A logo is far more important than many people may think. When properly executed, it can be an abbreviated look into the business, and intrigue viewers to want to learn more about the brand. But what makes an effective logo? Here are 9 tips to get you on the right track!
- Understand the brand. First and foremost, understand your brand. An effective logo demonstrates the vibe and tone of the brand. Are you selling surfboards, offering business consulting services, or are you an upscale restaurant? Make sure that your logo demonstrates the brand correctly.
- Avoid cliches. Do your business a favor and avoid falling into the trap of creating a cliche logo. Learn from what’s trending, but don’t latch on to the same template that new businesses are currently using. Cliche logos can become old and tired rather quickly.
- Choose clever symbols. The symbol, shape, or emblem can be a defining part of your logo. A clever symbol can help your logo stand out on your website branding, while a cliche symbol will make it forgettable. Think of products like Apple that don’t use a computer as their logo, which is what you may expect from a computer-based company.
- Choose the right colors. There is a lot of psychology in colors that many people fail to recognize. Colors express the brand personality without needing words. For example, the color red is typically used to make a bold, energetic statement, while the color blue is generally used in a more professional, B2B, networking, or medical logo. Research colors and how they connect with users when designing your logo.
- Make it digestible. How long does the viewer need to look at the logo to understand what’s going on? Your logo should be creative without going over the top. The average person will only glance at a logo for a few seconds. Make yours clean and easy to understand.
- Make it memorable. Some of the most successful businesses have memorable logos that people recognize, even out of context. Take a second to brainstorm how you can make your logo memorable.
- Give it a story. People love hearing the meaning behind a brand’s logo. When you create yours, find ways to incorporate meaning. Do three brothers own the business? Perhaps incorporate a three-part logo. Think outside the box and get creative by bringing the business history into the picture.
- Be unique. A cliche logo may look hip, but you’re doing your business a huge disservice by looking like everyone else. Imagine other businesses in your industry. If you put all of their logos on a sheet of paper, what would separate your logo from theirs? Try different fonts, colors, and styles to give your logo a fresh look.
- Ask for help. When it all comes down to it, your best bet may be to hire someone who is seasoned at logo design. You can try to handle it on your own, but a graphic web designer who has created logos in the past may be able to offer valuable design expertise. Be sure to express your business objectives and personality so they can capture the proper tone.
The right logo can be a focal point for your brand while building familiarity, recognition, and loyalty among your customers. With the millions of businesses online, the right logo, along with strategic marketing can help you stand out from the crowd and capture an audience. For help contact us, are you reaching as many people as you would like?