Designing your Business Logo and Identity!

by Jason Dirks / Setting Up Shop / Mar 15.10

What was the first decision you made when you started your business?  Besides deciding on what you're going to sell and how much money you can make...I'd be willing to bet it was the name of your business, I know it was for me.  Why?  Because it's fun, creative and it is the one thing that sets us apart from everyone else.  Some of us choose our own personal name, some choose to simplify it based on the products they sell and then of course some choose something so random you don't know what to make of it.  The truth is, the name is only a piece of the puzzle to successfully branding your business...another important piece is your business identity or logo.

Building a brand starts with you and your products, and the first thing the customer is going to see is your logo.  Designing a logo is super easy with several free online resources to choose from like logomaker.com, logoyes.com and logoease.com or if you'd rather have it created for you, 50 Dollar Logo is a good deal for a customized logo.  So, we know it's pretty easy to create a great looking logo, but no matter how easy it is to design your logo, make sure you take your time and consider the design.  It’s very important to choose a design that compliments your business and doesn't distract the customer.  The best rule of thumb is to go with your gut...and if that doesn't work, here are some handy guidelines to follow: 

1. Experiment with Placement

Be sure to test all the places you may need to use your logo so it works well with the layout.  For example, Etsy requires a 760 wide x100 high pixel banner and if your logo is square, you may run into some obstacles trying to stretch it.  Identifying these different logo styles and layouts will help you in the creation of your perfect logo.

2. Read your Font

Is the font in your logo easy to read...is it visible?  If you get too creative with the font in your logo, it may be difficult to read and in turn hard to remember.  The goal is to be remembered so keep it simple and be deliberate with your font style so your customers will remember your name and will be happy to share it with others. 

3. Compliment with Color

Does your logo have several competing colors?  Sure they grab your attention, but do they do more harm than good?  Sometimes being a little too colorful can distract your audience and possibly even turn them away.  Be creative, be weird, be unique...but please also be strategic.  Understand that too much can distracting and may draw attention away from what really matters...your products, so compliment your products with colors that invite and welcome your customer's attention. 

4. Be Professional

Is your logo blurry?  Creating a logo with the proper resolution may not sell your products, but having one with low resolution so much that it's blurry will definitely not start you off on the right path.  Make sure you understand the size requirements for your logo so that you have a high quality and clear design.  It gives the impression that you take pride in your business and that's what matters.

5. Make it Relevant

Creating a logo that represents your business and your products is a must.  The last thing you want is confusion from your potential customers...for example, creating a logo with flowers and candy probably isn't going to work if your business is handmade wood furniture.  Whether it's just font and colors or creative illustrations and images...make sure it compliments your business.

We hope this helps you in designing or redesiging your logo and remember, if you're just starting out or a seasoned professional...your brand is built over time through great experiences with your customers so no matter what your logo design looks like, make sure you strive to provide great customer service and your brand will follow!