The average cost of starting a new business is $30,000. Naturally, entrepreneurs who work from home or on the internet tend to spend less than this sum, but there are still plenty of expenses involved in getting a new business off the ground. You’ll need to pay for your new website URL, invest in purchasing or creating goods to sell, buy materials needed to provide services/products for sale, etc. In some instances, you’ll also need to pay for a license and business insurance.
Marketing expenses can also take a bite out of your budget. You may want to use Google Ads, social media ads, flyers, billboard ads, or other forms of advertising to generate brand name recognition for your new business. If your new business is targeting people in your local area, you may want to invest in booths at local expos and events to help people in your city get to know who you are and what you have to offer.
Thankfully, paying for branding for your new business doesn’t have to be one of your main expenses. You can design a logo all by yourself thanks to internet-based resources available to help new business owners choose the right image, colors, and style for a unique, eye-catching logo that will bring in customers and generate sales. Here are six tips to get you started on the right track.
Learn Logo Design Principals and Basics
There are a few principles you’ll want to bear in mind to ensure your new logo meets your current and long-term needs. First, you’ll need to identify your target audience to make sure your new logo is appealing to the people you want to reach. For instance, companies selling high-end products/services will want a logo that reflects luxury and class rather than a casual image.
Next, you’ll need to identify your business’ core values and goals. Your logo must represent who you are and what you have to offer. Do you want to emphasize your durable products, warm and friendly customer service, or playful, relaxed ambiance? A mascot logo may be perfect for companies working with kids but a poor choice for a business targeting adults. An emblem conveys class and tradition but may not work well for a modern company promoting new technology.
Finally, it’s important to realize that colors and certain color combinations convey meaning. Green and brown are earthy and natural, which is why they’re often used for companies selling natural, organic products. Red, orange, and yellow are commonly used by the food industry as they stimulate hunger. Red denotes vitality and strength while blue conveys both strength and calm.
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Use Competitors’ Logos as a Source of Inspiration
The last thing you want to do is copy a competitor’s logo. Doing so is counterproductive as people won’t be able to readily identify your brand. What’s more, you could face legal action for stealing another business’ property.
At the same time, there is nothing wrong with looking at various competitors’ logos to see how they use colors, fonts, and images to convey a certain message. Consider each company’s target audience and think about your first impression when you see any given brand name. Analyze the colors and shades used, see how the colors/fonts/patterns match the company’s name and core values and check how the logo is used on various platforms. You can learn a logo by looking at logos used by companies that target the same demographic you want to reach.
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Try Out Logo Design Software
There are numerous logo design software programs to pick from, making it easy for any business owner to find the program that best suits his or her needs and budget.
Logo design software is ideal for a business owner who has a general idea of what he or she wants the new business logo to look like. Such programs offer an array of color, font, image, and style options to help you create a unique logo that will catch the attention of your target audience.
Some logo design software programs, such as Inkscape, are open source and can be used at no cost. Others are available for a reasonable fee, and many have a free trial period so you can try out the software before buying it. The cost of a logo design software program varies depending on the program you purchase and the services offered, but in most cases, the price ranges from $30 to $100. Some can be paid for on a monthly basis while others are available for a one-time fee.
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Try Out DIY Logo Makers
DIY logo makers are similar to logo software programs, but there are a few important differences. Logo software typically offers more image and color selections than online logo makers; however, online programs offer more assistance and support for individuals who need to see various design options in order to create a winning logo. With an AI-powered logo maker, you can provide a bit of input about your business and the program will generate multiple logo options that can be used ‘as is’ or modified in an online editing program.
Some DIY logo makers are 100% free. Others offer free logo design services, but you have to pay for the logo once you have created one you want to use for your business. Many online logo makers offer additional services you may want to consider, including domain name registration, website hosting, business card and letterhead printing, and marketing services.
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Get Feedback from Friends and Family
You don’t want to rush your logo and brand creation process. It’s very difficult to rebrand your business after picking an unsuitable logo. What’s more, picking a logo that offends a potential customer could cause untold damage to your businesses even after you change the logo.
Getting feedback from family and friends can help you avoid making mistakes while giving you valuable insight into how other people view your logo. Once you have created a business logo you think would be a good fit for your business, have it printed in various colors and send it around to family/friends to ask which logo would be the best fit for your business. Alternatively, you could include family members/friends in the logo design process by showing them various designs you are considering and asking their opinion on each one.
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Check Cheap Logo Creation Platforms if You’re Not Happy with the Final Results
Logo software and online logo creation sites offer so many logo designs, icons, and alternatives that the odds are you will have no problem finding or creating a winning business logo on one of these platforms.
However, not all businesses are able to create the logo they need using software or an online logo maker. Perhaps you need a complex design, or are simply unable to find the right color and image combination for your business. In such instances, it’s wise to reach out to a professional designer for expert help.
Having a custom logo created by an expert doesn’t have to be expensive. Some online logo creation websites offer custom logo creation for a reasonable price. Alternatively, you can find freelance logo designer on Fiverr or Upwork.
Every single business venture should have its own unique logo, even if it’s a side hustle and not your primary job. Potential customers expect branding, and a logo not only engenders trust but also customer loyalty. It will likely take time, research, and hard work to consider various logo color, style, and image options, and you’ll most likely have to invest a little money from your marketing budget for your new logo and brand; however, the results are more than worth it. A good logo will accurately represent your business for years to come, enabling you to stand out from the competition and empowering you to reach your long-term business goals.
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