Do you have a Logo?

[DebbS]

Hi,

I have just taken over a small business which is marketed mostly on the internet and I am trying to update its website and wondered how important it is to have a logo? Until recently the company didn't really have a name which was visible.

The company has been doing well with increasing profits but this year is quiet so I am looking at different marketing ideas.

I wondered how many of you small businesses have a logo, if you do, did you create it yourself or get someone to design it for you?

Debbie

 

[ethical PR]

Debbie

There is a difference between 'a logo' which is simply a design mark which represents the name of the company and its brand and a company's brand identity.

I would always recommend that if you are looking at investing in marketing you start by looking at your brand positioning and from there you can look at your logo and other marketing collateral.

Have a look at Marketing Donut - lots of useful marketing content you can look at around this issue

 

[LowPrices.uk]

It's worth having a good logo that sums up your business and is recognisable. However, on its own it won't get you much more business, you need an integrated marketing plan for that.

 

[DavidAshdown]

Whether or not you have a logo, shouldn't affect how much business you gain. It's never a bad idea to have one and the cost is negligible (£50), so it shouldn't be a major decision for you.

 

[am:pm graphics]

A logo and branding is really important. I would look into it and get a professional to design you a logo. Make sure you have it created within a vector package and they send you the source files.

 

[Paul Murray]

I managed ok for 4 years without a logo. Not one client commented that I didn't have a logo of my own and it didn't stop me getting work.

You should definitely be thinking about branding rather than just a logo. Your branding encompasses everything about your company that makes it unique and identifiable, including your colour scheme, brand tone of voice, visual style, hell it could even be a recognisable song or jingle (think 'Toys R Us' Christmas ads).

A logo on it's own is just a visual device and ultimately has very little impact on your day to day business. It's what that logo represents, what people think about your company when they see your branding or hear your jingle that's important.

Without knowing what your business is and who your market are, it's hard to give a definite yes/no answer to "do I need a logo?" but if you're mainly marketing via the internet, I'd say some form of visual identity is important.

I'd avoid having a go at designing a logo yourself unless you're actually designer, and I'd also avoid paying someone £50 for one, unless you want you company to look like a £50 business. You could do more harm than good by cheapening the image of your company with a cheap logo.

I'm happy to answer any queries you have about costs/what to look for in a designer, etc via PM.

 

[SugarCubeProductions]

Logos by themselves don't do much for a small business. They are there as part of your branding to help people who have used you before to recognise you again. Unless someone has seen your logo before they won't know what it means.

That said it is a better idea to have one then not to. It means that you can simplify your brand and company to an icon to reinforce it in peoples minds. If you look at companies like MacDonalds you can recognise them from just the big yellow M. The idea is to make your logo tell people everything they want to know about you in just a few seconds.

If you don't have a logo or consistent branding throughout your company, then I would seriously considerer getting it done professionally.

Depending on how much you want done, you should be looking at between £250-£500 for basic branding. That'll include your logo, business cards, letter heads, compliment slips, and guidelines for your marketing materials. It's important that everything matches and goes together to enforce this.

 

[Bruno Domingues]

I think the logo is important for the following reasons:

1. You can cut the logo into a square image to use in Social Media profiles like in LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter and it will look great. Without a logo you either have to use your own photo or another image.
2. Having a logo is about branding, after seeing it a few times, people will recognize your company by the logo.
3. If you have a beautiful logo, you'll cause a great first impression.

As for the logo design, you can have a good logo made for £50 or so and then I suggest you also do good FB + Twitter header images that include your services. Something that looks really professional is worth the investment because it is a one time investment and you can use it forever.

Don't forget to always ask for the source files when someone designs something for you, make sure you have the logo in Vector format, the file name should end in .EPS or .AI. With that format you can use it for print to make beautiful business cards, brochures, etc.

 

[Aspire Utilities]

I have just started a company dealing with SME market but not branded myself yet but feel its totally important moving forward to do this, if you type in google design logos and you will find people that can do this for you as I will be doing within the next few weeks, but that and also marketing as well will help you generate new business , new company branded launch etc

 

[Explainaboom Videos]

A logo may not increase your profit per se, but in the long run it plays a big part in your brand identity. Furthermore, a well designed, good looking logo adds a lot of credibility to your business.

 

[AJA SoftTech]

If you are running small business successfully then your business must required logo. The logo represent the branding of your company. So, design your attractive logo and put it on your website.

 

[czarecki]

But keep in mind that to be identified and remembered by customers there is no need for complicated and 'compressed' logo. Keep it simple, airy but recognizable. Sometimes even a plain text with a nice font is enough. Minimalism is the trend now.

PS And yes, we do have a logo. We had it made for us right at the beginning
PPS no, it's not my avatar

 

[willv]

For any business that will have an online presence (website/social media/etc) then I'd say a logo is an absolute necessity. So yes, we have a logo

Our logo is very simple and to the point. I can't show you it as I don't have 30 posts (doh!).

There's nothing fancy about it, some might argue it's not even a "logo", but if you look at our website, facebook, twitter (etc etc) you'll see how it all plays into our branding. We stick to the same colour schemes and always use the same font so everything remains consistent and reinforces our brand. Well, it's supposed too

 

[Tom Smart]

As already mentioned if you do get a logo designed, it's a good idea to go for the whole package business cards, letterheads etc. They will match up the designs much better. I personally think if you're thinking about it now to do it sooner rather than later. It will only help enforce your brand. Seems pointless and a missed opportunity to do it later.

 

[DebbS]

Thank you for all your advice, at the moment most of our business comes from the website which has a photo on it. I was looking for something to put on compliment slips, invoices, etc. which can all tie in with the website, so people recognise it. The idea most of you seem to think this is right way forward emphasises to me I have to do go that way.

Debbie

 

[PIers Ede]

We have one (as you can see) and it's been hugely helpful for us in establishing a brand. People are always commenting on it, so I would recommend getting a graphic designer whose work you like to put some thoughts into it. You can use it on everything from your quotes to your invoices, even as a screensaver on your laptop. A great investment, in my opinion.

 

[JoeInTheMiddle]

Personally, I believe that a well designed logo is essential. There's more to a logo than just making it look good. There's actual psychology behind great company logo. The design and colours used can actually help shape how others view your company. Especially the colours used.
I would strongly suggest getting one professionally designed, but be careful with who you choose. There are many out there who will just throw something together.
The best thing is, with a new company, you can easily re-brand it if you need to.

Joe.

 

[Martina Wade]

Whilst you don't Have to have a logo - I agree with the others that it helps, and it will make building and expanding your brand easier. It also makes it easier for customers to refer you and remember you - so Imo a logo is an unnecessary must!

 

[HazelC]

I feel the logo is what represents the company, it's what you see on vehicles / offices / business cards / social media / website etc - I would recommend it.

I came up with the idea for mine myself and then got it designed professionally.

 

[Richard White]

I think if it is just an internet business then I am sure that having a logo on a website is not that important. However, when you start looking at how you communicate to your customers (emails, brochures, invoices etc) and your marketing list you may decide that having a trademark as part of your overall branding helps look more established and professional.

 

[AndrewS5]

I 100% agree on the branding front. Branding is so important and ties in with asset management. Admittedly, it may not be important for a sole trader doing odd jobs but for nearly every other business - instilling trust in your company through your brand image or logo is very important. So employ a company to design your business cards - why not try an online business card designer to get some ideas of what you want then screenshot that and send to a professional to give them an idea.

 

[Abe Choi]

If you do decide to go with a logo you can as cheap as $5 on fiverr or crowdsource your design via 99designs. I've used both and have gotten good results. It depends on your budget and all the qualitative factors already mentioned.

 

[Plan A Link]

If you dont have a logo but you are serious about marketing your business online you could always use the default egg pictures.

You have to ask yourself how are you going to brand your business online? how are people going to build brand recognition? How are you going to convert the recognition to all your marketing and social media marketing?

Ask yourself that question and then a £5 logo from fiver.com will do the job

 

[VIS1BLE]

If you want to represent yourself as a professional and to make positive first impression to a client, having a professionally designed logo is a must.

 

[Steve Alphabet]

I think it depends on the business. If you're providing a personalised, one-to-one service, I'd say that people would prefer to see your face over a logo in your branding and marketing.

And it also depends on the context. For example on a forum like this, I'd prefer to see a poster's face, as it's more personal. But if I went to their site, I'd expect to see a logo.

There are some good case studies and experiments on the use of facial photos at http://www.quicksprout.com/2013/08/01/7-conversion-optimization-lessons-learned-from-eye-tracking/

 

[dwprint]

If you want to look professional you need a professionally designed logo on everything...

 

[fisicx]

No you don't. It's a myth that you need a logo to look professional.

 

[ganah-allan]

Being professional is not done by having a logo. Professionalism is your attitude or behavior towards your clients and how you conduct business. That being said, I still believe that a decent company will need a good branding and the branding starts with the name and the logo. The logo serves as a focal point of your business. Consider it as your business DNA.

An iconic symbol that brings out the emotional perception that you desire is not done overnight. It requires time for research and study. I agree that you can get your logo for 5USD over one freelance website, but are you really giving justice to your corporate image? Is that really how you value your company?

Consider professional logo design. You can have a basic brand identity package if you like: logo, business card, letterhead, and envelope. That should give you a good start.

God bless.

 

[Ryan Smith]

I think as long as it's clean and simple that describes your business brand then it certainly is worth getting a logo. From the logo you can then start to build a brand.

If you're a very very new business with absolutely no customer base then I would certainly concentrate on gaining customers before concentrating on a logo.

 

[Alan]

Yes you need a nice simple stylised text logo

a bit like








...




...

 

[Jeff Nev]

You should start with defining your branding; establish your brand and this in turn will help you choose a logo that properly represents your company and aesthetics.

From that point on, I'd say a logo is probably essential. How else could you take that branding and encapsulate it into just one graphic? It's hard, but it'll be helpful for getting your marketing materials to stick in people's heads.

 

[Vincentas]

Sure. But I have to admit that it is not an easy job to create it. Especially of you want it work and be relevant to what you are actually doing so that customers after seeing it would understand that it is exactly you.

 

[fisicx]

That's not correct henny. A logo is something that happens later on in the life of a business, for a startup it's irrelevant.

 

[fisicx]

No you don't. Without scroling up can you describe the UKBF logo?

All most businesses (including startups) need is a name. You can choose a nice fort and colour and put it in the header but you don't need a logo.

 

[Ian J]

Without scroling up can you describe the UKBF logo?

Interesting point. I've been a member here for donkey's years and I didn't have a clue what the UKBF logo was until I scrolled up to have a look.

 

[DavidAshdown]

Interesting point. I've been a member here for donkey's years and I didn't have a clue what the UKBF logo was until I scrolled up to have a look.

Me neither !

 

[Paul Murray]

I cheated and looked at the favicon in my browser tab…

 

[Bartholomew Hearn]

A must.

 

[fisicx]

Is this just a random post as it doesn't make a lot of sense. Unless you are suggesting a logo is necessary - which it isn't.

 

[Leaflet Distri Experts]

Logo is indeed a paramount way to promote your business: it gives your brand an identity and also encourages people to apply for a position in your company.

However do not create a logo like you have to do it without properly thinking about it: you have to be sure your logo doesn't look similar to one of your competitors' logo and that it embodies your business' core values.