5 Tips to Create the Best Logo for Your Small Business

If you’re not artistically gifted, then one of the most daunting hurdles that you might face in your entrepreneurial pursuits might be a simple one: designing your logo

Without a solid background in logo design, and a fundamental understanding of what factors make up the best logo for a business, it’s hard to create one for yourself. Regardless, a logo is no doubt one of the most important parts of your early business strategy. 

Think of all the brands that you recognize solely by their logo, be it Nike, Facebook, IBM, or others. A large part of the reason why you may use that brand’s products is because the company’s marketing leveraged its logo in the right fashion.

In this article, we’ll go over five logo design tips for you to keep in mind as you continue the search for your ideal trademark.

1. Focus on Recognizability

The #1 thing to focus on is recognizability. Your logo must be uniquely yours, and instantly recognizable. This recognizability is exactly what builds brand familiarity among customers in your industry.

If your initial logo designs seem extremely generic, bland, or mundane, cast them out and start over. This isn’t a point where you can sacrifice.

2. Less is More

When it comes to the best logo designs, less is always more. Simplicity is key. Think again back to the most recognizable logos you know. The Atlanta Braves’ logo is just the letter A. ABC’s broadcasting network logo is just those three letters. Nike is embodied by just a swoosh!

Find that perfect point of “just enough” in your logo design, and stop there. Don’t overcomplicate.

3. Think Long-Term

If you’re like most entrepreneurs, then you want your business to be around for a while. You’re not just in it for the short-term. 

The natural consequence of that is that your logo also can’t be designed for the short-term. If your logo designs are based on some current fad or trend that will be outdated in a few years’ time, forget it. You’re just doing yourself a disservice. The best corporate logos are timeless.

4. Stay Versatile

A significant percentage of small business startups end up pivoting to a different niche or industry by the time they achieve profitability and success. It’s quite likely that your company could pivot as well.

Don’t tie your company’s logo to a specific niche. If you do, then you’ll have to redesign it (and lose all the recognizability you’ve built up with your marketing strategies) if you ever decide to change your product or service.

5. Go With Your Gut

Last but not least, go with your gut. At the end of the day, all logo design is subjective. It’s your company, it’s your logo. If you’re stuck deciding between two logos a branding company has drafted for you, go with your gut and pick the one you just personally like more. 

The Best Logo Is the One That’s Right for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all in the logo industry. The best logo out there is the one that’s uniquely right for your business. All that remains is for you to go and find it! Alternatively, you can use a Logo animation maker, if you prefer to keep control in your own hands.

For more small business advice, make sure to check out the rest of the articles on our website!

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.