Can a Custom Logo Make a Difference in My Business?

It's a known fact that all of the big name companies are willing to spend a mountain of money for professional graphic artists to create their custom logo design. If it was a waste of money do you think they would do it? Probably not.

There is only one kind of logo design that can make a difference in your business and that is a "Custom Logo Design". Custom means unique, none else like it. Clip art logos or online template logos are, by definition, not custom. The clip art part (clip art = used by many people) nullifies the custom part.

What's the quality difference between a custom logo design produced by a trained graphic arts professional and one produced by a $39 logo software program? About the same as the difference between what a professional cabinet maker creates and what a kid from a seventh woodshop class creates.

The logo at left was created for a business card company, it visually speaks volumes about that business with a minimum of words.

Logos don't have to be complex to tell a powerful story. As a matter of fact, simpler is usually better.

Customers that are in a hurry don't want to stop and puzzle over your logo to try and "Get" the message. Abstract symbols and oblique messages are wasted on the average consumer.

6 Benefits of a Custom Logo:

1. Helps produce instant market recognition:

All businesses are vying for market recognition. Some do it better than others. Some have a cool logo, some don't. I've seen Nike's swoosh symbol so many times that the swoosh alone instantly tells me that I'm looking at a Nike product.

2. Encapsulates your companies message:

A properly designed logo only takes up a couple of square inches of space but it transmits a longer and louder message than that same space occupied by words alone. The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words applies well in this situation.

3. Provides business integrity:

A company that cares enough to brand itself with a unique identity is the one that will rise above the other business also-rans. As someone wisely said, "A logo makes a full-time impression even though you are only a part-time business owner."

4. Enhances trust from consumers:

What is trust worth? Trust is worth the difference between making or not making a sale. Depending on the type of business you're in that number could be measured in the thousands of dollars.

Not everyone loves the Ford Motor Company but for those who do seeing Ford's corporate logo affixed to their car makes them feel better.

5. Makes your business more memorable:

Pictures are easier to remember than words. By making your logo visible in many different marketing mediums you are increasing market awareness for your business. One picture of what a guitar looks like is worth more than a thousand words trying to explain what it looks like.

6. Makes the promotion of your business easier:

Companies that don't have a good logo design hamstring themselves when it comes to promotion. A beautiful logo can be printed on countless things like polo shirts and coffee mugs and used in other ways that words alone can't replace.

As you can see the value of a custom logo to your business can be immense. If you want to make a super impact with your marketing get a cool logo. If you think about it for a minute where would Superman be without his Superman logo?

Don't allow something as valuable as your logo be produced by amateurs in order to save a few bucks. Every dollar you invest in the design of your logo will pay you dividends for the life of your company.

Next article: Tips on great logo design.