Have you ever taken a moment to think about the importance of logos to your business? If not, it is easy to believe you don’t need one. After all, people come to you for your products or services.
Even without a logo, they will still buy, right? Well, you’re thinking may very well be correct. That is if you don’t understand the power of branding.
You see, a logo is a critical component of your brand identity. According to Creative Flow, a good logo is essential. Forty percent of people better remember what they see than what they hear or read. So to have graphics associated with your business, and to keep those graphics consistent, makes you more likely to be at the forefront of potential clients’ minds when they need your goods or services. When you see that apple that looks like someone took a bite out of it, you immediately connect it with Apple.
Does anyone need to tell you that car is a Mercedes? All you need to see is the iconic logo, and you build an instant connection. The same applies to companies like Coca-Cola, Toyota, Mcdonald’s, and Nike.
Statistics show that 75% of people will recognize brands by their logos. Meanwhile, 59% will buy a new product from a recognizable brand. And 50% of customers will patronize brands with logos they recognize.
Now here is the interesting part. You don’t have to engage expensive designers to create a logo. You can use some of the best logo makers for free.
Please read on for a guide to creating a successful logo for your business. But let’s first uncover some reasons why a logo is essential for your business.
Importance of a logo to your business
Why is a logo such a critical component of your business? The statistics above show the importance of a logo for brand identity.
But beyond that, there are other reasons, including:
- Logos can help grab attention and differentiate you from competitors.
- Logos provide the perfect way to create a strong first impression. That is why you must spend time coming up with the right one.
- The logo is the very foundation upon which your brand identity stands. The colors, fonts, imagery, etc., communicate a specific story you want to tell.
- Logos can foster brand loyalty. It is the one element that remains consistent. And that is something many people crave.
A well-designed logo is a validation of professionalism. It also lends credibility and authenticity to the company. That is a powerful seal of trust that will help form a connection with customers.
Tips of creating a successful logo
There are specific things you need to achieve when creating a successful logo. These include:
- The ability to connect with audiences
- Memorability so that you are always fresh in the customers’ minds
- Uniqueness to differentiate you from other brands.
If you don’t have design experience, it can be difficult to develop a good logo. That is why, budget allowing, it makes sense to let a professional logo designer do the work.
But if you are a freelancer or startup, you may not have the budget to hire experts. A fantastic solution lies in free logo makers that are available online.
Now here is the best part about the best free logo makers. You don’t have to enroll in a graphic design class to use them. With a few clicks and following prompts, you can design an attractive and engaging logo that communicates your brand messaging.
But it is only fair that we throw this part in. Even if you decide to use the best free logo makers, please let a professional designer take a look at the final logo. Consider the money you spend as an investment in your brand identity. A professional designer can suggest a few tweaks that would result in a more impactful logo.
With that in mind, please follow the steps we will outline below when designing your logo. You should aim to satisfy some of the steps even if you’re using the best free logo maker. Also, prepare for a lot of strategy work before you come up with the actual logo.
Start by understanding why you need a logo in the first place
In the introduction, we did say that some people may think that a logo is not necessary. And it may very well apply in your case. Let’s say you’re a freelancer looking to set up a business. You might think you can wait until you establish yourself to get a logo. Yet the truth is you may need it more than an established company.
Let’s use an analogy to explain this point. If you’re filling in a dating profile, wouldn’t you use your best picture? Not only do you want prospective partners to fall in love with you at first glance. But you also want them to keep remembering you long after they log off the dating site. You also hope that your picture is so outstanding that no one will come close in terms of competition.
Well, your business logo is that profile picture. It is a powerful first impression tool. But it is also what people will remember you with, years later.
Determine your brand personality
A brand personality or vibe, as younger people would call it, can take a lot of work to develop. But think about your business as a human being. According to Harvard Business School, 95% of purchasing decisions are based on feelings instead of logic. People tend to choose the brands that appeal to their subconscious, or “gut,” so brands that present themselves in a human and personal way do better than brands that rely on statistics or rationality. In other words, having a great product or service isn’t enough, you need a great brand personality to match. What kind of personality does it have? Think about it carefully because it will determine how people feel and see you.
For most businesses, the safest, and do we dare say boring, the vibe is professional. Yet, that doesn’t communicate much if you really think about it. Delve a little deeper into determining your brand personality.
If you want to be unique, don’t be afraid to be bold. Remember one fact always. The marketplace is crowded. Everyone is shouting, hoping for some relevance. Keeping it safe may not work.
The next question is how to determine your brand personality. Well, bring out your beloved pen and notebook. Now, write a few words that describe what you see your brand personality as. It could be playful, trendy, fun-loving, etc.
If you have written ‘professional,’ please remove it from that list. Even the most eye-raising business will describe itself as professional and trustworthy. Ok, enough of that. Let’s move to the next point.
Get ready for some exploration
At this point, you are realizing that a lot goes into creating the perfect logo. But stick with us, you will love the outcome.
The exploration phase requires quite a bit of research and education. So here goes:
Learn basic design principles
Start with learning some basic design principles. Yes, we did say that with the best free logo makers, you don’t need to enroll in a graphic design class. But we did not say that you shouldn’t have some basic design knowledge. Don’t fret, Google has tons of helpful information.
Learn what you can about typography, style, and color. Do you, for example, know about the psychology of color? The basis is that color can evoke specific reactions in humans.
So, let’s say your brand personality is warm and caring. You cannot have red which shouts passion and energy. Instead, blue or green would be better options.
See what the competitors have
Competitor research is not something you can ever avoid in business. The same applies to the logo development stage. A logo is that differentiator that sets you apart from the competition. It is also the way audiences will remember your brand. So, that means avoiding any design that remotely looks like the competitors.
Industry research
Find out what is trending when it comes to logo designs. According to How brands are built, Keeping up with the latest logo design trends is an absolute must for designers everywhere, but if you don’t know what to look out for, it can be daunting. Many trends come and go over the years; being aware of the latest trends can help ensure your logo stands out. You can also get some inspiration from designers and creative online communities.
Brainstorming
Don’t undertake this part on your own if you can. It doesn’t hurt to involve other people in the process. If you have business partners or employees, get their input. Also, call upon family and friends to give you some ideas. Just make sure they understand your vision and brand values.
Decide on the key elements for your logo
Picture source: Pixabay
At this stage, you can converse about logo designs due to the research you carried out. Now comes the part of deciding the key elements for your logo. These include:
Typography
Typography refers to data and text arrangement in a clear, legible, and appealing manner. But don’t let the simple definition deceive you. Typography has a huge impact on how the message reaches the audience. Indeed, it can evoke specific emotions as well. Consistent application of the typography makes it easy for audiences to build a connection with the brand. According to ZD Blog, Visual content takes 95% of the share in attracting buyers via design. It includes images, color and typography.
Remember, the choice of typography needs to reflect the brand personality. If your brand personality is serious (or professional, tongue in cheek), then decorative typography may be misleading.
Color
We touched on the color psychology above. But there is more to color choice. The industry you are in could impact your choice. Take health as an example. The colors are often blue or white, signifying harmony and well-being. A touch of green is almost a requirement if you are in the agricultural sector.
Imagery
Visual elements are critical because of their ability to engage and evoke interest. Further, there is the element of memorability. So, determine what works best for your brand. Don’t be afraid to experiment with modifying the text to come up with unique imagery.
Decide on the design style
Now comes another interesting part, which is choosing the design style. A lot of it will have to do with the steps you have already covered above. Looking at trends, for instance, can inform your thinking.
At this point, you will appreciate the free logo makers. They can generate design ideas, which you can tweak as you wish.
Some logo design ideas include:
- Classic designs tend to remain a relevant year in, and year out. The idea is to keep the design aspect simple. That means choosing fonts, graphics, or colors that are not too outstanding. The result is a logo that communicates that you are consistent and reliable.
- Retro or vintage is a trend that never goes out of style. What you get is a nostalgic feeling of the past. It can tell customers that the company has a history or that the past is important. Good examples are retro designs and illustrated logos.
- Handcrafted logos are a powerful showcase of individualistic tendencies. Yet, there is a focus on quality because that is characteristic of handmade items. Indeed it ties in closely with the vintage logo design style. But you can introduce some fun elements to update it to a more modern/ contemporary, youthful look.
- Modern and minimalistic logo designs are contemporary. Incorporate a lot of white space, simple lines, and minimal details. The result is a laidback logo that communicates quiet strength and reliability.
- Quirky or fun logos bring out the brand’s playful side. It is a fantastic choice if your target customer is a younger demographic. There will be fun elements, illustrations, fonts, or symbols. A good idea would be a mascot that has relevance to your target audiences.
Please note that the above are just some ideas you can use. But the beauty of design and creativity is that the only limit you have is the one you impose on yourself. So, go ahead and mix and match if you so wish.
Who knows, that could be the formula for a truly unique logo. And that is what everyone is aiming for, right?
See also: How Can UX Design Improve Our Design Logo?
You can perfect instead of reinventing the wheel
Sometimes the simplest solution to your logo design is right in front of your eyes. If you own a pet store, there is nothing wrong with having pets on your logo. If it has worked for others, it might as well work for you.
All you need to do is see how to make your logo different and more attractive. It could, for example, mean incorporating some of the latest design trends. Or, simply tweaking the typography to reflect your brand personality better.
See also: 7 Logo Design Tips to Take Your Brand to the Next Level
Final thoughts
We have shared a guide on how to come up with creating a successful logo for your business. We would be lying if we said that the process is easy. Fortunately, you have the help of the best free logo makers, especially if you’re just starting out.
Please take time to get comfortable through the steps above. You cannot, for example, ignore the importance of research. The same applies to familiarizing yourself with the basics of logo design. Also, take time to choose the right elements.
And please involve other people in the process. Sometimes a third-party idea or feedback can be quite beneficial. Finally, let professional logo designers give you feedback on your final idea. They are experts in the industry and would know what will work well.
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