These days if you want to build a successful online business you need to plan ahead, right from the very beginning. It’s not enough to set up just a niche blog or two anymore.
You may be just testing the waters now, but eventually you’re going to be branching out into a lot of different online business ventures and you’ll want to develop a brand.
And when you think “brand”, like Pepsi or Nike, the first thing that comes to mind is their logo. Here’s how you can get a logo for your site and start your business off right.
Design your own logo
If you’re handy with Photoshop or Paintshop or you have some experience in graphic design, go ahead and design your own logo. Here are some things to keep in mind:
It needs to look professional – No, that clipart CD you picked up at the discount store won’t cut it. Your logo has to look like it was professionally designed just for your business.
It needs to resonate with your audience – Take some time to decide what message you want to convey with your logo. Should it be comical or serious? Or maybe patriotic? Colors play a huge role in how people perceive your business when they first see your logo, too. Take a few minutes to do some online research into the psychological effects of colors.
It should be adaptable – You’re going to be using this logo for a very long time and you’re going to be using it everywhere. Make sure it’s easy to see if you shrink it down for an online avatar so you can use it in your social networks. Then, make sure it’s easy to see if you enlarge it for your busines cards or letterhead. Next, size it to fit your website. And go a step further – can you blow it up and put it on a T-shirt and still have people recognize your logo?
Buy a pre-made logo
There are several websites you can visit to buy pre-made logos and they have some really cool designs. The average cost is around $50 to $200 which is worth it if you consider how much time you’d have to put into it if you designed it yourself. Turnaround time is usually only a few days, too. You choose the design you want and then give them the name of your business or any other details you want included then they modify the design and send you the files.
Hire a logo designer
You can find logo designers all over the Internet. Just do a Google search. Depending on what you’re looking for, I’ve seen several good designers on Fiverr, too. And you can check the Internet Marketing forums, like WarriorForum, or visit DeviantArt where the graphic artists hang out.
If you want to have some fun with it, visit 99designs and run a contest. The more money you offer the better the participation and these guys know what they’re doing. You’ll end up with several very good logo designs to choose from.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below!