A great logo can be a gamechanger for small businesses.

Your logo is the first connection people make with your brand. It has the potential to change how people see your business. A good logo can even turn prospects into loyal customers.

But logo design isn’t easy. You need to craft something that is recognizable and stands out in a crowded marketplace. That’s especially difficult when you consider there are almost 28 million small businesses in the U.S.

Pet crate businesses need to take logo design seriously. The right logo can go a long way in giving your animal-related business a competitive advantage.

Get the logo you deserve with these great logo design tips. Read on to unlock the door to stellar logo creation.

1. Create a Design Process

You might be tempted to jump right into your logo design. But hold off before making any major decisions.

You need to first create a design process. This is a crucial step that is often overlooked by small businesses.

A design process will help you establish a system for logo creation. This will help you set expectations within your team, streamline communication, and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

Who is going to be making the logo? What is our deadline? How are we going to implement feedback? These are all questions you need to ask yourself before starting your project.

Many businesses choose to hire a designer or seek outside help. If you go this route, it’s still important to have a meeting to go over expectations.

You should also familiarize yourself with the basics of logo design prior to starting your project. You need to understand the various elements that go into logo creation, even if you’re not going to be the designer.

2. Keep It Simple

This is one of the most important pieces of advice not only for pet crate businesses but for all business. Keep the logo simple.

It might sound like a cliche. But many businesses still fail to keep their logos simple.

It seems counterintuitive. Why would you keep your logo simple if you’re trying to stand out from the crowd?

Customers don’t have time to analyze logos. They want something they can understand and remember with a glance. You want a logo that connects with audiences right away.

Consider some of the biggest brands in America today. Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s. They all have very simple yet recognizable logos.

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Keep it simple to create a great logo.

3. Choose The Right Colors

Colors are an important aspect of any design. But you might be surprised to learn just how critical they are.

Color increases brand recognition by up to 80 percent. The colors you choose can have a huge effect on how audiences connect with your brand.

Color has a psychological effect on the brain. They can bring forth specific responses that can be used to your advantage.

It’s important to understand which colors are tied to specific emotions. When you make your logo, you can strategically choose colors based on your audiences desired reaction.

For example, red is a color that is associated with high energy and aggression. Yellow is associated with cautiousness, but also warmth and friendliness.

Blue is a popular color choice for logos. It’s associated with seriousness, professionalism, and success.

Using bright and bold colors can help your logo be attention-grabbing. Muted colors are seen as more serious and businesslike. You need to consider what mood you want your brand to convey when deciding your colors.

4. Consistent With Brand

Logo Design isn’t an exact science. What works for one company might be a total disaster for another.

A logo is judged on how well it fits the company. You could have an amazing looking logo, but it means nothing if it doesn’t fit your brand.

Your font, shapes, colors all need to stay consistent with your brand’s image. Are you known for being fun and playful? Or are you all about business?

These aspects need to fit the context of your business. For example, green is a perfect color for organic food companies. It fits in this context because it’s a color associated with nature.

Pet crate businesses might want to go for a different color. Brown isn’t the sexiest color by any means. But it is a color that looks rugged and natural – a perfect fit for an animal related business.

5. Think About Different Platforms

Think about all the different places you see logos in a given day. Your logo needs to be optimized for all of these platforms.

Today’s logo design needs to translate to mobile, social media, websites, print ads, and more. Your logo should be identified no matter where users find it.

The key is to keep your design simple. You can also create simplified versions of your logo for certain platforms.

The marketing world is changing thanks to technology. You have to adapt in order to keep up.

6. Make It Stand Out

The last thing you want is a generic logo. But how do you make sure your logo is unique?

Simple logo design can still stand out. Avoid cliches that you see pop up in other logos. A dog design is a natural fit for a dog crate business. But does it really stand out?

Take Pet Crates Direct, a business with many dog crate sizes. They use a dog in their logo. But they also show the dog emerging out of a large crate, which is spot on for their brand.

Spend extra time coming up with design ideas. Make sure your competition doesn’t have similar visuals before settling on a logo design. Your patience will pay off in the long run.

7. Go For Longevity

What’s trending today isn’t going to be trending tomorrow. Just take a look at Twitter.

Trends come and go in today’s world. The latest fad could be irrelevant by next year.

It might be tempting to follow the latest craze in your logo design. But doing so can make your logo useless in the future.

A good logo is timeless. It should resonate with audiences no matter the year or latest fad.

You can still take risks. But you want to mitigate your risk by incorporating a few timeless elements.

8. Use Popular Logos For Inspiration

No one likes a copycat. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use other popular logos for inspiration.

By researching other logos, you can discover what logo design works and what doesn’t. Your research doesn’t have to be pigeonholed into other pet crate businesses. You can also look at successful corporations like Nike and Apple.

Analyze popular logos to see how you can build on their success. There are many corporate company logos that you can learn from. Take elements from their logos and run with an idea of your own.

9. Choose a Good Typeface

The right typeface can make all the difference in logo design. The typeface is so critical because it determines how your business name is conveyed.

You have two options when choosing a typeface. You can either choose an existing typeface or create a custom one.

An existing typeface is a safe choice. You can adopt a typeface that others have had success with. A custom typeface, however, will help your brand stand out and look unique.

Your typeface should be simple and easy to read regardless of your decision. Good logos highlight a business name and make it stand out.

10. Use Negative Space

Have you ever seen the FedEx logo? If so, you know all about negative space.

Negative space is the area around the subjects of an image. Good logos take advantage of negative space to keep people’s attention.

The FedEx logo uses negative space to create an arrow. The white arrow appears between the “E” and “X” in the logo. It may be subtle, but it adds to the brand’s message of being a fast-moving delivery service.

Using negative space is a great way to keep people’s attention and subtly promote ideas about your brand.

11. Get Feedback

There is no perfect logo design. You might think a logo looks great but your audience might disagree.

A good logo is a matter of opinion. It’s important to get feedback from as many people as possible before finalizing your design.

Reach out to coworkers, designers, and your personal network to get their feedback on your design. They can open your eyes to different aspects you might not have considered.

Look for constructive criticism and be sure to implement feedback. You don’t want to take into account every opinion. But you might want to consider making changes if a majority of people don’t like part of your logo.

Your Logo Design

A good logo is crucial to any pet crate business. Use these tips to make your logo stand out and start attracting customers.

Are you looking to make a new logo? We can help. Create an amazing logo design for your brand. Right now. For free. Start using our logo maker tool today.

Nothing says “open for business” like bright, custom flags. They’re a symbol of welcome and even celebration.

As far back as the Civil War, flags were used to trigger emotions of loyalty and pride.

Hanging a flag outside your business will do much the same.

Whether you design a colorful flag with simple messaging or tout your business’ logo, it’ll wave new customers inside and, hopefully, trigger a positive emotion from them when they recognize your logo.

Flags are one of the few methods of advertising that aren’t going to be washed away by our digital age.

Let’s take a look at all the reasons why they’re worth the nominal expense and will keep paying you back, time and time again.

1. Flags Present a Positive Image

Flags are a one-time cost with long-term benefits. They can be used over and over again, and they’ll always do at least one thing: present a positive image for your business.

When you watch various marching bands strut by in blasts of music and festivity, what’s the one thing nearly every band touts?

A bright, bold, billowing flag. Through the years, flags have come to symbolize welcoming and joyful emotions.

A storefront boasting custom flags is always going to stand tall above a bland brick and mortar with little more than a cheerful window display.

2. They Make Your Logo Known

Whenever you see that golden arch, do you secretly wish for a Chicken McNugget, even though you know you shouldn’t?

Perhaps you remember that happy afternoon grandma and grandpa took you for some Chicken McNuggets after school, even though Mom and Dad said no more fast food.

Your logo doesn’t just signify your business. It represents your core values. It demonstrates how you improve the lives of your customers.

Hopefully, over time, your logo will trigger a positive reaction within past, present, and future customers.

Flying that logo high above your business as a few custom flags billow in the breeze is the best way to make your logo known to the world.

3. Diversify Your Design with Custom Flags

Of course, when we think flags, we think about the classic flag on a wooden or plastic flagpole.

That’s, of course, one way to go. Classic will always be true.

And isn’t it truly amazing to know that flags are one of the last elements of advertising that won’t be pushed to the side by the ever-changing digital age?

These days, we have so many options for custom flags. Perhaps you’ll fly a feather flag like one of these custom flags from the fine folks over at Feather Flag Nation.

Perhaps you’ll choose a gonfalon, or five-point flag, that will hang right over your shop’s door. Perhaps you’ll design a standard pennant if you only need to brighten up a small space.

No matter your selection, custom flags will always stand proudly outside your business, waving customers inside.

4. Flags Brighten Up Your Outdoor Space

There are little tips and tricks businesses can employ to boost their curb appeal. That’s not a notion only for homeowners.

Something as simple as placing a welcome mat outside your door could boost your curb appeal, thus creating an inviting experience for customers.

Other tips include a close examination of your window display. Are you saying what you want to say with your window design? Is it uncluttered yet striking?

No matter your design choices, flying a bright, bold flag with your eye-catching logo is yet another beacon that will signal customers to your shopfront and through your door.

5. They Make Your Logo Stand Tall

A lot went into the design of your logo, didn’t it? If it’s going to become symbolic of the work you do, it has to be perfect.

Once you’ve nailed down that eye-catching design, why not blow it up and let it stand eight feet tall outside your business?

As we mentioned before, the goal is to evoke happy memories in your customers’ subconscious. A large, billowing flag with that all-important logo is just the ticket.

6. Flags Help Customers Find Your Company

This one seems sort of obvious, doesn’t it? However, it’s so important, it’s worth highlighting.

Has your GPS ever told you you’ve arrived somewhere and there’s nothing around?

Why not eliminate the potential for confusion and hang a bright, bold flag outside your business to signify your customers have, indeed, arrived?

A well-designed flag will be timeless and can wave customers in for years. Custom flags have been around for centuries and they’re not going anywhere.

7. They Boost Your Appearance at Trade Shows

Have you been wondered about the trade show market? Bringing your business to a trade show one weekend could be a very wise decision.

While a lot goes into the design of a trade show booth, a large banner or flag is the place to start.

And the fun doesn’t need to stop with plans for a trade show. Don’t forget about local or town fairs, open houses, parades, product launches, and any other form of public relations.

Much like a welcome mat outside your storefront, a flag touting your logo will be exactly what your new customers need to step right into your booth.

Be Logo-Ready

Whether you’re gearing up to design custom flags for your business or are thinking about your website and business cards, a logo is one of the first elements of design for any new business.

Here at Online Logo Maker, we make it easy for you to create the logo of your dreams. We won’t just help you build your brand, we’ll help you do it for free.

Our free logo maker is easy to use. Once you’ve mastered your design, you can even apply it to a new set of business cards.

Did you know that British Petroleum spent 136 million euros in 2000 on the unveiling of their sunflower logo?

And that in 2010, Pepsi spent approximately $1m on their logo redesign?

Did someone make a mistake? Were a couple of extra zeroes added to those figures?

Not at all.

A logo is the most tangible and recognizable aspect of a company’s brand. When a customer sees a logo, it can immediately conjure up images, emotions, and associations with a business. This type of recognition is the holy grail for most companies.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that companies direct such vast amounts of resources towards managing their logos.

As a gaming company, you need to be as fanatical about your logo design. Your gaming logo will represent your business and your value proposition to your customer. You have to make sure you get it right.

Read on for seven suggestions to keep in mind when you design your gaming logo.

1. Capture the Essence of Your Brand

Your logo is one of the most important ambassadors of your brand identity.

It visually conveys all the associations that people have about your business. These can include emotional and psychological connections as well.

The best way to ensure your logo captures your brand and identity is to research your customers.

Survey them and understand how they think and feel about your business.

Pay attention to the language your customers use to describe their experiences with you. Make a note of the verbs, the adjectives, and the specific words they say.

Try to incorporate these elements into your logo.

A well-designed logo makes people sit up and take notice, and it immediately brings up the ideal perception of your brand in your customer’s head.

As a gaming company, your gaming logo should be fun, compelling and evoke feelings of joy, excitement and good times. A great example of this is the logo for a great dice tray with a lid!

2. Make Effective Use of Color

The colors that go into your logo can have a significant effect on the perception of your brand. Colors can be used to convey emotion, set the tone, and demonstrate your unique qualities.

It’s a good idea to delve into the science behind different choices of color.

Once you decide on appropriate colors, you have to consider how well these different colors work together. If you don’t know enough about complimentary colors, you could use a color wheel to choose appropriately.

Does your choice of colors deliver a cohesive message? Or are they jarring to the eye?

A good color palette not only comes together in harmony but is also versatile. For example, how well do your colors transfer to gray-scale?

3. Be Unique

Simple, right? If only.

Nothing screams boring more than a generic-looking logo. A logo must be clever and unique if it is to command attention.

A logo is more than just your company name in some fancy font type.

Try to make use of double entendres in your logo work. Can you capture multiple facets of your company or customer experience simultaneously?

A great logo is one that characterizes your business in a way that nothing else can.

4. Avoid Cliches, Be Purposeful

There are always trends that come and go, and you need to make sure your logo design doesn’t fall into that trap.

There’s a fine line between being cleverly creative and just purely random. Make sure you stay on the former side.

Don’t add squiggles and dots just because you can.

At the same time, you need to ensure that your gaming logo has a purpose. Anyone can slap together a fresh and funky-looking logo.

But when you can create a logo that represents your company’s history, values, mission or other unique traits, your connection to your customers will automatically strengthen.

5. Keep Mobile in Mind

Did you know that as of 2016, 4 out of 5 Americans owned a smartphone?

This means that the chances of people engaging with your gaming company in some shape or form on a mobile platform are incredibly high.

This is why it is critical to ensure that you have a logo that scales well onto a mobile screen.

Designing for a mobile screen also adds specific physical constraints to the process. You need to think about the size of the gaming logo, about the same as an icon.

How much detail do you need to add to the logo to convey the message? If your logo has tons of tiny extra visual details, but they disappear when viewed on a 5″ screen, how effective can it possibly be?

6. Make It Your Own

When you design your logo, think about how you can add a twist to it that makes it entirely yours.

While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, you have to be careful that your smart logo doesn’t spawn legions of half-baked copycats. More imitators lead to potential confusion in the eyes of your customers.

Try to add a subtle visual element, perhaps a slant or a tear, that makes your logo unique.

7. Keep It Simple

The most iconic logos in the world are often very simple. In fact, their simplicity is what adds to their appeal.

If you have to explain in two sentences or more the connection between your logo and your business and brand, you’ve failed.

Go back to the drawing board and make it simple.

Bringing It All Together

If you’re ready to build your gaming logo, don’t take a risk and try to do it all yourself. Reach out to a professional firm with a proven track record of serving customers with top quality logos.

Here at Online Logo Maker, we have helped more than two million brands build their logos.

Head over to our website and try our free logo maker to develop your logo without spending a dime. We have the tools to add text, shapes and upload images. You can even check out our tutorial here.

You could also apply for our premium services, where you can design high-resolution logos, add transparent backgrounds and receive exclusive support.

If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact us. We’d love to work with you and develop the face of your brand identity.

If you’re running an online business, ecommerce logo design is more important than ever. Studies show that great logos are 13% more likely to get consumers’ attention, and 7% more likely to get them interested in the brand.

With how crowded the online marketplace is, you really need your logo to help you stand out from your competitors. You can’t just draw up an image and call it a day, though — there are a few secrets you should know to make sure you have the most effective logo possible.

Read on to learn more.

1. Keep It Simple

If you’re ambitious, you might be tempted to try to create something really intricate. However, less is more when it comes to great ecommerce logo design.

Remember that mobile browsing now accounts for over half of all time spent online. Will potential customers be able to see your logo clearly on a smartphone, or will it look cramped?

Think of the Nike swoosh. It’s about as simple as you can get, but it’s one of the most recognizable logos on the planet. Your design doesn’t have to be that minimalist, but it’s a great example to keep in mind.

2. Use The Right Colors

Did you know that nearly 90% of snap judgments about businesses were made based on color alone? Colors can change how people perceive your brand, so you should make sure that you choose the right ones.

A law firm, for example, would want to choose colors that are considered ‘serious,’ like navy. A business that advertises party products, on the other hand, could go with brighter colors like red or yellow.

Finally, think about what your logo will look like if it’s printed in black and white. It should still be just as striking in only two colors.

3. Don’t Follow Fads

It’s easy to want to hop on the latest trend in logo design or even pop culture. While there are some great trends, keep in mind that your logo needs to be able to stand the test of time. If you’ve designed it based on something that might only be relevant for another six months, you’ve hurt your business prospects.

You also don’t want to create a logo that could look outdated in a short period of time, because that just means you’ll probably have redesigns in your future.

Try to create something that will be just as relevant thirty years from now as it is today.

Make Ecommerce Logo Design Easy

You don’t have to be overwhelmed by the different rules, tips, and tricks in the logo design world. We have a service designed for entrepreneurs and business owners who want to make logo design easy.

Whether you’re an Amazon SFP or just starting out in the ecommerce world, we can help you create a logo that’s perfect for your business. If you want to create a logo quickly and without spending a ton of money, our app is for you.

You could have the perfect logo in just minutes.

Get started with our logo maker right here.