’s made up of, and even its size.

With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you have an awesome logo. But how can you make sure your logo is awesome without breaking the bank?

Fortunately, there are a lot of options small business owners can pursue to create excellent, affordable logos.

We’ve compiled some of the top methods to help you design a great logo. Keep on reading!

1) Create Your Logo Using Online Tools

There are a number of excellent online logo creators business owners can leverage to create logos. These online creators offer easy to modify logo templates, a wide variety of color options, and pre-made art elements you can utilize to put together the perfect logo creation.

Most online logo creation tools also offer great resources to give you the inspiration you need to do your best work. This inspiration includes showing you logo samples, having blog material to help you better understand what makes up a logo and more.

Finally, with online logo creation tools, you’ll have access to awesome customer service. A good customer service team can help you navigate logo creation tools quickly. Certain online tools may even offer access to hands-on help with your logo for a nominal fee.

Given the robustness of online logo creation tools, it has become a favorite semi-DIY option for cost-effective, awesome logo making!

2) Hire a Design Company

Some people looking for specialized logo design help will hire a design company. Design companies typically offer robust end-to-end art services. These are targeted at helping companies not only design excellent logos but can also be used to design other visual elements for company’s websites and other marketing materials.

Hiring a professional design firm to help you create your logo may be a good option if you’re looking for a very personalized logo. It’s also a good option if you’re not into the idea of getting artistically involved in your logo creation.

One of the drawbacks of hiring a design company to help you with your logo is cost. Typically, having professional designers manage your logo creation will represent a steep hike in expenses over using online creation tools or leveraging other DIY methods.

3) Look for Freelancers

If you’re looking for an option that’s in between using online software and bringing on a company to help you design your logo, you may want to try hiring a freelancer.

A freelancer is a single designer you can pick up online via platforms like Craigslist, Upwork or Fiverr. Given that freelancers have lower overhead expenses than a full-service design firm, you’re likely to save money engaging them in comparison to doing work with a bigger company.

When hiring freelancers, it’s important that you look at their portfolio and pay close attention to reviews they have from previous clients.

Why?

Because when you’re working with a large firm that’s well known, you can expect you’ll get professional level work. When working with a freelancer, high-quality work is certainly possible but not a given. That’s because any individual (no matter how qualified) can offer their individual design services online.

Also with freelancers, be sure you’re clear on your expectations ahead of time. Let them know how many logo options you’d like presented to you and the turnaround time for the job.

Different freelancers have different standard operating procedures. It’s important to be clear about the full scope of your job up front to help circumvent issues down the road.

4) Do It Yourself

We touched a little bit on DIY when we discussed online logo makers. While using online logo makers does require some of your creative input, the software helps you a lot throughout the creation process.

If you’re looking to truly pursue DIY logo design, you can use creative sandbox software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator or even free tools like Microsoft’s Paint to achieve that end.

These programs give you a blank canvas, a series of tools, and no rules which allows you to create anything you want.

While the freedom offered by design tools like those mentioned above make your logo possibilities limitless, that infinite flexibility also means more pressure on you. Because of that, if you’re going to pursue full-on DIY logo creation, it’s important that you’re well versed in graphic design.

Pursuing DIY logo creation without a solid design foundation could mean spending a lot of time creating a sub-par product.

DIY logo creation, beyond the cost of the software you choose to utilize, can be 100% free. It is, therefore, a very affordable means of creating an awesome logo.

Summarizing Ways to Make an Awesome Logo at a Low Cost

If you’re worried that making a professional quality logo will break your budget, you have options!

You can use incredibly popular and intuitive online logo making tools. You can hire a design firm. You can hire an online freelancer.

If you’re artistically inclined, you can even sit down at your computer and build a logo on your own 100% from scratch.

No matter how you choose to go about making your logo, be sure you’re investing your time and money in getting a quality product. While it may be tempting to go with whatever seems cheapest or easiest, finding that balance between cost and quality will set your company’s brand up for long-term success!

Are you thinking of using an intuitive online logo creation tool to create your awesome logo? If so, look no further than OnlineLogoMaker.com.

At OnlineLogoMaker.com, you can leverage thousands of different art, color, and aesthetic combinations. All of those combos enable you to easily put together a distinct logo for your business.

Get started now at OnlineLogoMaker.com today!

Is your business in need of rebranding? Maybe your old logo and colors are starting to feel outdated or disconnected from your company’s identity.

If so, it might be time to redesign your logo. Businesses often give their logo design a refresh or even change it completely when they want their company to make a new impression.

Use this guide to help you execute a logo redesign that matches the vision you have in mind.

Tips on Executing a Successful Logo Redesign

Creating a brand new logo for your business is more than just coming up with an attractive badge, text, or graphic image. Your logo plays a pivotal role in your business.

It says a lot about who you are an what you do just at a glance. Sometimes it’s your first impression; one that can either draw in or detract new business. To make it count, you have to do your due diligence and understand the key elements that will make your logo a success.

Here’s how you do it:

Identify Your Brand

Before you even hit the drawing board with your logo design, take an in-depth look at the company’s identity and who they’re trying to reach.

What is your target demographic?

How do they perceive your product or services?

Take the elements of your brand that will appeal to your consumers, then have the graphic designer find a way to bring those elements to life through an image.

This doesn’t have to be a literal translation. It can merely be an impression that reminds the consumer of who your business is and what it offers.

Evoke the right desires and emotions, and your logo will serve its purpose.

Consider Your Colors

Colors aren’t just aesthetics. They have the power to sway their observers. It’s called the psychology of color, and it’s been studied, tested with positive results.

Marketing companies now often use color to evoke certain emotional responses. For example, McDonald’s use of red and yellow.

Red is meant to stimulate desire and hunger, while the yellow inspires optimism and happiness. Combined they make consumers associate the golden arches and red backdrop with a pleasant way to satiate their hunger.

Keep It Simple

Lastly, design a logo that is both simple and adaptable. Your logo should be able to fit on any form of marketing collateral, from one-inch labels to large banners and signs.

Also, make sure to review how it looks both in color and black and white. This is important because you may not always be able to control how your logo is shared.

If it is printed in black and white, you want to make sure it remains legible and easy to recognize.

Don’t Have the Time or Money for a Logo Redesign?

Sometimes hiring a graphic designer to create a killer new logo for your business isn’t an option. Whether it’s due to a time constraint or limited budget, some companies find the responsibility for their logo redesign falls into their own hands.

If this is you, don’t panic! We have a way for you to whip up a brand new logo for free–no experience required! Simply open up our online logo maker and start getting creative.

You might think that coming up with a logo that will help cement your brand’s voice is easy. Like most people, you probably think that all you need is to select a fancy color, draw a circle or square, type in your brand’s name, and call it a day.

You’re wrong!

Designing a quality logo that speaks of your company’s culture and values is not easy. It’s a process with many pitfalls, and one mistake could cost you huge amounts of money and your loyal clients.

But worry not; we have a guide that can help you come up with a unique, memorable logo for your brand.

Here is the guide.

1. Know What Your Brand Stands For

Before you think of the colors, fonts, and text you’ll use to create a logo, think about what your business stands for.

Ask the flowing questions:

• Why did you start the business?
• What solutions do you offer?
• What makes your business unique?

The answers to these essential questions will help you know what your business stands for. This will make it easy for you to figure out which colors, fonts, and texts will help you come up with a relevant logo.

2. Know Your Target Audience

You should also take some time to learn a few things about your target audience. Make sure you know their gender, age, where they live, their hobbies, income, and why they like your brand.

Knowing these things will help you identify the techniques you’ll use to create a logo that your audience will actually like.

3. Simplicity Results in a Quality Logo

Think that coming up with a complicated logo will help you stand out?

Well, think again. The logo you come up with should be simple. How do you tell if a logo is simple or not?

Well, a simple logo should have a clear brand’s message. If it takes a college degree to understand the message in your logo, it’s too complicated. Change it!

A simple logo should also be easy to remember.

Do people remember the details in your logo? If they can’t, there’s a problem with its design, and you should do something about it.

A simple logo should be easy to use in all media. Can you use your logo in any media including promotional gifts, signs, web, and embroidery?

If you can’t, go back to the drawing board and make it simple.

You can find some examples of bad logo designs here and learn a few things from them.

4. Ensure Your Logo Is Flexible

One of the biggest mistakes people make when coming up with a logo is creating a rigid logo.

Don’t make this mistake! You should note that your business is moving forward, and you might introduce new products or services in future.

Your logo should, therefore, be flexible. It should represent your company’s future needs, not just the current ones. It should also appeal to different audiences, not just your target audiences.

An effective logo has to be dynamic!

5. Avoid Trends

Yes, following trends can help your company win, but not in the world of logos.

There are numerous articles that say that logo designers should incorporate modern trends in logos. The reasons these articles give are quite compelling, and you may be tempted to incorporate a current trend or two in your logo design.

But don’t be misled!

Incorporating trends in your logo design will not make you stand out. It’ll only make you look like everyone else. You want to stand out, right?

Be timeless and avoid trends. Avoiding trends does not mean you should not check out the hottest, latest logo trends, no.

Take some time and study the trends. This will help ensure you don’t use these trends in your logo design by mistake.

6. Make Use of Online Tools

Need some inspiration when creating your logo?

There thousands of online articles that you can read and find the inspiration you need.

Want to create a logo but don’t have the skill or experience?

Well, worry not. LogoMaker can help you create a unique and memorable logo. It’s quite effective and easy to use.

7. Avoid Stereotyping Logo Designs

This is another common mistake that even the most experienced, well-trained logo designers make.

Using a common logo design may give you a beautiful logo but it won’t help you come up with a recognizable logo. It’ll only make you look like everyone else.

Don’t fall into this trap!

For instance, if you’re planning to come up with a flower delivery company, don’t include color red or a flower in your logo. That’s a stereotyping logo design.

Be different.

Create a logo that will make people think about your brand even when it does not contain your company’s name.

8. Utilize Double Entendre

Double entendre is a fancy technique that helps logo designers make a logo that has two pictures wrapped into one.

If used correctly double entendre comes off as a clever and memorable design option.

You should note that people love mind games. Using double entendre will, therefore, you help capture people attention.

This technique will also make people appreciate your logo even if it’s simple.

9. Make Sure Your Logo Tells a Story

Your logo should tell a story.

It could tell a story about your culture, your products, or what you stand for; just ensure the story is interesting and unique to your company. If possible, your logo should have two stories: the obvious one and the hidden one.

You might be thinking, “Why should a logo tell a story?”

And that’s a valid question. Stories activate people’s minds and make them more attentive. They also improve our retention for information.

Therefore, if your logo tells a story, this will help capture people’s attention, making it easy for you to tell them about the solutions you offer.

Also, if you show your audience that there’s something more to your logo, they’ll view you as an expert.

Simply put, ensuring that your logo tells a story will help introduce your brand to the world in a unique and memorable way.

10. Pay Attention to the Color in Your Logo

The colors in your logo should have a meaning and should tell us more about your company and the solution you offer.

Take some time to find out which colors match your brands’ needs.

If you don’t know, colors have meanings. For instance, if you use bright colors in your logo, this will portray your business as future ready.

Make sure the colors you use in your logo represent what your brand really stands for.

If you use colors correctly, you’ll be able to create a great first impression. People will also want to be associated with your brand.

11. If You Don’t Know How to Use Clip Art, Avoid It

Clipart can help make a logo more clear and recognizable.

But let’s face; not so many people know how to use clip art. This explains why most clip art logos are painful to look at.

If you don’t have the skills to use clip art, don’t use it. If you use it, your logo will look cheap and careless, not to mention that it’ll be difficult to use it in different settings.

12. Ensure Your Logo Speaks of Professionalism

Don’t compromise your brand’s work ethic by coming up with an unprofessional logo.

Your brand image can have more influence on your success than you may think. Ensure it speaks of professionalism.

How can you do this?

Well, just follow the following rules:

• Make sure you create a logo that looks attractive.
• Ensure your logo is sending the right message.
• Think about the reputation of your brand when coming up with your logo.

If you follow these three rules, you’ll be able to come up with a logo that shows your company is made up of professionals.

13. Choose Your Typeface Carefully

There are many typefaces that you can use in your logo. You should, however, note that some typefaces are more efficient than others.

Serif and sans-serif are the most common typefaces used by logo designers.

If you’re not an experienced designer, you should stick to these typefaces. However, if you are an experienced designer, you can incorporate decorative and script typefaces in your logo. They’ll help make your logo more unique.

The problem with most decorative and script typefaces is that they can be hard to read when put on smaller screens.

14. Be creative

Creating a nice logo is not all about using the right font, avoiding trends, and embracing professionalism. It’s about creating a logo out-of-the-box.

Think creatively. Being creative will help you create a logo that communicates with your target audience at a personal level.

It will help you create something that has never been seen before, making it easy for you to stand out.

15. Don’t Expect Instant Success

Top brands like Apple, Nike and Coca-Cola have iconic logos. These companies started small before they became the brands they are today.

Even if you have designed your logo using the most beautiful fonts, and text, your logo won’t become an instant success.

Be patient and don’t rush to make changes just because your logo hasn’t attracted the attention you expected.

Wrap-up

As we mentioned earlier, designing a quality logo is not easy. It may be confusing, difficult, or seem impossible.

However, if you follow tips discussed above, you can be sure that the process will easy enjoyable and successful.

You can visit our blog for more informative articles on this and other interesting topics.

In 2013 there were almost 28 million small businesses in the United States alone. With so much competition, how can your company stand out from the crowd?

One of the best ways is through a strong company logo that conveys a specific message about your brand. But it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to designing your logo.

That’s why we’ve compiled the 5 questions to ask when designing a logo for your company!

Check them out below.

1. What Type of Logo Do I Want?

Let’s start with the basics. Your first step in designing your logo is to think about what kind you want. Keep in mind that there are a lot of different types of logos.

Here are some of the most popular categories:

• Letterform. These are logos made up one single letter. McDonald’s, Honda, and Uber all use a letterform logo.
• Wordmarks. These are words or abbreviations that make up a logo. Basically, a wordmark is when a company name is spelled out. Some examples are CNN, Google, and HP.
• Characterization. This category includes a mascot that represents your brand. Geico and Progressive both do this in their marketing.
• Pictoral. Pictoral logos utilize imagery, either literal or representative. A few examples are Apple, Starbucks, and Twitter.
• Abstract. These include images or graphics that don’t represent anything recognizable. Think Sprint or the Nike swoosh.

So how do you pick? Well, there’s no one rule to follow. Remember, this is an art! But there are some general tips you could consider.

If you have a short and memorable name, a wordmark is a great logo type. These are typically the easiest to understand for consumers, especially if your brand is new.

An abstract logo can be very powerful, especially if it mirrors your brand’s personality, but they usually take longer for your customers to understand. Your consumers might need to see it multiple times before grasping the idea or recalling it.m However, when they do, it can be very powerful.

2. What Do I Want to Communicate through My Logo?

No matter what, you want your logo to provide an immediate sense of who you are as a company. It should convey your brand’s personality and give a little insight into the type of business you are.

For example, think about this. Is your company fun, energetic, and youthful? Or do you want to portray an image of seriousness, depth, and years of experience?

Your logo leaves an impression on your audience the second they see it. You want your logo’s communication to align with the attributes of your company, products, and services.

You also may want to send these messages:

• Your company and products unique
• You are a professional and trustworthy organization
• You are successful
• You’re different than your competitors in a key way

3. What Colors Should I Use?

Color choice is a crucial part of logo design. This is because different colors can send various messages. There is even a whole area of marketing dedicated to understanding the psychology behind color.

Think about some logo examples for a moment.

McDonald’s, KFC, Wendy’s, and Dairy Queen all have predominantly red logos. Pizza Hut, Arby’s, and Burger King have a lot of red in their logos as well. How come? Red is known to be stimulating, exciting, and associated with activity.

So when you’re driving down the road, looking for a fast food restaurant, the hope is that red will catch your eye and be stimulating to you so you will decide to eat there.

Yellow, on the other hand, is known to be happy, energetic, and even fresh. Subway uses this in their marketing with their image of freshness in a crowded fast-food marketplace. Blue is associated with calmness and reliability.

Do research to see what you think your target market will relate to. Remember, there are differences in color preference between ages, genders, and generations.

4. What Fonts Should I Use?

Fonts are another important part of the equation. Just like colors, fonts can convey certain emotions and give distinct impressions.

A toy store is going to want to use a whimsical, fun font that displays youth and is inviting to children. A surgical center for adults, on the other hand, will probably want to convey reliability and expertise with a strong, straightforward font.

Think about your brand’s personality. If you haven’t done so already, take some time to think of the top 5 adjectives you want to describe your company. Then look online for fonts that match up.

You can also use more than one font in your logo, but keep it limited to two. You don’t want to go overboard and make your logo look unorganized or cluttered.

5. What Mistakes Should I Avoid?

When it comes to logo design, there are some common mistakes that you want to avoid at all costs.

First of all, make sure you differentiate yourself from your competitors, especially if you only have one or two. It’s best to go in a different direction as far as type, color, or font.

The last thing you want is for your target market to confuse you and a competitor. Instead, try to stand out.

Also, think about the different places you will use your logo. You’ve probably thought about your logo on paper or in the top corner of your website. But where else will you potentially use it?

Consider how it will look on various types of marketing materials, such as:

• A billboard or other large-scale ad
• Your different packaging materials
• Screenprinted on a t-shirt or hoodie
• As an app icon
• In a square or circle format for your social media pages

Final Thoughts on Questions to Ask When Designing a Logo

Now that you’ve thought through these questions to ask when designing a logo, what’s next?

It’s time to get started! Begin thinking through your ideas and brainstorming potential options.

And if you need a free, reliable software to create your logo, check out our logo maker. We’ve helped millions of brands make beautiful logos over the years.