How to Find Out What Kind of Logo Is Right for Your Business


How to Find Out What Kind of Logo Is Right for Your Business

Behind every great business is an iconic logo that sets the tone for success. These days, people are more likely to know major brand logos than the flags of the world, which shows how dominant these images can be!

Before you put pen to paper, fire up your logo maker software, or hire a freelancer, there are several steps to point you in the right direction for logo development.

Here’s your guide to figuring out what kind of logo is right for your business, and some practical steps to bring it to life.

Find Your Reason for a Logo

There’s a time and place for every decision in business, including logo creation. While you might think a logo is required to launch a successful company, think again. Many million-dollar operations function without logos, thanks to strong business fundamentals and consistency.

However, a logo is needed for certain types of business ventures, depending on where you’re at in the process.

A software company seeking seed capital, for instance, may benefit from a logo to enhance its brand identity and attract VC attention. A streetwear brand should probably have a logo to generate hype on social media.

While a logo can be beneficial, you must have a logical reason for it to exist! Analyze your business position at the moment and determine if it’s really time to invest time and effort into a logo, or if other steps should come first.

Narrow Down Logos By Type

Once you know it’s time to follow through with logo development, the real work begins. Like any creative endeavor, it all starts with inspiration.

Start familiarizing yourself with major logos from within your industry and beyond. You’ll quickly learn how certain design types are perceived and how they influence customer behavior.

A good starting point is to collect the best examples from various logo type categories. Monogram logos like the New York Yankees or Yves Saint Laurent exude luxury and exclusivity, while mascot logos like Pringles or Planters are more fun and accessible.

As you build your swipe file of logos and narrow down your favorites, you’ll see what similar patterns emerge and eventually isolate the elements you wish to include in your design.

Know Your Color Associations

Brands don’t choose color logos at random. Each color is selected to convey emotions, sensations, and associations with a given brand. Here’s a rundown of how certain colors influence brand perception through logos:

Red - ambition, energy, passion, power

Blue - trust, loyalty, compassion, integrity

Green - freshness, vitality, longevity, renewal

Yellow - peace, inspiration, friendship, optimism

Grey - practicality, maturity, balance, professionalism

With thousands of potential color combinations to choose from, there’s no limit to your logo’s originality and influence. Even the slightest change in shade or contrast can alter the whole look and feel of your logo, so don’t hesitate to try a range of alternatives.

Test Out Typefaces and Fonts

Typefaces might seem similar at first glance, but when applied to your brand logo, you’ll see how dramatically different they can be. Serif typefaces are more classical and elegant, while sans-serif offers a modern, minimal vibe.

Even if your primary logo is only a symbol with no text, remember that you’ll need to decide on a typeface and font eventually. Just look at the Apple iPhone logo or the Coca-Cola text to see how certain formats can be synonymous with legendary brands.

Keep in mind that typeface and font will likely be used in a broader range of marketing materials, so this decision has deeper implications than just your logo design.

Experiment with a Free Logo Maker

Unless you’re highly skilled with pen, paper, and colored markers, you may want to turn to a digital logo maker for hands-on experimentation. Free tools online let you dabble with various designs, colors, and typefaces before you commit to a single idea and put money down on its proper execution.

The best part is that today’s online logo maker technology is accessible and intuitive, unlike some of the more expensive subscription software suites. You don’t need a graphic design degree to get plenty of mileage out of a free tool and translate your mock-ups to a finished product later on.

Deliver the Final Design and Formats

After much experimentation and effort, your design is in the final stretch of production. You may want to hire a freelancer or agency to take your almost-finished logo the final mile, ensuring a professional touch and proper formatting.

Remember that your logo needs multiple sizes, versions, and formats to fit in with the broad range of digital interfaces in the world of sales and marketing.

It’s worth paying for a complete, organized file of all your logo versions in one place, so you’re never at a loss.

Put Your Logo to the Test

Logo design has never been easier, but that doesn’t mean the process is free of creative challenges and technical obstacles. Use this guide to get your logo underway and finish strong with a product you’re proud of!